Some More Dining Options Outside Of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel

Although my primary focus in these dining pages will always be on restaurants located in and around New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, whenever I have the room, I do enjoy telling you about some of my other favorite restaurants located outside of our primary distribution areas.

I’ve been spending a lot of time on and around the beaches in Pinellas County and Sarasota this spring and summer, so I’ve decided to focus on those areas for this issue’s “out-of-area” dining feature…with one exception.

Tsunami Sushi Restaurant
100 Central Ave., Sarasota 34236
(941) 366-1033
My mom actually lives in the same building that houses Tsunami, so I’ve already had a couple of occasions to dine there since new owner Samuel Ray took over about a year ago.

Although the restaurant shares its name (and logo) with the Tsunami locations in Brandon and one that closed on Collier Pkwy. at S.R. 54 in Land O’Lakes, Sam has done an outstanding job of upgrading the menu with not only unique sushi rolls (photo, left) but also Japanese-inspired tapas and small plates like his awesome “lava rocks” (sliced filet mignon sashimi with a spicy kimchi sauce cooked on hot lava rocks.

Sam says the mission of Tsunami is simple: serve the freshest sushi and unique hibachi dishes (like Korean bulgogi beef, twin lobsters and a 22-oz. Tsunami ribeye) with a touch of Sarasota style.

And, based on the dinner crowds both times I’ve eaten there, the concept is working. So, when you visit, please tell Sam that Marilyn’s son finally gave him the write-up he promised. Please note that although Tsunami serves a great hibachi steak, it is not a dinner-and-a-show teppanyaki table restaurant.

For more info, visit Tsunami-Sarasota.com or Facebook.com/pages/Tsunami-Sushi.

Middle Grounds Grill
10925 Gulf Blvd.
Treasure Island 33706
(727) 360-4253
If you’ve spent any time on the beaches between St. Pete and Clearwater, you may have at least seen or heard about Middle Grounds Grill, which bills itself as “the best steaks and seafood on the Gulf beaches,” and although there are a lot of great steak and seafood places along Gulf Blvd. (including another on these pages below), it’s hard to argue with Middle Grounds’ still-swimming fresh Gulf fish or thick, tender “wet-aged,” certified Angus steaks.

My favorite dishes at Middle Grounds to date are the fresh grilled, blackened or sautéed Gulf grouper, the sesame-crusted, seared yellowfin tuna sashimi (don’t be shocked) and the espresso-rubbed New Zealand rack of lamb, served with oven-roasted fresh veggies and garlic mashed potatoes, as well as the thick, 12-oz. New York strip. You can add a 6-oz. lobster tail to that, as shown in the picture above.

For more info, visit MiddleGroundsGrill.com or Facebook.com/MiddleGroundsGrill.

Bon Appetit
148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin 34698
(727) 733-2151
Although Dunedin isn’t among the top beach communities in Pinellas County, its Main St. area is home to one of the most unique walking villages for dining and entertainment in our area.

Well, Bon Appetit is a short walk or ride from that downtown area and it is an excellent waterfront dining and drinking spot. The crowd may skew a little older, especially inside the place, but its outside “In the Loop” bar attracts a somewhat younger crowd and there’s no doubt that this attractive eatery has some very good food at surprisingly affordable prices.

Yes, of course, I had to sample the ahi tuna appetizer pictured below, especially because it was served with pink grapefruit sections, basil oil and wasabi cream. And no, I wasn’t disappointed.

Also delicious was the sautéed Dover sole, one of my all-time favorite dishes, which is boned (as it’s supposed to be) at your tableside.

On my next “big night out,” I want to try the “Chef’s Waterside Table” fixed-price meal. Start with a split of Moet Imperial champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries, followed by your choice of a jumbo lump crabmeat cocktail, the ahi tuna I described earlier or a classic steak tartare,  your choice of two salads, plus your choice of the aforementioned Dover sole, a surf & turf (8-oz. filet mignon and 8-oz. lobster tail) or a grilled, 14-oz., bone-in Veal Oscar, plus your choice of two desserts, all for a very fair $95.95 per person. Then, you can walk and/or dance it all off on Main St.

For more information, visit Bon AppetitRestaurant.com or Facebook.com/BonAppetitRestaurant.

1200º Chophouse
5007 Gulf Blvd.
St. Pete Beach 33706
(727) 367-1300
Located almost directly across the street from the Tradewinds Resort and about a mile from the Don CeSar, the 1200º Chophouse is one of those great little finds you’ll come back to again and again. I know I have visited at least five or six times since first finding it last summer and I will keep going back.

According to the restaurant’s website (address below), “At the intersection of Chicago Chophouse, authentic Florida and culinary passion you will find Dan Casey’s latest restaurant achievement. Steaks are seared, sealing in succulent flavor, at 1200°. Experience world class hospitality… fresh and flavorful awaits!” And, with the favorites I already have at 1200º Chophouse, I don’t disagree with a word of it.

My favorite entrée to date isn’t actually on the Chophouse’s menu, because I guess the Fred Flintstone-sized bone on the bone-in cowboy ribeye isn’t always available. Anytime they have this monster (the one I had was about 32 ozs.) available, I suggest sharing one with someone you love — you’ll probably still have some to take home.
I’m also certain that the lobster beurre blanc sauce (with arugula, balsamic and fresh tomatoes) on the pan-seared sea bass pictured above will rock your world as it did mine, too.

For more info, visit 1200Chophouse.com or Facebook.com/pages/1200-Chophouse.

18 On The Rocks
Beach Bar & Grille
2405 Gulf Blvd.
Indian Rocks Beach 33785
(727) 596-5633
Indian Rocks Beach isn’t as popular, crowded or crazy as St. Pete Beach, but one of the long-time popular night spots on Indian Rocks has been vastly upgraded by owners Doug and Patrick, both of whom previously worked for Shells Seafood Restaurant. During their employment at Shells, they were continuously two of the most successful general managers, but when Shells closed all of its locations in 2008, they started talking about going into business together and the result is the delicious, new 18 on the Rocks, which still offers live entertainment and much better food than the former Cuso’s Beach Club in the same location, directly across Gulf Blvd. from one of my favorite public beaches in Pinellas County.

I loved my blackened grouper sandwich (photo below), as well as the freshly smoked fish spread (they use whatever is available that day; the day I tried it, it was made from smoked amberjack) at 18 on the Rocks and I hear people eating at the beautifully covered outdoor bar/seating area raving about the burgers, the New England clam chowder and the baby lobster pasta.

For more information, visit 18ontheRocks.com or Facebook.com/18 on the Rocks.

Villagio Cinemas
Lounge & Bistro
11778 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Carrollwood 33618
(813) 498-2800
If you’re like me, you probably would love to enjoy an actual meal and an adult beverage or two while watching a movie on the big screen, even though you may fear, based on experience at other places, that the cost is prohibitive.

Well, at Villagio Cinemas in Carrollwood, proprietor Russell Bain invites you to try some tasty fare with an Italian twist that won’t break your piggy bank.

I’ve only visited Villagio once, but I was impressed with the tender and tasty chicken parmigiana dinner pictured above, as well as the nice Montepulciano d’Abruzzo red I washed it down with, without having to take out a second mortgage. So, check it out if you want to see “Tammy” or “Transformers” and enjoy some tasty food and drink.

For more information, visit VillagioCinemas.com or Facebook.com/VillagioCinemas — and please tell all of these eateries that I sent you!