Food & Drink
There are several perfectly cromulent coffee places near where we live. Screw those places! Every morning we make the 20-minute drive to The Lab Coffee in Seminole Heights, in part because we hate our day jobs and will do anything to avoid having to do them. But, just as relevant is the fact that, for our money, The Lab has the best coffee and hardest-core baristas in town. “What are you two up to today?” they always ask us when we pop in around 1 p.m. for our “morning coffee.” We never seem to have a convincing answer: “Oh, not much, just working…we guess?” For great coffee, employees who are cooler than you, really good empanadas, and an excuse to drive around all day, look no further than our beloved Lab. thelabcoffee.com—Kelly Buttermore & Justin Peters
“The Peri Peri chicken takes 25 minutes,” the guy behind the counter at the Fryer House warned us when we walked in there one recent Wednesday afternoon. Challenge accepted! Was it smart to order the only grilled item at a restaurant called the “Fryer House”? Probably not, but the meal came with a free can of “C&C Cola”—corporate tagline: “Refreshing Is An Understatement”—so we sat down and waited. The chicken was better than the cola, but, you know what, each of them was pretty refreshing in its own way! Anyway, the food here is good and the people are nice, but, if you go, you might be better off getting something that’s, you know, fried. thefryerhouse.com—Kelly Buttermore & Justin Peters
This popular Facebook group begs the question “Where is all of the great Asian food in Tampa Bay?”—and its nearly 16,000 members try to answer it on a daily basis. From spreading news about food festivals, night markets and local Asian grocery stores to recommending favorite restaurants and sharing family recipes, its members are actively looking for the best East, South and Southeast Asian eats in the greater Tampa Bay area and beyond. The vibes are always good, the comment section is rarely argumentative and its conversations are solely about tasty food and where to find it.—Kyla Fields
Winner: Chef Chris Artrip—The Black Pearl
Finalists: Chef Lynnessa Hughes—Haven, Chef Chad Johnson—Bern's
Winner: The Black Pearl
Finalists: Red Mesa Restaurant, Council Oak—Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
The thought that anything could replace the long-beloved Munch’s in the hearts of St. Pete diners seemed sacrilege at first, especially when the restaurant that took over the space on 6th Street S had such a consonant-clogged name. But Tchotchke (loosely translatable as a little something you can’t resist) proved to be, as its signage announced, “tough to spell” but “easy to love.” Deliciously fresh and ample breakfast and lunch dishes drew enough fans that owner Matthew Firosz opened The Green Room bar in the adjacent storefront, open at night for menu items like the Dinner Burger plus a bourbon selection with more than 50 labels, among other enticements. tchotchkecafe.com—David Warner
Translated from Italian, the name of this bakery/cafe on St. Pete Beach means House of Bread. That’s appropriate, because the loaves on offer along the back wall are crusty, chewy and flavorful. No sourdough, though. A sign on the shelf says so. Whether the casa’s bread is made from white or semolina flour depends on the day. Picking out a couple of loaves from a generous array, toting them home, unwrapping them, warming them, tearing off pieces or slicing them, buttering them and eating them—well, that’s the kind of bread experience you can’t get from a supermarket. @lacasadelpane__ on Instagram—Eric Snider
Winner: Bamboozle
Finalists: Sunda New Asian, Yummy House
Winner: Pete's Bagels
Finalists: St. Pete Bagel Co., Dunedin Bagels