Outdoor Dining

Tampa Bay Restaurants

The Tampa and St. Petersburg area have scores of chain restaurants such as The Outback, Bennigan's, and Texas Steakhouse, but since these can be found just about anywhere in America, this section concentrates on establishments unique to this part of Florida. Places here run the gamut from hot-dog joints to fine upscale restuarants with sophisticated wine lists and waiters in tuxedoes. Some of these selections may be more formal than the others; therefore, it's a good idea to call first to see if they'll throw somebody out or refuse seating to someone who doesn't show up dressed for a royal wedding.

TAMPA

Bern's Steak House (fine) is locally famous for its top-quality steaks and home grown vegetables. A wine list as big as the phone book contains upwards of 3,000 selections. For further enjoyment after the main course, Bern's has a dessert room upstairs. Main courses run anywhere from $18.50 to $156. Reservations required. Open 5-11pm daily. 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813)251-2421.

Donatello (fine) serves delicious Northern Italian cuisine in a Mediterranean atmosphere. With waiters in tuxedos and individual table lighting, Donatello features a variety of specialties, including veal dishes accented with a variety of trimmings. Main courses $15.95-$28. Open Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6-11pm, Sat-Sun. 6-11pm. 232 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. (813)875-6660.

Armani's (fine), a northern Italian restaurant housed in the Hyatt Regency Westshore hotel, offers sophisticated dishes such as lamb and marinated salmon filet. One of the most elegant dining establishments in town, Armani's lets in no men without jackets. Open Mon-Sat. 6-11pm. Reservations required. Main courses $14-$26.75. 6200 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. (813)281-9165.

Lauro Ristorante Italiano (fine) is an Italian restaurant renowned for its caprese, putanesca, gnocchi, agnoloeti, and phenomenal sauces and pastas. Southwest off the Dale Mabry Hwy, open Mon-Fri. 11:30am-2pm and 6-11pm, Sat 6-11pm, Sun. 5:30-10pm. Reservations recommended. Main courses $10.95-$19.95. 3915 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. (813)281-2100.

Selena's (fine), featuring Creole and Sicilian cuisine, is located in the Old Hyde Park shopping complex. In addition to top-of-the line grouper and shrimp, Selena's serves pastas, chicken, steaks, and veal. Musical groups perform nightly in a lounge upstairs. Sun-Wed. 11am-10pm, Thurs. 4pm-11pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-midnight. Reservations recommended. 1623 Snow Ave., Tampa. (813)251-2116.

Cafe Creole and Oyster Bar (moderate) is housed in a historic Ybor City building dating back to 1896. This indoor/outdoor restaurant features a distinctly Latin atmosphere to go along with its specialty Lousiana crab cakes, oysters, blackened grouper, and jambalaya. Reservations recommended. Main courses $8.95-14.95. Open Mon-Thurs. 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11:30am-11pm, Sun. noon-4pm. 1330 9th Ave., Ybor City, Tampa. (813)247-6283.

The Colonnade (moderate) has fresh grouper, crab-stuffed flounder, and other top-quality American seafood that has been attracting the locals for more than sixty years. Overlooking the Hillsborough Bay and situated in the beautiful Hyde Park district, the Colonnade also serves prime rib, steaks, and chicken. Reservations only for large parties. Open Sun-Thurs. 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11am-11pm. Main courses $7.95-16.95. 3401 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa. (813)839-7558.

The Columbia (moderate) offers outstanding Spanish cuisine in the heart of Ybor City. Tourists and locals have been mobbing the place since 1905, some to take in the Latin ambiance, others to eat the specials such as paella a la valenciana. Open daily 11am-11pm. Main courses $10.95-$21.95. Reservations recommended. 2117 7th Ave. East, Ybor City, Tampa. (813)248-4961.

Crawdaddy's (moderate), by the Radisson Bay Harbor Inn, features a wide variety of seafood, as well as prime ribs and steaks. Reservations recommended. Open Mon-Thurs. 11am-2pm, 5-10pm,Fri. 11am-2pm, 5-11pm,Sat. 5-11pm, Sun. 5-10pm. 2500 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa. (813)281-0407.

