Five Menus And Five Venues Makes For One Tasteful EncounterBy Renee Burrell
Photo By Jim Caulfield CLEARWATER BEACH - Martin Smith, Former Managing Director of the Belleview Biltmore, has opened a new restaurant at 551 South Gulfview. Seated at the north end of the Clearwater Pass Bridge, fivefiveone serves diners healthy and flavorful dishes from a FLO-CAL menu that offers the best of Florida and California cuisine. Chef Brad Buss' distinctive east coast-meets-west coast dishes are the result of unique combinations. The food is light, clean and focuses on the inherent natural flavors of the key ingredients. An award winner, Buss trained in the kitchens of the Ritz Carlton Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels, Loews Hotels, and the Pacific Palms Resort. Current signature dishes he's created for fivefiveone are: Jumbo Lump Crab Cake; Seared Halibut; Heirloom Tomato Stack; the 551 Angus Burger; Blackened Lobster Tacos; a Soup Trio, and Assorted Flatbreads. Said Chef Buss, "We wanted to create a restaurant that has something to offer all diners from a contemporary dining room to a casual beach bar on the Gulf. They can expect great food and great service with a view to die for." Dining areas at fivefiveone include: 'The Grill Room', where every table has a water view, the 'Raw Bar' featuring tapas and 20 wines by the glass, the 'Sand Bar'--an outside Tiki Bar and deck with a wonderful view and featuring FLO-CAL dishes plus a wide selection of wine, and frozen drinks. For parties and groups, 'The Venetian Room' is available for private dining, receptions, and meetings for up to 60 guests. The more intimate 'Private Dining Room' that seats 30, has a private deck overlooking Clearwater Pointe with customized menus cooked tableside. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Happy Hour is from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. An Early Bird menu starting at $9.00 is offered from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can call the restaurant at (727) 447-2500.
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