By Stephen Rafferty
Spring brings with it many sayings about change, normally involving the old and the new. This month I’m going to do the same -– in with some new(ish) destinations, which also cleans out some room in my hard drive – but sadly we also say goodbye to an old St. Pete institution.
THE CRANE
If classy and delicious are your desires, they are what you encounter at The Crane in downtown St. Pete. Located at 575 Central Ave., this modern take with an Asian twist on classic fare, sits at the at the geographic center of our thriving city. Being a new venture from those behind Mangosteen and The Glass Noodle, it has a reputation to live up to and that it does. At the center of this large, lush space is a circular bar that serves as the heart of the restaurant and is as lively as you would expect. With starters ranging from She Crab Soup and a crispy lobster shrimp spring roll to Wagyu or lobster grilled bits, you could spend more than one visit just exploring the appetizer menu. Focusing heavily on steaks and seafood, there is a bounty to satiate your hunger. Filets, surf and turf, sea scallops, a delicious prawn risotto plus a truly mouth-watering bison tenderloin. Every single dish will satisfy whatever exquisite hankering you have.
Being so close to almost anywhere you could be downtown, The Crane is a haven you can drop in on or make the focus of an evening.
Sun.-Thurs. 5-10pm | Fri.-Sat. 5-11pm
SOCIETY TABLE
As much a landmark as a destination, nobody visits St. Pete Beach without discussing the big pink hotel, the Don Cesar. While changing over the years, this west Florida icon has been the incubator of many great eateries and one now re-opened but with a fresh new look.
Society Table, another venture in the esteemed lineage of upscale dining the Don Cesar has brought to its clientele, had a tough “re-opening”. Scheduled to open almost exactly as Hurricane Helene hit – instead the brainchild of chef Susan Burdian moved into the space previously occupied by the Don’s other fine dining haven, Maritana. Now in a space almost five times larger, Society Table is fully up to speed serving some sensational food. While they serve all day, we chose a dinner spot and were glad we did. Truffle-scented deviled eggs with prosciutto or half-a-dozen oysters in a cucumber mignonette is a fine start to a meal. Society Table offers quality seaside cuisine you would expect, with plenty of great fish and seafood meals, alongside classic steak cuts and tasty sides. The pork belly tostados were divine and I was lucky enough to get a taste of the pear and feta flatbread which was similarly sumptuous. Perfectly cooked, the tenderloin steak hit the spot and the red snapper in a Thai curry is a meal I’d put on your “to do” list.
Breakfast: Mon.-Sun. 7-11am
Lunch: Mon.-Sun. 11:30am-5pm
Dinner: Sun.-Thurs. 5pm-10pm | Fri.-Sat. 5pm-11pm
THE CHATTAWAY
Unfortunately, I have to end this month’s column with a heavy heart as news recently broke that The Chattaway in south St. Pete will be closing in July. It would be a vast understatement to claim that this establishment is a true icon of the city, especially the southside. Being a Lakewood High boy, The Chattaway seemed to be ever-present for any number of reasons. Yes, of course we all ate there; the world famous Chattaburger, the chicken baskets or the fish & chips and the great grouper sandwich. All are delicious and still very available until July. But this restaurant, family run for all of its 75 years (the longest in St. Pete), was more to so many of us. It could be a Geo marker, “just go right at Chattaway” or a local signpost “she lives just around from Chattaway.” We met there, we passed there, we turned there, we hung out there and we most certainly ate a lot of food there. You could also get English afternoon tea in their remarkable “tea room,” replete with all the adornments that could have you fooled you were in London.
Nobody knows what is to come at the corner of Sixth Street and 22nd Ave. S, but until it closes I plan on stopping by The Chattaway a few more times to listen to the live music while enjoying a shrimp basket or another great Chattaburger. Do yourself a favor, go down and sit out on the patio, enjoy the weather before it’s too stifling and create a memory at one of the most famous eateries in St. Pete before it is too late! http://www.thechattaway.com
