Welcome to Metro’s Best 2007. Tampa Bay is one of the premier places to live and play in Florida, and we’ve compiled a list of the Bay area’s best places to eat, drink, relax, enjoy and experience. So sit back and revel in Tampa Bay.

by Ronda Parag, Jessica Hartman, Lauren Smith,
Kelly Stoddard and Talie Tebbi

Best Late-Night Pediatrics
After Hours Pediatrics
Kids always seem to get sick or hurt just when the doctor’s office is closing. AHP is the best late-night pediatrics center because they’re open on holidays, weekends and into the night. Open 5 to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 to 11 p.m. on weekends and holidays. To find a location near you go to www.afterhourspediatrics.com.

Best California Haircut Without the Jet Lag
Salon Jack
After big-city hairstylist Chad Malm had enough of California’s fast lane, he decided to open Salon Jack in Palma Ceia, and his newly opened location on Central Avenue in St Pete. He has cut and colored the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Larry King and Christy Turlington. Call (813) 831-8955 or visit www.salonjack.com.

Best Make Up
Lola Jane’s
With make up services including applications in studio and on location, make up lessons, strip lash application and air-brush make up, Lola Jane’s Hair Salon and Cosmetics Studio is the best place in town to a get flawless, long-lasting face.
Call (727) 898-4516 or visit www.lolajanes.com.

Best Waterfront Spa
Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
After a relaxing day of beauty treatments, enjoy a breathtaking view of Tampa Bay. At Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, tranquility is the rule, not the exception, and their waterfront location holds true to that. Call (727) 726-1161 or www.safetyharborresort.com.

Best Hair Color
Somers Salon & Spa
With the new addition of a Redken color bar, Somers Salon and Spa has enhanced the color process by allowing their color specialists to involve you in their vision. Call (727) 726-8181 or visit www.SomersSalonandSpa.com.

Best Family-Friendly Place to Work Out
Tampa Metro YMCA
The YMCA has been a part of the Tampa community for decades, and its dedication to families has remained the same. Every year, the Y adds more resources for families, including its Parenting Guide for Raising Healthy Kids, YMCA Parenting Tips, and What You Need to Know About Child Care, among others. To find a location go to www.tampaymca.org.

Best Medical Spa
SpaTampa
Reaching health and skin care goals is No. 1 at SpaTampa. Dr. Roy, an osteopathic physician, and Freda Mills, a master esthetician work together to evaluate, discuss and agree on a skin treatment plan that’s right for each individual. Call (813)251-5772 or go to www.spatampa.com.

Best Place for a Brazilian Wax
Pia Esthetics Day Spa
Trust the experts at Pia Esthetics to handle you with care for all your waxing needs. Relax in the atmosphere of the day spa as they rejuvinate your body and soul. Call (813) 831-2418 or visit www.bypia.com.

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Best Hip Fashions for the Discerning Male
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks makes apparel for men a top priority by keeping up with the hottest trends and designers. Satisfy even the most discerning taste at Saks. Call (813)371-5100 or go to www.saksfifthavenue.com.

Best Casual Chic Fashions
Deborah Kent’s
Casual does not mean dressing down, and Deborah Kent’s understands. An area institution for over 25 years, you’ll find fashions that are perfectly stylish and easy for a summer picnic or an informal get together. Call (813) 259-1150 or go to www.deborahkents.com.

Best Place to Adorn Yourself
DKM Accessories
The quintessential place for anyone who has ever planned an outfit around a purse or a pair of shoes, DKM takes accessories seriously. Find your perfect center or accent piece at DKM. Two locations in Tampa. Call (813)902-0044 or visit www.dkmaccessories.com.

Best One-of-A-Kind Jewelry
Sydney Buchanan
Specializing in designer jewelry from Jude Frances, Alex Woo, Rebecca Langford and others. Sydney’s offers stylish pieces to commemorate an occasion or dress-up the latest outfit. Call (813)258-9600 or visit www.sydneybuchanan.com.

