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BEST CHEF
Greg Baker, The Refinery
The Refinery could easily have taken the top spot for Best New Restaurant this year, except for one thing: chef/owner Greg Baker likes change. He recreates his menu every week, usually with all brand new items, many untried and little tested. He’s talented, so usually he pulls it off in style. Sometimes, though, items struggle to find their identity. Sounds like a criticism? It’s not. This experimentation and constant striving makes him one of the most interesting and driven chefs around. No other chef in the Bay area seems to work as hard, or love food as much, as Baker does, and it shows every Thursday night when people flock to The Refinery to check out the debut of his latest menu. 5137 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-237-2000, thetamparefinery.com

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
The Independent, Seminole Heights
In spite of the economy, there were many potential contenders for this coveted award. However, there was only one new spot that combined all the qualities that signify a great restaurant: good atmosphere, fine service and food that is far better than a diner might expect. Surprisingly, that restaurant was a beer bar where food wasn’t even on the menu for the first six months. Thankfully, The Independent Seminole Heights has Christopher Tolan in the kitchen putting small but meaningful touches on a simple menu of exceptional bar food, making each dish into something special, creating an experience that both suits and transcends the humble nature of the restaurant. 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883

BEST NEW RESTAURANT DESIGN
Cassis American Brasserie
Although tagged an “American brasserie,” Cassis’ roots are firmly French, with a startling and effective design that evokes a Gallic atmosphere before you even see the menu. What really gets you in the cavernous, train stationesque dining room is the yellow. Bright yellow accent walls, bright yellow tile, bright yellow tubes of glowing light — it’s a lot of color, but it works wonders amidst the geometric black and white floors. It’s a beautiful, transplanted retro-metro stop on Beach Blvd. 170 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 727-827-2927, cassisab.com

BEST COW INTESTINES
Taqueria Monterrey
Although many food cultures follow the “snout to tail” theory when cooking dead animals, eating the digestive tracts of livestock hasn’t caught on in the U.S. Maybe more people would give it a try if they sampled the tripe tacos at Taqueria Monterrey. The finely chopped bits of cow stomach are luscious and tender, sweet and meaty, and given a quick fry on the griddle to add bits of caramelized crunch. Tucked into a fresh tortilla with bright red onions and heady cilantro, it’s offal-ly good. 2320 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa, 813-977-6808, taqueriamonterrey.com

BEST VEGAN HOT DOG
Vegan Beagle
Do you love hot dogs? Are you vegan? When you’re eating a Vegan Beagle dog, does it even make a difference? Whether you’re keeping Supreme Master Ching happy, or just hungry at a show, this is one late-night snack you won’t forget. The cart changes location frequently, but you can most often find it at Crowbar in Ybor City or Cafe Hey in downtown Tampa. No set hours. If you’re lucky enough to catch them somewhere, get a dog. Better yet — get the brat. With onions.

BEST VEGGIE BURGER IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACE
Crowley’s Downtown Grill and Bar
The words “Irish pub” usually conjure up thoughts of meat and potatoes, fish and chips, and beer — with nothing much other than the potatoes (and the beer) that’s vegetarian-friendly. Well, prepare to put conventional ideas aside and have your mind blown by Crowley’s oat pattie portabella burger. Topped with garlicky sauteed spinach and shallots and served on a toasted bun, it’s a veggie burger even a meateater could love. 269 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, 727-821-1111,
crowleysdowntown.com

Best place to eat kangaroo
Down Under Pizza
It’s not that unlikely to find exotic proteins — offal, rabbit, bison and the like — at Tampa Bay eateries. But have you ever encountered kangaroo? You now can at, where else, Down Under Pizza in Carrollwood. The menu definitely lives up to the joint’s Aussie theme, serving kangaroo, emu and crocodile tail on rustic-style, gourmet pizzas that have unique flavors and choices of toppings. Try the 10” whole-grain “ORA”-style crust. 12821 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-961-2500,
downunderpizzamate.com

BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO SAVE YOUR (RESTAURANT’S) ASS
Bowled and St. Pete Brasserie
This year two St. Pete restaurants on the brink of closing, Bowled and St. Pete Brasserie, reached out to their customers through Facebook and the like, announcing that business wasn’t so great and inviting people to come and eat before the doors closed for good. The response? Record numbers for lunch and dinner in the following days and continued success in the next few months — and they’re still packing them in every night. Both eateries regularly update their social media pages, interacting with their faithful “fans,” and list daily discounts and specials. Ah, the power of social media. Bowled, 3451 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-895-2695, bowledrestaurant.com; St. Pete Brasserie, 539 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-823-3700, stpetebrasserie.com

Best thing to happen to Tuesday
Half-Price Tapas & Wines at Cafe Alma
Sometimes tapas can trip you up, pocketbook-wise. All these small plates — you can order lots of ’em, you think, ’cause they’re so cheap! Then you see the not-so-small bill and realize you’ve not only over-eaten, you’ve over-paid. But imagine a situation where all those $8 and $10 goodies are $4 and $5 — and not only that, the wine list is half off, too. That’s the inspired idea behind Cafe Alma’s half-priced Tuesday tapas menu, and the reason why the underground boîte is packed to the ceilings on Tuesdays when other St. Pete spots are in the weekday doldrums. But the other reason’s the food: The tapas are so good and so varied — crab stuffed mushrooms, citrus ceviche, curried chicken thighs, plump mussels, piri piri shrimp — that the bargain feels twice as nice. 260 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 727-502-5002, cafealma.com

Best new reason to go to Dunedin for dinner
The Living Room on Main
Just as a living room welcomes visitors to a home, The Living Room is the first spot that welcomes visitors exiting 580 into Downtown Dunedin. And aptly enough, it’s a highly welcoming place, with book and tchotchke-lined niches, a we’re-all-friends-here attitude and a sharable small-plate menu with soul-satisfying stuff like chicken tagine, pork shanks and charred tomato bisque with grilled gouda panini, a haute recreation of every kid’s favorite Saturday afternoon lunch. 680 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-5202,
thelivingroomonmain.com

BEST FRIED CHICKEN
Love’s Artifacts Bar and Grill
There are many reasons to celebrate this funky former used car lot in south Tampa, but the chicken tops the list. The skin is crackling crisp, with that mottled and irregular browning that both looks more like homemade and tastes better than the usual dunk in a deep-fryer. This is the kind of skin that you may peel off for health reasons, but by the time the plates are taken away you’ll likely have picked at it until your fingers are slicked with delicious grease. The meat is salty and moist, and the $10 order comes with parts from half a chicken, guaranteeing a tasty brown bag lunch tomorrow. 4914 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-3273

BEST FISH & CHIPS
Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Anglophiles on both sides of the bay have known for years that when only the perfect fish and chips will do, Mad Dogs is the destination. Greasy, but not too greasy, with that batter that’s crispy on the outside yet moist on the inside. The chips are great big slabs of salty golden awesome, and the portions are heroic. The whole meal is so authentic it oughta come wrapped in newspaper. There are a couple of other places in the area that come pretty close, but Mad Dogs has been doing it so well for so long that their perfection is second nature. 4115 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-832-3037, maddogs.com

BEST REVIVAL OF A 1980S CULINARY TREND
Blackened fish at Shrimp & Co.
Ever since the formerly massive Paul Prudhomme and comical Justin Wilson declared how “wondamous” blackening seasoning was in the late 1980s, the glory of this particular culinary fad has been on the decline. But at Ybor’s Shrimp and Co., order the tilapia blackened and you’ll receive a slab of fish that will knock your taste buds for a loop, each bite a fiery blend of herb and spice that not only adds flavor to the dish but actually manages to enhance the subtle flavor of the fish. Here, tilapia is gifted with a newfound richness and depth that belies the low-end beginnings of both the fish and the seasoning blend. 2202 E Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-374-0192, shrimpandco.com

BEST DINNER AND A MOVIE
Bollywood Cafe
At first, it seemed like Bollywood Cafe would be all schtick and little substance. This new Westchase restaurant promised internet kiosks at every table, Bollywood flicks on the patio and food that seemed silly at best. But the menu turned out to be better than expected, with serious Indian dishes sharing space with bizarre but satisfying Indo-American fusions like chili paneer fries or tandoori penne vodka. It’s just the kind of fun but tasty fare you need to carry you through 90 minutes of massive, highly energetic choreographed dance numbers on the big screen in the courtyard. 9648 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-926-4000, bollywoodcafe.us

