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148 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MARCH/APRIL 2021
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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.
You will want to bring home a different
cheesecake every week to share with the
family. $$.
Bayou Bistro,
607 Island Drive, Tarpon Springs,
(727) 612-0073. Chef Brian uses all the special
techniques that have made Louisiana and
New England seafood dishes so distinctive.
His diverse menu has something for everyone
from lite bites to luxurious entrées. This is a
place where you will feel at home and never
lack for service. Boat slips and a tiki bar are
available. Open Mon-Sat 11 AM-9 PM,
Sun 9 AM-8 PM. $$, CM, E, 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,
deep-fried 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. $$, CM,
E-Sundays, V, MC, C.
North Pinellas
Alfano’s Restaurant
& Splendido Lounge,
1702 Clearwater Largo Rd., Clearwater,
(727) 584-2125. Chefs Frank and Linda Alfano
established one of the area’s finest dining
establishments in 1984. Their classic Italian
cuisine is complemented by the atmosphere
of an old-world palazzo, an award-winning
wine list, and a full bar. There is jazz on
Wednesday nights and a piano on the
weekends in their Splendido Lounge.
Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-2:30 PM;
dinner Mon-Sat from 5 PM.
$-$$, RS, E, X, C.
Aloha Ansley,
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.
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.
Belleair Coffee Company,
100 Indian Rocks Road N., Belleair Bluffs,
(727) 501-1010. Stop by to enjoy quality craft
coffee in a remarkably cozy space. The “city
roast,” like all of their coffees, is produced in
small batches in house. This lighter roasted
coffee brings out its true taste and nuances.
The coffee is great, and the bakery keeps
customers coming back. Hours are Mon-Sat
6:30 AM-6:30 PM; and Sun, 7:30 AM-4 PM. $,
CM, V, MC, 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 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.
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.
$-$$$, RS, X.
KEY TO SYMBOLS
$ Inexpensive
$$ Moderate
$$$ Expensive
RS Reservations Suggested
CM Children’s Menu
D Dancing
V Visa MC MasterCard
X All Major Credit Cards
C Catering
E Entertainment
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The Big Island salad with ginger-pineapple
dressing at Dunedin’s Honu restaurant and
tiki bar is a customer favorite, along with a
cup of their special Hawaiian Kona Coffee.
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