These ethnic eats are a treat, readers say

In an annual poll, Carrabba's tops a list of 46 favorite restaurants where the flavors span the globe.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times staff writer
Published August 10, 2007

Thai Bistro is top Thai. from left are Titi Woramalee, Foey Wood, Woratakarn Kongpanypanichkul and JoJo Dangton.
	[Lance Aram Rothstein | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Julia Kumari Drapkin | Times] Hungry patrons wait outside on a rainy afternoon to get lunch at Pancho's Villa in San Antonio, the Mexican food favorite.

Those who think Pasco County is short on ethnic restaurants should look a little closer.

Voters in the Pasco Times' Favorite Restaurant Poll found 46 restaurants serving a wide variety of ethnic dishes - and this doesn't even count some takeout places like Chez Marco's/Marando's Lebanese Mediterranean Cuisine or Juan's Black Bean Cafe, which had not yet reopened when the balloting took place.

The poll's overall winner was Carrabba's Italian Grill, where there always seems to be a line of eager patrons waiting for a chance to scarf down some of Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola's incomparable wood-fired pizza, antipasti, zuppe, steaks, pasta, family classics and beautiful wines.

"Consistent, great food and service," wrote Jim Lawrence of Trinity.

"Impeccable service," said Jay and Debby Levey of Holiday, an opinion echoed by Dan Dunn of New Port Richey and Kay Nelson of Trinity.

Not far behind Carrabba's, though, were runners-up serving Mexican, Thai and Chinese dishes.

In the burgeoning Mexican restaurant category, the most popular was the funky Pancho's Villa in San Antonio, where patrons come from Tampa, Brooksville and points in between, for platters of chile rellenos, huevos rancheros, chorizo con huevo, lengua ranchero, carne asada and chocolatey pollo en mole that tastes as though it's straight out of a Monterrey kitchen.

"Authentic, delicious, consistent good quality," wrote Betty Durke, who lives in San Antonio. "Great chips and salsa and sweet tea."

"Tamales are great!" said Robert Coldwell of Lutz.

In the equally growing Thai restaurant category, the tastefully decorated Thai Bistro in New Port Richey was the clear favorite.

"Peaceful, beautifully decorated," said Dona Smith of New Port Richey.

"Atmosphere is lovely and serene. Dishware and presentation are beautiful," said Barbara Amspoker of Holiday.

"Elegant decor, superb food, superb service - friendly dining in a different world," said Maryanne V. Freeman of New Port Richey.

In the Chinese restaurant category, only one vote separated the newcomer Royal Super Buffet in Embassy Crossing and the 29-year-old favorite Sung Hee on U.S. 19 in south New Port Richey.

"Everything is tasty, hot and available," wrote Theresa and Frank Raudonis of the bounteous Royal Super Buffet.

Of Sung Hee, Ceil Byrd of Port Richey put it bluntly: "Best Chinese food available."

Other ethnic restaurants receiving votes were Angelo's Italian Restaurant, Argento's, Banchiang Thai, Benedetto's, Cancun Mexican, Chili's, China Buffet, Country Pizza Inn, Estela's Mexican, Fung Garden, the German Restaurant, Giordano's, Golden Tequila, Golden Panda, Golden House, Gringo's, Jadefire, La Belle Donna, La Fontana's, La Vallarto's, Leo and Joe's, Little Greek, Lanna Thai, Larry's Deli and Sandwich Shop (Cuban), Marzella's, New China, Olive Garden, Orchid Thai, Pasta Uno, N.Y. Pasta Factory, Raymond's, Red Lobster, Rossi's Italian Restaurant, Rudy's Restaurant, Saparito's, Su Yen, Taco Bell, Tokyo Japanese Steak House, Town House, Vincenzo's and Zen Forrest Pan Asian.

[Last modified August 9, 2007, 21:11:48]