Best Fashions with an Edge
Kit’s Well-Heeled & Well-Dressed
Known for branching out to cutting edge and European designers, this Old Hyde Park Village boutique brings stylish new fashion to the Tampa Bay area. Expect the unexpected at Kit’s. Call (813)250-1253 or visit www.kitswelldressed.com.

Best Social Occasion Registry
Georgette’s
All dressed up with no place to go? Not a problem for those who shop at Georgette’s in Old Hyde Park Village. Owner Georgette Diaz keeps a detailed register of the gowns purchased, so no chance of duplicates at the same event. Call (813)254-1141.

Best Evening Wear in St. Pete
Ambria’s
With dress sizes from 2-26, impeccable service and evening wear for every occasion, Ambria’s is the place to shop for evening wear in St. Pete. Turn heads in a stunning and fashionable gown from designer Sue Wong. Call (727)895-8609.

Best Dress for a Walk Down the Aisle
Malindy Elene
Finding “the” dress for your wedding can be stressful, but not at Malindy Elene. Not only does owner Malindy Elene Bengston have some of the most breathtaking bridal gowns around, she also offers wine and hors d’ oeuvres to her customers during “sip n sees.” Take the stress out of dress shopping at this elegant bridal boutique. Call (727)898-6866.

Best Vera Bradley Selection
Marion’s
Despite their move to a larger location, Marion’s barely has enough room for all their Vera Bradley items. Find an ample selection of the newest colors and handbags as well as stationary and other Vera Bradley gifts. Call (727)821-2345 or go to www.marionsonline.com.

Best Place for Designer Labels
Neiman Marcus
For 100 years Neiman Marcus has supplied us with the best designer labels. With every designer from A-Z their taste and selection is unparalled, International Plaza. Call (813)877-5700.

Best Contemporary Fashions in Belleair
Kaige’s Boutique
Those with sophisticated taste need to look no further than their own backyard for fashion finds. Kaige’s Boutique, on Indian Rocks Road, has you covered in chic apparel from head to toe. Call (727)586-7500.

Best Local Jewelry Desinger
Meredith Haws
Haws uses natural stones and brilliant gems to create jewelry that is colorful, beautiful and unique. The jewelry is available in Tampa at Deborah Kent’s.

Best Shoe Salon
Nordstrom’s
For those who are looking for a specific strappy stiletto or have no idea what kind of footware they need, Nordstrom’s has the best shoes. The vast selection, attentive sales staff and latest designer trends make it the first place you should look to satisfy your shoe fetish. Call (813)875-4400.

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Best Local Gallery
Baisden Gallery
The Baisden Gallery, located in the heart of South Tampa, represents 30 artists in the medias of glass sculptures, painting and photography, including famed glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Call (813) 350-1511 or go to www.baisdengallery.com.

Best Educational Gallery
The Arts Center
The Arts Center offers people of all ages the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts through hosting a variety of exhibitions, studio classes for children and adults and kids’ summer camps. Call (727) 822-7872 or go to www.theartscenter.org.

Best Surrealist Collection
The Dalí Museum
With the largest Dalí collection outside of Spain, the Dalí Museum is truly a surreal experience. The museum has 96 oil paintings, over 100 watercolors and drawings, and over 1,300 graphics, photographs, sculptures and objects d’art. Call (727) 823-3767 or visit www.salvadordalimuseum.org.

Best Comprehensive Collection
Museum of Fine Arts
Extending from antiquity to the present, the Museum of Fine Arts has the most comprehensive art collection on Florida’s west coast. The galleries contain European art, American art, photography, Greek and Roman antiquities, pre-Columbian and Asian art and feature artists such as Monet and O’Keeffe. Call (727) 896-2667 or visit www.fine-arts.org.

Best Local Attraction for Kids
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo offers entertainment for the young and young at heart. With attractions such as animal habitats, shows, rides, eco-tours and interactive exhibits, children can have hands-on fun with over 1,800 animals. Call (813) 935-8552 or visit www.lowryparkzoo.com.