BEST BRINNER
Chicken and waffles at The Hangar
Think of it as a fine dining take on McDonald’s McGriddles, the perfect blend of sweet and savory, soft and crunchy, executed to perfection by the folks in the kitchen at The Hangar. Take a waffle — crisp on the outside and creamy in the middle — doused in just the right amount of maple syrup to leave it coated but not soggy, then slap on a split, on-the-bone chicken breast coated in crunchy, salty fried batter, and you have a good start. But the crowning glory is a rich milk gravy drizzled over the top as a counterpoint to the sweet syrup. Fat, carbs, sugar and protein in one delicious, multi-faceted package. 540 First St. SE, St. Petersburg, 727-823-7767, thehangarstpete.com

Best revived classic
Seabreeze deviled crabs
After the Seabreeze closed nearly 10 years ago, its classic Tampa cuisine was sorely missed by regulars. Oyster stew, Miss Lucy potato chips and the Seabreeze salad were iconic local dishes. But the deviled crab, first created in the 1920s, took on a life of its own when the Seabreeze was a drive-in restaurant during the 1950s and ’60s. Now Donna Richards has revived her family’s recipe, selling boxes of frozen hand-rolled deviled crabs to be fried up at home. She will even make them extra spicy upon request. 813-623-6250

Best way to taste history
The Goody Goody Burger at Pine Grove
Opened in 1925, the old Goody Goody was one of the nation’s first drive-in restaurants, specializing in burgers and indulgent pie. Although long gone now, the recipe for the burger and special tomato sauce has been passed to humble Pine Grove Family Restaurant. The Goody Goody burger there tastes like the classic, slathered with a secret tomato sauce that is assuredly more Americana than gourmet. But we still want to know where the pie recipes went. That dark butterscotch was a thing to behold. 9399 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-933-2795

BEST “WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT” FUSION RESTAURANT
Nitally’s Thai-Mex Cuisine
A risky idea pays off handsomely for this spicy Grand Central space, and for St. Pete diners as well. The folks at Nitally take two of the boldest ethnic cuisines out there and cross-reference them both subtly — like serving a peanut chicken dish with tortillas — and outrageously (like their curry burritos). There’s also plenty of more traditional Thai fare on the menu for the less adventurous, and it’s wonderful, but it’s those epicureans willing to take a chance on chorizo fried rice or the stunning panang mole that really benefit from Nitally’s unique culinary perspective. 2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-321-8428, thai-mex.net

BEST LUNCHTIME THAI
Sumos Thai Cafe
Only open for lunch, this family-owned bistro serves contemporary Thai food in a pleasant atmosphere. Perfectly browned spring rolls with a delicate spicy-sweet sauce and uniquely refreshing main dishes are sure to send you back to the office with a smile. It’s a bargain, too — even with an appetizer and drink, you’re not likely to break $15. 301 E Twiggs Ave., Tampa, 813-849-7866

BEST SALAD
Noodle Salad, Bamboozle
With vermicelli noodles, julienned cucumber and carrots, pickled daikon, green leaf lettuce, bean sprouts, crushed roasted peanuts, roasted shallots, your choice of several perfectly grilled toppings, and a rice wine vinegar and chili dressing — it’s not just the best salad, it’s quite possibly the best lunch in Tampa. 516 N Tampa St., Tampa, 813-223-7320, bamboozlecafe.com

BEST FALAFEL
Cafe Bohemia
If there’s a home base for the “small colony of hipsters” living in St. Petersburg, it would be Cafe Bohemia. The place also serves the most legitimate falafel wrap in the area. You might have to borrow a fixed gear bike and grow a beard to feel like part of the scene, but it’s worth it for the fresh, crispy, never greasy falafel balls and addictive nutty tahini. 937 Central Ave., St Petersburg, 727-895-4495

BEST SANDWICH CHAIN
Jimmy John’s
Drop that $5 foot-long, and forget toasted or “fully involved.” If you’re looking for a chain restaurant sub, there’s Jimmy John’s and there’s everybody else. JJ’s keeps things no-frills: There’s no real theme to the place aside from some clever signage, the sandwiches have only mildly cutesy names (“Billy Club,” “Ultimate Porker”) and side items are limited to chips or a cookie. What JJ’s does right is deliver tasty sandwiches made from fresh ingredients, handed over quickly by incredibly happy employees. Seriously, every JJ’s we’ve ever visited was staffed by chronic smilers. (Hopefully, it’s something in the food.) Oh, and here’s the kicker: Jimmy John’s delivers. A sub-on-wheels? Yummy. Seven Bay area locations, jimmyjohns.com

