• Tampa offers a variety of top-flight restaurants.RESTAURANT image by Com Evolution from Fotolia.com
  
  Tampa has many activities for all ages. With that sunny Florida weather year-round, many attractions are outdoors--even the malls are open-air. Attractions include Busch Gardens amusement park, the Lowry Park Zoo and the area's multiple golf courses. St. Pete Beach is a short drive away. If at the end of the day you're craving a real, quality meal, Tampa has many five-star restaurants to satisfy you.
  
  

Bern's Steak House

• Bern's Steak House is perfect for an intimate meal for two. It offers a memorable meal of appetizer, entree and dessert. The appetizer is a salad topped with pistachio-crusted goat cheese, oranges and a cranberry vinaigrette dressing. For a main dish, you will received two lobster tails each and a side of roasted pumpkin crepes and caramelized potato tarts. Save room for dessert, as this meal for two includes carrot cake. There is a business-casual to semi-formal dress code, and reservations are recommended. Open seven nights a week for dinner, Bern's even has its own vegetable garden and an extensive wine cellar.
  
  Bern's Steak House
  1208 S. Howard Ave.
  Tampa, FL 33606
  813-251-2421
  bernssteakhouse.com
  
  

The Laughing Cat

• The popular Laughing Cat offers homemade and authentic Italian fare in an upscale yet fun setting. Reminiscent of a European bistro, the Laughing Cat serves gourmet food yet still manages to be laid-back. Menu options include the Funghi Trifolati, mushrooms, artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers sauteed in garlic, basil, lemon juice and white wine. The Melanzana Rollatini is eggplant stuffed with mozzarella and ricotta cheeses then topped with tomato sauce and basil; the Penne Valentino features eggplant, prosciutto and penne pasta tossed in a tomato and white wine sauce and then topped with fresh mozzarella. The wine list is a single page, offering a nice variety without being overwhelming. The Laughing Cat is open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner every night of the week.
  
  The Laughing Cat
  1820 N. 15th St.
  Tampa, FL 33605
  813-241-2998
  thelaughingcat.com
  
  

Six Tables

• Dining at Six Tables is an elegant affair. This fancy French restaurant starts you off with a glass of champagne served in a beautiful antique crystal glass. This is followed by a six-course meal prepared and presented by the owner and chef, Richard Bottini. Six Tables is open for one dinner seating at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The entire restaurant can be rented out for large parties. Though the menu changes daily, house specialties include the veal chop, venison loin, roasted duckling, rack of lamb and the chef's daily selection of seafood. Bottini also recommends the lobster bisque and the cheese plate, which is served with pate and fresh fruits.
  
  Six Tables‎
  4267 Henderson Blvd.
  Tampa, FL 33629-5610
  813-207-0527
  sixtablestampa.com