What is the best seafood restaurant in Tampa Bay area?

[RibDog]

What do you think people? What is your opinion of the best seafood restaurant in the Tampa Bat area?

[laboheme]

Middle Grounds Grill in Treasure Island is my all time favorite fish restaurant...imaginative preparations, unusual fish selections always served perfectly cooked--they recently featured a special of hogfish served on a bed of sauteed greens with bacon and a sweet potato puree that I'm still dreaming about. www.middlegroundsgrill.com

[annemarie07]

I like Mystic Fish on Tampa Road in Palm Harbor.

[chrismurphy92]

I'll agree with that one. Mystic Fish is great.

[CFishman]

Mystic Fish did not do it for me in the slightest. Buying fish at Cox and cooking it at home is my favorite option. Next to that, I am always game for MId-Peninsula or Rusty Bellies. My one meal at Backfin Blue was also good as were the single meals that I had at Waltz and Guppy's. Since none of these places are actually in Tampa, let me add that Walt's Fish Market in Sarasota is also an excellent fish shack sort of place.

[RibDog]

I made it the Tampa "Bay" area so it would include Pinellas county in addition to Hillsborough.

[rhnault]

If I want fresh fish I go to Cox and buy it and cook it myself. Though I would like to try Waltz.

It has always mystified me that it is so hard to get fresh seafood in this area. I am from NW Fl originally and grew up eating fresh seafood everywhere.

[fishtail]

ive heard it mentioned before,where is cox seafood market?

[RibDog]

It is on the east side of the road on North Dale Mabry. The exact address 6821 N. Dale Mabry.

[rhnault]

It is in the area between Hillsborough and Waters.
They really have beautiful fresh fish, both fileted and whole fish, and if you get there early you can also get tasty smoked mullet!

[gourmrtcook]

Ocean Prime at Westshore is by far the bset seafood restaurant in Tampa

[sweet_polly]

I tried Hula Bay today (old Rattlefish location). It's definitely not Hula Bay. lol

[rothdan]

While Salt Rock is a fun upscale restaurant, it certainly is not a good culinary restaurant.
Being close to the water we lack a top rated seafood restaurant. Cafe Ponte would be my recommendation

[sweet_polly]

I think my favorite is Guppy's on Indian Rocks Beach...I've always found the menu to be creative and consistent.

I've eaten at Salt Rock Grill a few times and have always enjoyed it. I don't consider it "unforgettable", but it's always been good (if not somewhat overpriced).

Strange that these are the only two that spring immediately to mind...you'd think we'd have amazing seafood restaurants coming out the wazoo in the Tampa Bay area, but so many are mediocre at best.

[tampa eater]

Salt Rock Grill is one of my favotie seafood upscale dinners. For low key by the beach, try Wahoo for a grouper sandwich. For Tampa, Oystercatchers for an upscale dinner or Mangroves in South Tampa. Normally a going out spot, but on an off night, go for dinner in the intimate setting. Side Berns also has really fresh upscale seafood menu items.

[andy huse]

Damn dog, why ask?

What do people think of Salt Rock Grill?

[RibDog]

I knew I was going to get in trouble with you when I posted this. I just wanted to see what everyone thinks. I was curious about places like Rusty Bellies and others and as to what everyone's favorite is these days.

And what Joan won't publish is her place but I will. It is Mid-Peninsula Seafood on 49th St. S in Gulfport. Excellent seafood. Especially Don's smoked fish spread.