Best gluten-free bakery
Viitals Specialty Bakery and Cafe
Gluten-free is this year’s low-carb, a diet/health craze that has blown up into a full-scale marketing blitz to appeal both to Celiac sufferers and calorie-counters. That said, gluten-free often means taste-free, especially when it comes to baked goods. So it’s vital that anyone on such a diet knows about Viitals Specialty Bakery. Run by a former natural bodybuilder from Bulgaria, Ivan Nikolov, and his wife Silvia, Viitals carries surprisingly satisfying breads, pizza crusts, sandwiches and muffins, but the most cravable items are the cupcakes — the chocolate-raspberry tastes so good you’ll never believe it’s good for you. 6605 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-443-4567, viitals.com

Best place to spice up your life
VSpicery
Have a vague memory of some spice mixture from a long-forgotten recipe that you can’t find in supermarkets? Or just looking to add a dash of flavor to your everyday dishes? Then you must go to VSpicery, a kind of apothecary shop for chefs. Owner Val Herzog says she was inspired to found the store in order to share her “passion for flavor,” and it shows; watching her concoct a spice mix is a delight, like viewing a culinary version of Bill Nye the Science Guy. Just reading the product names on the shelves is fun: Himalayan Sea Salt, Key Lime Curd, Cha Cha Chili Rub — you may want to cook with them just to say you did (but make sure you get Val’s advice on what tastes good with what). 2913 W Cypress St., Tampa, 813-870-1133, vspicery.com

Best Addition to a Place that was Already Pretty Great
Pane Rustica Bakery & Café
This deservedly popular South Tampa restaurant was already multi-functional, having grown from its roots as a bakery to become a desination for lunch and, a few years ago, dinner too. Since owners Kevin and Karyn Kruszewski have managed to do all these things well, it’s no surprise that their 2,300-square-foot expansion, including a bar and private dining areas, is also a success. The best time to experience it is at night, when pendant lights and Venetian plaster walls (by local artisan Ron Francis) cast a marbly glow on high-top wooden tables and comfy banquettes around a U-shaped bar — all of it in dark browns and blues, keeping the rustic in Rustica. And yes, there are TVs above the bar, which might be a turnoff to some. But for sports fans who don’t want to go to, say, Beef’s, this is maybe the most elegant space in Tampa Bay to watch the Rays. Plus, the bar food — say, a melt-in-your-mouth duo of veal and pork cheeks, or a dish of pan-Asian calamari, or terrifically tangy hummus with PR’s own bread — is a whole lot better. 3225 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-902-8828, panerusticabakery.com

BEST GRAND CENTRAL WATERING HOLE
The Rex
An ever-changing roster of America’s finest craft beers and ciders. A mellow Kenwood address off the beaten downtown path. PBRs on hand for drinking while you’re deciding what you really want, or if what you really want is a PBR. A killer Happy Hour pint price. Friendly, knowledgeable bartenders. An utterly unpretentious vibe. For these and a hundred other reasons, the latest pub from the folks who brought you The Independent, The Rex is the best hangout between I-275 and the beach. 2061 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-2337, facebook.com/theRexBar

BEST WAY TO GET DRUNK FOR $2
Reservoir Bar’s Mr. Purple shots
A down and dirty dive bar on the Ybor City strip that always merits a drop-in before a show, Reservoir Bar serves up the tastiest little jolt of liquor you can find in town for two bucks. It tastes like grape Dimetapp and we’re certain we don’t really want to know what’s in there … but Mr. Purple does his work every time. Chase ’em down with the cheapest PBR tall boys on Seventh Ave. 1518 E Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-248-1442, resbar.com

Best Place To Chase The Green Fairy
James Joyce Irish Pub
If you like bawdy singalongs to live traditional Irish music, the James Joyce is your kind of place. But for a real treat, try a taste of their absinthe. You know what they say: ”Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.” 1704 1/2 E Seventh Ave, Ybor City, 813-247-1896

