Blue Martini

International Plaza District : Bay Street at International Plaza, 2223 N West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 33607

Blue Martini calls its fare heavy appetizers, but there's not a chicken wing or onion ring in sight. Instead, the short menu features contemporary Asian-Mediterranean fusion: sesame-seared tuna, sliced beef tenderloin, hummus, calamari salad. And don't miss the killer 6-inch-tall chocolate cake. …

Casa Tina's Pan Y Vino Wine Bar

Dunedin : 369 Main St., Dunedin, 34698

This little tapas and wine bar was born when Casa Tina moved to larger digs. Owned by the same folks though, it offers more than two dozen wines by the glass, tapas and small plates that use local or organic ingredients, plus desserts and coffees. It recently added a brick over for organic pizzas.

Ceviche (Tampa)

Editor's pick

South Tampa : 2500 W Azeele St, Tampa, 33609

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 ba …

Ceviche St. Pete

Editor's pick

Downtown St. Petersburg : 95 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33701

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 ba …

Cheap

South Tampa : 309 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

The industrial-chic, low-light, loud-music place has a high funk-factor provided by wonderful found-object murals and the use of minivan banquettes in the booths, complete with seat belts. Cheap boasts colorful mix-and-match china, gorgeous sangria pitchers and lovely swirled stemware. The conce …

Grape at International Plaza

International Plaza District : 2223 N West Shore Blvd. # 217b, Tampa, 33607

Cool purple club chairs invite lengthy investigation of the more than 120 wines available by the bottle, glass or half glass, divided into categories by the relative "weight" or body of the wines. Goofy descriptions and lack of vintage years make the list a little frustrating for the s …

King Corona Cigars Cafe & Bar

Ybor City : 1523 E Seventh Ave., Tampa, 33605

More about the cigar than the bar, this is a great place to buy gifts for out-of-town loved ones. They sell smokes, accessories and merchandise depicting Ybor history. Dark-wood paneling, burgundy flourishes and overstuffed chairs all lend to the relaxed atmosphere. It's like a good ol' boys --  …

Spain Restaurant & Tapas Bar

Downtown Tampa : 513 N Tampa St, Tampa, 33602

In a downtown that has tumbleweeds and buzzards (we're kidding about the first item but the second is oddly true) it's encouraging to know that there's a hot spot for swank mingling, great sangria and tasty tapas. Renovated in 2003 by Abell Garcia, the space features a dominant use of white, plu …

Tapas Garden and Wine Bar

North Pinellas beaches : 321 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 33785

Start off by ordering a pan of the paella, because that's the star of the menu and you won't want to leave without trying it. It will be enough to feed a couple of people, but the made-to-order nature of it means it will take a half-hour. No problem, because a couple of choices of the tapas list …

Taps & Tequila

St. Petersburg : 1235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33705

A combination tequileria and craft beer garden with a unique upscale-rustic aestheticHours: 3 p.m.-3 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Sat.-Sun..Read more here.

The Living Room

Editor's pick

Dunedin : 487 Main St, Dunedin, 34698

Sarah Johnson wants people to hang out in the Living Room, and Dunedin residents have responded favorably. The affordable small-plate menu has been embraced for its novelty and vegetarian friendliness. A plate of snappy haricots verts is perfectly paired with almonds and shallots in a classic br …

The Manhattan Dolce Bar & Bistro

South Tampa : 4328 W El Prado Blv., Tampa, 33629

Read a review here.

The Veranda

Tarpon Springs : 10 W Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, 34689

Part of the Riverside Grille House, this bar offers outside seating and small plates menu.