Ceviche St. Pete

Editor's pick Award winner

95 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33701

(727) 209-2299

http://www.ceviche.com/

Awards: Zagat rated

Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Cuisine: Tapas/small plates

Features: Date night, Late-night dining, Live music, Outdoor seating, tbt* Top Bar

Cost range: 10.01-20.0

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Alcohol: Full bar

More in this neighborhood: Downtown St. Petersburg

That cocktail of marinated fish is only one item on the biggest spread of hot and cold tapas laid out on both sides of the bay. The Tampa location is dark and cozy, St. Pete's open to the embarcadero. Crowds and food are fast and fun: olives, quail, sherried chicken livers and albondigas. The bar scene: Tampa Bay has many fine purveyors of sangria, but Ceviche serves the absolute finest. Both Ceviche locations -- one in South Tampa, one in downtown St. Pete -- make for great first dates. They're intimate, Old World-ish and they feel exactly how Tampa tapas bars ought to. Check out the Flamingo Bar, located in the basement (a rarity in Florida) of the St. Pete location for a late-night drink and live Latin music fix.