CARIBBEAN ALFRESCO, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg; (727) 894-1000, Ext. 2144. The culinary theme under this attractive gazebo is Floribbean, a mix of Florida and Caribbean styles that blends tropical fruits, piquant relishes, aromatic herbs, translucent sauces and quick, fat-free grilling. Starters worth biting into are the Conch Fritters with curried remoulade sauce, or the Coconut-Fried Shrimp with a tangy citrus mustard sauce. A good bet for light eating for less than $10 is the Caribbean Chicken Caesar with pineapple relish. The limited entree selection includes slow-roasted Island Spiced Ribs with guava barbecue sauce and grilled Florida Spiny Lobster with charred tomato sauce and toasted cumin seeds. ($$) ...more

November 28, 2008

THAI AI-MEI-THAI RESTAURANT, 5391 34th St. S., St. Petersburg; (727) 867-0965. The menu lists more than 120 main dishes with familiar favorites such as Pad Thai and a handful of curries. Try the Thai Beef Jerky with a Thai soy sauce and scallion dip; Thai sausage, cooked in lime juice and fish sauce; or the fragrant Yum Shrimp and Squid, scented with ginger and chili paste. A user-friendly menu is spelled out like a Bingo game. For some of us, it sure is easier to say "S2" than "Tom Yum Gnoog." ($) ...more

October 10, 2008

CARIBBEAN ALFRESCO, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg; (727) 894-1000, Ext. 2144. The culinary theme under this attractive gazebo is Floribbean, a mix of Florida and Caribbean styles that blends tropical fruits, piquant relishes, aromatic herbs, translucent sauces and quick, fat-free grilling. Starters worth biting into are the Conch Fritters with curried remoulade sauce, or the Coconut-Fried Shrimp with a tangy citrus mustard sauce. A good bet for light eating under $10 is the Caribbean Chicken Caesar with pineapple relish. The limited entree selection includes slow-roasted Island Spiced Ribs with guava barbecue sauce and grilled Florida Spiny Lobster with charred tomato sauce and toasted cumin seeds. ($$) ...more

September 26, 2008

THAI AI-MEI-THAI RESTAURANT, 5391 34th St. S., St. Petersburg; (727) 867-0965. The menu lists more than 120 main dishes with familiar favorites such as Pad Thai and a handful of curries. Try the Thai Beef Jerky with a Thai soy sauce and scallion dip; Thai sausage, cooked in lime juice and fish sauce; or the fragrant Yum Shrimp and Squid, scented with ginger and chili paste. A user-friendly menu is spelled out like a Bingo game. For some of us, it sure is easier to say "S2" than "Tom Yum Gnoog." ($) ...more

June 13, 2008

What is Tampa's best restaurant? Readers ask all the time, and answers vary with the wind. But no argument should exclude the new Council Oak Steak and Seafood at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where a fine meal is less a gamble than a given. ...more

November 15, 2007

We could celebrate Oct. 15 for a lot of reasons: It's the day the Edison Electric Light Company began operations, the day 'I Love Lucy' premiered and the anniversary of the first audience 'wave' at a sporting event. ...more

October 17, 2007

THAI AI-MEI-THAI RESTAURANT, 5391 34th St. S., St. Petersburg; (727) 867-0965. The menu lists more than 120 main dishes with familiar favorites such as Pad Thai and a handful of curries. Try the Thai Beef Jerky with a Thai soy sauce and scallion dip; Thai sausage, cooked in lime juice and fish sauce; or the fragrant Yum Shrimp and Squid, scented with ginger and chili paste. A user-friendly menu is spelled out like a Bingo game. For some of us, it sure is easier to say 'S2' than 'Tom Yum Gnoog.' ($) ...more

October 10, 2007