TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

FEEDER'S DIGEST

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 3, 2008

Updated:

AMERICAN

THE BALLYHOO GRILL, 7604 Ehrlich Road, Tampa (Citrus Park); (813) 926-2149. The Ballyhoo serves its seafood with a Florida flair, but that's not the only reason folks keep returning to this Citrus Park eatery. Daily lunch specials and a comfortable atmosphere make the Ballyhoo Grill a popular escape for seafood and steak lovers. The restaurant is a raw bar, too, offering oysters and steamed clams. Sandwiches, salads and hearty pastas also are served. ($)

BAHAMA BREEZE, 3045 N. Rocky Point Drive E., Tampa (north side of Courtney Campbell Parkway); (813) 289-7922. This restaurant in the Darden Restaurants Inc. chain, which also operates Olive Garden and Red Lobster, is a Tampa magnet. The outdoor bar is packed during the weekends. The restaurant offers a hearty selection of all-American staples - seafood, chicken, beef and pork - with a Caribbean accent. Large portions and moderate prices keep customers returning. There's live music seven nights a week. ($)

BAR LOUIE, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa (at International Plaza); (813) 874-1919. Watching the Bucs implode isn't such a bad thing if you are chowing down on a burger and sipping a Guinness stout. Even without the football, consider it a done deal at Bar Louie in International Plaza. High-end television screens and good grub are the ticket here, including the Muffaletta sandwich, the PLT, and the gut-busting Black Angus burger. Beers on tap are musts: John Courage Amber, McEwann's, Sierra Nevada, Kirin, Pilsner Urquell, Yuengling and Boddingtons. ($)

BELLARTE, in the Radisson hotel, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd., St. Petersburg; (727) 572-7800. Hotel restaurants often can be an indigestible proposition, but that's not the case at Bellarte, one of the area's finer exceptions to the rule. This casually elegant restaurant prepares a piquant leek and potato soup, a tasty sirloin Carpaccio with capers and a lemon-truffle cream; fresh medallions of Tuna au Poivre; a hearty boneless Pork Chop; and for big appetites, the Mixed Grill trio of filet mignon, salmon and grouper served with lobster mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. Seafood lovers shouldn't miss the Coquilles St. Jacques, large sauteed sea scallops in a heavenly Mornay sauce with black truffle duchess potatoes. ($$)

BOB HEILMAN'S BEACHCOMBER, 447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach; (727) 442-4144. The Beachcomber is a hit with both tourists and locals. Seafood is usually a wise choice, but the house specialty here is a traditional fried chicken dinner. ($$)

THE CAPITAL GRILLE, Bay Street at International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa; (813) 830-9433. The Capital Grille's menu is eclectic and contemporary, emphasizing steaks, seafood and poultry. The restaurant prides itself on serving prime, dry-aged meat, prized by steak aficionados because it gives the beef a more intense flavor. The signature 24-ounce porterhouse is served on a heated platter with a splash of au jus. For lunch, you can't go wrong with the half-roasted chicken. ($$$)

THE COLONNADE, 3401 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa; (813) 839-7558. This restaurant is a Tampa tradition. It is the place where generations of families have gone for Sunday lunch, and young diners might go to impress a first date. It has arguably the best view of Hillsborough Bay and downtown Tampa of any restaurant in the city. The family-owned establishment has been in business since 1935, and it shows with their successful formula of consistent food, fine bar and good service. The menu is large; try the oysters Rockefeller, the grouper Oscar and the fresh-baked Key lime pie. ($$)

DOCKSIDE DAVE'S BAR & GRILL, 13203 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach; (727) 392-9399. The menu at this neighborhood restaurant offers an array of grilled sandwiches, fried appetizers, soups, salads, seafood and pasta dinners. Sandwiches include Philly steak, hot roast beef, Italian sausage, pork tenderloin and burgers. For dinner, try the Martinique plates: scallops, shrimp or a combination of both sauteed in lemon garlic butter and mushrooms and lightly topped with grated Parmesan. ($)

