Favorite place for a night out with the boys:
My favorite spot to hang out with the guys is Top Golf. It’s the best way to enjoy golf on a hot Tampa day inside with cold beer, good eats and air conditioning.
Favorite date-night spot:
Ocean Prime is where my wife and I usually head for date night. We love the atmosphere, and they have great food, service and drinks. If you feel like splurging, definitely go with the “Smoking” Shellfish Tower. It’s worth every penny.
Favorite place to take guests from out of town:
The best way to show off Tampa to out-of-towners is with the incredible views from the top of the Grand Hyatt at Armani’s. If you time your reservation just right, you’ll see the sunset right from your table or from their outdoor patio. Yes, there’s a breeze way up there!
Favorite place for a client dinner:
Sacred Pepper is as good as it gets for client dinners. It’s got a cool vibe but is not overly trendy, and the upscale traditional American menu has something for everyone.
Favorite burger joint:
There are lots of burger places to choose from, but BurgerFi is where it’s at. The burgers with the special sauce, the Cry + Fry onion ring/hand-cut fry combo and the milkshakes are amazing!
Favorite Mexican restaurant:
Hands down, it’s got to be Miguel’s for their incredible, authentic Mexican food. When we take the kids, we keep it casual in the main dining area. When we want to enjoy a fresh margarita with friends, we hang on the trendier back patio.
Favorite place for authentic cuisine:
I love Brocato’s Sandwich Shop, which offers a variety of sandwiches, authentic Cuban cuisine and the best devil crabs in town. It’s been a Tampa favorite since 1948, and it doesn’t disappoint!
Favorite weekend brunch spot:
I love a good Sunday fun day at The Rusty Pelican. It has a great waterfront setting on Tampa Bay, fresh seafood at the raw bar and just about any kind of breakfast or brunch item you could ever imagine. The complimentary mimosas and champagne don’t hurt either.
Best fine dining spot:
Like most Tampa locals, my go-to spot in this category is Bern’s Steak House. It’s famous for a reason. They have amazing steaks and service that is second to none. They just get it right every time.
Favorite seafood restaurant:
For fresh seafood, my wife and I love Eddie V’s. Yes, it’s a chain, but you can’t beat their raw oysters, and it’s got the best shrimp cocktail that has ever existed.
Favorite pizza:
La Prima – New York style through and through! It’s amazing, authentic pizza and meatballs that are out of this world.
Best sushi
My wife and I love Zen Bistro, and it’s our go-to spot when we’re craving sushi. It’s got a great menu with tons of Pan-Asian options. Our favorites are the lime beef appetizer and the Red Dragon and Zen Crunch rolls.
Favorite place to sit with a cup of coffee:
When I want to just chill and sip a great cup of coffee, I head to Oxford Exchange. It’s a cool place with a great atmosphere. And, of course, when I bring my wife, I can’t keep her out of the retail shop!
Favorite sports bar:
Hattricks Tavern is located in a three-story historic building in the heart of Downtown Tampa and is my go-to spot to watch sports. It’s got awesome wings, buckets of ice-cold beer and TVs all over the place – all the necessities one needs to watch a game.
Favorite beach spot:
The best restaurant on the beach has got to be Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach. Don’t let the line scare you. It moves fast, and the grouper sandwich is seriously worth the wait.
Favorite restaurant across the bay:
Island Way Grill is a fun spot on Mandalay Bay in Clearwater. They’ve got a great patio that you can just pull your boat right up to. Their food is awesome – great steaks, fresh seafood and sushi. You can’t go wrong with their drink menu either!
