DINING
out
Currents Restaurant,
200 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs,
(727) 940-5377. This intimate, boutique
restaurant, inspired by the fresh concept
of culinary arts, has joined the gluten-free
movement. Eclectic daily menus are prepared
from fresh seasonal ingredients. Specialty
martinis and unique wine dinners are also
available here, and the friendly wait staff will
make you feel at home. Open Mon-Thurs
11:30 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-10 PM;
and Sunday brunch from 10:30 AM-3 PM.
$$-$$$, RS, X, C, W.
Dunedin Bagels and Deli,
716 Main St. (S.R. 580), Dunedin,
(727) 734-1829. This cozy, family-owned
and operated eatery is a small place with
big, Old World deli and Cuban sandwiches.
They use the best ingredients they can get
for their boiled and baked New York water
bagels, soups, salads, single and multidecker
sandwiches, sweets, pastries and
Cuban-roasted coffee. Eat in, curbside pick
up, limited delivery, party trays and catering
available. Open Mon-Fri 7 AM-2 PM;
Sat-Sun, 7:30 AM-2 PM. $, X, C, W.
E & E Stakeout Grill &
Kokopelli’s Bar,
100 N. Indian Rocks Rd., Belleair Bluffs,
(727) 585-6399. This seafood-oriented
steakhouse has a beautiful sparkling
waterfall and emits an aura of relaxation
and intimacy. It is famous for its beef, and
great care is taken to select the choicest
seafood and Prime beef. They have an
excellent wine list, full bar and now offer
a “small plate” selection on the menu. It is
part of the “Three Best Chefs” group with
Guppy’s and Mystic Fish. There is alfresco
dining on the patio. Takeout available.
Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM- 9 PM,
Fri 11:30 AM-10 PM, Sat 4 PM-10 PM,
Sun 4 PM-9 PM. $$, RS, CM, X, C, W.
Fairway Pizza & Sports
Page Pub,
2901 Alt. 19 N., Palm Harbor, (727) 772-7060.
For years, Kathie and Steve Jefferis have
been serving delicious, homemade food
using only the freshest and best ingredients.
Since 1982, they have been famous for their
Pizza, Greek Salads and more. You can eat
indoors or outside on their dog-friendly
patio and sip a drink from one of their two
bars, while listening to live entertainment or
watching sports on one of their 26 TV’s that
are equipped with all the sports packages.
Open daily. 11 AM- Midnight.
$$, CM, E, X, C, W.
Forlini’s Restaurant,
435 Mandalay Ave. N., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 441-1111. Forlini’s is a local favorite
with a true family tradition of serving
authentic Italian cuisine and fine wine since
1981. Homemade Lasagna and Gnocchi are
just a few of the pasta favorites. Specialties
include Lobster Sinatra, Honey Lemon
Salmon, Osso Buco and Veal. All entrées are
served with fresh bread, baked in house,
and soup or salad. Award-winning wine list
& full bar available. Open Tues-Sat 5-10 PM.
Closed Sun-Mon. $$, RS, CM, X, W.
Fountain Grille Restaurant,
Safety Harbor Resort and Spa,
105 N. Bayshore Dr., Safety Harbor,
(727) 726-1161, ext. 7825. The innovative
contemporary cuisine features fresh
ingredients and the flavors of the
Mediterranean. They have full bar service
and are open to the public for breakfast,
lunch and dinner. They also offer an elegant
Sunday brunch. Dine either indoors or out.
Open daily 7 AM-10 PM. $$, CM, X, C, W.
Frenchy’s Original Cafe,
41 Baymont St., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-3607. At this quaint location, you’ll
find many of Frenchy’s original menu items,
like the smoked fish spread, seafood gumbo,
boiled shrimp and Greek salad. In fact, their
grouper sandwich made its debut here and
continues to set the standard for all others.
Since its doors first opened in 1981, the
quality, ambience and charm have remained,
making it a continual favorite among the
locals. They also serve fresh stone crabs.
Open daily 11 AM-11 PM. $, X, W.