Best Multi-Venue Theater
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
Celebrating 20 years in the community, TBPAC in downtown Tampa contains five venues to offer multiple artistic performances at once. Call (813) 229-7827 or visit www.tbpac.org.

Best Single-Venue Theater
Ruth Eckerd Hall
Ruth Eckerd Hall’s single theater seats 2,180 for concerts, recitals, plays and special events. In addition to the 200 events presented annually by the center, community groups and organizations lease the venue. Call (727) 791-7400 or visit www.rutheckerdhall.com.

Best Historic Movie Palace
Tampa Theatre
Since 1926, the Tampa Theatre has been a symbol of Tampa’s glorious past and bright future. This fiercely protected landmark is one of America’s best-preserved examples of grand movie palace architecture. Call (813) 274-8981 or visit www.tampatheatre.com.

Best Place to Explore Your Artistic Side
Patel Conservatory
Since officially opening in December 2004, the Patel Conservatory holds classes weekly in a 45,000-square-foot facility attached to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. There are classrooms for dance, media arts, theater and acting. Discover a new talent by taking a class in acting, rock school, voice, piano, hip-hop and more. Call (813) 222-1002 or visit www.patelconservatory.org.

Best Place for Future Scientists
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is a not-for-profit, community-based educational resource that is dedicated to advancing the public’s interest in the sciences. With fun exhibits, an IMAX theater, planetarium and the cutting-edge Kids in Charge program, this is the best place in Tampa to nurture future scientists. Call (813) 987-6100 or visit www.mosi.org.

Best Coasters
Busch Gardens
Home to nine stomach-churning coasters, Busch Gardens is the best place in town to test your courage. Everything from the double-wooden coaster Gwazi, Kumba’s three seconds of weightlessness, Montu’s 3.85 G-forces and of course ShieKra’s 90-degree drop makes Busch Gardens’ coasters a must experience. Call (813) 987-5082 or visit www.buschgardens.com.

Best Fish Tank
The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is home to over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals from over 1,340 species from Florida and all over the world. The two-story aquarium features various zones, including dragons down under, coral reef, sea hunt, wetlands, and more. Call (813) 273-4000 or visit www.flaquarium.org.

Best Local Pop Artist
Jules Burt
Colorful and crazy Pop Art Diva, Jules Burt has provided set designs for the NBC series Friends, her work has appeared on the Today Show, Dateline NBC, Access Hollywood, and many more. Her famed collectors include Elton John, Madonna, Katie Couric, Richard Simmons and Uma Thurman, among others. Call (813) 752-2166 or visit www.julesburt.com.

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Best Worldy Menu
SideBern’s
Chef Partner Jeannie Pierola changes the menu daily to feature specialties from around the world. From Asian Aromatic Seared Salmon, Spanish/Latin American-inspired Chorizo-Scaled Sea Bass, and Heb Roasted Lamb Lion with white truffle macaroni and cheese, to sugar snap peas, roasted tomatoes and garlic, and porcini Chianti emulsion. Call (813) 258-2233 or visit www.sideberns.com.

Best Brick Oven
Bella Brava
Bella Brava offers a distinctly modern atmosphere with traditional Tuscan cuisine. Fresh, decadent ingredients top the perfectly crisp pizzas made in a traditional, wood burning oven. Flavors ranging from wild mushrooms with truffle oil and fontina cheese to Rustica, with spicy Tuscan sausage on tomato sauce, roasted peppers and smoked mozzarella. Call (727) 895-5515 or go to www.bellabrava.net.

Best New Spot in Downtown Tampa
Fly Bar and Restaurant
Since opening last fall, Fly had offered a fresh eclectic vibe to an otherwise overlooked area. With local art on the walls and a “shared plates” menu with dishes from various cultures, Fly has a jazzy, romantic take on chic. Call (813) 275-5000.

