DINING
out
Catering • Healthy Lunch
Fine dining in the evening
Live music Friday
and Sat evening
Extensive selection of
fine Italian wines
The Most
Authentic Italian
Restaurant You
Will Encounter
NEW
LOCATION
7201 66th St N, Pinellas Park
727.209.2695 dasesto.com
est. 1997
WHERE TASTE
MEETS TRADITION
SINCE 1997
727-541-1200
8331 66th Street N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781
www.jessisrestaurant.com
182 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2019
world-class establishment. Open Mon-Thurs
11:30 AM-2:30 PM and 5 PM-10 PM;
Fri 11 AM-2:30 PM and 5 PM-11 PM;
Sat 5 PM-11 PM; Sun 5PM-9 PM.
$$$, RS, X.
Ava,
718 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 512-3030.
When Joe Maddon, formerly of the Tampa
Bay Rays, teamed up with restaurateur
Michael Stewart, it was a match in food
heaven. The result is Italian-style dining
with a special twist that makes even
traditional recipes better. The Pork Porter
House and the Wood Grilled Fish are
phenomenal, along with the especially
good Spaghetti Salmone.
Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-2 PM and
5 PM-10 PM; Fri 11:30 AM-2 PM and
5 PM-11 PM; Sat 10:30 AM-2:30 PM and
5 PM-11 PM; Sun 10:30 AM-2:30 PM and
5 PM-9 PM. $$$, RS, X.
Ava Armature,
1910 N. Ola Ave., Suite 108, Tampa,
(813) 250-3725. A spin-off of the original
Ava on Howard Avenue in South Tampa is
located in the Armature Works-Heights
Public Market in Tampa Heights.
This pizzeria serves wood-fired pizzas and
salads. We love the white pizza with pesto
and the spinach and date salad. The lunch
special is a good buy. $$, X.
BurgerMonger,
10412 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa,
(813) 968-6860, and 3838 West Neptune St.,
Tampa, (813) 254-0290. Proudly founded
in Tampa Bay, at BurgerMonger they say,
"We Build a Better Burger." Featuring 100
percent pure Japanese-bred Akaushi Beef,
BurgerMonger sources the finest and
healthiest ingredients in the world. Their
naturally satisfying menu includes burgers,
hot dogs, chicken, salads, beer and wine.
Incomparable food; warm, friendly service;
and comfortable ambience is found in their
five Tampa Bay area locations. Open Sun-
Thurs 11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM.
$-$$, CM, X, W.
Columbia Café,
801 Old Water Street, Tampa,
(813) 229-5511. The Tampa Bay History
Center has partnered with the famous
Columbia Restaurants in opening the
first Columbia Café on the first floor of
the Center. With both indoor and outdoor
seating, it serves authentic Spanish/Cuban
cuisine, including Cuban Black Bean Soup,
the Original Cuban Sandwich, Curt’s
Meatloaf Sandwich, the Original “1905”
Salad®, and Chicken and Rice “Ybor.”
Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM;
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, X, W.
Columbia Restaurant,
2117 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, Tampa,
(813) 248-4961. As Florida’s premier Spanish
Restaurant for more than 100 years, they
serve the finest authentic Spanish/Cuban
Parkshore Grill,
300 Beach Drive, N.E., St. Petersburg,
(727) 896-3463. Enjoy an afternoon or
evening at this chic St. Petersburg restaurant
that serves an inspired menu created by
Chef Tyson Grant. They serve fine food,
wine and spirits in a beautiful park-like
setting. Enjoy both indoor or “dog-friendly”
outdoor dining. Their 100-seat banquet room
is available for parties or special events.
Catering, weekend brunch and curb service
available. Romantic carriage rides Fri and
Sat. Valet parking. Open Sun 10 AM-10 PM,
Mon-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM, and Fri-Sat
11 AM-11 PM. $$$, RS, CM, X, C, W.
Salt Rock Grill,
19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores,
(727) 593-7625. This beach landmark is
legendary, and it’s still on fire with a
burning passion for delectable food, enticing
drinks and pleasurable surroundings. For an
evening of fine dining, elegant atmosphere,
superior service and genuine hospitality,
Salt Rock Grill should be your destination.
Open Mon-Thurs 4 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat
4 PM-11 PM, Sun 12 PM-10 PM.
$$$, RS, CM, X, C, W.
Sea Salt,
183 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg,
(727) 873-7964. Located two blocks from
St. Pete’s waterfront, this stunningly
appointed restaurant boasts intimate
dining niches, alfresco seating, a lively bar
scene and a 20-foot-tall glass-enclosed
wine room housing nearly 5,000 bottles.
Influenced by coastal Italian fare, they
utilize the freshest, highest quality
ingredients with a focus on seafood.
Open daily from 11:30 AM-Closing.
$$, RS, CM, S, C, W.
Vintage Small Bites
& Wine Lounge,
2914 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, (727) 289-5523.
This cozy spot owes its success to enticing
daily specials featuring up to the minute
market fresh and local ingredients.
The menu focuses on seasonal and health
conscious plates; however decadence
abounds in mouth watering delights such
as the Lobster Brie Muffuletta Melt and
Spiced Chocolate Avocado Mousse. There
are gluten free and vegetarian/vegan
options. Open Mon 4PM-11 PM;
Tues 11 AM-3 PM and 5 PM-11 PM;
Wed-Thurs 4 PM-11 PM; Fri 4 PM-12 AM;
Sat 2 PM-12 AM; Sun 2 P M-10 PM.
$$, E, X, C, W.
Hillsborough County
717 South,
717 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 250-1661.
This award-winning restaurant is acclaimed
for its innovative approach to contemporary
American cuisine and its extensive wine
list. Renowned Chef Robert Masson and
owner Michael Stewart have set the standard
for others for more than a decade at this
Da Pollani s '
Ristorante Italiano
13688 Walsingham Road, Largo
(727) 239-7855
South Pinellas continued