1. Bascom's Chop House

   Gateway : 3665 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, 33762

2. Basque Mediterranean

   Countryside : 28910 US Hwy. 19 N, Clearwater, 33761

   Debuting at the old Wild Fish location, it's a huge, nightclubby space, one that has been warmed with water features, lush greenery and an earth tone color scheme. The menu isn't drawn strictly from the Basque region: It's more of a romp around Spain, from the seafood dishes in the north to the  …

3. BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse

   Pinellas Park : 3800 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, 33781

   One of 57 casual eateries of the same name spread around the country, BJ's has a breezy, large-scale ambiance and an encyclopedic spiral-bound menu. Add to all that interesting beers like the Harvest hefeweizen, Piranha pale ale and creamy, bitter chocolate Tatonka stout. Signature deep-dish piz …

4. BJ'S Restaurant and Brewhouse

   Citrus Park : 8002 Citrus Park Town Center M, Tampa, 33625

   One of 57 casual eateries of the same name spread around the country, BJ's has a breezy, large-scale ambiance and an encyclopedic spiral-bound menu. Add to all that interesting beers like the Harvest hefeweizen, Piranha pale ale and creamy, bitter chocolate Tatonka stout. Signature deep-dish piz …

5. Black Palm Restaurant

   South Pinellas beaches : 109 Eighth Ave., St. Pete Beach, 33706

   Tucked on a side street on Pass-a-Grille in a spot long-ago known as the Lighted Tree gay bar, the Black Palm serves up a menu that stretches from Catille to Argentina. The kitchen makes arepas (corn cakes), soft and moist with corn kernels inside and cooked to order. Ceviche comes either in a t …

6. Black Pearl of Dunedin

   Editor's pick

   Dunedin : 315 Main St., Dunedin, 34698

   Folks have come here for grand meals under various flags for more than 20 years. The space is tiny, with plush decor and posh service. The food ranges from top-dollar classics to clever contemporary fare among the specials, all with first-rate vegetables.

7. Brio Tuscan Grille

   International Plaza District : 2223 N West Shore Blvd. # B207, Tampa, 33607

   Known as the Cheesecake Factory of Italian fare, Brio Tuscan Grille is a 460-seat restaurant, including outdoor patio space. The look is marble floors, chandeliers and white columns. The menu is steak, seafood and pasta cooked in wood-fired ovens and a wood-burning grill. The average check is $1 …

8. BT

   Editor's pick

   South Tampa : 2507 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 33606

   B.T. Nguyen-Batley presents the flavors of France and Vietnam with a style of her own, half feng shui, half fashion model. She recently downsized to a smaller 16-table restaurant from her 200-seat space in Old Hyde Park Village. Though the new places will have a different feel and menu from the  …

9. Cilantro Indian Cuisine

   Tampa : 11009 N 56th St., Tampa, 33617

   This lovely, sprawling eatery opened in October 2007 (its sister restaurant is in Jacksonville). The food has punch and heat, with especially good vegetable dishes and breads.Read the full review.

10. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

    International Plaza District : 4110 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 33607

    The restaurant serves 40 of it's name brand wines with its eclectic menu that includes "life balance'' healthy menu, a gluten free menu, burgers, homemade desserts and more; there's a tasting room, retail wine store and wine club.

11. Currents at Hyatt Regency Sarasota

    Sarasota : 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, 34236

12. 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 …

13. 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 …

14. Flamestone An American Grill

    Oldsmar : 4009 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, 34677

    FlameStone is lovely, with a masculine, clubby design that includes dark wood floors, fieldstone walls and a sleek stainless-steel open kitchen, tiny glass pendant lamps warming the space with golden light. The menu consists of mid-priced steaks, rotisserie meats and an appealing lineup of frouf …

15. Greektown Grille

    Editor's pick

    Downtown Clearwater : 1230 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 33755

    A huge menu of traditional Greek dishes is served in a gorgeous earth-tone dining room, outdoors on a wide patio, and in a lovely banquet room that doubles as a dance club on the weekends with live "new Greek" music. This particular Grecian formula is one that relies equally on the kin …

16. Grille 54

    Editor's pick

    Westchase : 11935 Sheldon Road, Tampa, 33626

    Kobe burgers to lobster risotto, sushi and Italian specialties and drink specials.Hours: 4 p.m.-3 a.m. Mon.-Sun.

17. Half Shell Oyster House

    Sarasota : 1991 Main St., Sarasota, 34236

18. Horse Feathers Grill & Lounge

    Sarasota : 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, 34236

19. Island Way Grill

    Editor's pick

    Clearwater : 20 Island Way, Clearwater, 33767

    A waterside palace of seafood, art glass and Asian accents, Island Way centers on freshness. Eat at the sushi bar, order from the raw bar or have boat-fresh fish grilled. Go for an oyster tequila shot, a noodle and clam pot or Korean BBQ and dive into the endless wine list. Be back Sunday for a  …

20. Maison Blanche

    Editor's pick

    Sarasota beaches : 2605 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 34228

    Jose Martinez's seven-year-old Longboat Key special-occasion restaurant serves uncompromisingly haute French cuisine in a glamorous, white-curtained dining room designed by architect Franck Hammoutene. It's an evening's theater, a reason to dress up and order a bottle of something nice (300 labe …

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