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148 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
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T A M P A B A Y M A G A Z I N E ’ S R E S T A U R A N T G U I D E
Planning on dining out? We recommend that you try one of these fabulous restaurants.
We have tried them all and find them to be the best places to dine in the Tampa Bay area.
Our restaurant reviews are grouped according to location.
Pinellas County’s North/South dividing line is Ulmerton Road.
rolls, or a yogurt parfait for breakfast, or a
bowl of homemade soup for lunch at this
cafe that serves its own high-end homemade
cheesecakes in more than 20 different
variations from light and creamy New York
Style to Mint Oreo. Free nationwide shipping.
You will want to bring home a different
cheesecake every week to share with the
family. $$. X.
Bayou Bistro,
607 Island Drive, Tarpon Springs,
(727) 612-0073. Chef Brian uses all the
special techniques that have made Louisiana
and New England seafood dishes so
distinctive. His diverse menu has something
for everyone from lite bites to luxurious
North Pinellas
Alfano’s Restaurant
& Splendido Lounge,
1702 Clearwater Largo Rd., Clearwater,
(727) 584-2125. Chefs Frank and Linda
Alfano established one of the area’s finest
dining establishments in 1984. Their
classic Italian cuisine is complemented by
the atmosphere of an old-world palazzo,
an award-winning wine list, and a full
bar. There is jazz on Wednesday nights
and a piano on the weekends in their
Splendido Lounge. Open for lunch
Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-2:30 PM; dinner
Mon-Sat from 5 PM. $-$$, RS, E, X, C, W.
Aloha Ansley,
1931 West Bay Drive, Suite B, Largo,
(727) 953-3757. Chef Ansley Spencer, a
member of the prestigious food and wine
society Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs, brings
Hawaiian cuisine such as pineapple salsa,
marinated tuna and salmon, coconut jasmine
rice and pina colada sorbet to capture the
flavors of the islands, while still offering
gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Open Tues-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM;
Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM and Sun, 11 AM-9 PM.
Closed Mondays. $$, X
Bascom’s Chop House,
3665 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater,
(727) 573-3363. Voted “Best Steakhouse,”
Bascom’s serves Certified Angus beef,
aged “in house” a minimum of 28 days,
slow-roasted prime rib and a variety of
fresh seafood in large portions. They
have seven dining rooms for all your
parties, large or small, up to 200 guests.
The lounge offers a full selection of liquors
and fine wines, as well as the full menu.
Off-site catering is available. Open for
lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-2:30 PM; dinner
Mon-Sat 5 PM-10 PM, Sun 4 PM-9 PM.
$$$, RS, X, C, W.
Bassano Cheesecake,
507 Main St., Safety Harbor, (727) 400-6512.
Get steel cut oats, Italian New York-style hard
entrées. This is a place where you will
feel at home and never lack for service.
Boat slips and a tiki bar are available.
Open Tues-Fri 11 AM-10 PM;
Sat-Sun 9 AM-10 PM.
$$, CM, E, X, W.
Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber
Restaurant,
447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 442-4144. Serving classic American
cuisine since 1948, their signature dishes
include the finest cuts of USDA Prime
Beef, as well as daily seafood specials that
are the catch of the day, thus ensuring
their freshness. Try their Back-to-the-
Farm Chicken, homemade soups, sauces,
breads and desserts. You’ll enjoy the
award-winning wine list, generous
cocktails and their pianist. Open daily for
lunch 11:30 AM-4 PM; dinner from 4 PM.
$$-$$$, RS, E, X, D, C, W.
Bobby’s Bistro & Wine Bar,
454 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-WINE (9463). This true American
bistro, from the owners of Bob Heilman’s
Beachcomber Restaurant, serves USDA Prime
Beef, fresh seafood and pasta, all creatively
prepared with air and style in this lively and
fun atmosphere. This is intimate dining that
has covered alfresco seating. Try their daily
pizzas or meal-satisfying salads. In addition
to an award-winning wine list, they serve
generous cocktails. Open nightly from 5 PM.
$$-$$$, RS, E, X, D, C, W.
Bon Appétit Restaurant,
148 Marina Plaza (at the Dunedin Marina),
Dunedin, (727) 733-2151. Restaurant critics
have praised their cuisine since the 1970s.
This is a great waterfront restaurant, where
you can enjoy Intracoastal and Gulf views
while dining in a relaxed atmosphere inside
or alfresco at their Terrace Café. Their
upstairs Sunset Rooms accommodate up
to 200 for weddings, corporate and special
events. Open Sun-Thurs 11:30 AM-9 PM
and Fri-Sat 11:30 AM-10 PM.
$-$$$, RS, X, W.
KEY TO SYMBOLS
$ Inexpensive
$$ Moderate
$$$ Expensive
RS Reservations Suggested
CM Children’s Menu
E Entertainment
D Dancing
V Visa
MC MasterCard
X All Major Credit Cards
C Catering
W Wheelchair Accessible
GRAM
The grouper bites at Water Oak Grill in Safety
Harbor, 201 Main St., are among Chef Walt
Wickman’s dishes at this casual, comfortable
and unpretentious restaurant.