It's that time of the year. No, it's not Christmas, but it is something just as exciting: Restaurant Week!
Dine Tampa Bay's Restaurant Week is a local event that takes place through August 17, with roughly 125 of some of Tampa's finest restaurants participating. This event allows customers to purchase a specially-priced prix fixe meal for dinner from the participating restaurant of their choosing. Depending on the restaurant, the cost of the meal will be $25, $35 or $45.
Patrons can choose between their tried and true restaurants like Grillsmith ($25) and Carrabba's ($25), but it's also the perfect time to try those restaurants that you've always been meaning to, or the ones that might be out of your price range for a normal dinner out.
For Restaurant Week, I bring you a couple of my recommendations. In my mind, the following restaurants add a touch of flair to the Tampa Bay area and will leave you coming back for more.
Datz Deli - Located at 2616 South MacDill Avenue, Datz has quickly skyrocketed to Tampa foodie famosity. Known for their ever-evolving menu, incredibly large portion size and vast array of available brews, Datz has something for everyone. This week, Datz's three-course menu is on the low end at $25 and includes Watermelon Salad, Poutine, Mac N' Cheese Bites or Deviled Eggs as the first course and Barry C's Mac Stuffed Meatloaf (a personal favorite), Beer-battered Fish N' Crisps, Creole Shrimp & Grits or Waffles & Tweet as the second course. For the third course, choose between Warm Chinese Donut Holes tossed in rosemary five spice sugar and served with orange glaze or Jar o' Cheesecake topped with fresh fruit and locally-made fruit preserves.
Malio's Prime Steakhouse - Located downtown in the Sykes building on the corner of Ashley and Kennedy, Malio's is one of those restaurants with a high price point, but you walk away thinking, "That was well worth it; when can I go back for more?". Malio's, in addition to the USDA prime beef and freah seafood that they offer, also has over 200 wines to select from and happy hours that include $5 burgers. Whenever you stop in, be sure to have a bowl of Malio's French Onion Soup Au Gratin; it's the best French Onion soup I've ever experienced.
For Restaurant Week, Malio's is offering your choice of Mozzarella Malzone, Shrimp Theresa or Beef Carpaccio for your starter. For your salad course, choose between the French Onion soup or House salad. The entree selections include a 6oz Filet, Fresh Catch item or Crab Meat Pasta. Lastly, select between Key Lime Pie, Peach Malio or Creme Brulee for your dessert. Malio's prix fixe menu comes in at $45/person.
Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar - A relatively new Tampa area restaurant chain, Carmel Cafe is making its presence known in the Carrollwood area and also with their Clearwater location. Carmel Cafe, with their modern Mediterranean cuisine, not only offers tapas and regular-sized dishes, and constantly have a special you can partake in, but they also provide iPads for every table so patrons can see the pictures of dishes and even order- so cool!
For $25 during Restaurant Week, select between a House salad or Black Olive Caesar for your appetizer; second course offerings include Chickpea Fries, Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips or Mac n' Four Cheese. Carmel Cafe offers some of the most diverse and highest number of different entree options. For your third course, choose between the following: Basil Grilled Salmon, Basque Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Spinach Gnocchi Marseilles, Thyme-Garlic Grilled Shrimp, Mod Med Grilled Chicken, Steak Frites, Braised Short Ribs or Moroccan Lemon Chicken. For dessert, choices include a dessert trio, Chocolate Lava Cake, Pound Cake with Strawberries or Cannoli with seasonal fillings.
Brio Tuscan Grille - Brio Tuscan Grille makes my recommendation list before even viewing the prix fixe menu for Restaurant Week. The reason is simple: Brio's pasta is that extraordinary- it's melt in your mouth pasta that tastes like it's made fresh in-house. Unbelievably amazing, Brio is a restaurant you do not want to miss out on. In addition to their pasta, they also offer daily specials and you can redeem a free meal on your birthday (sign up for e-mails through their website to receive your coupon)!
For Restaurant Week and with a price point of $35/person, I don't anticipate Brio having anything less than a perfect menu. For your first course, choose between Crispy Shrimp Piccante, Beef Carpaccio or Four Cheese Pizza; for your second course, choose between Brio Crab & Shrimp Cakes, Tournedoes di Manzo (filets with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables) or Veal Milanese; for your dessert, options include Torta di Cioccaolata, Tiramisu or Brio's Famous Cheesecake.
