MIO’S GRILL & CAFÉ Mediterranean CYBEL BABA DIMITRI’S ON THE WATER BABA • St. Pete; $$ • Mediterranean flavors anchor the menu at this breezy and buzzy restaurant in St. Pete’s trendy Grand Central District. An excellent beverage program features a selection of Greek wines and ouzo-laced cocktails while the food dinner menu excels with bright flavors in dishes ranging from a charred cauliflower and romanesco medley to a Greek fish stew plump with octopus, clams, shrimp and Gulf fish. HELLAS RESTAURANT & BAKERY octopus, which arrives charred and tender, swimming in garlicky olive oil. Tarpon Springs; $$ • Hellas offers the quintessen-tial Sponge Docks dining experience, whether it’s a sit-down lunch or a pop in for one of the spot’s delectable Greek pastries you’re after. Start with a flaming plate of saganaki cheese (you’ll hear a chorus of “Opa” approximately 10 times during your visit) and move on to the Greek salad, a Tarpon Springs classic topped with a scoop of potato salad. HELLAS RESTAURANT & BAKERY • CYBEL • St. Pete; $$ • The restaurant that brought the French taco to St. Pete features a mashup menu of French-Moroccan fare in a casual setting. Order the Peu de Tout for the best starters: crispy falafel, creamy labneh, Moroccan ratatouille and tabbouleh all served with soft, herby zaatar bread. Whatever you do, don’t skip the spot’s showstopper lamb shank tagine, brimming with warm spice, apricots and almonds. Springs; $$ • What sets one Greek spot apart from the next along the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks? The name says it all here: At Dimitri’s, those gyro and souvlaki platters taste all the sweeter when you’re sitting outside overlooking the Anclote River. The food here is excellent – don’t skip the grilled DIMITRI’S ON THE WATER • Tarpon MIO’S GRILL & CAFÉ • St. Pete and Clearwater; $ • Greek and Turkish specialties are the highlight at this casual spot with locations in downtown St. Pete and Clearwater. Meals should start with a selection of dips like tzatziki and hummus and the crispy-fried falafel. Entrees include the savory yogurt kebabs, which feature thin slices of beef and lamb gyro meat served with rice pilaf, yogurt and a flavorful sauce made with tomatoes, peppers, garlic and mushrooms. VISITSPC .COM 77
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