ST. PETERSBURG FLA. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Now marketed as “Sunshine City” because of its 361 average days of sunshine, St. Pete hosts a new sprinkling of upscale high-rise condos, luxurious mixed-use dwellings, art galleries, museums, shops and a growing university. St. Pete recently hosted a popular Dale Chihuly exhibit at its fine-arts museum. It also is home to the Salvador Dali Museum and an annual race in the IndyCar Series. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Until recently, however, the revival of restaurants had not kept pace. But that is no longer the case. Feeding this hungry population of more than 247,000 in the city and nearly 2.4 million in the metropolitan area is a growing mix of eclectic eateries quietly transforming the culinary experience in a city whose economy is reliant on tourism, financial services and manufacturing. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Dyce Craig, co-owner of nearly-two-year-old Bella Brava New World Trattoria on Central Avenue, said that he now sees St. Pete—whose fortunes have fluctuated since it became popular in the 1920s—as an attractive place to live, work, play and eat. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“Our downtown is not abandoned at night like many others,” he said. “I read a statistic somewhere that the population declines less than one percentage point in the evening. That’s unheard of.” —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Bella Brava was the brainchild of Craig, a Seattle native, and partners Michael Venturo from Philadelphia and Robert Sanderson from Chicago. Craig said they came up with the concept after numerous visits to restaurants in Italy’s larger cities. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Bella Brava boasts modern cuisine and a modern steel and wood interior design. It seats 200, including an upstairs balcony and outdoor seating, and since receiving rave reviews from the St. Petersburg Times the week it opened, it has been jam-packed. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“We wanted to recreate the experience of a big city trattoria, and we felt that [St. Pete] was ready for it,” he said. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
To oversee the kitchen, the trio hired Mario Luigi Maggi, a Florentine who was a chef for the Bice chain. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“St. Pete is a beautiful location and has a thriving economy,” Craig said. “It has a lot of potential because in many ways it has yet to be discovered.” —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Akin to the phoenix rising from the ashes, the re-energized downtown has resulted from a confluence of factors. Among these are the shifting demographics. St. Pete’s average age of 39.3 is now the second youngest in Pinellas County. An Enterprise Zone incentive program and community redevelopment grants also have helped. And new high-rise condos have negated the lack of available land for housing, allowing for population growth. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Also, in 1998 the city landed a Major League Baseball franchise, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Baywalk, a Mediterranean Revival-theme complex, opened in 2000. It includes a 20-screen movie theater and establishments such as Wet Willy’s, Too Jays, Johnny Rockets and Dan Marino’s Town Tavern. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Another two-year-old restaurant on Central Avenue is Z-Grill. Owned by Zack and Jennifer Gross, the “casual gourmet” Mexican restaurant seats 45 and is packed nightly. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Zack Gross, an in-your-face guy whose attitude matches his sassy restaurant, was a chef at Croce’s in San Diego before relocating to the East Coast to escape the high costs of Southern California. The Grosses said they were looking for a warm, beautiful waterfront city that offered an affordable business opportunity. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“We saw that the most logical and exciting place to be was St. Pete,” Zack Gross said. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Still, he noted, the city needs a little more work in the food department. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“It has made a really, really good start, but I think in five years you’ll see some real changes here,” he said. “People are getting more discriminating about food.” —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Vicki Fox, a resident who moved to St. Petersburg in 1989 from St. Louis, said there was nowhere to eat out when she first arrived. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“One had to cross the bay to Tampa to get good food out,” she said. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
But that changed in 1992 when downtown St. Pete’s water-front landmark, the circa-1925 Vinoy Hotel, was saved from the wrecking ball after being shuttered since 1974. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“The pink hotel was restored to its original glory and opened several beautiful restaurants,” she said. “It made downtown seem exciting, like it must have been all those years ago.” —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
The restaurants at the four-star Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club include Marchands, The Terrace Room, Fred’s and Alfrescos, and they paved the way for other eateries. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
In 1997, Frenchman Antoine Louro converted a 1901 Victorian-style mansion on Fourth Avenue into the 120-seat upscale Chateau France. Louro serves such dishes as an Eiffel Tower salad and Kobe beef. He says that while he loves the location, the city has not yet seemed ready for a restaurant of its caliber. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
But locals flock to a cluster of downtown restaurants, all within walking distance of one another. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Frescos, on Second Avenue at the base of the city’s pier, offers waterfront dining featuring Italian food and, on the weekends, live music. The restaurant is packed with locals and visitors who want to sit on the peaceful waterfront drinking wine and eating fresh mozzarella. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Several blocks away on the corner of Beach and Central in the bottom of the old Ponce de Leon Hotel is Ceviche, also opened less than two years ago. Owner Gordon Davis already proved the concept, which offers classic tapas, at his south Tampa location. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Also on Beach Drive is The Moon Under Water, a 125-seat British pub serving standard British fare with an Indian influence. Opened 10 years ago by Alan and Suzanne Lucas, both from Wales, the pub has seen tremendous growth in the past several years, said partner Mark Logan. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“Alan and Suzanne saw the potential of this city then and chose the location across from the Vinoy as an early opportunity,” Logan said. “Every year has seen an upswing.” —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Cafe Alma opened its doors in 2004 on First Avenue South in McNulty Station, a renovated historic brick building. Alma serves traditional Mediterranean cooking and is crowded with local professionals and residents. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Back on Beach Drive is the ParkShore Grill. Situated at the bottom of the city’s luxurious ParkShore Plaza condos, the restaurant shares a wide, European-style sidewalk with several retail establishments. Steve Westphal, who lives in the condos, opened the ParkShore several months ago to capitalize on the growth of downtown. He says the 250-seat establishment has been profitable since its opening. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
ParkShore’s hip crowd enjoys such fare as grilled salmon, lump blue crab cake, sesame-seared yellowfin tuna steak and grilled marinated portobello mushroom. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
Westphal said his landlord laughs every time he turns in the rent check. “He gets a percentage of sales,” Westphal said. “He says he knew business would be good, but not this good.” —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
The thing is, he added, that St. Petersburg is slowly putting all the pieces of the puzzle together to make it a dining destination. —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.
“A few more good restaurants and this place will be here to stay,” he said. “This is the little city that could.” —Once called “God’s Waiting Room,” this water-front metropolis on the west side of Tampa Bay in recent years has shed its reputation as a place for the newly wed or newly dead and taken on a new identity as a booming mid-sized urban center surrounded by miles of waterfront parks.