Best artisanal cocktails
Ocean Prime
With bartenders becoming “mixologists” and liquor being subjected to what New York Times food critic Frank Bruni has called an “infuse-a-palooza,” one might expect the double-digit drinks at the upscale chain Ocean Prime to be too over-the-top trendy to bear. But that’s not the case. Someone at OP knows that less is more, creating cocktails like the cucumber gimlet and whiskey clover that are models of sublime simplicity — smooth, refreshing and potent, with none of the medicinal tang that so often comes with such newfangled test-tubey preparations. International Plaza, 2205 N West Shore Boulevard, Tampa, 813-490-5288, oceanprimetampa.com

Best locally produced craft beer
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
I could have picked one of the specialty beers like Hunahpu or the Humidor series, but the Jai Alai is the workhorse of the Cigar City line. Plus — from the hoppiness in the nose to the kicking bitterness in the taste, from the gorgeous hazy golden hue to the silken mouthfeel — this beer is just plain amazing. Widely available in bottles or on tap throughout Tampa Bay. Cigar City Brewing, 3924 W Spruce St., Tampa, 813-348-6363, cigarcitybrewing.com

Best draft beer selection at a restaurant
Datz Deli
Besides offering over 70 different bottled beers, Datz has upgraded from six taps to 36 just in the past three months, offering an ever-changing lineup of import and craft brews on draft. There’s also a “no crap on tap” rule, never allowing cheap, fizzy, “lite” beer to take up precious tap space. And where else can you get a smorgasbord of gourmet meats and cheeses to chow down on while you throw back a few brews? 2616 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-7000, datzdeli.com

BEST GAS STATION BEER SELECTION
The new Rally’s, 4th Street in St. Pete
We can already hear St. Pete hipsters hammering us for giving an award (for beer selection, no less!) to the new Fourth Street Rally station. Yes, we are aware that local stalwart Shep’s is just a few blocks down the road and remains the go-to destination for ’Burgers in search of microbrews and hard-to-find imports. That said, sometimes you just need to grab a six while you’re filling your tank, and that’s where Rally’s really shines. Instead of the usual gas-station suspects (Bud, Miller, Natty Ice), Rally’s offers a $9.99 mix-and-match six-pack allowing you to build your own variety pack from the 150 varieties in stock — everything from Anchor Steam to Woodchuck, and many brews in between. There’s also plenty of the usual gas station accoutrements (sandwiches, salads, a full coffee bar, foodstuffs, lotto, etc) to make the Rally’s a welcome one-stop shop for Old Northeast residents. 2131 Fourth St. N (at 22nd Avenue N), St Petersburg, 727-821-7660

Best Post-Drunk Food (Immediate)
Taco Bus
You’re slamming down the drinks with a vengeance when it hits you like a ton of bricks; that rumbling drunken hunger. Some of us gravitate to chain-y late night staples like Taco Hell or McDonald’s, while others hit up the beloved Taco Bus on Hillsborough Ave. Open 24/7, with a kitchen famously situated in an aged school bus, Taco Bus slings fresh Mexican staples, burritos, quesadillas and tostadas, with an impressive filling selection that could make the Chipotliest of Chipotles cry. Try the cochinita pibil in your next burrito — pork marinated in achiota and bitter orange, wrapped in banana leaves, and slow roasted. Try and contain that vodka-laced drool, please. 913 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-232-5889, tampatacobus.com

Best Post-Drunk Food (Delayed)
The Dome Grill
When you wake up from that illustrious night of boozing, what better way to quell the fire-water coursing through your veins than by dousing it in a healthy dose of grilled-up, grease-ified and heartily portioned breakfast? That’s where The Dome Grill in downtown St. Pete comes into play. Providing hangover zombies with classic, American breakfast staples, The Dome does it right, and on the cheap. Most of the basics — three-egg omelets, hash browns and ginormous pancakes — hover beneath the $8 mark, making it uber-affordable even after that cute bartender “took” all your cash the night before. 561 Central Ave., St Petersburg, 727-823-5090

