Beaune's at West Palm Wines

Ybor City : 2009 N 22nd St., Tampa, 33605

Beaune's Wine Bar is a classy yet comfy lounge, perfect for a first date or an intimate night with friends. Beaune's (pronounced "bones," after the city in Burgundy) opened for weekday lunch in 2009, quietly adding one of the most affordable and delightful lunches in Ybor City. Jim Sirna's wine  …

D'Cajun Blues Roadhouse

St. Petersburg : 3090 34th St North , St. Petersburg, 33713

Della's After Dark

Brandon : 608 Oakfield Drive, Brandon, 33511

It would probably be cool enough to just hang out with a glass of wine and listen to the live jazz musicians in the dining room. But that you'll want to try one of the chorizo meatballs, or one of the other beautifully presented dishes from chef Alex DellaGrotta. And if the jazz trio doesn't mak …

Donatello Restaurant

Editor's pick

Tampa : 232 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33609

The blush is not off the rose at this nearly 30-year-old Tampa original. In the dining room, tuxedoed waiters have the assurance only longtime employment provides, whether that's guiding guests through the menu or whipping up a tableside Caesar (the best in town). The food is rigorously traditio …

Floribbean Restaurant and Lounge

Sarasota : 1400 Main St., Sarasota, 34236

Lunch and dinner specials, brunch on Sunday.

Fox Jazz Club

Editor's pick

Westshore : 5401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 33609

Located in the Lincoln Center, it has two bars with different vibes. The first one has a dance floor and band playing high-energy jazz fusion. The back lounge has a more relaxed feel, with live music four nights a week. Live music plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings.Read more here.

Green Iguana (S West Shore)

Editor's pick

South Tampa : 4029 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 33611

The first Green Iguana emerged in a quiet neighborhood off South West Shore Boulevard. It's the smallest, funkiest and for the majority of South Tampa residents, the most beloved. The air-conditioned tiki bar out front is where rock bands and solo acoustic play every night. It's also where one o …

Green Iguana (Ybor)

Editor's pick

Ybor City : 1708 E Seventh Ave., Tampa, 33605

The most visible of the Green Iguana gang thanks to its digs smack-dab on Seventh Avenue, this location has been a destination for locals and tourists since 1994. A fixture of the Ybor nightlife scene, it has five full bars, two large dance floors, stage and second level DJ booth. The music runs …

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 --  …

Lobby Bar

Downtown St. Petersburg : 217 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33701

This unpretentious bar adjoining the Garden Restaurant is classic St. Pete — no need for a sports theme, blaring jukebox or gimmicky shot specials here. If you're a whiskey drinker, get an Old Fashioned: they do it right here. If you'd rather take the lighter route, there's a homemade, che …

Marchand's Bar & Grill

Editor's pick

Downtown St. Petersburg : 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

The Vinoy has undergone a major makeover that includes retooling of Marchand's, showing off the central Vinoy Bar. A small wine cellar room provides an enviably intimate dining space for four. But perhaps the biggest change is the dining concept: One side used to be Marchand's, with a Mediterran …

Maximo

Sarasota : 1296 First St., Sarasota, 34236

Italian and bold South African cuisine including ostrich, with special theater menu offered in season.Hours: 5 p.m. until late Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.- until late Sat.-Sun.

Ringside Cafe

Fourth Street Garden District : 2742 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 33704

A converted house on Fourth Street that now ranks as the top blues bar in the 'Burg, Ringside Cafe has a tiny stage that has been rocked by national rockers. They include Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) and local hero Damon Fowler, among others. On Friday and Saturday nights, the living-room …

Semeraro's Italian Cafe & Piano Bar

Grand Central District : 1620 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33712

Take 2 Lounge

Carrollwood : 14416 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33618

If you're tired of your living room and want to watch the football game or play Nintendo Wii in another living room with a full bar and comfy couches, then Take 2 Lounge is the place. Attached to the Tampa Pitcher Show, a restaurant and movie theater in Carrollwood, the lounge radiates a '50s fe …

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 …

Urban Culinary Cuisine

Tampa : 10016 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, 33647

The restaurant Web site describes itself as serving traditional southern cooking with an urban flair in an intimate atmosphere. The New Tampa restaurant's tantalizing menu includes a pork chops, fried chicken, salmon and the chef's special catfish. Side dishes are all the comfort food standards: …