DINING
out
When in season, Jumbo Stone Crab Claws
are served either hot or cold, your choice, at
Seaweed Steaks, Seafood & Sushi in
Belleair Bluffs.
156 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
DINING
out
DINING
out
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.
KEY TO SYMBOLS
$ Inexpensive
$$ Moderate
$$$ Expensive
RS Reservations Suggested
CM Children’s Menu
D Dancing
V Visa MC MasterCard
X All Major Credit Cards
C Catering
E Entertainment
GRAM
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. $-$$, RS, E, X, C.
Aloha Ansley, 1737 Main St., Dunedin,
(727) 953-3757. Chef Ansley Spencer, a
member of the prestigious food and wine
society Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs, brings
Hawaiian fusion cuisine to Dunedin, such
as Poké bowls, pineapple salsa, Kahlua
pork, Hawaiian barbecue chicken and
homemade tropical ice cream to capture the
flavors of the islands, while still offering
gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Open Tues-Sat 11 AM-8 PM. $$, 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.
$$$, RS, X, C.
Bassano Cheesecake,
507 Main St., Safety Harbor, (727) 400-6512.
Get steel cut oats, Italian New York-style
hard rolls, or a yogurt parfait for breakfast,
or a bowl of homemade soup for lunch
at this cafe that serves its own high-end
homemade cheesecakes in more than
20 different variations from light and
creamy New York Style to Mint Oreo. Free
nationwide shipping. You will want to
bring home a different cheesecake every
week to share with the family. $$. X.
Beach Waves Grill,
2300 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach,
(727) 593-3663. Come relax and enjoy some
fresh local seafood favorites. Fish tacos, grilled
shrimp and scallop skewers, jambalaya, deepfried
Oreos and seasonal stone crab are just
a few of the delicious courses to appreciate.
There is something for everyone, even land
lover favorites. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM
and Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $$, CM, E-Sundays,
V, MC, C.
The Bistro,
17 N. Safford Ave., Tarpon Springs,
(727) 935-5770. Dan Jenkin has created an
inviting and charming restaurant next to
his Tarpon Tavern, serving the flavors of
the Mediterranean from brick oven pizza to
dishes such as fresh snapper and osso buco.
You will cherish each bite, along with the
bargain-priced early bird specials. Open
Wed-Thurs 4 PM-9:30 PM; Fri-Sat 4-11 PM;
and Sun 4-9:30 PM. $$, CM, X, C.
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 awardwinning
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.
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.
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. $-$$$, RS, X.
Cafe Alfresco,
344 Main St., downtown Dunedin,
(727) 736-4299. This breezy, casual cafe next
to the Pinellas Trail offers indoor or outdoor
dining with spiffy maple and brass whimsy.
Their menu is mostly West Coast bistro, Lite
Bites, beautiful salads, pastas, soups, Creole
items, sandwiches and burgers. Enjoy a
cappuccino with delicious European tortes,
pastries, cakes and ice cream. Open for
lunch and dinner Mon-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM;
Fri-Sat 9 AM-10 PM; Sun, 9 AM-9 PM;
brunch Fri, Sat, Sun 9 AM-2 PM.
$-$$, CM, X.