Best Classic Dining
Bern’s Steakhouse
Famous for its wine collection, Bern’s offers a world-class menu of perfectly aged beef in a classic atmosphere. Begin with a tour of the cellar and end with a vanilla bean créme brulée in the private dessert room. Call (813) 251-2421 or visit www.bernssteakhouse.com.

Best Seafood
Salt Rock Grill
Dine on the freshest seafood the area has to offer from lobster, Alaskan crab, oysters and shrimp, to a “taste of the sea” dish with fresh fish caught daily. Enjoy one of the best wine cellars on the beach. Call (727) 593-7625 or visit www.saltrockgrill.com.

Best Mexican This Side of the Border
Red Mesa
Red Mesa specializes in Regional Mexican cuisine and Southwest style food with a gourmet flair. Try the black bean soup, the shrimp fundido, the roast pork verde or the delicious white sangria. Call (727) 527-8728 or visit www.redmesarestaurant.com.

Best Jazzy Wednesday
717 South
Along with its specialty jumbo lump sesame crab cakes and Szechwan duck breast and extensive wine list, 717 South offers live jazz music on Wednesdays to help diners make it through the rest of the week. Call (813) 250-1661 or visit www.seven17south.com.

Best Noodle Bowl
Restaurant BT
Restaurant BT was designed to incorporate the best of former restaurants Cafe BT, The Yellow Door and Noodle Lounge. With five various noodle bowls that are made up of rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumbers, scallions, crushed peanuts with nuoc mam dressing, lunch at Restaurant BT is the place for noodles. Call (813) 258-1916 or visit www.restaurantbt.com.

Best Northern Italian
Donatello’s
Donatello’s Italian Restaurant has a passion for quality food, service and tradition. The restaurant features traditional Northern Italian dishes such as Carpaccio di Filetto, Linguine All’ Aragosta and Salmone Alla Stromboli along with traditional desserts such as tiramisu, Napoleons and profiterols. Call (813) 875-6660 or visit www.donatellorestaurant.com.

Best Place to Break for Lunch
Pane Rustica
Arrive early at this popular South Tampa eatery. Delicious sandwiches on fresh baked breads, pizzas and creative daily specials make choosing difficult. Save room for the delicious gelatto or a fresh baked fruit-filled tart or savory macaroon. Also open for dinner. Call (813) 902-8828.

Best Romantic Dining
Armani’s
A wait staff that caters to every whim leaves couples with nothing but time and a luxurious atmosphere in order to enjoy each others company. The service plus an extensive menu and a panoramic view of the city skyline makes for an unforgetable date night. Call (813)207-6800.

Best Classic Burger
El Cap
El Cap is a simple, no frills family-owned sports bar offering a softball sized burger that is messy, juicy and delicious. Keep napkins on hand as you indulge at this historic St. Pete favorite. Call (727) 521-1314.

Best Sushi Chef on Wheels
Go Sushi Catering
Go Sushi Catering comes to you and brings all the essential items needed to set up a full service sushi bar and then creates the fresh sushi on location. Call (813) 835-8757 or visit www.gosushicatering.com.

Best Pie North of Duval
Mike’s Pies
Winner of four national pie championships, Mike’s Key Lime pie starts at the graham cracker crust filled with the “Killer” key lime filling made of pasteurized egg yolks, condensed milk and “Nellie and Joe’s” key lime juice. Preservatives are never an ingredient. (813) 835-PIES or www.mikespies.com.

Best Barbeque
Kojak’s House of Ribs
Feel like a personal guest in this converted southern bungalow-style home. Kick back inside or on the outdoor veranda while devouring homemade baked beans or parsley potatoes with the best BBQ ribs in the Bay area. Call (813)837-3774.

Best Waterfront Cafe
Cafe Dufrain
Imagine sunset with a glass of wine and a red chile marinated filet mignon. The advantages of being a Floridian are obvious when taking in a breathtaking view of downtown Tampa from the patio dining area of this chic local hot spot. Call (813)275-9701.

