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Best big bucks, cheap eats, new restaurants, breads and pastries and homegrowns

Best big bucks

When you spend $100 or more on a dinner for two, it should be special. At these restaurants it is:

Kiku Japanese Fine Dining, Clearwater Beach

Cafe Ponte, Clearwater

Roy's, Tampa

Massimo's, Palm Harbor

T.C. Choy's, Tampa

Spartaco Trattoria, Tampa

Rusty's, Sand Key, Clearwater

Bernini, Ybor City, Tampa

Kelly's for Just About Anything, Dunedin

Pacific Wave, St. Petersburg

The most exciting find is a place where you can get great food for $10 or less, even if it's just lunch or takeout. Here are my favorites:

Pane Rustica, Tampa

The Ravioli Company, Tampa

Lincoln Heights Bistro, Safety Harbor

China Yuan, Tampa

Keegan's Seafood Grille, Indian Rocks Beach

Farmer John's Pancake House, Brooksville

First Choice Southern Bar-B-Que, Brandon

Thuy Cafe, St. Petersburg

Sangwich Block, St. Petersburg

Authentic tacos from any number of small spots, especially in Clearwater and Tampa.

My favorites of the new crop for good food and spirit:

Massimo's, Palm Harbor

The Music Spot, Tampa

Lincoln Heights Bistro, Safety Harbor

Cafe Alma, St. Petersburg

Pelagia Trattoria, Tampa

Vizcaya, Tampa

Crystal River Wine & Cheese Co., Crystal River

Gelateria del Duomo Milano, Tampa

Ly-Ly's Hawaiian BBQ, Clearwater

Thuy Cafe, St. Petersburg

Breads and pastries from tortillas and lavash to sourdough are the most affordable luxuries at the table. In addition to others listed elsewhere, here are the best places to drop a few dollars:

La Casa Del Pane, St. Pete Beach: artisan breads, focaccia, sausage rolls, market.

Bread Artisans, Pinellas Park: rustic Italian bread.

Delizie, Tampa: bread sticks, pastries, crostini, full meals.

Ladyfingers, Palm Harbor: breads, croissants, brioche, pastries.

La Campesina Bakery & Tortilleria, Clearwater: fresh tortillas, pastries.

New York Bagel Shops, St. Petersburg: hearty bagels, breads, cream cheese.

Fournos, Tarpon Springs: village breads, biscotti, pastries.

Mazzaro's Italian Market, St. Petersburg: breads, focaccia, cookies, deli, market.

Don Pan, Tampa: Latin breads, arepas, French pastries and cakes.

Bon Appetit, Gulfport: French, Portuguese breads.

Mauricio Faedo's Bakery, Tampa: Cuban bread.

Joans Ann Bakery, St. Petersburg: Chinese rolls.

Mi Pueblito, Tampa: Pan de bono, Colombian specialties.

Handcrafted beers from Dunedin Brewery, Hoppers and Tampa Bay Brewing Company.

Littleneck clams from Cedar Key.

Sanwa Growers herbs from Tampa.

International Wursthaus sausage from Largo.

Mullet roe from local waters.

Stone crabs from the Gulf of Mexico.

Golden Fleece goat cheese from Lecanto.

Grape tomatoes from Hillsborough and Manatee counties.

Late-season strawberries from Plant City

Organic Integrity Granola from St. Petersburg.