Best big bucks, cheap eats, new restaurants, breads and pastries and homegrowns
Best big bucks
By CHRIS SHERMAN, Times Food Critic
Published January 13, 2005
When you spend $100 or more on a dinner for two, it should be special. At these restaurants it is:
Kiku Japanese Fine Dining, Clearwater Beach
Cafe Ponte, Clearwater
Roy's, Tampa
Massimo's, Palm Harbor
T.C. Choy's, Tampa
Spartaco Trattoria, Tampa
Rusty's, Sand Key, Clearwater
Bernini, Ybor City, Tampa
Kelly's for Just About Anything, Dunedin
Pacific Wave, St. Petersburg
Best cheap eats
The most exciting find is a place where you can get great food for $10 or less, even if it's just lunch or takeout. Here are my favorites:
Pane Rustica, Tampa
The Ravioli Company, Tampa
Lincoln Heights Bistro, Safety Harbor
China Yuan, Tampa
Keegan's Seafood Grille, Indian Rocks Beach
Farmer John's Pancake House, Brooksville
First Choice Southern Bar-B-Que, Brandon
Thuy Cafe, St. Petersburg
Sangwich Block, St. Petersburg
Authentic tacos from any number of small spots, especially in Clearwater and Tampa.
Best new restaurants
My favorites of the new crop for good food and spirit:
Massimo's, Palm Harbor
The Music Spot, Tampa
Lincoln Heights Bistro, Safety Harbor
Cafe Alma, St. Petersburg
Pelagia Trattoria, Tampa
Vizcaya, Tampa
Crystal River Wine & Cheese Co., Crystal River
Gelateria del Duomo Milano, Tampa
Ly-Ly's Hawaiian BBQ, Clearwater
Thuy Cafe, St. Petersburg
Bakers's dozen
Breads and pastries from tortillas and lavash to sourdough are the most affordable luxuries at the table. In addition to others listed elsewhere, here are the best places to drop a few dollars:
La Casa Del Pane, St. Pete Beach: artisan breads, focaccia, sausage rolls, market.
Bread Artisans, Pinellas Park: rustic Italian bread.
Delizie, Tampa: bread sticks, pastries, crostini, full meals.