Best Spot for a Private Party
Mise En Place
Savor head chef Marty Blitz’s 30 years of experience as he melds the many flavors of the Southeast with the style, ingredients and designs of world cuisine. Take advantage of a swanky lounge for intimate gatherings or the 30-seat private dining space for large groups overlooking beautiful, historic UT. Call (813)254-5373 or go to www.miseonline.com.

Best Venetian
Pelagia Trattoria
A menu prepared simply with fresh ingredients and presented within a classic fine dining atmosphere. The mediterranean cuisine includes such treats as octupus cured with garlic and mint or, for the less adventurous, a more traditional crunchy stuffed olives with three meats. Call (813)313-3235.

Best Basement Bistro
Cafe Alma
Mediterranean influenced international cuisine in swank surroundings. The menu includes a Saturday brunch and Sunset meal consisiting of sangria, soup, entreé and dessert. Stick around after dinner for the full bar and frequent musical guests. Call (727)502-5002 or go to www.cafealma.com.

Best Thai
Royal Palace Thai
A veteran of the Best list, Royal Thai makes the grade again this year. Flavorful, fresh ingredients amidst authentic asian tapestries and architecture make this an excellent dining experience. Call 813-258-5893.

Best Mediterranean
Byblos
The quaint South Tampa restaurant and bar provides a casual yet elegant ambience serving traditional Lebanese cuisine. Enjoy the hummus on pita, chicken or beef curry or authentic grape leaves while taking in a belly dancing show. Call (813)805-7977.

Best Salad
Columbia Restaurant
Columbia’s legendary 1905 Salad is tossed tableside. Crisp iceberg lettuce with baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and the famous garlic dressing. Call (813) 248-4961 or visit www.columbiarestaurant.com.

Best Hidden Treasure
Robyn Story Designs
Known for their beautiful silk flower arrangements, Robyn Story Designs offers so much more. The eclectic selection of boutique itemsfrom handbags to accessories are offered at this off-the-beaten path boutique. Call (813)931-9307 or visit www.robynstorydesigns.com.

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Best Nouveau-Modern Store
BoConcept
BoConcept’s signature sleek lines and modern furniture design makes it the best Nouveau-Modern chain store. The location at WestShore Plaza opened last year. Go to www.boconcept.com.

Best Import Home Accessories
Roco Traders
Roco Traders has a collection of beautiful imported handcrafted furniture and outdoor garden containers. From dishes to rustic furniture and objects d’art, stop in often for the ever-changing selection of furniture and accessories. Call (727) 895-8922 or go to www.rocotraders.com.

Best New Home Emporium
Casa Nova
Casa Nova opened its doors in Tampa less than a year ago, and its “home fashion for the adventurous” attitude makes it the best new home emporium. Offering a transitional mix of furniture and accessories that aren’t too contemporary or traditional. Decorate an entire home or a room for the season. Call (813) 837-8282 or go to www.shopcasanova.com.

Best Contemporary Furniture
Galloway’s
Galloway’s timeless contemporary design with its rounded edges and warm colors has been a part of Tampa home design since 1948. The store offers high-quality pieces from around the globe and extra-special attention by the design associates.
Call (813) 874-9300 or go to www.galloways.com.

Best Furniture New Addition
IKEA
With its affordable, do-it-yourself stylish furniture and home accessories, this international phenomenon finally comes to Florida, with stores opening in Orlando this year and Tampa in 2009. Get ready to see what we’ve been missing. Go to www.ikea.com.

Best Eclectic Home Accessory
Magnolia
From capiz chandeliers to beaded pillows, Magnolia has unique home accessories that fit any taste or lifestyle. Occupying a converted general store in Hyde Park, Magnolia is filled with eye-catching furnishings and gifts for the home and garden. Call (813)254-3337 or visit www.magnoliastyle.com.

Best Place To Find Zen
Pondscapes
Let Pondscapes transform your backyard into a peaceful paradise with a water garden. A complete retail center that carries many unique fountains, furnishings, pond supplies, aquatic plants, imported and domestic koi, goldfish and more.
Call (813) 839-8062 or visit www.pondscapes-tampa.com.