shrimp and oysters with sides like grit cakes and collard greens. The fresh catch of the day comes grilled, blackened or broiled under a panko Parmesan crust. THE HELM PROVISIONS & COASTAL FARE • St. Pete Beach; $$ • Part-seafood market, part-bistro, fresh seafood is the highlight at this St. Pete Beach restaurant, whether you’re popping in for a glass of bubbly and a dozen raw oysters or picking up some grouper or mahi-mahi to cook later at home. And if you’d rather take your meal to the beach? The market sells picnic kits and a selection of ready-to-eat treats, plus beer and wine to-go. SEA SALT • St. Petersburg; $$$ • Perched on the second floor of downtown St. Pete’s Sundial shopping complex, the upscale restaurant features eye-catching displays like a 22-foot glass-encased wine cellar and an 80-foot-long raw bar, where oysters from all over the United States are served. A large, shaded patio includes plenty of outdoor seating. Come happy hour, it’s one of the area’s best-kept secrets for high-end seafood steals and discounted snacks like ahi tuna nachos, fish dip and truffled Parmesan fries. SEA WORTHY FISH + BAR • Tierra Verde; $$ • Inspired by a love for the open water, this Tierra Verde restaurant leans heavily on local seafood. Don’t skip out on the scallops with bucatini carbonara or the whole fried catch, which arrives plated atop coconut rice and a bright papaya slaw. The restaurant inside imbues cozy nautical vibes but the best seat in the house is on the outdoor deck, which features spectacular views of the sunset. TROPHY FISH • St. Petersburg; $ • Chow down on the freshest catch and some tasty “boat drinks” at this St. Petersburg cocktail bar and seafood hub. The entirely al fresco spot features a daily rotating list of local fish and a choose-your-own adventure style setup where diners can pick cooking styles, formats and sides (the yucca fries are excellent). Don’t skip the smoked fish spread, which comes served with a bevy of bright and colorful pickled cauliflower, red onions, jalapenos and Fresno chiles. WATER OAK GRILL • Safety Harbor; $$ • This contemporary steak and seafood restaurant sits in the heart of downtown Safety Harbor with ample sidewalk seating right on Main Street. A raw bar and seafood section highlights local catches like grouper and hogfish, while a selection of steak dinners and shareable snacks like sliders and steamed buns round out the menu. TROPHY FISH WATER OAK GRILL SEA WORTHY FISH + BAR SOUL SICILIAN FUSION • Clearwater; $$ • This charming Sicilian restaurant hews closely to southern Italian classics in a downtown Clearwa-ter setting. A selection of antipasti includes silky slices of prosciutto paired with pillow-like orbs of burrata and pan-fried octopus coupled with crispy nuggets of fried potatoes and asparagus. Don’t skip out on the excellent pasta dishes, which rely on simple, fresh ingredients and nothing more (the spaghetti all'Amatriciana is fantastic). VILLA GALLACE • Indian Rocks Beach; $$ • Italian classics shine at this elegant yet casual Indian Rocks Beach restaurant. Start with the calamari fritti and move on to one of the pastas, like the eggplant rollatini or the rigatoni bolog-nese. Heavier entrees include a veal saltimbocca, made with sage, prosciutto and provolone, and seafood lovers will fall hard for the zuppe di pesce, which features a medley of fresh seafood in a light and tangy tomato broth. SEAFOOD HOG ISLAND FISH CAMP • Dunedin; $$ • Boasting reclaimed wood and turquoise accents, a seafood-focused menu and a breezy indoor-outdoor setup, this downtown Dunedin restau-rant imbues a worn-in and welcoming atmo-sphere with plenty of fishing camp charm. The menu includes dishes like the Captain’s Plate, a hearty combo of fried grouper nuggets and VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM 79
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