FRESCO'S WATERFRONT BAR & GRILL, 300 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg; (727) 894-4429. If location is everything, Fresco's should stay afloat for a long time. Formerly the Black Opal and Apropos, the building sits on the edge of the city marina, a stone's throw from the Vinoy resort and Museum of Fine Arts. Outdoor tables overlook a waterscape of sailboat slips, and diners enjoy cool evening breezes. Salads are deftly prepared and benefit from subtle homemade dressings, including the Insalata Della Casa. Entrees worth devouring are the Osso Buco, a large braised veal shank drenched in a wine reduction with mushrooms; fresh halibut with mashed potatoes and artichokes; blackened ahi tuna; and a whopping 21-ounce pork chop. ($$-$$$)

THE FRONT PORCH GRILLE, 5924 N. Florida Ave., Tampa; (813) 237-5511. This cozy eatery serves Sunday brunch as well as lunch and dinner. The menu features all-American favorites such as pot roast, burgers, pasta and salads. Then there's a bit of international flair with shepherd's pie, Cuban pork with black beans, chicken or eggplant parmigiana, and Thai chicken pizza. ($-$$)

GATORS CAFE & SALOON, Kingfish Wharf on the south side of Johns Pass, Treasure Island; (727) 367-8951. To some, Gators is a nightspot famous for loud rock music, drink specials and a gathering place for local University of Florida fans. For others, it's a place to bring their Northern friends when they visit. For boaters, it's a favorite stop for a burger and brew thanks to a handy dock. The extensive menu features 15 appetizers, including Buffalo shrimp, chicken wings and gator nuggets. Sandwiches and burgers are a sure bet. Got a big appetite? The smokehouse cooks baby back ribs and smoked chicken, served with salad and fries. ($)

GREEN IGUANA, 1708 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City; (813) 248-9555. On weekend nights, this place is packed with youthful beer drinkers and loud rock 'n' roll. But weekdays, the Iguana is a good choice for lunch or a beer and burger at the bar. Appetizers make up about one-third of the menu. They include staples such as wings, nachos, and peel-and-eat shrimp. The more adventurous can choose from coconut shrimp, cheese-filled fried jalapenos, gator bites and crab cakes. ($)

GRILLSMITH, 2539 Countryside Blvd., Clearwater (in Countryside Square), (727) 726-6061; 1108 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, (813) 250-3850. This casual restaurant features American food (the menu was created by Mise en Place's Marty Blitz) cooked on a fire - a gas grill for steaks, baby-back ribs, salmon and chicken with applewood smoked bacon. The eclectic menu also features grouper sandwiches, cheeseburgers, salads and dishes made with Creole sauces, Latin seasonings and Mediterranean mushrooms. Chocolate Cheesecake with raspberry sauce and whipped cream is a grand finale. ($$)

HARVEY'S 4TH STREET GRILL, 3121 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg; (727) 821-6516. Harvey's 4th Street Grill is the cool, comfortable alternative to Tampa Bay's fast-food wasteland. And its top-notch cuisine - at surprisingly affordable prices - will keep you coming back time and time again. Harvey's is always concerned about quality, and even the appetizers are prepared with care. Harvey's isn't just a restaurant. It's a casual and friendly neighborhood tavern that's perfect for watching the big game or gathering with friends for happy hour. There's even a late-night menu for those on the go and a Sunday brunch for late-risers. ($)

HATTRICKS, 107 S. Franklin St., Tampa; (813) 225-4288. Business folks are leaving their brown bags at home these days and heading to Hattricks for lunch. Shepherd's pie is Hattricks' pride and joy. Served piping hot, it's chock-full of ground sirloin, carrots, mashed potatoes and Guinness Stout gravy, topped with sizzling cheese. Daily specials also are popular. And there's plenty of sports action on the overhead monitors. ($)

JIMMY GUANA'S, 401 Second St., Indian Rocks Beach; (727) 595-8356. This casual waterside eatery offers breakfast, lunch and dinner in a tropical atmosphere. Shrimp is a specialty here. Peel and eat Shrimp Margaritaville comes boiled in a spicy seasoning. The delicious Island Coconut Shrimp is dipped in an orange-coconut batter and deep fried. Sandwiches include mahi-mahi and chicken (grilled or blackened) and an unusual yet tasty hoagie-style portobello cheese sandwich with sauteed mushrooms, peppers and onions. You'll also find pizza, pasta and salads. ($)

