Four Days in Tampa/St. Petersburg

[jpr54_]

I will be visiting 3/10/06 to 3/14/06

I would like recommendations for restaurants in both areas

[eipi10]

Hi, as you probably know it's not the greatest area for foodies, but there is tasty food to be found.

If you want to try something authentic to the area, there are dozens of good Cuban restaurants. One of the best and probably the most well-known is West Tampa Sandwich Shop (3904 North Armenia Avenue).

A lovely place to have lunch (or dinner I suppose) is Circles in South Tampa (2500 W. Azeele Street). The restaurant takes up all of a cozy house. The food is pan-Asian influenced and, in my opinion, very well done.

My favorite dinner in Tampa is at SideBerns on Howard Avenue. http://www.sideberns.com/. The menu is very innovative and the food is wonderful. Atmosphere and service are also excellent.

The best known restaurant in Tampa is Berns Steakhouse. Not my thing, so I won't comment on it. You can check it out on the website for SideBerns.

Pane Rustica in South Tampa is a wonderful place for a quick sandwich and for delicious desserts and baked goods. I echo the sentiments of the NYC transplant on this website. http://tampabay.citysearch.com/profile/2684666/?brand=google. It's probably the only inexpensive Tampa cafe that competes with the best of NYC and SF. And it wins!

Edited March 3, 2006 by eipi10 (log)

[scubadoo97]

I will second Berns and Sideberns. Berns is a great steak house. I was at a Ruth's Chris in Birmingham Al and it was no comparison to Berns. Sideburns has a more whimsical menu. One is very traditional and the other more modern. Pan Rustica in Tampa is also a great place. Big wood ovens that turn out interesting foods and good pizzas.

What kinds of food are you into?

[scubadoo97]

Here's a link you may find helpful

http://www.tbo.com/entertainment/dining/

[lambretta76]

You need to go to breakfast at La Tropicana for Cuban toast and a cafe con leche. It's in Ybor. After that, head over to El Molino and take some home with you. Great stuff.

Rumor has it that the Columbia has a new chef and is turning out good food again. I haven't been back there in a while, but it could be worth checking out. Old Cuban grandeur in Ybor.

Snack City is a great place to have some great milkshakes (batidos), including my favorites - guanabana (soursop) and mamey. Those things in the popcorn machine are cuchifritos. Try one.

For a bizarre experience, try Hot Rod's BBQ in Lutz. The Lutz Lake Water is lime soda served with frog eggs. However, I find it to be some of the best BBQ in the area, and the place is a hoot. (The owner is a local politico wannabe, but his food is tasty.)

Edited March 3, 2006 by lambretta76 (log)