Tampa Bay, Florida 2008. Where to eat?

[ocaladevil]

It's a new year. What are your favorites?

Here are a couple of mine.

Delicious Chinese at the Yummy House at 2202 W. Waters. Over the weekend, I had a terrific light meal of West Lake Beef Soup and Fried Calamari. Lunchroom atmosphere, but very good. Try the Spicey Seafood Hot Pot. Watched many attractive and aromatic dishes pass by on the way to other tables. Call in advance on weekends.

Staying with China, try China Yuan at 8502 N. Armenia Ave. Newly remodeled. Also, very good.

[Falckon]

South Shore Area:

Ybor Grille in Ruskin for the best Cuban food.

Alpha Pizza in Apollo Beach for the best Greek/Italian food.

Popi's in Ruskin for the best breakfast.

[kentski]

Five that I haven't seen mentioned yet:

Mecca (Palm Harbor) - www.themeccacafe.com - lunch only
Cafe Dufrain (Tampa, Harbour Island) - www.cafedufrain.com
Chez Bryce (Tampa, Davis Islands) - www.chezbryce.com
Lenny's (Clearwater) - breakfast and lunch only
Carmine's (Ybor) - especially late night dining

[maladrin]

El Taconazo (Seminole Heights)
Pho Quyen (Hills. Ave)
Thai Corner (Downtown)
Fly (Downtown)
Yummy House (Waters Ave.)
Ho Ho Choy (Fletcher Ave)
Tampa Bay Brewing Company (Ybor)
Mema's Alaskan Tacos (Ybor)
Samurai Blue (Ybor)
La Creperia (Ybor)
La Teresita (Columbus Ave.)

[LJBTampa]

Kelly's For Just About Anything in Dunedin.
Stone Chase in Westchase.
Red Mesa in St. Pete.

[rhnault]

where in Westchase is Stone Chase?

[rikkikm]

12227 W Linebaugh Ave
Tampa, FL 33626
[phone]
West of Countryway; www.stonechasegrill.com

I've driven by it on the way to Pinellas, but have never been. It makes me think of how the names of subdivisions almost always have the word "oaks" or "vista." Now we have a bunch of restaurants with "stone" or "flame' in the name.
Has anyone tried http://www.flamestonegrill.com/contac...? A friend said it was good.

[rhnault]

I had those 2 confused. Maybe I will try one tonight.

[LJBTampa]

It seems Flamestone wanted the confusion to be intentional. They were originally going to call themselves Stone Flame but Stone Chase sued them to get them to change. So I understand. Stone Chase is where Hopper's used to be near the Publix at Linebaugh and Countryway. They opened last August. Flatbread pizzas are to die for.

[rhnault]

We went last Friday after I made the post. I had chicken marengo and my husband had the broccoli rabe and sausage pasta dish. Food was pretty good. Not amazing but a step above the chains and I would rather support local owners. I'll try again and have the pizza.

[LJBTampa]

The same family owns Chico's (tex-mex) a couple doors down from Stone Chase. Their house-made salsa is yummy as are the filet mignon tacos and shrimp quesadilla. They're good people, too.

[rhnault]

after dinner we walked down to the Grapevine to pick up some wine and I saw Chico's. Glad to hear it is good.

[Dewi1972]

I've only lived in Tampa for 2 years so far , but here are my favorites.

Chinese Dim Sum
TC Choy

Thai Food:
Simply Thai in Brandon

Sushi:
Yokohama's in Brandon
Matoi Sushi in Tampa
Samurai Sushi in Ybor

Pizza:
San Remo's in Apollo Beach
West Coast Pizza in Riverview
California Pizza Kitchen in Brandon
NYPD Pizza @ Channelside

Gyros:
Salems on Kennedy, they are in the process of opening up on on Columbus on 41

I'm looking for some really good Indian Food. Chicken Tikka Masala, fluffy nan etc.

[rikkikm]

Salem's is a chain isn't it? There's one on Fletcher I think.

Bombay Masala on Waters has great Indian, so does Bawarchi on US 19. There's a new place called Cilantro on 56th that I've also heard is good, but have yet to try.

I'll have to try Yokohama's in Brandon. Matoi is the best.

[Bergerman]

Just had dim sum at T.C. Choy's and it was great. And while the prices are higher than China Yuan's, you get what you pay for. We stuffed ourselves for $20. And everything was fresh, unlike the dim sum I've had at China Yuan, which I find superior to T.C. Choy's for dinner. Went to China Yuan Sunday night and was happy to see the new, expanded digs filled with happy diners. The Chinese broccoli, the won ton soup both excellent; also tried the crispy taro duck for a change, which was very good but I'll probably stick with roast duck in the future.

While I'm at it, I wanted to add my 2 cents about the devil crabs at Cacciatore Bros. (4042 N. Armenia). They are as good as some have said on this board, probably the best you can get right now in Tampa. $3 each and they were cooked to order, each one filled with flavorful crab and not too much breading. it's what a Tampa devil crab should be. Can't wait to try the cubans, and the meat section looked solid (they even have rabbit for $3.50 a pound).

[rhnault]

the dim sum at China Yuan is much improved since the remodel. It really was not that exciting prior.

[RibDog]

Glad to hear you liked Cacciatore's. I agree on the deviled crabs. And if I am in Tampa, this is where I stop for my cuban sandwiches also. I think you will like them. If you get a chance, try some of their italian sausage. One of the better ones I have tried.

John

[rhnault]

Does this Cacciatore's have the same owners as the one on Hanley ?

[RibDog]

I'm not sure but I don't believe so.

[rhnault]

I am still totally addicted to China Yuan and trying different things when we eat there. It is starting to turn into a family outing almost every weekend. We have all agreed to try one new thing everytime we go. My next place is going to be Queen of Sheba once the hype dies down a touch.

[ocaladevil]

Have you tried the Yummy House?

[rhnault]

Yes, and I like the food there as well. But for service and atmosphere I'll stick with China Yuan. When China Yuan was remodeling I tried YH 4 or 5 times. Probably the only time I will go to Yummy House will be when I am craving the salt n pepper tofu.

[Miss E]

Our weekly staple is Cappy's Pizza on Bay-to-Bay--unbeatable crust, great staff, low prices.

Pane Rustica for seasonal dishes, pasta and baked goods. This is our bi-weekly dinner out fave.

TunDuRee on Henderson for vegetarian Indian takeout.

Tops on the list of places to try in '08 is Queen of Sheba on Henderson.

[mlpundsack]

I agree with Queen of Sheba. Enjoy Enthiopian cuisine and culture. The menu has numerous authentic dishes for lunch and dinner. There's a few wines offered; Robert Mondavi, Ravenswood Zinf. from what I could see behind the 3 stooled bar. It's such a cute and fun place with light incense to get your senses in gear. And you get to use your fingers as there is no silverware! :) First timers try the Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew) or Ye-Bere Tibs (pan roasted beef simmered in onions, tomatoes, and signature spices). Fantastic!!!