MAGNOLIA GRILLE, 600 Alternate 19 N., Palm Harbor; (727) 789-5464. This small cafe in old Palm Harbor specializes in Southern cooking. The menu features all types of scrumptious dishes, including fried chicken and fried green tomatoes, along with lumpy mashed potatoes and collard greens. Made-from-scratch desserts include peach, cherry and apple cobbler, pecan pie and hot fudge cake. ($-$$)

McDIVOT'S, 10706 Countryway Blvd., Tampa; (813) 814-9394. This seafood and raw bar has a sports motif and more than a dozen televisions. The menu is not extensive but offers a decent variety and a children's menu. Burgers and grilled sandwiches are generous and served with deliciously spicy curly fries. The deli sandwiches are whoppers, too, such as a piled-high grilled Reuben, baked ham and cheese, hot pastrami and BLT. But McDivot's specialty is wings, which come with your choice of 13 sauces, from honey barbecue to sweet and sour. Raw bar choices include oysters, steamed clams, peel and eat shrimp and Alaskan snow crab legs. ($)

PALM RESTAURANT, 205 WestShore Plaza, at West Shore and Kennedy boulevards, Tampa; (813) 849-7256. High-end steaks and seafood grace the menu at this upscale chain. Indulge in huge Nova Scotia lobsters, prime aged steaks, chops or Italian favorites such as Veal Marsala. All Palm locations are decorated with caricatures and photos, from local politicians to pop-culture icons. ($$$)

PRESS BOX, 222 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 876-3528. One of Tampa's best sports bars, with big-screen TV, huge Home Run Burgers, lots of cold beer and zesty service. Relief Pitcher specialities include a darn good Texas-style Hearty Chili, and the Buffalo Wings are appropriately spicy. Hearty sandwiches are killers. ($)

THE RACK, 1809 W. Platt St., Tampa; (813) 250-1595. A night at The Rack blends billiards with barbecue and pool cues with crab cakes. This quaint restaurant on Platt Street isn't a pool hall with grub but a classy kitchen that caters to players and gourmands. The owners adhere to the tapas mentality, appetizer portions and prices to match. Favorites include the Bank Shot, a generous portion of blackened chicken breast, bacon, spinach and mushrooms tossed in a very spicy tomato-cream sauce. Also consider the slow-roasted pork ribs, sliced beef tenderloin with five cheeses, and the Featherweight, a bowl of bow-tie pasta tossed with zucchini, squash, red peppers, asparagus, spinach, herbs, wine and olive oil. ($-$$)

SALT ROCK GRILL, 19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores; (727) 593-7625. Chef Tom Pritchard has found the formula for packing in the crowds. Giant steaks and seafood cooked over a wood-fired grill keeps them coming back. Order the Fire Roasted Lobster Tail or the Flair of the Grill (filet, pork, shrimp and lamb chops). Much of the seating (and the patio) offers a view of the Intracoastal Waterway. A dock offers space for those who visit by boat. ($$)

STONEWOOD TAVERN & GRILL, 17050 Palm Pointe Drive (in The Pointe at Tampa Palms), Tampa; (813) 978-0388. The menu at this bustling chain restaurant will please fans of seafood and juicy red meats. The plump New York Strip, filet mignon and other steaks are hand-cut and aged three weeks or more. Other finds are Pacific Cliffs Salmon, Pork Adirondack and Herb-Encrusted Lamb. Save room for dessert: Mint Chocolate Crepe (homemade crepe and ice cream), Florida Key lime pie with kiwi sauce and Creme Brulee Cheesecake guarantee happy endings. ($$)

STUMP'S SUPPER CLUB, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa; (813) 226-2261. Part of this restaurant's draw appears to be its decor: Stump's tacky taste mirrors a 1970s Holiday Inn lounge. The owners share their sense of fun with a classless cornucopia of kitsch from flea markets and novelty shops. Much of the menu, however, tastes purdy darn good, grub that sticks to the gut without denting the wallet. Don't come here expecting haute cuisine. Stump's serves Southern supper, bodacious barbecue, fried (and otherwise) chicken, beef and fish. And, hey, the Southern Caviar is really pimiento cheese dip, so stuff your expectations in the cornbread and wash them down with a cold beer. ($-$$)

