By Nanette Wiser
For the love of seafood. A favorite of locals and visitors alike, RumFish Grill’s superlative suppers and artisan cocktails are perfect for casual dining and special occasions. A part of St. Pete Beach’s award-winning Tradewinds Island Resorts, RumFish Grill is located in front of the popular RumFish Beach Resort.
On entering, you’ll enjoy browsing the massive aquatic-themed retail store, offering the largest selection of Guy Harvey apparel. On the walls, you will find buoys, antique fishing rods, historical black and white fishing photos, seaworthy murals, and artwork by Thomas Krause, one of Florida’s finest marine artists. The main attraction is the gorgeous 33,500-gallon aquarium in the main dining room, built by Animal Planet’s hit show Tanked and stocked with locally rescued fish from Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. (Visit the coastal marine life exhibit and viewing tank behind the aquarium.)
There are three separate areas to experience – the under-the-sea dining room, a large sports bar, and the outdoor deck. In the bar area, drink like a fish during Happy Hour with refreshing cocktails, wine, or beer with half-off appetizers. There’s a fully-stocked top-shelf liquor selection, local craft beers, alluring cocktails, rum flights, and an outstanding domestic and international wine list. Sip a Fish Tanked served in a 21 oz. keepsake glass, a wipe-out delight made with Brugal 1888 rum, apricot liqueur, Bacardi Mango rum, pineapple and orange juice, a dash of Angostura bitters, and Grenadine or a Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita.
RumFish is Hooked on a Cause and very passionate about the environment and proud to support the local community. Recently, RumFish Grill partnered with Simple Vodka – Fighting Hunger in America, One Drink at a Time. For each Simple Vodka, signature drink, or shot a guest purchases, a meal will be provided to those in need. Signature cocktails include: Lavender Mule made with Simple Vodka, Gosling’s Ginger Beer, freshly squeezed lime juice, lavender-flavored simple syrup, and a Simple Espresso Martini made with Simple Vodka, Kahlua, simple syrup, freshly brewed espresso, and rich vanilla syrup. Dive in each month with new cocktails that support a great cause, all season long!
On the bar menu, nibble succulent Za’atar-dusted calamari with red pepper coulis and pepperoncini aioli dips, or charred octopus with harissa pepper aioli, Florida snapper ceviche, tuna poke, cold water oysters, firecracker shrimp, grilled beef skewers or the three dips (chickpea, avocado cilantro, beet feta) with grilled naan bread.
Outstanding handhelds include the French onion burger with gruyère, a bronzed grouper sandwich, and shrimp tacos with avocado crema(two unique menus for dining room and bar area).
The restaurant’s under-the-sea atmosphere and illuminated menus will wow you. Executive Chef Jon Hilton’s flavor-packed starters, show-stealing entreés, and delectable desserts are sure to have you hooked, especially the chef’s specials. The Southern seafood boil featured snow crab, shrimp, crab, mussels, corn, and potato, and the Crispy Catch of the Day (snapper on our visit) is paired with Asian vegetables and steamed ginger rice with black bean harissa.
Dive into the pan-seared halibut, paired with roasted purple Peruvian potatoes, ginger, and lavender brodetto, black grouper, seared scallops, crab cake with pea tendrils, lobster mac and cheese, or the jerked swordfish served with pineapple ancho relish, rum butter, and jewel potatoes. Choose a sauce for your premium hand-cut filet mignon or ribeye (herb gremolata, Roquefort butter, Bearnaise, or cognac cracked pepper sauce). Add a sharable side for the table, especially the broccoli rabe, truffle mac & cheese, asparagus, couscous, or farro risotto, a vegan smorgasbord.
Entrées are served with bread and butter, sensational sides and the service is attentive. Vegetarians will love the Moroccan-spiced grilled cauliflower steak, and some dishes can be modified to be gluten-free. For little snappers 10 and under, choose an entrée, side, and drink for $14 (popcorn shrimp, chicken tenders, grilled Mahi, pasta, grouper fingers, or a junior cheeseburger).
Save room for dessert, especially the decadent Molten Chocolate Lava with salted caramel ice cream, the classic Florida key lime pie, the apple cinnamon bread pudding or sip into dessert with a lavender mule or espresso martini. Kids clamor for the hot fudge brownie sundae or strawberry shortcake.
It’s always a feeding frenzy at RumFish Grill, so make reservations early, especially during the holidays. Looking for a gift that is sure to fit any size or budget? Give the ultimate aquatic experience with a RumFish gift card – the perfect gift for any sea-son. Planning an event or party? RumFish can help you reel in a wonderful time with a special menu hosted in the restaurant, bar, or outdoors. RumFish is more than a restaurant…it’s a sea-worthy experience!
RumFish Grill @ 6000 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
727-329-1428
www.rumfishgrill.com
Restaurant: Daily 5-10pm (reservations recommended)
Bar: Mon.-Thurs. 4-10pm; Fri. 4-11pm; Sat. 2-11pm; Sun. 2-10pm
Happy Hour: Wed.-Mon. 4-5pm; Tues. 4-7pmLive
Music: Daily 6pm
(cashless/cards only)