With autumn comes the much anticipated return of the delicious downtown St. Petersburg’s Saturday Morning Market (Oct. 5 – May 30), replete with live music, artisan breads, organic veggies, delectable desserts and farm honey. Neighbors and their fur-babies catch up on summer vacays, nosh on ethnic dishes and purvey weekend suppers from the market’s cornucopia of delights.
Fall is a fantastic time to explore new eateries and watering holes in downtown St. Pete and around town. One of our favorite downtown dessert divas will open her own bakeshop (The Wandering Whisk) Oct. 12th on Park Blvd. in Pinellas Park. Food Network competitor Jennifer Jacobs won the Morean cupcake competition two years in a row, so be sure to order your holiday desserts from her now.
This month’s cover story on Bayou Market and Café’s new location on Central Ave. is just part of the edible news of places opening before the end of the year. Chick ‘n’ Cone and Social Roost Kitchen & Bar will have folks clucking about their yummy dishes. Joella’s Hot Chicken just opened in Largo, and more outposts are planned around town.
Ethnic eateries are popping up all over DTSP. The Edge District features Poppo’s Taqueria’s newest location, big on healthy alternatives. Fill a taco, burrito, bowl or quesadilla with hot concoctions (ancho chicken) and top with guac, honey lime salsa and more. Just up the street next to Intermezzo, dabble in international and organic fare at Karma Juice Bar (acai bowls), Twisted Indian & Valhalla (vegan muffins, cookies).
Still hungry for more international healthy fare? Brass Bowl’s sweet acai bowls and organic menu satisfies even the pickiest of fitness buffs Calabash Jamaican Eatery promises to be a spicy addition to The Burg’s dining scene best eaten while you listen to Bob Marley.
Poke is a raw fish salad served as an appetizer in Hawaii, and sometimes as an entree. Poke is the Hawaiian verb for “section” or “to slice or cut”. Increasingly popular, ahi poke is generally made with yellowfin tuna. Adaptations may feature raw salmon or various fish and shellfish.
We hear Mediterranean cuisine is good for the heart and soul, so we are new fans of Baba, a Greek-Lebanese restaurant and bakery in Grand Central District from the same owners of Cuban fave Bodega. Mio’s Grill took over the Meze location and features kofte and other Mediterranean favorites, including vegetarian offerings.
Waterfront dining for boat lovers got a boost this summer when The Big Catch at Salt Creek opened up near the marina and around the block from Nueva Cantina, replacing Fish Tales on 2nd St. S. The tiki hut features craft beers, tiki drinks, shrimp po’ boy, crab cakes, peel ‘n’ eat shrimp, wraps and mahi/grouper sandwiches in an Old Florida setting. Crank up Son of a Son of a Sailor and spend the day.
Restaurants we love are expanding to new locations. Opening this fall, Il Ritorno is launching Greenstock in the former Kalamazoo roost for those who want a quicky meal big on greens and protein. Brick & Mortar will be expanding to Tierra Verde while Sea Dog Brewery (Treasure Island, Clearwater) now has a downtown and Gulfport outpost. Flute & Dram expanded their space, and their new jazz club/eatery next door has got everyone buzzing on Beach Drive.
Poke is all the rage in town, with Chef Paul Daubert (formerly Nueva Cantina) helming Poke Havana in Clearwater Beach, Poke Rose debuting in Largo, and Pacific Counter downtown joined by newcomer Chai Mixology, known for their bubble tea and poke bowls. Poke is a raw fish salad served as an appetizer in Hawaii and means “to slice or cut.” Usually made with yellowfin tuna, salmon and shellfish are also used if you like ceviche, you will love poke.
The Crafty Squirrel and Saigon Blonde may be one of our favorite newbies from last year, and there’s no shortage of new arrivals in the drinkery department. The Bier Boutique on Seventh Ave. N serves up comfort food, craft and international brews plus clever cocktails. Coming in December is Book + Bottle, a bookstore wine bar for those of us who loved Wine Madonna’s wine book club night. Must Wine Loft plans to open in October purveying cheeses, tapas, wine pairings and local beers. Be sure to check out Bar Chinchilla for their 3-7 pm happy hour on 1st Ave. N.
Last year’s donut craze seems to have fizzled, but sweet treats abound downtown including soon-to-be-opened Rocket Fizz’s kooky specialty soda shop and Love Food Central’s magical cookies. We can’t get enough of Beans & Barlour’s boozy ice cream confections – think handcrafted ice creams/sorbets and wine-based faux spirits are mixed together.
Musical trivia nights now outdistance karaoke as the hot fun not in the sun. Pinball Museum and Arcade on Central Ave. offers dozens of diversions and drinks, while the Subterranean at Iberian Rooster continues to amaze with its themed adventures and Cindy Stovall’s podcast interviews with cultural movers and shakers. Finally, be sure to check out the new Jannus Market as you stroll Central Ave.
200 Central is the tallest office building in downtown St. Pete and soon the bottom floor willbe home to Bravo’s Top Chef Fabio Vivani’s La Pergola, replacing the space formerly occupied by Raymond James. If you love Osteria and Mole y Abuela in Tampa, keep La Pergola on your radar as Tampa-based Nocturnal Hospitality Group is known for stylish eateries, cocktails and lush life lounges.
P.S. Hats off to Sea Salt’s Jacqueline Eash who received a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for the restaurant’s wine list. PN