TAMPA ALE HOUSE, 14803 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 969-0020 (check the telephone book for other locations). This is one of north Tampa's most popular sports bar-restaurants. Start out with the Cajun egg rolls filled with blackened chicken, cheese, peppers, corn and cilantro; Shrimp Jammers stuffed with cheddar; or Thai chicken skewers marinated and served on wild rice. Entrees of note include the Barbecue Chicken & Rib Combo; Chicken Florentine atop fettuccine and spinach Alfredo sauce; and Chicken Marsala served with sauteed mushrooms and Marsala wine. You'll also find typical sports bar favorites such as burgers, sandwiches and wings. ($)

WATERCOLOUR STEAKHOUSE AND GRILLE, 1201 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach; (727) 596-1100. This tastefully appointed space on the ground floor of the Marriott Suites on Sand Key focuses on a handful of seafood and beef dishes at the dinner hour, and is a welcome relief to the tourist fare along the beaches. Top choices are the 12-ounce Chilean Sea Bass, certified Black Angus filet mignon (aged 18 to 24 days), Sesame Crusted Tuna, and Cashew Encrusted Grouper. ($$-$$$)

WILD WING CAFE, 9210 Anderson Road, Tampa; (813) 890-9453. Boasting 33 different flavors, this place is almost like an ice cream shop for wing lovers. Indecisive diners can try the 25-piece Wild Wing Sampler Platter, which includes five different flavors in groups of five meaty wings each, or they can stop by during lunch for the all-you-can-eat buffet. Hardcore hotheads will want to go straight for the Braveheart wings - they'll make you glad Wild Wing offers washcloths in place of napkins; you'll need 'em to wipe the sweat off your brow. Ribs, wraps, soups and salads round out the menu. Try the outdoor deck, outfitted with a full bar, when the weather's nice. ($-$$)

WINNERS GRILL, 12060 Anderson Road, Tampa; (813) 963-3200 (check the telephone book for other locations). This casual neighborhood restaurant features nearly 20 TVs, a large bar and walls adorned with vintage sports memorabilia. The hearty burgers are half-pounders and come in several combinations. If you prefer chicken, go for the Buffalo Birdie Sandwich, a fried chicken breast smothered in tangy barbecue sauce and blue cheese. Other favorites are Shepherd's Pie, a crock of seasoned ground beef topped with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy, and Blackened Chicken Pasta. Rounding out the menu are a half dozen salads, from Chicken Caesar to Cobb and Taco. ($)

MEXICAN/ SOUTHWESTERN

ALGUSTO TORTILLA & SALSA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 912 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa; (813) 250-3500. This colorful, casual cafe in the Hyde Park area has good guacamole, pork enchiladas and other Mexican fare. Its green mole is extremely hot. The place recently expanded with a second dining room. ($)

CARMELITA'S, 5211 Park St. N., St. Petersburg; (727) 545-2956. Carmelita's has been cooking since 1983, and for good reason: The down-home casual atmosphere, inexpensive menu and hearty fare keep customers satisfied. Consider the generous, sizzling mound of ideally marinated beef that makes up the fajitas, along with fresh guacamole. The same goes for the delicious and filling Tacos al Carbon, the meat tender and laced with flavor. The kitchen creates a Del Rey wet burrito drenched in a heady ranchero sauce, and mixes scrambled eggs and Mexican sausage in the chorizo burrito. ($$)

CASA TINA, 369 Main Street, Dunedin; (727) 734-9226. Tiny Casa Tina ambitiously attempts Mexican authenticity and variety, plus nongreasy dinners and a decent beer selection. The menu includes Enchiladas Verdes, Enchiladas en Salsa Roja, Tostada Vagabunda, Chiles Rellenos and Pollo en Mole Verde, among others. ($)

CHIHUAHUA MEXICAN GRILL, 4101 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa; (813) 837-2138. This smartly designed spot in south Tampa blends the hot and cool primary colors of Mexico's flag around the motif of its namesake dog. The clean, cubistic decor enhances the fare: Generous, reasonably priced appetizers and entrees that reflect American tastes. Purists may nitpick, but the menu is pleasantly varied, the product fresh and flavorful, and meals presented without drowning in grease. Consider the Mexican Fajitas, served sizzling with sauteed veggies on a cast iron skillet, accompanied by a cilanto-lime infused rice, Monterey Jack cheese, fresh guacamole, sour cream and a pile of flour tortillas. ($$)

