The Tampa Bay Times: Best 100 Bay Area restaurants

Chef Ferrell Alvarez, Tampa Bay Times food critic Laura Reilly, and Ty Rodriguez, together at the celebration of the Tampa Bay Times top 100 restaurants. Rodriguez and Alvarez took the top honors for their Rooster and the Till restaurant.

The Tampa Bay Times and food critic Laura Reiley celebrated the announcement of her top 100 restaurants for 2019 with a bash at the Franklin Food Hall Thursday night. A mix of a who's who of Tampa's culinary world and their admirers feasted on a generous offerings of delicious delights from some of the kitchens at the hall. Traditionally the Times and Reiley have revealed a 50 best restaurants list, but she says due to the remarkable increase in quality establishments they broadened the field to 100 for her retrospective tally for 2019. See the entire story and video here

Attendees dine on food from several of the eateries at the Hall on Franklin served buffet style.

Cheese and Charcuterie from Julie Curry's Bake'n Babes, A Hall on Franklin favorite, greets guests as they arrive

Fresh hot cinnamon doughnuts from Toast On The Town were reason enough to be there. Check out that pegboard in the background filled with the delicate pastries

The celebration was as much a love fest for Reiley, who recently announced her imminent departure for a gig with the Washington Post, as it was a tip of the hat to the kitchen wizards named on the list. The critic has been a staple in the Tampa food scene since 2007. She is a 2017 James Beard and Pulitzer finalist, and a much revered presence in the culinary world and the  Tampa Bay food news scene. Her 2016 work on Farm to Fable, a revealing  multipart investigation outing local restaurants falsely claiming to use locally sourced food, is a jewel in the crown of her reporting. She will be sorely missed.

Tampa Bay Times food critic Laura Reiley discusses her Top 100 Restaurant picks and her thoughts about the growing Tampa food scene at Hall on Franklin.

Many of the recipients are no surprise. Ty Rodriguez and Farrell Alvarez of the Rooster and the Till again took top honors. Their food is a perennial favorite because, well, is so damned good! Chef Alvarez is inventive, energetic, and always seems to be on the cutting edge of what's next in the taste tempting world. St Pete's Reading Room was runner up.

Laura Reiley, Tampa Bay Times food critic, address recipients and guests at the Top 100 2019 celebration. An estimated crowd of 200 was present.

Sarah Belyeu, Wine Director and Manager of edison food and drink lab with Chef Jeannie Pierola and Dr. BBQ (Ray Lampe) celebrate at the Hall on Franklin. Both edison and Dr. BBQ got nods in the top 100 list.

Winners Ty Rodriguez, Julie Curry of Bake'n Babes, and chef Ferrell Alvarez

The winners list is long and varied. It is broken down into 25 categories, some being particular foodstuffs like Cuban sandwiches and desserts, and some being eating experiences like food halls and the best pet friendly restaurants. Check it out. And, don't blink. There are 25 new places scheduled to open so far in 2019. Start eating!

Chef Michael Buttacavoli of Cena in Channelside, #10 on the top ten list, discusses his restaurant and his win.

Ichicoro Ane co-chef-partner Noel Cruz -acknowledges his number nine spot on the top ten list

Kick some Washington butt Laura. We hope they know what a prize they are getting. Cheers!