City: Tampa Bay, FL

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (727) 797-2667

Address: 3101 SR 580

Description: On the south side of SR 580, as you’re headed from Clearwater to Tampa, sits a bit of Mediterranean heaven. Don’t let the fact that its strip-center neighbors are a coin laundry, a wireless store, and a drug store fool you into thinking Pano Kouzina isn’t worth a stop. It is. Panos Kouzina’s menu blends Greek and Italian favorites from gyros on pitas to hand-tossed pizzas with any number of toppings. You can have your spaghetti Italian-style with meatballs and marinara sauce or Greek-style with feta and Parmesan cheeses, garlic, and butter sauce. Desserts include peanut butter brownie cake as well as tiramisu and baklava. Salads, sandwiches (The Greek from Philly?), even burgers and fries round out the menu. The food is presented with flair and the décor is sleek. Owner Nick Pano majored in music and is a professional trumpet player. But he also makes music in the kitchen—check out the Web site videos of Nick cooking. Panos Kouzina is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.