Best Eats in Tampa/St. Petersburg

[dream_of_giusti]

Hello Everyone!
I will be traveling to the Tampa/St. Pete area in late April for a conference. I am not going to rent a car so I am looking for local restaurants where I can get awe-inspiring meals under $20. I am staying at the Marriott Renaissance hotel and I know nothing about that area. I am also open to ideas for fun after work activities or sites that I should see. All suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks.

[rhnault]

The Pelagia Trattoria at the Reniassance where you are staying is amazing! If you google it you can see their menu online. We just ate there for Valentine's Day and I had the best duck I have ever had. Their caesar fondue "salad" is great as is the olive appetizer. One of the best meals we have had in Tampa in a while.

[HeatherFL]

There are several really good threads on the Tampa/St. Pete area. I've included several of them here. The first two especially have a lot of info including a lot of links to the restaurants' websites:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/368294

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/129768

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/129646

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/375316

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/373029

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/375605

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/376064

All are in Tampa unless otherwise noted:

Favorites of ours are Spartaco (Italian,) Sidebern's (eclectic,) Red Mesa (Mexican in St. Pete,) Carmelita's (also Mexican in Clearwater,) Six Tables (fine dining -the one in South Tampa,) Royal Palace Thai, Ceviche (Tapas,) Jimbo's Pit BBQ, Maritana Grill in (Pass-A-Grille/St. Pete Beach,) and Cappy's for pizza!

[Tandoori Girl]

dream, your post is a little open-ended. Will you be taking a cab to these "fun activities" and local sites? Tampa is not a great city for traveling by cab. It is spread out and you really should consider renting a car if you want to get out and about or you will be paying a pretty premium for those cabs.

But if you don't rent a car, then your hotel is next to the airport, sort of in the middle of a lot of nothing, but with two major malls very close by, and a little hub of four large restaurants across the street. These will be your best bet, within walking distance. International Plaza has a very popular food court that is open-air with the feel of a tropical upscale bazaar. The parking lot around the mall gets absolutely packed with cars as this 30-ish crowd shops first, only to be "seen" later in the food court. That said, there is a Cheesecake Factory and at least 5 other restaurants in the food court. You can easily walk there. Inside the mall, Nordstroms has an interesting in-store restaurant that has excellent food and nice atmosphere. It serves wine by the glass. There is a California Pizza Kitchen in the mall as well. The little hub of four restaurants is across from International Mall at Lois Avenue -- Flemings, Roys, can't recall what else. Then if you walk from International Mall to Westshore Mall along Westshore Blvd. (this is about a mile walk through a safe neighborhood), there are restaurants at Westshore Mall in their food court, and some major restaurants next to the parking lot that is behind the Steak and Ale on Westshore. Mama Mia's would not be for you as it is family style. There is a new fish place that I've heard is good, and an asian restaurant (what's the name, anybody?!?).

Unless you can get in a car and drive, you are pretty much looking at chain places and large touristy/suburban restaurants, or else pricey ones like the one at your hotel. If you feel up to splurging on a cab, you could take one to Channelside then take the trolley into Ybor City. There are many restaurants in Ybor and it is very lively. But be careful. Lots of drunks there. I can't tell if you're a man or woman but single women be wary and be safe.

[carissarene]

P.F. Chang's is the Asian place you're thinking of in Westshore...and Mitchell's. Sherman's review of the latter sometime last year was pretty positive, from what I remember.

[HeatherFL]

Mitchell's is pretty good! I'd avoid their salads-their lettuce just doesn't seem to be fresh. Everything else has always been pretty much a home-run!

[HeatherFL]

Definitely agree that renting a car is the way to go. Tampa Bay isn't a walking area nor is our public transporation system all that great. Cabs can be hard to get, at times and it can also add up. There is a Lee Roy Selman's next to the Roy's and the Flemmings that Tandoori Girl was writing about.

[rshally]

Go to Selmons across from I Plaza, you wont be dissapointed, Great Southern Style/BBQ. At Bay Street-attached to Intl Plaza, Bar Louie serves a great Burger. If you can cab it or the hotel will take you, check out Arcos Iris for authentic Cuban(a Tampa staple) food. On Colubus Ave, just past Himes Ave.

[dream_of_giusti]

Thank you everyone. Your suggestions are very helpful. I will probably be doing a lot of walking (with a coworker) just to explore the area. Over the weekend I will be staying with friends in the area so I will be able to venture into some other areas.

[dream_of_giusti]

Well everyone I am leaving Philly this weekend and thought I would send the request once more for good eats in Tampa. I will be spending $30 or less per evening meal.

[andy huse]

Tampa:
Antojitos
China Yuan
Taconazo
Pho Quyen

St. Pete:
Red Mesa

You might search the boards as well, much more comprehensive

[rhnault]

I just picked up some yummy Pho Quyen on the way home last night ; )

[andy huse]

If you find better bowl of Pho than Quyen's, I'm all ears. My favorite these days.

andy

[rhnault]

We used to eat at Trang till Pho Quyen opened nearby. They are the best I have had and my only complaint is that I wish they had more apps and had sandwiches. My husband has created his own dish there that is amazing. Sqid with lemongrass extra spicy. It's on the evening menu with eel but the eel has too many bones and with squid it's perfect.

[stetlaw77]

I would stay away from Red Mesa. At least for Sunday Brunch anyway. I have been there several times and found it to be extremely lack-luster.