Frenchy’s Outpost Bar & Grill,
466 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin,
(727) 286-6139. This open-air Key Weststyle
restaurant on the way to Dunedin’s
Honeymoon Island has a large Tiki Bar
and features live music every day. It is the
newest Frenchy’s and the only one that is
not on Clearwater Beach; but they serve all
the items that have made Frenchy’s famous,
from fresh Grouper Sandwiches to She Crab
Soup. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, E, X, W.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
On The Beach,
7 Rockaway St., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-4844. Live music and fresh sea
breezes make this a popular spot for those
looking for great seafood and a trendy
atmosphere. You can dine in the open air or
indoors in the comfort of air conditioning.
Don’t miss their stone crab claws as you
watch the sunset on the Gulf.
Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM- 12 AM;
Fri-Sat 11 AM-1 AM. $, E, X, W.
Frenchy’s Salt Water Cafe,
419 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 461-6295. The Grouper Reuben
sandwich originated at this family-friendly
location, which even has a designated
dog-friendly patio. The menu also features
octopus dishes, conch fritters, buffalo
shrimp and specialty salads, which you can
enjoy inside, on the patio or Dockside-to-Go.
Tie up to the floating dock at the south side
of Mandalay Channel, north of Memorial
Causeway, then walk across the street for a
152 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2020
bite to eat. Open daily 11 AM-11 PM. $, X, W.
Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe,
351 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 441-9991. This addition to the
Frenchy’s restaurant family is right in the
heart of Clearwater Beach. It has the same
great food and prices for which Frenchy’s
has become famous. The Key West bistro
atmosphere offers open-air dining and an
unbeatable view of both the beach and our
fabulous sunsets. There is a full bar and the
best grouper sandwich you will ever have.
Open daily 11 AM-11 PM.
$-$$, CM, X, W.
Fresca Vida,
1757 Clearwater Largo Road, Clearwater,
(727) 301-3003. You can enjoy gluten-free
waffles topped with the açaí berry or the
watermelon-like taste of pitaya, sometimes
called dragon fruit, in addition to smoothies,
juices, salads, sandwich wraps and more
at this healthy food eatery with a charming
patio. Try the egg wraps or the organic açaí
and pitaya bowls. Open daily 8:30 AM-7 PM.
Curbside pickup available. $, X.
Ha Long Bay,
2192 Main St. (State Road 580), Dunedin,
(727) 734-3998. Nhan Nguyen serves the
finest in Chinese dishes, Vietnamese tastes,
over 30 varieties of handmade dim sum,
and even Peking duck, clay pots, sizzling
plates, pho and more, plus Boba Tea drinks
in her new bistro. Her large, open, pristine
dining area, special private events room and
the friendly atmosphere make this a perfect
place for the entire family. Open daily
11 AM-9 PM. $-$$, RS, X, C, W.
Happy’s Bayou Bites,
431 Skinner Blvd. (S.R. 580), Dunedin,
(727) 240-1102. Happy and Mark Jordan’s
new casual eatery serves homemade and
made-to-order Low Country and Cajun, and
Florida Cracker cuisines from a food trailer
embellished with a cracker-style facade near
the Pinellas Trail. Enjoy Po’Boys, Gumbo, a
Muffaletta, or one of their weekly specials
with beer or wine at a brightly colored
picnic table under the oaks, or take-out.
Open Wed-Thurs 11 AM-4 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-6 PM. $, E, V, MC, D, W.
Hog Island Fish Camp,
900 Broadway (Alt. 19), Dunedin,
(727) 736-1179. Chef Walt and Jane
Wickman’s new eatery, just northeast of
their popular Olde Bay Café & Dunedin
Fish Market at the Dunedin Marina, has an
inviting, Old Florida vibe with a nostalgic
collection of vintage boats, fresh local
seafood, creative menu selections,
plus a full liquor bar with 21 area beers
on tap. Dine on locally sourced hog fish,
grouper and mullet, Southern fried
chicken served family style, venison, fried
green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and other
favorites. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM
and Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, E, X, C, W.
North Pinellas continued