Dining in St. Augustine and Tampa
 

Any recommended restaurants in these areas?

We like ethnic, seafood and tend to go for the moderately priced. Also, any place with good microbrews and food are of interest. Thanks!

in Tampa/Ybor City,

I've always enjoyed dining at the various Columbia restaurants. There are three I believe, the last time I was in Tampa, I dined at the Ybor city location. These are family owned, BEAUTIFUL, restaurants that serve Spanish and Cuban food. The paella(sp?) was the best I've had, the seafood dishes are always fresh. The decor is lots of blueand white tile, plants, water. Very nice for dinner or lunch.

ALL over the tampa area, you will see Cuban sandwich places. DO NOT MISS munching on one of the best sandwiches ever invented!!!!

Thanks, Sweet Willie. We were planning to hit Ybor City, so will look out for your recommendation.

PhoebeSnow, A little more on the adventurous side, about a ½ block further than the Columbia in Ybor City (on the same street), is a scary looking and scary clientele Caribbean food restaurant. Not well
lit, but I had a tremendous curried goat w/plantains. The jerk chicken was very good as well.

[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 01-24-2002).]

In Tampa we have a great Indian restaurant called TAJ. If I think of anything else that is remarkable I will make sure to post it.

I also agree that you should try Cuban sandwiches while you are here, also deviled crabs are a pretty local specialty that are good.

I don't remember seeing deviled crabs.

Do you have any restaurant suggestions for these AC903?

Good question Sweet Willie! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...orum/smile.gif Seriously though... Sonya's Cafe in North Tampa used to have them (they have been under new management for three years now and not sure if they still have them). Di Piero's also has them. Both of these are your basic mom & pop restaurants, nothing fancy.

Tampa:The best brunch I have ever had was at the seafood restaurant at the Westshore Hyatt. I can't think of the name,but they are a free standing building on the water.
Columia (Ybor)can be fun (flamenco dancers at night) and has good food,but there are many very good Cuban restaurants there.

In St. Augustine, there is a place called the Gypsy Cab Company that has outstanding food. It is the place to go on the weekends, though, so prepare to wait a while for a table.