FRESH OFF THE GRILL Dining

By Nancy Foster

hot spots in St. Pete/Clearwater

Warm sunshine, coastal breezes, sandy white beaches and fabulous sunsets are the main requisites for most vacationers in search of a relaxing getaway, and the St. Pete/Clearwater area checks all those boxes. Add in a fabulous dining experience at one of the many beach cafes, bistros, tiki huts and upscale restaurants, and a laid-back getaway becomes an even more memorable experience.

Clearwater Beach visitors can easily choose a different spot each day and never go wrong. Several Frenchy’s restaurants are on the beach, all synonymous with great food and an ultra-casual setting. Arguably the most popular is beachside Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill with its come-as-you-are vibe, amazing Gulf views, affordable prices and friendly waitstaff. Their claim to fame is the WorldFamous Grouper Sandwich, and their icy craft beer pairs great with their fiery sunset views. frenchysonline.com

Another must-try is the trendy Cabanas Coastal & Beachside Grill with relaxing water views and ultra-satisfying dishes. Cabanas Coastal Combo is a seafood feast bursting with grilled grouper, shrimp skewers, signature crabcake and house made sauces. Their cocktails, like the sassy Peach-on-theBeach, are guaranteed to quench any thirst. cabanasgrill.com

On the Sand Key side of Clearwater Beach is Columbia Restaurant, a legendary Spanishthemed award-winner where the ambiance, intracoastal views and skilled waitstaff are surpassed only by an inventive menu that includes such favorites as Palomilla Steak and mouthwatering Snapper “Adelita”. columbiarestaurant.com

Across the street in the Sheraton Sand Key Resort is Mainstay Tavern, a contemporary pub-style spot with an inventive menu. The rosemary-marinated New York Strip Steak is fork tender and bursting with flavor. Salad eaters can enjoy steak added as a topping to the nutritious SuperFood Salad with greens, berries and feta, or choose to top it with a grilled salmon instead. marriott.com/tpasi

A few miles south down the Gulf coast, Indian Rocks Beach is home to the Original Crabby Bill’s, an unpretentious favorite with an uptempo attitude. It’s the perfect place to kick back with a domestic, imported or craft beer