Where's a good place to eat in Tampa?

[lengels]

We are going to Tampa in a few weeks to visit my mom. Where is a nice restaurant to take them to?

[Hkgall]

Tell me what you're looking for, there are sooo many choices...

On Sunday or Monday nights my favorite is Ciccio & Tony's... They have "Pasta Festivali" where you pay $13 for all you can eat salad, bread, and pasta... and they bring out great pastas like apple gorgonzola tortellini, grilled tuna and veggie cappelini...
YUM!!!

Other nights, Jackson's at Harbour Island is always wonderful, and for brunch I love Bec's on South Macdill (a whole in the wall, but a yummy one.) For Chinese, it's China Wok on Macdill, or for French Vietnamese, you have to try B.T.'s on Gandy...

I hope that helped!!! It's making me HUNGRY!!!

[lengels]

We are definately looking for some good seafood. My mom loves seafood, as do we, and coming from CO you do not get a lot of good choices here for fresh seafood:)

[Hkgall]

If it's seafood you want, head to Jackson's... They have a full menu, plus sushi, they're on the river in Tampa, and it's a nice place to go...

If you're looking for the battered and fried variety, I love the Fourth Street Shrimp Store on 10th Avenue and 4th STreet in St. Petersburg...

And the best smoked fish dip around can also be found in St. Pete at Ted Peter's.. (have some dip and some beers, I don't recommend dinner there...)

My husband's opinion:

Bonefish Grill on Henderson (awesome mussels)

I hope you have a great trip!

[cherylopal]

i love the columbia! so much that i bought their cookbook. it's spanish but they do seafood very well. i once had a garlicy shrimp appetizer that was to die for. :)
cheryl

[sassysu3]

~*lengels*~
Where abouts in Tampa are you going? There's a nice Greek section just north of Tampa...but before I give some thoughts, I thought I'd find out your destination, so the place wouldn't be too far to travel to.
sassysu3:)

[ccooney]

I was in Tampa about 8 years ago and ate in a fantastic restaurant called "The Rusty Pelican." I don't know if it's still there, but I would recommend it for it's somewhat cordon bleu style of cooking and warm ambience.

[lengels]

sassysu3
We are going to be by the airport in Tampa. We are willing to travel though if you have some good suggestions!

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!!!:)

[cherylopal]

oooohhhh i think i know the greek restaurant- is it in tarpon springs? i definitely second that with a walk to visit all the greek deli's for dessert.
cheryl

[Natasha]

Our last night in Tampa, we ate at the steakhouse (and seafood place) at the Westin Innisbrook Resort, where we were staying. Great food!

Natasha

[sassysu3]

~*cherylopal*~
YES, YES, YES! That's the area I was thinking of...have you been to one of the GREAT Bakeries there?! Double yum!
~*lengels*~
That's the area I was thinking of. There's good Greek restaurants & very nice atmosphere...nice shops around there also. If you head over to Tarpon Springs area, give yourself enough time to walk around the main street there.
I live in Central FLA, but my father lives in Tampa, and when we go for a visit...which we're going this coming week-end...we always go to that area.
Anyway...I hope you have a great trip! Enjoy!
sassysu3

[lengels]

Sassysu3
What is the name of the restaurant? I talked to my mom and she thought your idea was great!!!
Thanks again!

[cherylopal]

yes, :D Sassysu3, i walked up and down and bought sweets from two of the shops. YUM!!!! can't remember the names but i don't think you can go wrong with any of them!
cheryl

[Lchiles]

One of our favorite restaurants in Tampa is Roy's. It is very close to the Tampa Airport. They specialize in Hawaiian Asian Fusion. Their food is phenomenal. But it's not cheap. Still, we think it's worth it. If you go, try the chocolate souffle. LaurieC

[sassysu3]

:) lengels...we just got back from Tampa, and the name of one of the Greek restaurants I was thinking of is "Santorini's."
Sorry it took me a while to respond, I couldn't recall the name, so when I was there we went down to the Greek district, and I took note of the name. There was a big Greek celebration going on this week-end. Quite the activity!
sassysu3

[SusieO]

I also recommend the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs. When DH and I lived near there, our favorite Saturday night "date" was walking up and down the street, reading menus and choosing a restaurant. I can't remember the name of the one we liked the best, but it had gyro meat on a spit in the front window. We also liked Hela's. By all means save room for dessert, and walk to one of the bakeries.

Natasha, how did you like the Innisbrook? We stayed there twice on househunting trips, and thought it was beautiful. Are you a golfer? We're not, but we loved the place anyway!

[Natasha]

SusieO,

I was at the Innisbrook to attend a really neat international conference, and stayed there as well. I am also not a golfer, but I loved it too (though I must say the layout is not entirely practical with everything being SO spread out and there being not enough trams to go around)! I took the opportunity to go for lovely runs through the various golf courses in the early AM before they opened.

:) Natasha

P.S. Hope you are fully rested up from the marathon by now!

[SusieO]

I took the opportunity to go for lovely runs through the various golf courses in the early AM before they opened.

I did that, too! I am certainly rested from the marathon, and enjoying physical therapy. I've been meaning to post about this on the HL board. Maybe I'll do that now. . .