Tampa Bay Restaurants - Which are the Best?

Tampa Bay surprises many with its wide assortment of restaurants. For visitors to the smallish art-minded community of Gulfport in the Tampa Bay Area, the Backfin Blue Cafe is a fine homestyle restaurant located at 2913 Beach Blvd S., Gulfport, FL 33707 Tel. 727-343-2583 - right in the heart of Gulfport. The restaurant itself takes up several rooms of an old wooden home making for an 'at home' environment - comfortable and cozy - a great place to eat at a very reasonable cost.

The same might be said of its food. Fairly traditional and limited menu selections that include appetizers like an exquisite portobello mushroom with Gorgonzola stuffing, served in a bordelaise sauce and a delicious spinach and mushroom salad with ginger vinaigrette and basil-stuffed, bacon-wrapped barbecue shrimp. 

If you're a vegetarian, you must try the five-cheese lasagna: portobello mushroom, spinach and a variety of vegetables and romano, fontina, mozzarella, provolone and parmesan. As you might expect, the Backfin Blue Cafe specializes in seafood but also includes in its menu a tender prime rib and generous servings of homemade meatloaf with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. Bring a friend or your family.

Another of Tampa Bay's fine restaurants is Bern's owned by the Laxer family. Located at 1208 S. Howard Ave in Tampa Bay 33606. The locals know it well for it's finely-appointed Gothic decor. The restaurant seems to attract some of Tampa's wealthier people and others on their way to wealth. It seems to be a popular venue for marriage proposals, birthdays and other types of celebrations. Priding itself on its excellent overall service to its patrons, you will never be disappointed. It shares its standards of fine service with the smaller SideBern's.

Many people come to this restaurant for its dry-aged U.S. Prime beef steaks - all hand-butchered. Also on the menu are excellent cuts of lamb, veal, chicken and fresh seafood. Organically grown fruits and vegetables complement the entrees.

Oh, did I mention that their regulars include many of the bigger names in Tampa? Perhaps this is the reason for the two dozen different caviar selections, the 62-item dessert menu, a cigar and a huge wine list for those who have specific preferences.

If you manage to make it through all the courses, move to the dessert quarters upstairs, where 48 private booths are each equipped with an intercom phone for requesting songs from the restaurant's talented pianist. You can also ask your waiter to take your group for a tour of the wine cellar and kitchen. On busy nights, this will have to wait until he can find the 15-minutes required for it but don't be surprised if the waiter asks your group if you'd like to take the tour. These guys are good and quite knowledgeable.