EL TACONAZO, 913 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa; (813) 232-5889. Seminole Heights' beloved "Taco Bus" serves up fresh, hearty Mexican favorites at a price that can't be beat. The colorful atmosphere is matched by the friendliness of the staff and the bright flavors of fresh cilantro, lime juice and sweet red onions in the chicken burrito. For starters, don't miss the shrimp ceviche. Who needs air conditioning? ($)

GUADALAJARA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 4502 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa; (813) 879-4096. This colorful eatery is attracting a large lunch crowd with a weekday special that includes two tacos (soft or hard), tostada, enchilada, rice and beans. The separate dinner menu includes beef or chicken fajitas, Carne Asada (grilled beef skirt steak), Mariachis (beef or chicken kebabs served on skewers with green pepper, tomatoes and onions) and short ribs. ($)

MIGUEL'S, 3035 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, (813) 876-2587. Good Mexican is hard to find around here, but this unpretentious little spot is a contender. The product is fresh, the kitchen creative, and the price doesn't sting. Nachos a la Miguel, beef or chicken, are good, as is the hearty Taco Salad. Miguel's offers five lunch specials for about $4 each, all of which cut the mustard nicely. ($)

MOE'S, 3810 W. Neptune St., Tampa; (813) 258-4560. Among the "fast casual" Mexican chains, this is the one with fish or tofu tacos, and the widest array of salsas and hot sauces, all made on site with fresh ingredients. Also, they holler at you (in a nice way) when you come in. ($)

RED MESA, 4912 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg; (727) 527-8728. The menu here is surprisingly large, with enough options to satisfy most tastes. Start with Queso Fundido, a Oaxaqueno-style cheese fondue with rajas de poblano, onions and mushrooms; Empanada turnovers stuffed with sirloin picadillo, salsa and sour cream; Cedar Roasted Salmon; and Enchilada de Marisco, shrimp and crab meat sauteed and rolled in corn tortillas, topped with smoked gouda creme. ($)

TAQUERIA MI MEXICO, 4205 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa; (813) 387-0091. Searching for an authentic alternative to chain Mexican? This is the place. The refried beans are homemade, not canned. The salsa is ground from fresh chiles. And tortillas come with meals, not as a side order. Tacos, quesadillas, gorditas (meat-stuffed fried tortillas) and sopes (tortillas stuffed with refried beans and meat) can be filled with your choice of bistec (steak), pollo (chicken), lengua (tongue), barbacoa (barbecue), chorizo (Mexican sausage), sesos (brains), tripita (tripe), al pastor (roast pork), de fajita (shredded flank steak), de carnita (fried pork) or de mole (with mole sauce). You'll also find platters and four different kinds of salsa. ($)

TIJUANA FLATS, 10019 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 849-6900 (check the telephone book for other locations). Chain restaurant provides tasty Tex-Mex fare at reasonable prices. The buffet of hot sauces is not to be missed, nor is the cookie-dough burrito. Just don't mix them together. ($)

VALLARTA'S RESTAURANTE MEXICANO, 13731 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 264-7691 (check the telephone book for other locations). This cozy, family-friendly restaurant boasts more than 100 items on its menu. In addition to combination plates with three to four choices, diners can order sides and a la carte plates. This means you can design your own dinner, choosing from tacos, tostadas, chiles rellenos, quesadillas, chimichangas and fajitas - you name it. The Dale Mabry location offers a daily lunch buffet. ($)

BEEF

BASCOM'S CHOP HOUSE, 3665 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater; (727) 573-3363. This American chop house showcases a variety of aged beef, hand-cut veal, pork and lamb chops, and a small selection of seafood. Try the expertly seared sea scallops, enhanced by baby spinach and grilled red onions. Enjoy a side dish called Gorgonzola Souffle, a cheesy bread pudding. ($$-$$$)