Best Place to Eat Your Feelings
The Cupcake Spot
Cupcakes have sugar. Sugar tells your body to release dopamine. Dopamine makes you feel good. See where we’re going here? The Cupcake Spot surely does. With two Bay Area locations, this gourmet cupcakery doles out a wide variety of fresh, simple and deliciously rich cupcakes. The “Better-Than,” for instance — a chocolate chip cupcake with a hearty dollop of chip-speckled cream cheese icing. For a hefty fix, pick up a 12-er and binge away. The pained memories of your distant ex have nothing on the slow seconds of sugary elation these babies’ll give you. 3225 S MacDill Ave. #103, Tampa, 813-839-7077; 405 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-825-0572, thecupcakespotinc.com

BEST LOCALLY MADE ICE CREAM
Old Farmer’s Creamery
The 44 flavors detailed on the chalkboard above the counter at Old Farmer’s Creamery are manufactured in St. Pete, and come in varieties standard (“Double Chocolate,” very much like single chocolate) and unique (the incredibly blue “Smurf” and “Superman”). Besides having fresh, tasty ice cream, Old Farmer’s drips with old-Florida charm. (The cow motif is a big plus.) The Creamery has been humming all summer long, but the staff (all kids in high school, we’d guess) always keeps its cool, remaining friendly and efficient. 2531 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-896-2827

Best artistic gelato
Gelateria del Duomo at Sono Café, Tampa Museum of Art
Crafted locally in small batches, Roberto Mori’s artisanal gelato has proven to be one of the new Tampa Museum of Art’s most compelling sensory lures, a rainbow of colors on view under glass at its waterfront Sono Café. Also sold at International Plaza, Mori’s gelato (known for its intense flavor and low fat content) beckons to visitors with flavors like pistachio, chocolate hazelnut, pale lemon and deep garnet Fruit of the Forest (the latter both dairy-free sorbets, but no less orgiastically delicious).
gelateriadelduomo.com, tampamuseum.org

BEST LOCAL JAVA
Kahwa Coffee
Downtown St. Petersburgers knows where to go for a caffeine fix, or when they’re in the mood to browse the Sunday paper over a latte and a croissant (and it doesn’t start with an ‘S’). Kahwa is a local business that cares about quality and the community, roasting the beans at its facility in St. Pete and serving fresh brews at their two hip downtown locations. Kahwa’s signature blends are slightly sweet without being overly bitter, and the prices are hard to beat for the quality of product served. 475 Second St. N, 727-823-4700; 204 Second Ave S, 727-821-1942, kahwacoffee.com

Best Iced Coffee
Felicitous Coffee - House and Vintage Boutique
Felicitous’ coffee tastes great by itself, but there’s also a myriad of flavors available to enhance your iced coffee experience, from white chocolate to raspberry and even peanut butter. But the best part is that the ice cubes are made from coffee, meaning no watered-down brew when you’re only halfway through drinking. Genius. 19015 N U.S. 41, Lutz, 813-948-6540, felicitouscoffee.com

Best coffee with a kick
King Corona Cafe
Talk about your hot coffee. Cafe Corona at Ybor’s King Corona Cafe will wake you up and then some, adding a cayenne-infused caramel sauce to its mix of coffee and steamed milk. The result is spicy-sweet (but not too sweet like so many of Starbucks’ calorific creations), and surprisingly refreshing even on a hot day. 1523 E Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-241-9109,
kingcoronacigars.com

Best YBOR INVASION
The Bricks of Ybor
Is it a breakfast joint? A hipster bar? A late-afternoon refuge for coffee and conversation? Quirky restaurant, local artists’ gallery, live music venue? How about the best potential thing to happen to the east end of Ybor City since, well, Creative Loafing? OK, sorry, shameless self-promotion, but we were unreasonably happy to find such an all-purpose operation opening so close to our new offices, anticipating it would become kind of our off-site clubhouse. And while we haven’t officially taken up residence at The Bricks, and the lack of daytime foot traffic in the vicinity means not too many others have either, this is still a great addition to the neighborhood, a bit of East Village in East Ybor. Owned by Skate Park of Tampa entrepreneur Brian Schaefer, the place maintains a nice open-ended vibe, its interior all bricks and birch and natural light, its menu a mix of deliciously oddball features like a peanut butter bar and a sandwich named Bird and Pig (chicken, bacon, apples, brie — yum). 1327 E Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1785,
facebook.com/thebricksybor

