'My favorite restaurant': Readers' choices

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My favorite restaurant : Readers choices

LEE McCALL, Correspondent

Published: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 11:24 a.m.

Last year s My Favorite Restaurant article received such positive response from readers, we decided to interview more foodies to report on their current favorite dining venues. Once again, due to the vast choices on the Suncoast, the favorites run the gamut from trendy, new sophisticated bistros to down-home, casual restaurants and long-established landmarks. Local diners shared their views on favorites, what criteria they consider and why they frequent particular restaurants.

Jill and Jack Dowd

Our number-one choice is Mattison s Forty-One. Paul (Mattison) really uses fresh ingredients. He is one of the area s originals and has remained exceptional over the years.

Jill and I like the food, the music and the ease in parking. She usually orders the crabcakes, and my favorite is the pasta with sun-dried tomatoes. Service is important to us, and at Mattison s they seem to always be right there, meeting our needs.

We also like Patricks and Caragiulos for burgers and Italian food. Jill is such a good cook, she is pretty particular, but we both like Mattison s very much.

Jack Dowd, sculptor, and wife, Jill