Article by Peter Roos
Breakfast has always been the most important meal of the day. Chances are you have not been out for a “real breakfast” for a while. What is your idea of a perfect breakfast? Odds are it will be on the menu at the Sunset Bistro, any day of the week. It is a great location for Paradise NEWS readers, on the beach at the Thunderbird Resort, 10700 Gulf Blvd., in the heart of Treasure Island, where St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Outdoor seating is an option with a view toward the beach and the pool, with comfortably spaced tables that made us feel like guests at a posh resort, without leaving our home town. There is plentiful FREE parking while you eat, with breakfast served from 8am-noon every day of the week, and an amazing, all-you-can-eat brunch offer ($15) added on the weekends. There is also a full liquor bar, so you can even have your favorite beverage served with your brunch. Mimosas are available too, including bottomless ones for a reasonable add-on. With a party of five we were able to try just a few items on the expansive menu, but everyone in the group was thoroughly pleased. Chef Thomas Mandzik has something to please everyone. I am generally surprised how affordable a meal is there compared to prices I have seen almost anywhere else. Omelets for example, are $8-$9.50. pancakes or French toast for only $7.
The orange juice is Florida’s best and the coffee always tastes like another round, please. A superb eggs benedict can also be had Florentine style. The corned beef hash is made in-house and reminds me of the meat in a sandwich from the Carnegie Deli. I thought about trying a Meat Lover’s, or a Greek omelet, but decided on the Steak and Eggs prepared the way I like it. There’s also a Veggie and a Spinach & Mozzerella omelet option, if meat is not your thing. I opted for some terrific crispy home fries, seasoned to perfection, and asked for an amazing side of fruit, which I ended up taking home and snacking on while writing this. One of our group opted for the Bananas Foster French toast, which she said was “to die for.”
Charles, our 19 year-old chemistry student waiter attends USFSP. We never saw him without a mask so I cannot say if he was handsome, but I can tell you he was impressive, self-confident and attentive. One of us tried a Belgian waffle ($5) with fresh cut fruit for $1 more. Perfection. You can also just have oatmeal or grits, ($5) and with the options offered, you could have it served a different way, every day of the week.
Tell your friends and neighbors about the Sunset Bistro. It’s a keeper. Call (727) 347-8415 for info, dinner reservations, catering and special requests.