St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2009 - (Page 32) : COOKBOOKS – PAGES OF LOCAL FLAVOR These tomes from local kitchens will help you relive the flavors of the area. Recipes From the Best Beach Restaurants by Griffin Productions. This colorful cookbook features recipes from favorite local beach restaurants such as Backfin Blue in Gulfport, Maritana Grill at the Don CeSar Beach Resort, the Wine Cellar and the Salt Rock Grill. Found at: Haslam’s Book Store in St. Petersburg (727-822-8616), and www.bestbeachrestaurants.com From Grouper to Grits… Delicious Fare with Coastal Flair This inaugural cookbook by the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin is filled with colorful local history as well as more than 150 local recipes that can be prepared with ingredients found in most kitchens. Cover and inside art is by internationally acclaimed local artist Jules Burt. Found at: Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin (727-738-5523), www.jlcd.org/cd/index.jsp The Habana Café Cookbook by Josefa GonzalezHastings. The famous (in culinary circles) owner of Gulfport’s Cuban restaurant shares her family recipes and the stories behind them in this popular cookbook. Included is the flan recipe that won her Southern Living magazine’s 2003 Cook-Off in the signature desserts category. Found at: Habana Café (727-321-8855), www.habanacafe-usa.com/CookBook. htm, Haslam’s Book Store in St. Petersburg (727-822-8616) and www.amazon.com The Columbia Restaurant Spanish Cookbook by Adela Hernandez Gonzmart and Ferdie Pacheco. The recipes and history of one of the nation’s most famous Cuban family restaurants – and Florida’s oldest – are given by those who know them well – the granddaughter of the original Tampa restaurant’s founder and a long-time family friend and former waiter, Ferdie Pacheco. Found at: The Columbia Restaurant at The Pier (727-822-8000), www.columbiarestaurant.com and most local bookstores. ~ LW » Tarpon Springs, Dunedin & Safety Harbor area Bellini – Italian Dunedin The Dish: Faux Old World décor that nonetheless works here. Features fresh fish and pastas. Meat options spotlight veal dishes. Full wine list. 727-733-5449 www.bellinidunedin.com Green Springs Bistro – American/ New Southern Safety Harbor The Dish: Conch architecture, walls festooned with vibrant art and a to-die-for gumbo. Other choices? Sausage, shrimp and grits and a mahi-mahi sandwich. Live music at lunch and on weekends. 727-669-6762 www.greenspringsbistro.com Hellas – Greek Tarpon Springs The Dish: Classic Greek fare in an atmosphere of an upscale pizzeria. Eat indoors or out. Try the fried calamari, moussaka and flaming cheese. Restaurant bakery next door for dessert. Full bar. 727-943-2400 www.hellas-restaurant.com Kelly’s For Just About Anything – American/Bar Dunedin The Dish: Kelly’s serves up breakfast, lunch, dinner. Sample seafood, pasta, ribs and veggie fare in small plates or large. The Chic-a-Boom Room (in the same building) is the region’s signature martini bar. 727-736-5284 www.kellyschicaboom.com Molly Goodhead’s Raw Bar – Seafood/American Ozona The Dish: A rowdy locals favorite. Eat in or out on the deck draped with Christmas lights year ’round. Try the raw oysters, crab cakes and Greek salad. 727-786-6255 www.mollygoodheads.com Mykonos – Greek Tarpon Springs The Dish: The local’s favorite. Modest whitewashed building serves authentic Greek entrees. Typical meal: spanikopita, fish or soutzoukakia (essentially a Greek kebab) and baklava. Crowds quickly at peak times. 727-934-4306 Mykonos, Tarpon Springs. Sea Sea Riders – American/New Southern Dunedin The Dish: Old Florida architecture about a half-block from the Dunedin Marina. The restaurant’s broad menu includes seafood, salads, steaks and pasta, including a mean shrimp scampi with key lime butter. 727-734-1445 www.seaseariders.net Spoto’s Steak Joint II – Steak Dunedin The Dish: Carnivore’s paradise serves up aged steaks hand-cut in the restaurant’s own butcher shop. Favorites include the filet mignon, rib eye and 20-ounce porterhouse. Extensive wine list and full bar. 727-734-0008 www.spotossteakjoint2.com Thirsty Marlin – Seafood/American Palm Harbor The Dish: Funky cottage in Old Palm Harbor. Dine indoors or out. Live music most nights. Specialties include North Atlantic Salmon cooked on a cedar plank. Plenty of meat offerings, salads, bar foods. 727-784-3469 www.thirstymarlin.com Zante Cafeneo – New American Tarpon Springs The Dish: Building brims with a funky, mishmash décor – think antiques saddling up to stuffed animals. New American cuisine blends Cajun, Creole, Italian and Greek influences. Try the Louisiana crab cakes with remoulade sauce. 727-934-5558 www.zantecafe.com ~ Laura Spinale 32 : P la c e s t o d i n e fo r http://www.bellinidunedin.com http://www.bestbeachrestaurants.com http://www.greenspringsbistro.com http://www.jlcd.org/cd/index.jsp http://www.seaseariders.net http://www.hellas-restaurant.com http://www.spotossteakjoint2.com http://www.kellyschicaboom.com http://www.habanacafe-usa.com/CookBook http://www.amazon.com http://www.thirstymarlin.com http://www.mollygoodheads.com http://www.columbiarestaurant.com http://www.zantecafe.com
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