Le Bordeaux (moderate) offers genuine French food at reasonable prices. The dynamic menu lists a variety of French cuisine, with specials such as salmon en crouate and pot au feu. Reservations accepted only for parties of 6 or more. Main courses $12-18. Open Mon-Thurs. 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat. 5:30-11pm, Sun. 5:30-9:30pm. 1502 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. (813)254-4387.

Mise En Place (moderate) sits directly across the street from the University of Tampa. With main courses including such dishes as roast duck and grilled swordfish, Mise En Place's menu changes daily but always provides the freshest ingredients available. Main courses $4.95-$7.95 at lunch, $9.95-$17.50 at dinner. Open Mon. 11am-3pm, Tues-Thurs. 11am-3pm and 5:30-10pm, Fri. 11am-3pm and 5:30-11pm, Sat. 5:30-11pm. 442 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa. (813)254-5373.

Cactus Club (inexpensive), at Old Hyde Park, is always packed with eater seeking fajitas, tacos, blackened chicken, and other Southwestern food. Main courses $5.95-12.95. Open Mon-Thurs. 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-1am, sun. 11am-11pm. 1601 Snow Ave., Tampa. (813)251-4089 or (813)251-6897.

Mel's Hot Dogs (inexpensive) doesn't take credit cards, but it does serve some of the best hot dogs, corn dogs, and sandwiches around. Also offering veggie burgers and chicken, Mel's is located right by Busch Gardens and makes a great place to refuel after a day at the park. Main courses $3-6. Open Mon-Sat. 10am-10pm, Sun. 11am-9pm. 4136 E. Busch Blvd, Tampa. (813)985-8000.

Silver Ring (inexpensive) has been cooking up Cuban sandwiches, deviled crab, Spanish bean soup, and other Spanish-American dishes in Ybor City since 1947. No credit cards. Main courses $2.25-4.95. Open Mon-Sat. 6:30am-5pm. 1831 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City, Tampa. (813)248-2549.

ST. PETERSBURG

Apropos(moderate) features a menu of light nouveau cuisine, specializing in seafood. Apropos overlooks the marina and sits right by the Pier. Reservations accepted for dinner only. Main courses $8-$15. Open Tues-Wed. 7:30-10:30am and 11am-3pm, Thurs-Sat. 7:30-10:30am, 11am-3pm, 6pm-midnight, and Sun. 8:30am-2pm and 6pm-midnight. 300 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. (813)823-8934.

The Garden Bistro (moderate) offers a Mediterranean menu including a variety of seafood such as salmon and shrimp. Friday and Saturday nights, the lively ambiance is enhanced by live jazz beginning at 8:30pm. Open daily noon-2pm and 5-10pm. Main courses $5.95-$12.95. Reservations recommended for dinner. 217 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Keystone Club (moderate), reminding patrons of a sophisticated Manhattan steak eatery, serves a menu including prime rib of beef, New York strip steak, and filet mignon, with a little seafood on the nightly special menu. Open Mon-Thurs. 11am-2:30pm and 5-10pm, Fri. 11am-2:30pm and 5-11pm, Sat. 5-11pm. Main courses $8.95-17.95. Reservations recommended. 320 4th St. North, downtown St. Petersburg. (813)882-6600.

Nick's On The Water (inexpensive) sits on the ground level of The Pier in downtown St. Petersburg and cooks up a variety of Italian delights in an informal atmosphere. Reservations recommended for dinner. Open Sun-Thurs. 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11:30am-11pm. Main courses $4.95-17.95. 800 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg. (813)898-5800.

Ted Peters' Famous Smoked Fish (inexpensive) specializes in-- big surprise here--smoked fish. Menu items include smoked salmon, mackerel, or mullet. No credit cards. Main courses $3.95-$13.95. Open Wed-Mon. 11:30am-7:30pm. 1350 Pasadena Ave. South, St. Petersburg. (813)381-7931.

Fourth Street Shrimp Store (inexpensive) serves up fresh grouper, smelts, and other seafood on paper plates with plastic silverware. No credit cards. Open Mon-Thurs. and Sat. 11:30am-8pm, Fri. 11am-9pm, Sun noon-8pm. Main courses $4-12. 1006 4th St. North, St. Petersburg. (813)822-0325.

THE AREA

China Moon (moderate) is a chic, romantic Chinese establishment whose menu features some of the most outstanding Chinese food available anywhere. Grilled duck in ginger port wine is just one of the many dishes available. Reservations accepted. Open Mon-Thurs. 11am-9pm, Fri. 11am-10pm, Sat. 5-10:30pm, Sun. 5-9pm. Main courses $6.50-14.50. 4399 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach. (813)367-3008.

Silas Dent's (moderate) is a rustic building of palm fronds and cedar poles, serving a menu reflective of the diet of local folk hero Silas Dent. Food such as alligator, grouper, and squid is available alongside charcoal-broiled steaks and barbecue ribs. Open Sun-Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri-Sat. 5-11pm. Main courses $7.95-18.95. 5501 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. (813)360-9558.

The Lobster Pot (fine), located on the beach, is home to some of the finest seafood in the area. In addition to French-style lobster, Lobster Pot offers grouper, salmon, swordfish, and all sorts of other fine catches. Main courses are $12,95-36.95. Open Mon-Sat. 4:30pm-10pm, Sun 4-10pm. Reservations recommended. 17814 Gulf Blvd, Redington Shores. (813)391-8592.

Bob Heilman's Beachcomber (fine) serves a varied menu of fresh seafood, beef, and veal. For decades a magnet to people seeking good food, Heilman's cooks an extraordinary fried chicken. Main courses $10.95-$25.95. Reservations recommended. Open Mon-Sat. 11:30am-11pm, Sun noon-10pm. 447 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach. (813)442-4144.

Omni's Bavarian Inn (inexpensive) features a variety of seafood, steaks, and German food. Reservations recommended. Main courses $6.95-14.95. Open 3-9:30pm daily. 14701 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach. (813)393-9654.

La Brasserie (moderate) is known for its superb crepes and onion soup. Live jazz every Saturday night after dinner adds to the bistro atmosphere of this French restaurant. Reservations required for dinner. Main courses $4.95-17.45. Open Mon 11am-4pm, Tues-Thurs. 11am-4pm and 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11am-4pm and 5:30-10pm, Sun. 5:30-10pm. 200 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs. (813)942-3011.

Pappas Restaurant (moderate) has been serving shrimp, grouper, red snapper, and other seafood in the Greek tradition since its founding in 1925 by an immigrant from Sparta, Greece. Main courses $8.95-$22. Open daily 11:30am-10pm. 10 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs. (813)937-5101.

Yours Truly Gourmet (moderate), a local favorite, specializes in seafood but also features a host of other offerings. Main courses $9.95-$19.95. Open daily 11:30am-10pm. 150 Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs. (813)934-1770.

Sarasota

Chez Sylvie (fine), reminiscient of a fine Parisian restaurant, features a specialty Dover sole along with many other French dishes served by tuxedoed waiters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $15-25. Open Tues-Fri. 5:30-10pm, Sat. 8am-2:30pm and 5:30-10pm, Sun. 9am-2:30pm. 1526 Main St., Sarasota. (941)953-3232.

Cafe of the Arts (modeate) is a cafe, bakery, and wine shop all in one. This microcosm of the European restaurant world served all different types of international foods ranging from veggie platters to rack of lamb. Reservations recommended for dinner. Main courses $10.95-$20. Open Mon-Sat. 8am-9pm, Sun 8am-3pm. 5230 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. (941)351-4304.

Nick's On The Water (moderate) offers pizza and pasta as well as Italian seafood. Diners may eat inside or out on the terrace overlooking the marina. Reservations recommended. Main courses $7.95-16.95. Open Mon-Thurs. 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11:30am-11pm, Sun 11:30am-10pm. 230 Sarasota Quay, Sarasota. (941)954-3839.

Mrs. Appleton's Family Buffet (inexpensive) is particularly popular with seniors, but its stellar buffet and reasonable prices make it a hit with diners of all ages. The buffet changes from day to day, but visitors can count on barbecued beef ribs, turkey, and all sorts of American dishes. Lunch buffet $5.25, dinner $6.95. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-3:30pm and 4-8:30pm. 4458 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota. (941)378-1177.

Tampa Bay

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