1. Alfano's Restaurant

   Largo : 1702 Clearwater Largo Road, Clearwater, 33756

   Classically prepared Italian food, superb (and affordable) wine list and elegant building make you feel at home, not outclassed. From tomato soup and pasta with simple sauces to fine veal and chicken with rosemary, cooking is fresh and service is warm.

2. Armani's

   Editor's pick

   Rocky Point : 2900 Bayport Drive, Tampa, 33634

   One of Tampa's top special-occasion and I-need-to-clinch-this-deal restaurants, Armani's has undergone major renovations and has seen new faces in the kitchen in recent years, but some of the traditions at the top of the Grand Hyatt remain unchanged: the antipasto offerings still have an almost  …

3. Beach Bistro

   Editor's pick

   Manatee beaches : 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 34217

   It has won nearly every award it is possible to win in Florida. Foodies and critics go on about the intimate dining room draped, tent-like, with silk; the wine list's exceptional breadth; and the playful French/Floribbean cuisine with sly Pacific Rim accents. One can put on the dog and dine in t …

4. Bern's Steak House

   Editor's pick

   South Tampa : 1208 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

   Naysayers can grouse, but there's no denying the fine meat and one of the world's best and cheapest wine lists. You can drink back through 20 years in Spanish, Italians, Rhones and zins for $75 or less. Lighten up and relax; just exploring the menu's new additions takes time. Dessert takes more. …

5. 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.

6. Bonefish Grill (Belleair Bluffs)

   Belleair Bluffs : 2939 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs, 33770

   Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sha …

7. Bonefish Grill (Bradenton, Cortez Road W)

   Bradenton : 7456 Cortez Road W, Bradenton, 34210

   Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sh …

8. Bonefish Grill (Brandon)

   Brandon : 1015 Providence Road, Brandon, 33511

   Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sha …

9. Bonefish Grill (Clearwater)

   Clearwater : 2519 N McMullen Booth Road # 101, Clearwater, 33761

   Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sha …

10. Bonefish Grill (New Port Richey)

    Trinity : 10750 State Road 54, New Port Richey, 34655

    Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sha …

11. Bonefish Grill (St. Petersburg, Fourth St. N)

    St. Petersburg : 5062 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 33703

    Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sha …

12. Bonefish Grill (St. Petersburg, Tyrone Blvd. N)

    Tyrone : 2408 Tyrone Blvd. N, St. Petersburg, 33710

    (StBonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, …

13. Bonefish Grill (Tampa, Dale Mabry Highway)

    Carrollwood : 13262 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33618

    Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sha …

14. Bonefish Grill (Tampa, Henderson Blvd.)

    South Tampa : 3665 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 33609

    Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sh …

15. Bonefish Grill (University Park)

    Bradenton : 8101 Cooper Creek Blvd., University Park, 34201

    Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sh …

16. Bonefish Grill (Wesley Chapel)

    Wesley Chapel : 1640 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel, 33544

    Bonefish Grill's mother ship opened on Fourth Street N in 2000. Now more than 150 locations strong, it was selected the best value in the seafood category by Consumer Reports in June 2009. The menu at Bonefish has been fairly steady, but there is some movement in a new direction: affordable, sha …

17. 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  …

18. Cafe Ponte

    Editor's pick

    Clearwater : 13505 Icot Blvd. # 214, Clearwater, 33760

    Cafe Ponte is still a yardstick against which the area's other fine dining restaurants may be measured. The dining room looks positively spruce, its red, sage and black color scheme crisp and stylish; linens and table appointments are top-notch. Servers are courteous and professional even when s …

19. Capital Grille

    Editor's pick

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

    When you need a $40 steak to make your Neiman Marcus purchases seem a mere pittance, this is the place to go. It's a national dry-aged beef chain with a 400-plus label wine list. Capital Grille offers top-notch service and a steak menu that's more inventive than many (see: the dry-aged sirloin c …

20. 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 …

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