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Brian Ries locates a “Healthy Dining Finder” search engine, but I think it’s broke. For my healthy dining it selected Domino’s, Burger King, and Busch Gardens. Grass Root, First Watch, and Sweet Tomato didn’t make the cut.

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If you can tear your eyes away from the images of deliciousness, Jaden lists eight of her favorite food blogs.

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Over at the Seminole Heights blog they find “Free standing retail commercial building. Available for many uses. Formerly a wholesale bakery with all equipment still inside for a new owner,” let us know that the Corner Club (15th and Sligh) is giving away free hot dogs on Sunday nights, the Copa Cabana is closed, but the Sweet Spot takes its place, and the Bungalow Bistro is now open for lunch.

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Tampa I Am visits Zelda’s Cafe & Deli in Channelside.

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Tampa I Am hits Pane Rustica for sandwiches.

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ABC’s Brendan McLaughlin makes it to Taconazo, the Taco Bus, and becomes a convert.

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Tommy in Old Seminole Heights posts the Three Coins to-go menu.

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Torgo lets us know that Ybor City Pizza is now open Sundays.

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Lisa tries Rincon Catracho and likes it. I wish I could say the same. It wasn’t the leisurely service and loud music I didn’t like, so much as the food. However, you should probably pay a visit and decide for yourself.

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Friday, the 28th (6-9pm), Merino’s Deli is throwing a wedding party, complete with free spaghetti dinner, and bluegrass music. Congratulations Jennifer and Jose!

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Mal Carne tours the culinary underbelly of Tampa.

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Finally, Brian Ries is drinking beers. I think I’ll do the same. (And lift a toast to beer connoisseur Michael Jackson, RIP).

Their only Tampa review is for La Teresita.

Mal Carne has breakfast at Three Coins.

Tampa I Am eats dinner at Cellini’s.

E. B. bakes a pair of plum pies, and gives us mouth-watering pictures and a recipe.

Outside of Tampa –

Laura “the Mouth” Reiley eats foods on sticks in Minnesota.

Jeff Houck introduces us to bacon waffles.

and finally, the fun food fact I learned last night = evoo means extra virgin olive oil.

Laura Reiley liked it, back in May.

And I tagged it as one of my favorite Asian restaurants back in March.

Beach Bistro

Big Bok Choy Bistro

Gallagher’s

[cross-posted on Other Poison Devils here]

A few months ago, I had an exhausting and LONG day of corralling and organizing high school students at a local conference. Afterward, a friend of mine suggested that we go out to eat. “Bella’s” he suggested. I agreed, mostly out of exhaustion. Little did I know that Bella’s would become my default Italian restaurant of choice in Tampa.

Located in South Tampa (just south of Bern’s on the west side of Howard), Bella’s has been serving great Italian food for over twenty years. The atmosphere is sophisticated but not snobby, romantic but not syrupy. The pasta and sauce are–indeed, I’m pretty sure almost everything on the menu is–made in-house, and the effects of this on the quality of the food is significant.

The appetizers brim with flavor and distinctiveness. The Bruschetta (toasted bread with uniquely spiced tomato salsa/sauce) and the Formaggio Al Forno (essentially, the Bruschetta but separated for dipping and goat cheese added to the salsa/sauce) whet the pallet, but the Rolatini Melanzane (a mini eggplant parmesan) gracefully walks the fine line between appetizer and entree, stimulating further interest but also potentially filling by themselves.

And if you enjoy a hearty salad, Bella’s knows how to satiate your appetite. First, recognize that a HALF salad should be plenty for anyone. Second, choose Bella’s Famous Chopped Salad (chicken breast, bacon, and gorgonzola in a dijon vinaigrette). BFCS ended up being my favorite part of the entire meal, but I’ve also sampled, with much delight, the Sweet and Sour Strawberry Salad.

As far as entrees go, everything is delicious. I actually let the wait staff guide me on what tastes good, and I have yet to be steered in a direction I regretted. (By the way, ask for Seneca. She’s a gracious waitress with an adorable Southern accent and a penchant for ancient philosophy!)

After my first visit to Bella’s, I scheduled my graduation dinner there, and the entire party’s culinary experience bordered on perfect. I then escorted an out-of-town friend to Bella’s, and their rave review deviated not from my own.

Bella’s = Best Italian Food In Tampa!