BEST RESTAURANTS
THAT CLOSED THIS YEAR
Shirley’s Soul Food, Chez Bryce, Savant Fine Dining, Pacific Wave
Although this year was tough on restaurants for a variety of reasons, big-name closures were surprisingly few and far between. Still, a few choice spots had to lock the front doors, from low-end fan favorites to high-end destinations. The demise of Shirley’s Soul Food deprives St. Pete of some damn fine chicken and a popular political meeting spot, while Pacific Wave just seemed to fade away. Chez Bryce left Davis Islands after clinging to the precipice seemingly since it opened a few years back. The biggest loss, however, was Savant Fine Dining in Clearwater. Chef/owner David Miller made some very interesting food out there, and was poised for more after opening his Cities next door. He still has plans to open a place in the Caribbean, and has begun work on a Bay area concept for next year, so we haven’t seen the last of this exciting young chef.

Cuban Sandwich Pack

Best Cuban (traditional)
La Segunda Central Bakery
Makes sense: the best traditional Cuban is made at the place that makes the best Cuban bread — which, not coincidentally, is the bread almost everyone else in town uses to make their Cuban sandwiches. But you really do have to get a sandwich from the source — the bread is fresh from the oven, the mix of meats, pickle, mustard, mayo is generous, and while you’re there you can (and should) get a guava turnover, too. 2512 N. 15th St., Ybor City, 813-248-1531

Best Cuban (alternative)
Cafe Hey
The Mi Cubano sandwich uses mojo roast pork, swiss cheese and mayonnaise as its base, but then adds a distinctive zing inspired by the Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich: a crunchy jalapeno/cilantro/carrot slaw that gives a happy jangle to jaded palates.

Best Cuban-and-fries combo
The Floridian
We’ve previously sung the praises of the Floridian’s classic Cuban, but you really can’t order the Cuban and not get the homemade fries with spicy dipping sauce, which take French fries and gravy to a whole other level (plus you can dip your sandwich in the sauce, too). 4424 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, 813-287-6662, finestcubansandwich.com

Best Cubans delivered en masse
Tre Amici
Getting a hot fresh Cuban to a phone-in customer can be a challenge for a restaurant that does lunch delivery, but a mountain of ’em? Tre Amici in Ybor makes it look easy, delivering big orders of delicious Cubans with admirable consistency. 1907 N. 19th St., Tampa, 813-247-6964, yborbunker.com

ROWS, ROWS, ROWS

Best unknown restaurant row
Temple Crest, Busch Blvd. between 30th and 56th Streets, Tampa
Peppered among the fast food drive-thrus and big-name chains in the Busch Gardens area are some great little restaurants. Both Petra (4812 E. Busch Blvd.) and Java Village (4702) have a restaurant and a Middle Eastern grocery store. Ruben’s Cubans (4941) serves breakfast, lunch and early dinner, and Garden Gyros (3025) offers drive-thru Greek specialties plus burgers and wings. Also worth mentioning: Firehouse Grill and Pub (8814 N. 56th St.), just south of Busch, offers a full menu with great pizza, cold beer and sassy service.

Best Buzzworthy Restaurant Row
Beach Drive, St. Petersburg
With the opening of the Chihuly Collection and the recent move of Bella Brava to the corner opposite Cassis, the buzz on Beach has grown to a roar. On any given weekend night (and many weekdays, too), it seems like every table is occupied from Ceviche to Parkshore Grill to 400 Beach, and the sidewalks are crowded with diners, dog-walkers and passersby out for an evening stroll.

Best Neighborly Restaurant Rows
Beach & Shore Blvds., Gulfport
There’s an ineffable vibe to this quaint enclave that makes you feel like a resident of the neighborhood even if you’re visiting from way across the bay. Expect warm welcomes and home cooking at places like Peg’s, Pia’s, Backfin Blue, Tangelo’s and Domain, just to name a few of the many spots within walking distance of each other here.

Best Future Restaurant Rows
Florida & Nebraska Aves., Seminole Heights
Did you notice who won Best Chef from both readers and critics this year? Greg Baker, The Refinery, in Seminole Heights. And Best New Restaurant? The CL critic’s pick was The Independent, the readers’ pick was Ella’s — and they’re both in Seminole Heights. Along with Cappy’s, Viitals, The Front Porch Grill and more, the Seminole Heights area may finally be getting the local restaurant scene it deserves.