Tampa Bay's Top 100 Restaurants: best new restaurant
Restaurant critic Laura Reiley dined out for nearly 200 meals this past year, so she knows where the best restaurants are in Tampa Bay. As we roll out her Top 100 Restaurants, here is her pick for the best new restaurant. Your fave's not listed? Let us know in the comments section. And if you want all 100 in a handy guide, be sure to pick up a Weekend section in Thursday's St. Petersburg Times.
Full Top 100 list | Search for another restaurant/bar
Best new restaurant
This would have been a more crowded field had James Canter and Domenica Macchia stayed behind the stoves at MFA Cafe and MJ's Jazz & Tapas Lounge, respectively. Zach and Jennifer Gross, owners of the new Z Grille in Signature Place, have only each other to toast. Z Grille offers downtown St. Petersburg style and a bit of sass along with a hip menu and glamorous interior. Let's hope this chef-driven venture prompts a raft of others with such singular panache to pop up around Tampa Bay. Also, that fancy deviled eggs become a trend.
Z Grille, 104 Second St. S, St. Petersburg; (727) 822-9600, zgrille.net
"He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise." 
Had a wonderful New Year's Dinner at Z Grille. Good service and excellent food. This is a spot on pick for Best New.
However, I agree: Had Chef Domenica Macchia remained at MJ's it would have been the top contender for Best New restaurant (never got the chance to try Mr. Canter's creations). And most certainly my New Year's Eve and money would have been spent at MJ's. I sincerely miss her creative yet comforting style. Would love to know where she is cooking now!? Whomever got lucky enough to bring her on board is being way too quiet!
Posted by: Mama Joe | January 14, 2009 at 04:16 PM
you have to be kidding my does he pay part of your salary. funny if you don't advertise with your site or newspaper you don't get mentioned. It time for Laura to really start doing her job.
Posted by: Baxter | January 16, 2009 at 05:44 PM
hmm - does z grille advertise in the times or on their website? check your facts.
Posted by: bob | January 16, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Baxter, huh? I've worked for alt. weeklies, magazines, websites and newspapers, and I have to say that the really fabulous thing about newspapers is that advertising reps do the best job that they can do to sell the product, and the writers do the best job that they can do to serve the reader. I have never once had any decision swayed or even nudged by advertising at the Times. You may disagree with me, but that's a disagreement with my take on things, not that of advertising.
Posted by: Laura Reiley | January 16, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Spare me in a closet!! I and 3 other friends went to Z Grille this past weekend around 10pm for drinks and a bite, sat at the bar. While, yes I would agree the place is pretty and they spent some dough, they should train their help in the art of class. The bartender, bald guy-maybe a tongue piercing too, was the rudest individual I've dealt with in a long time. Although my little neck clams app was excellenta-I'm afraid they won't see another hard earned dollar from my wallet or my friends ever again!. A shame too. PS-it was the worst cosmo ever!
Posted by: lisa | February 09, 2009 at 08:44 PM
I have heard tales of your escapades at Z Grille the other night and I am not surprised that they kicked you out (which they did) for YOU being YOU obnoxious, smug, and classless. they should have called the cops and they are better off with out your so called hard earned dollar(because we all know how hard earned it really is) LOL! Stick together with your waffle house crew and everything will be alright.
Posted by: hambone | February 12, 2009 at 10:02 AM