Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
364
those who like a strong drink with their dinner, the Bellarita is a popular potion of Con-
memorativo tequila and Grand Marnier. On second thought, save that for after dinner
so you can at least appreciate your meal as it's going down!
1413 S. Howard Ave.
&
813/254-3355.
www.bellasitaliancafe.com. Reservations recommended. Main
courses $8-$20; pizza $9-$12. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Wed 11:30am-11:30pm; Thurs 11:30am-
12:30am; Fri 11:30am-1:30am; Sat 4pm-1:30am; Sun 4-11:30pm.
Four Green Fields
IRISH/AMERICAN Just across the bridge from the downtown
convention center, this thatched-roof Irish pub may be surrounded by palm trees instead
of potato fields, but it still offers the ambience and tastes of Ireland. Staffed by Irish
immigrants, the large room with a square bar in the center smells of Bass and Harp ales.
The Gaelic stew is predictably bland, but the salads and sandwiches are passable. Fish and
chips are a good bet here, especially with a pint of Guinness. The live Irish music Thurs-
day through Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon draws a fun crowd, ranging from
post-college to early retirees.
205 W. Platt St. (btw. Parker St. and Plant Ave.).
&
813/254-4444.
www.fourgreenfields.com. Reserva-
tions not necessary. Main courses $11-$13; sandwiches $6-$7. AE, MC, V. Daily 11am-3am.
Ybor City
Moderate
Columbia
SPANISH Columbia celebrated 100 years in 2005. Its tile building
occupies an entire city block in the heart of Ybor City. Tourists flock here to soak up the
ambience, and so do the locals because it's so much fun to clap along during the fire-
belching Spanish flamenco floor shows Monday through Saturday evenings ($6 per
person additional charge besides dinner). You can't help coming back time after time for
the famous Spanish bean soup and original “1905” salad. The
paella a la Valencia
is
outstanding, with more than a dozen ingredients ranging from Gulf grouper and Gulf
pink shrimp to calamari, mussels, clams, chicken, and pork. Another favorite is
boliche
(eye of round stuffed with chorizo), accompanied by plantains and black beans and rice.
Entrees come with a crispy hunk of Cuban bread with butter. Lighter appetites can
choose from a limited menu of tapas, including “Cuban caviar” (a spicy black-bean dip).
The decor throughout is graced with hand-painted tiles, wrought-iron chandeliers, dark
woods, rich red fabrics, and stained-glass windows.
2117 E. 7th Ave. (btw. 21st and 22nd sts.).
&
813/248-4961.
www.columbiarestaurant.com. Reserva-
tions recommended especially for flamenco shows. Main courses $15-$30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-
Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun noon-9pm.
Inexpensive
Carmine's Seventh Avenue
CUBAN/ITALIAN/AMERICAN Bright blue
poles hold up an ancient pressed-tin ceiling above this noisy corner cafe. It's not the clean-
est joint in town, but a great variety of loyal local patrons gather here for genuine Cuban
sandwiches—smoked ham, roast pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, salad dressing,
mustard, lettuce, and tomato on crispy Cuban bread. There's a vegetarian version, too. The
combination of a half-sandwich and choice of black beans and rice or a bowl of Spanish
soup made with sausages, potatoes, and garbanzo beans is a filling meal just by itself. Main
courses are led by Cuban-style roast pork, thin-cut pork chops with mushroom sauce,
spaghetti with a blue-crab tomato sauce, and a few seafood and chicken platters.
1802 E. 7th Ave. (at 18th St.).
&
813/248-3834.
Reservations not accepted. Main courses $10-$20;
sandwiches $5-$10. AE, MC, V. Mon-Tues 11am-11pm; Wed-Thurs 11am-1am; Fri-Sat 11am-3am; Sun
11am-6pm.
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