BERN'S STEAK HOUSE, 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa; (813) 251-2421. While Bern's is foremost a steakhouse, the menu offers some creative alternatives. Seafood selections can be topped with more than a dozen sauces, including curry mango butter, lobster emulsion and truffle jus. A slate of daily specials features fresh fish; a seafood sampler platter with Maine lobster, jumbo shrimp, scallops, oysters, clams and mussels; and other offerings paired with wines. You'll also find pork chops, rack of lamb, and a vegetable sampler platter. The huge array of aged beef - priced by cut, weight and thickness - still draws moans of ecstasy. ($$$)

BOIZAO STEAKHOUSE, 4606 Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa; (813) 286-7100. Vegetarians would be wise to avoid Boizao Steakhouse, a lavish restaurant featuring the churrasco-style cooking of Brazil. It not only offers a pampered, entertaining night of dining, it stocks you up for hibernation. Gaucho waiters wielding heavy skewers of beef, lamb, pork and chicken scurry nonstop, or espeto corridor, among the tables, slicing succulent cuts onto your plate until your belt busts. The restaurant is spacious and richly appointed, with a sophisticated bar off a dining room dominated by an extravagant salad bar. The 14 cuts of meat are cooked on spits over a mesquite fire, then carried out and sliced tableside. Diners control their feast by displaying small cardboard discs, green on one side, red on the other, and the gauchos are quick to respond. ($$)

CHARLEY'S STEAK HOUSE & MARKET FRESH FISH, 4444 W. Cypress St., Tampa; (813) 353-9706. A lavish, attractive addition to Tampa's big-steaks showdown. The prime and choice steaks are the draw, especially the New York Strip and blue cheese-stuffed filet mignon. One of its seven dining rooms is private and has its own entrance. ($$$)

COUNCIL OAK STEAK AND SEAFOOD, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 N. Orient Road, Tampa; (813) 627-7628. What is Tampa's best restaurant? No argument should exclude the new Council Oak at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where a fine meal is less a gamble than a given. The restaurant unfolds like an oasis, and diners can't help but be mesmerized by the posh design and atmosphere, top-shelf service and superlative menu. This is where a couple can drop $200 and feel good about the investment. Beef and seafood are the mainstay here, high-end USDA prime cuts and line-caught Florida fish. The kitchen creates small masterpieces with the rosemary-rubbed Dry Aged Lamb Chops and Free Range Organic Chicken with root vegetables. ($$$)

DEMPSEY'S STEAK HOUSE, Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel; (813) 907-4574. Beef, beef and more beef make Dempsey's a mouthful. The kitchen's prime cuts include a killer Black Angus Cowboy Steak; 24-ounce Aged Porterhouse; Wisconsin Milk-Fed Veal Chop; Roast Prime Rib of Midwest Beef; and a Center-Cut Pork Chop with roasted garlic and rosemary marinade. Less adventurous eaters can pig out on a lavish salad bar, seafood entrees and other luscious items. ($$$)

E&E STAKEOUT GRILL, 100 N. Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs; (727) 585-6399. E&E buys corn-fed, choice-grade Sterling Silver beef from the Platte River area between Nebraska and Colorado. The meat is aged at least 25 days and seasoned with cracked black pepper. Go for the 9-ounce, center-cut filet mignon, seared rare and served with a cloying bearnaise sauce. The 12-ounce New York Strip is the next best option, followed by the 14-ounce Delmonico. Those wanting to bust a buckle can wrestle down the 28-ounce Cowboy Steak, which could feed a small family. ($$-$$$)

FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR, 4322 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa; (813) 874-9463. This attractive, luxurious restaurant is usually packed with diners, but not just for its prime meats and high-end menu. An annually revised list of 100 wines by the glass entices lovers of the grape. The restaurant carries a sophisticated but casual ambience, with its rich wood accents, exhibition kitchen, stylish bar, spacious booths and alabaster chandeliers. The a la carte menu offers a solid lineup of beef, pork, seafood and poultry, and entrees arrive on large, sizzling plates. Thick cuts of USDA corn-fed beef range from an 8-ounce petite filet to a 40-ounce porterhouse, seared over gas broilers and drenched in butter. ($$$)

