The Great Escape: A Night Without Cooking

Why not escape a night from cooking and order out? The Bloomingdale area is filled with take-out restaurants for every taste, not to mention restaurants that will deliver meals right to your door.

• Among the newest pizza joints in the area is Mark's Pizzeria, a popular New York restaurant, which recently opened its first franchise in Florida at 10839 Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview, in Bloomingdale Hills Plaza. In addition to New York-style pizza, Mark's serves wings, subs, calzones and finger foods. It is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Mark's delivers within a 3-mile radius of the restaurant. Call 813-689-7500 or visit www.markspizzeria.com.
• Formaggio's Italian Restaurant at 5622 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Lithia, and Formaggio's Pizzeria Express at 3474 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico, offers a variety of dishes to satisfy that taste for Italian. At the Pizzeria Express, you can try Ala Vodka Pizza, Greek Salad Pizza or even Taco Pizza. Call 813-681-4939 for delivery. For something a little fancier, go for take-out at Formaggio's Italian Restaurant where you can choose from Pasta Purses, Linguini and Clam Sauce or Tortellini Robusto. Call  813-643-1415.
• Or try something with a Cuban flair from Latin Cafe 2000 at 829 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon. You can choose Cuban, Medianoche with Mojo Pork or Boliche sandwiches for the family. Or choose the Boliche Asado /Cuban Style Pot Roast and Arroz Amarillo Con Puerco/Yellow Rice. Call 813-643-9475.
• For some of the freshest sushi in town, check out Sushi Ninja in Bloomingdale Square at 887 E. Bloomingdale Ave. Tucked in a corner of the shopping center, this restaurant offers takeout of all menu items including a variety of sushi rolls, sashimi and traditional Asian dishes. Call 813-662-3377 to order ahead.
• Also in Bloomingdale Square you'll find Pita's Republic at 805 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon. Try a Baja Fresh Fish Pita with Chipolte Sauce or a Green Island Fish Pita with Tabouli and Feta Cheese. Or go for a more traditional choice such as the Mezza Platter, which includes a pound of chicken or Gyros, Tabouli, Hummus and Cucumber Yogurt Sauce. Call 813-689-1087.