Good Restaurants Between Clearwater and Cedar Key, FL

There is a chance that we might catch some Spring Training games in March if time (and work) permits. I know nothing about any part of Florida, except parts of Orlando (thanks to a dull business meeting I had there a few years back). Can anyone help me find a few good restaurants along the west coast of Florida between Clearwater and Cedar Key?

Seafood would be great, but I'd also be up for American, Italian, any kind of regional places (I love good Southern cooking!).

I have to run, but you should look for information here about Tampa, which might have Clearwater info. Look also for Salt Rock Grill ( a steak house), Keegan's and Frenchy's which are casual seafood and steak places in the beach in Clearwater/St. Pete. Tio Pepe in Clearwater is a very old fashioned Spanish restaurant somewhat like Colombia in Tampa, tho many prefer it. Look into Tarpon Spings, also. The Greekest place in the US. Well worth the detaur. Rusty Bellies is a day-boat fish place there, and any local can direct you to good Greek. Mr. Souvlaki is simple and excellent.

Are you looking to travel non-interstate highways between those places? Good luck; you'll need patience and a good radar detector, but it sounds cool.

Cedar Key is nirvana for oyster lovers. That's where they come in by the boatload. live it up.

I just got back from Clearwater beach about a week ago. I stayed at a little family owned place called Barefoot Bay that was great. Anyway, I wanted to recommend a place I went to for dinner on a Thursday night in Dunedin called the Black Pearl. My girlfriend and I discovered it because it was rated at a 26 for food and service by Zagats. I think it was worthy of the rating. It wasn't cheap. We got out of there for just over $100 plus tip. That included an appetizer of Thai mussels, two entrees which came with salads, a wonderful creme brulee and a porto. My girlfriend had a really nice mushroom ragout pasta. I had veal paillards with garlic mashed potatoes and squash.

Here's a link to the website:

http://www.theblackpearlofdunedin.com/