Alan Roberts

Neighborhood go-to during lockdown! Fresh, delicious, and since NYU has shut down, fast! Love the meatless burger, but the fries rock, too. As do the shakes, the cheeseburgers, etc.

Pros: Their app is great for ordering on the run; Convenient to most parts of the East Village.

Cons: Long wait times when NYU is in session.

Terrific breakfast spot near the beach. Locals know it consistently delivers the goods in a no frills setting. Great place for a business meeting or to catch up with friends.

Pros: Location is ideal for meeting people coming from different directions. Huge menu with many enticing dishes.

Cons: Parking can be tricky during the tourist season, so plan ahead.

Another Danny Meyer winner! My go-to for lunch in that part of town.

Pros: Incredible apps that could double as a meal, and the main course portions will have you taking home a snack for later. Dee-lish-us!

Sophisticated cafe inside an even more sophisticated museum. Atmosphere is chill, and the people watching is top notch. Daily specials, and some tables have nice views of the outdoor gardens. Excellent First Date spot, or for reacquainting with a close friend you haven't seen in awhile.

Pros: You can visit the gift shop and eat at the cafe without purchasing a ticket to the museum.

Cons: Parking can be tricky during popular times; No reservations; Cafe open during museum hours only, so check schedule.

Excellent waterside dining spot near the Pineda Causeway. Centrally located so it's great for meeting friends from Viera and points south (or north). Almost every table has a view of the water and even if it's raining you can sit under the roof and be in the open air.

Pros: Live music most nights. (Covid may change this.)

Cons: No reservations so be prepared to wait on busy weekend nights.

Even though Tommy Bahama is a well-known clothing brand, we had no idea they had restaurant locations, too. Found this one by accident while shopping in St. Armands Circle (great place, btw) and enjoyed a long, leisurely early dinner. Excellent house cocktails and wine selection, and their apps are right off the island.

Pros: Atmosphere transports you to the tropics. Bountiful selection of spirits and wines. Portions are just the right size, leaving plenty of room for key lime pie.

Saw Francis Dunnery here once and the experience still resonates. Intimate setting, warm and sparkling acoustics, and just the perfect amount of wait staff service during the performance.

Pros: Cozy, instantly familiar. Tough to find a better live performance space.

Amazing! Do not hesitate - book your trip there ASAP! Such a jewel of a museum, and easy to tour in one trip. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Pros: Gift shop is incredible! (As is the art, of course. ;)

Cons: None. Zilch. Nada.

Wonderful Downtown St. Pete full service restaurant. Fish tacos to die for, and all their apps are, too. Perfect for a business lunch or a casual dinner after visiting all the museums.

Pros: Fresh seafood galore!

Cons: Parking can be tricky, so be prepared to find a meter.

Fantastic water view gem in Dunedin. Live music, great food, and an atmosphere to die for. Go for sunset and you'll have an evening you won't soon forget.

Pros: Sunsets, water views, dolphin sightings.

Cons: Gets crowded so be sure to make reservations.

Visited for my wife's birthday (as most people seemed to be doing that night) and it was an incredible experience. I requested a water view and was lucky enough to get one - they're not guaranteed. Sunset over Tampa Bay was mesmerizing, and we watched dolphins splashing around during our meal. No surprise, the food leaves nothing to the imagination. They cover all the bases, especially dessert. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Pros: Gorgeous view, no-rush relaxing atmosphere, live piano player during certain times in the evenings. Views views views!

Killer bagels and traditional toppings, including lox, specialty cream cheese spreads, deli meats and cheeses. Onion, tomato, lettuce and other fixings available. Almost too much for one person, so you can share for a light lunch.

Pros: Cool selection of sodas not found in other quick service places. Good coffee, too!

Cons: Of course there is no parking - this is Manhattan. Not a "con" at all, just mentioning it.

Excellent burger and beer joint in the East Village. Tater tots(!) to die for, and plenty of sports action on the big screen TVs. At night it's a party scene downstairs, and current outdoor seating is spotty due to weather.

Pros: Great location, good for people watching.

Cons: No parking, but hey, it's Manhattan, so just walk!

Down home authentic Cuban sandwiches in a no-nonsense setting. Perfect for business lunch or to takeout dinner on the way home.

Pros: Delicious! Large portions - sandwiches could easily feed two adults. Look for the live roosters!

Cons: Sometimes a line, but it moves quickly.

This is a go-to spot when you have folks in from out of town. Excellent waterview / outside seating option, and a wide variety of food and drinks for even the most finicky diner.

Pros: TVs are unobtrusive and they keep the sound off, too. Publix is next door so there's tons of parking and you can get some shopping done, too!

Cons: No reservations so sometimes the wait can be long. Plan accordingly.

This BYOB spot is a West Village jewel. The very definition of quaint, this sweet corner venue has been my go-to for well over 20 years. Try the spicy chicken!

Pros: Excellent food, great people (and dog) watching.

Cons: Sometimes there's a line, and they don't take reservations, so plan accordingly.

Perfect lockdown treat!

Don't get mad, get chill! Cool place, nice time.