GALLAGHER'S STEAK HOUSE, 615 Channelside Drive, Suite 203, Tampa; (813) 229-8000. The restaurant's roots go back 80 years, opening as a speak-easy in New York's theater district in 1927. It set a legitimate table with the end of Prohibition and carved a reputation for fine beef. Gallagher's sets the tone for dining with ornate high ceilings and lavish wood appointments and flooring. Guests can gawk into the two-story cooler, where huge slabs of chilled Midwestern meat on the bone are dry aged behind the glass. The menu is a la carte, the meat - with few exceptions - ideally prepared, the service crack professional, and the atmosphere tastefully subdued. ($$$)

LEATHERBACKS STEAKHOUSE, 15000 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach; (727) 399-2227. Steak, seafood, ribs and chicken fill the menu, along with pork and pasta dishes. Good starters are Carretta Crab Cakes with horseradish-cayenne aioli and Shroom Bloom's mushrooms stuffed with habanero cream cheese. For dinner, try Max's Mixed Grill, grilled lobster tail, grilled chicken and shrimp brushed with a tangy lime butter; or Fort Matanzas Shrimp stuffed with crab and punched up with a lemony butter sauce. ($$)

MALIO'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE, 400 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa; (813) 223-7746. The old Malio's has reappeared with a posh new look on the bottom floor of Rivergate Tower, the cylindrical "Beer Can" building downtown. Shedding its fraternity steakhouse mold, Malio's now acts slick and sophisticated, armed with top-notch service and a menu steeped in high-end beef. Consider the 16-ounce Ribeye, 18-ounce Prime Rib, or Australian rack of lamb. The wine list includes 300 choices by the bottle. ($$$)

RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE, 1700 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa; (813) 282-1118. Ruth's Chris may be the business traveler's best friend, offering prime quality steaks in dozens of cities. The beef, undeniably exceptional, arrives hissing hot from an 1800-degree broiler, juices sealed within a perfectly charred exterior. To this, the kitchen adds a butter glaze, which spits furiously from the platters. Appetizers and side orders include Asparagus with Hollandaise, Sliced Tomato and Onion Salad, Potatoes Au Gratin, Creamed Spinach and Seared Ahi Tuna. ($$$)

SHULA'S STEAKHOUSE, Wyndham Westshore Hotel, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa; (813) 286-4366. This upscale chain boasts a Miami Dolphins theme, including menus on footballs. Fancy steaks, from Kansas City strip to porterhouse, and a monster 32-ounce prime rib await those who like to dine on plainly prepared but delicious top-quality meats. Shula's also serves chicken breast, lobster, salmon, snapper and, of course, dolphin. ($$$)

SILAS DENT'S STEAKHOUSE & BAYSIDE BAR, 5501 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach; (727) 360-6961. This beach eatery emphases top-notch steaks and seafood. Food is prepared straightforward, but with fresh, quality ingredients. Plus, there are extras such as homemade bread sprinkled with oatmeal and served with dried tomato cream cheese, a sorbet break between courses and a Parmesan dressing salad tossed tableside. ($-$$)

TEXAS CATTLE COMPANY, 2600 34th Street N., St. Petersburg; (727) 527-3335. The market-style display (featuring hearty steaks and lobster) catches your attention at this cowboy-friendly eatery. A winner is the 18-ounce T-bone teamed with a baked lobster tail. Since the eatery opened in 1985, only a handful of people have the right to say they finished the 6-pound Texas Challenge - eating a 6-pound steak, salad, potato and bread in 75 minutes. If one finishes only half, the charge is $26. A skimpy finish (leaving more than 3 pounds) will cost $40. ($-$$)

WATERCOLOUR STEAKHOUSE AND GRILLE, 1201 Gulf Blvd. (Marriott Sand Key), Clearwater Beach; (727) 596-1100. Yes, Virginia, there are some excellent restaurants along the beach, and Watercolour proves our point. The kitchen cooks up a delicious fillet of Chilean Sea Bass, and grills nothing but certified black Angus beef - expensive and worth it. Waterfront views and good service enhance the dining experience. ($$-$$$)

Feeder's Digest is a weekly compendium of Bay area restaurants visited anonymously and recommended by Tribune restaurant critics. Prices are per couple for three courses, with a glass of wine each (where applicable) before tip and taxes.

$ means $30 or less

$$ means $30 to $60

$$$ means more than $60

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT