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.
Armani's - 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
(813)281-9165
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Bern's Steak House - 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
(813)251-2421
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Cactus Club - Packed with eaters 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.
(813)251-4089
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Crawdaddy's - 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
(813)281-0407
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Donatello - 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.
(813)875-6660
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Fourth Street Shrimp Store - 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
(813)822-0325
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Keystone Club - Reminiscent 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
(813)882-6600
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Lauro Ristorante Italiano - 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
(813)281-2100
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Le Bordeaux - 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.
(813)254-4387
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Mel's Hot Dogs - 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
(813)985-8000
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Mise En Place - 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
(813)254-5373
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Nick's On The Water - 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
(813)898-5800
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Selena's - 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
(813)251-2116
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Silver Ring - 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.
(813)248-2549
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Ted Peters' Famous 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
(813)381-7931
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The Colonnade - 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
(813)839-7558
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The Garden Bistro - 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.
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Apropos - 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
(813)823-8934
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Cafe Creole and Oyster Bar - 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.
(813)247-6283
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The Columbia - 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
(813)248-4961
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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.
