From Beach Drive to Grand Central and The Edge, DTSP is popping! Here are some of our favorite shops, restaurants, bars and happenings around the ‘Burg.
At Hyatt Place Downtown St. Pete, there’s a new look to the popular HyBar and some noteworthy libations with local names. I adore Pink Streets Sparkler (vodka, strawberry puree, lime juice, mint leaves, simple syrup and bubbly).
Happy hour is Mon. – Fri., 5-7 pm and Sat. 9 pm-midnight with $4 local drafts, $4 Canvas wines and $7 signature cocktail (Pink Streets Sparkler or Skyway Martini). There’s also live music Wed., Fri.-Sat.
Mazzaro’s downtown restaurant, Annata, gets a new buddy when the seafood restaurant concept opens next door. Gloria West performs frequently on Monday night at Annata, and the wine specials and charcuterie are out of this world.
There’s been an explosion of Asian fare beyond Ichicoro Ane, Pin, Wok & Bowl, Hawker’s and Souzou’s (which changed owners recently) near the Palladium. Pacific Counter is spare and sensational and Asie Pan-Asian is an international delight.
Say Ole to a lot of new, Mexican eateries. Downtown’s Nueva Cantina is now open in Tampa, Capital Taco delights, and ex-downtown native The Taco Bus has a spot in both Treasure Island and on the Gandy along with Casa Mexicana. I love 4th Street’s Grand Hacienda’s painted tile work and shrimp offerings; you know them as Monarca on St. Pete Beach.
Beer lovers can’t get enough of craft brews, so Oak & Stone and The Pour Taproom lets you go froyo style and pour your own beers, charged to your wristband that you hold up to the touchscreen. Oak & Stone also has a Liquid Library with 12 house cocktails, an excellent whiskey collection and scrumptious shared plates.
Perhaps the most-waiting restaurant to open is Dr. BBQ, and the décor is tongue-in-cheek Western, the menu quirky and delicious and the cocktails uniquely crafted. Upstairs, there’s an outdoor bar, booths with Dr. BBQ’s competition posters, a community table with bourbon barrels and a saddle/chair, lots of cowhide and faux touches. The Perry’s other restaurant, Datz, will be ready soon at the new James Museum.
Oxford Express has a new restaurant at All Children’s John’s Hopkins, The Peabody. And for those who haven’t sampled Callaloo’s Sunday brunch and live music, plan to go now. For seafood, check out Trophy Fish’s simple, tasty seafood and stirred cocktails, divine!
Speaking of cocktails, Jarrett Sabatini’s Intermezzo features Monday American Social’s bocce teams, vinyl and bourbon sessions, clever events and
old school cocktails as well as a pop-up oyster bar. New this fall is the Thursday night Royal Palm pop-up market, joining other fantastic markets like the Saturday Morning Market, Brocante vintage market, the Indie Market and the Night Market.
MORE DTSP NEWS
Save The Planet: Eco-friendly innovations from free Nickel Ride vehicles to the growing straw-less movement and “green” friendly buildings distinguish downtown.
The Innovation District: Alison Barlow’s new podcast with people making a difference is a worthy conversation and the discussion continues in St. Pete Catalyst, showcasing downtown’s movers and shakers.
Get Healthy: The City of St. Pete’s initiative to work-out and get healthy now showcases “water stations” around the parks and city streets. PN
Article by Nanette Wiser