St. Pete Eats
Steve cooked a lot in our charming bungalow, so we didn’t try nearly enough of St. Pete’s wide array of notable restaurants.
Our favorite place was Wild Child, a neighborhood bistro with creative, “globally-inspired” small plates. The Lost Weekend cocktail was a perfect balance of fresh watermelon, mint, and lime (with the spirit of your choice). The squash and goat cheese croquetas were delightfully crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The mushroom paella had surprisingly rich flavor and a perfectly crunchy, caramelized crust. I have to say, I loved this delectable version of paella more than those we had tasted in Valencia. Well done, Wild Child! I just wish we had had time to eat there more than twice.
Allelo was a vibrant Mediterranean-Aegean place on bustling Beach Drive. We dined there with Emush and Paul, whom we hadn’t seen in years! We met when our girls studied ballet together, we have all lived previously in Seattle and San Francisco, and we share a love for travel and good food. It was lovely to catch up with our friends and share Allelo’s delicious dishes, including tuna crudo, beef tartare prepared tableside, and whole branzino. All of this was accompanied by an excellent Super Tuscan from Allelo’s extensive wine list.
Steve’s parents came to St. Pete to see the James Museum, and afterward we took them to dinner at Juno & the Peacock. This upscale restaurant right on Beach Drive was perfect for us: the New American menu had dishes that were familiar (for Mom & Dad) yet with a contemporary twist (for us), and the casually elegant dining room was quiet enough for Dad to hear the conversation.
One more place we enjoyed was Bier Boutique, a neighborhood spot overlooking Round Lake, just two blocks from our bungalow. There were dozens of craft beers on tap, and a menu featuring Midwest comfort food. Their Fish Fry was delicious, and served only on Fridays.
