Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
363
Dining on the Bay
One of the newest additions to Tampa's dining scene is the 180-foot-long
Star-
Ship
Dining Yacht
(
&
877/744-7999
or 813/223-7999; www.starshipdining.
com), which makes 2-hour lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises from Channelside
out onto Tampa Bay. The ship's four dining rooms serve exceptional cruise fare. A
house band plays during dinner, and then moves to the top deck for dancing
under the stars. Lunch cruises cost $60 per person for adults, $40 for kids. Dinner
cruises cost $90 for adults, $60 for kids. There's also a Sunday brunch for $60 for
adults, $40 for kids. Call for the schedule.
often include choices such as grainy-mustard-and-pecan-crusted rack of lamb, bourbon
shallot demi-glace, cayenne onion rings, and tarragon white cheddar grits; or ancho spice
pan-seared venison rack with pork belly, mushroom ragout, and avocado lime butter. The
tasting menu, with wine, is listed on the menu under “Get Blitzed.” They may cook seri-
ous food, but at least they have a sense of humor, too!
In Grand Central Place, 442 W. Kennedy Blvd. (at S. Magnolia Ave., opposite the University of Tampa).
&
813/254-5373.
www.miseonline.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $19-$33; tasting
menu $69 with wine, $49 without. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Tues-Thurs 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-10pm; Fri
11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-11pm; Sat 5-11pm.
Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill
BARBECUE Gorgeous ocean views trump the bar
menu at Whiskey Joe's (formerly known as Castaway), where pan-seared grouper, whole
snapper, po' boy sandwiches, fried chicken, and barbecue ribs reel in a steady crowd of
locals and visitors alike. Insist on sitting on the deck and time your meal around sun-
down; the vantage point for sunsets here makes developers drool. Live reggae on Sunday
and daily happy hours make Whiskey Joe's a popular gathering spot for locals.
7720 Courtney Campbell Causeway.
&
813/281-0770.
www.whiskeyjoestampa.com. Reservations rec-
ommended. Main courses $10-$20. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-11pm.
10
Wine Exchange
MEDITERRANEAN This Tampa hot spot is an oenophile's
dream come true, in which each dish is paired with a particular wine available by the
bottle or the glass. The menu is rather simple, featuring pizzas, pastas, salads, and sand-
wiches, but daily specials are more elaborate, including grilled Delmonico steak, black-
ened pork tenderloin, or Dijon-crusted salmon. The outdoor patio is a great place to sit.
There's almost always a wait at this buzz-worthy eatery.
1611 W. Swan Ave.
&
813/254-9463.
Reservations not accepted. Main courses $10-$24. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-9pm; brunch Sat-Sun 11am-3pm.
Inexpensive
Bella's Italian Cafe
ITALIAN While trendy restaurants in this area come and go,
Bella's has been open for more than 20 years, and for good reason. A casual, rustic ambi-
ence with a wood-fired oven and indoor and outdoor seating attract a sophisticated
crowd of foodies of all ages. The restaurant's authentic Italian fare is delicious, from the
paper-thin carpaccio with garlic, olives, capers, and basil, to the old-fashioned spaghetti
and meatballs. You can also create your own combination of pasta and sauce, choosing
from a large list of options, or just order a pizza cooked in the oak-burning oven. Execu-
tive chef and co-owner Joanie Corneil studied cooking in Italy, and you can tell. For
