1. Besa Grill

   Clearwater : 2542 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 33761

   In the spot that used to be Tuscano Grill, adjacent to the slick-Med Carmel Café and around the corner from the popular Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Besa Grill opened at the end of 2011. Sister restaurant to FlameStone in Oldsmar, it's Latin-inspired, not Mexican exactly, with stylish, nig …

2. Boca Kitchen Bar Market

   South Tampa : 901 W Platt St., Tampa, 33606

   Along with a growing group of Tampa Bay restaurants, the new Boca Kitchen Bar Market isn't satisfied with a little local lettuce and some backyard herbs—it sources locally, Big Time. The locavore fervor wouldn't mean much if what Boca did with all this bounty was ho-hum. Executive chef Ted …

3. California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort

   Lake Buena Vista : 4600 N World Drive, Lake Buena Vista, 32830

4. Cigar City Brewpub

   Tampa : 15491 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33618

   Hours: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. Sun.-Wed., until midnight Thur.-Sat.Read more here.

5. Duval's New World Cafe

   Sarasota : 1435 Main St., Sarasota, 34236

   Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sun.

6. Edison food+drink lab

   Editor's pick

   South Tampa : 912 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 33606

   Edison embodies what was most exciting and new in 2012. I've heard restaurant industry folks grousing: How does Jeannie Pierola keep the prices so reasonable at her inventive Kennedy Corridor newcomer, opened in August (foie gras dishes under $20?!)? To them she might quote Thomas A. Edison hims …

7. Fire Bar & Grill

   Tampa : 3023 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 33609

   New in 2012, the décor is a little clunky and amateurish, but Fire is certainly smokin' on the culinary front, having hired chef Ryan Kelly, a Culinary Institute of America grad and longtime alum of Roy's and most recently Tampa Bay Brewing Co. He has a serious knack of bringing contempor …

8. Grille One Sixteen (Carrollwood)

   Editor's pick

   Tampa : 15405 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33618

   Terence Terenzi and partner Tom Schelldorf did the same very smart thing they did with their flagship restaurant of the same name in Carrollwood: They hired Angel del Monte of Alfonso Architects to do the design. It is drop-dead hip, super Miami-glammy. It is chock-full of white leather and slee …

9. Grille One Sixteen (South Tampa)

   Tampa : 612 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33609

   Terence Terenzi and partner Tom Schelldorf did the same very smart thing they did with their flagship restaurant of the same name in Carrollwood: They hired Angel del Monte of Alfonso Architects to do the design. It is drop-dead hip, super Miami-glammy. It is chock-full of white leather and slee …

10. Indigenous Restaurant

    Sarasota : 239 S Links Ave., Sarasota, 34236

    It's a lovely Florida bungalow just a couple of blocks off Sarasota's Main Street, with a rustic interior and great use of indoor/outdoor space, including an intimate "wine cottage." Because it's busy and tables are set fairly tight, it can seem frenetic at times, but servers add warmt …

11. Mangroves SOHO Restaurant and Bar

    Editor's pick

    South Tampa : 208 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

    Established in 1996, Mangroves has been a key player in making SoHo one of the region's top dining and drinking districts. The two-story restaurant and bar, which also features a deck with private cabanas, doubles as a nightclub on the weekends. Superior service makes this an excellent place to  …

12. Metro Restaurant and Lounge

    Downtown Tampa : 511 N Franklin St, Tampa, 33602

    LGBT restaurant and bar, with Happy Hour and late night dining.Hours 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Wed, Thur and Sun4:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Fri and Sat.

13. Mythos Restaurant at Island of Adventure

    Orlando : 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, 32819

14. Pearl in the Grove

    East Pasco : 31936 St. Joe Road, Dade City, 33525

    Chef-owner Curtis Beebe recently broke into the food service industry as a second career and is getting attention with his take on farm-to-table Southern food. The menu changes as often as he can change it, but if the catfish beignets and the Geeno chips are there, try them. On Sunday's, the moo …

15. Polo Grill & Bar

    Lakewood Ranch : 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch , 34202

    Open for lunch and dinner.

16. Red Door Wine Market

    Lakeland : 733 E Palmetto St., Lakeland, 33801

    Lunch and dinner in a California wine country tasting room setting.

17. Retropolitan

    Sarasota : 437 Burns Court, Sarasota, 34236

    Gastropub in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Menu includes Guinness and goat cheese burger, grilled meatloaf, broiled cod, steak frites.

18. The Kitchen

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 226 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 33701

    Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight.-Sun.-Thur.; 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Fri.-Sat.Home delivery service includes beer, wine or liquor.Bar features martini-style drinks, classic cocktails with a twist.The vibe: Mostly outdoor bar and restaurant with creative menu.Read a review here.

19. The Rusty Pelican

    Rocky Point : 2425 N Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, 33607

    A favorite for gatherings large and small, the Rusty Pelican offers one of the best waterfront dining views in the area. You'll feel almost as if you're on a boat as you gave out over the waters of Tampa Bay from one of its large picture windows. Cuisine is casual, and the ambience is warm, espe …

20. The Wave at Disney's Contemporary Resort

    Lake Buena Vista : 4600 N World Drive, Lake Buena Vista, 32830

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