What Am I Missing in Downtown St. Pete?

[sweet_polly]

I love Ceviche and Pincho y Pincho, Columbia's a great "old standby", always enjoy Gratzzi, don't care much for Moon Under the Water, The Garden's gotten a little too "dirty-looking", done Fresco's (only okay), ChaCha Coconuts - NO. What do I need to try within walking distance of Baywalk? Bella Brava? Cafe Alma? What do you guys like? I'm headed over from Tampa to spend the night on Saturday for dining and Alter Boyz, so it should be relatively casual....I'm thinking $100-ish per couple range. Thanks!

[bestnikki]

Whenever you go back to Downtown St. Pete and are a sushi lover, try The King and I off of Central if you haven't already. I live in Orlando now, and whenever I go to visit St. Pete I always try to stop there.

[sweet_polly]

Thanks, everybody. I ended up at the Parkshore Grille, which no one here recommended but was very nice (it was our friends' choice). Good food, nice list of wines by the glass, and nice al fresco atmosphere overlooking the yacht basin. I love downtown St. Pete (I always feel perfectly safe there, btw) and hop the pond about once a month to stroll around and dine there, so I will be trying out some of these suggestions that I've previously overlooked in the near future.

[fjs08]

>>I love downtown St. Pete (I always feel perfectly safe there, btw) <<
This is good to hear. We are in St Petes, over on the Bayway and we've hesitated to go downtown St Petes because of all the bad publicity. We'll have to retry it.
Is there a favorite place for city goers to park, or is it wherever?
Frank

[sweet_polly]

Most streetside parking has a time limit or is metered. We usually just use the Baywalk Garage at 117 Second Street N. so we don't have to worry about it.

[matt21sz]

Most of the meters stop being enforced after 6 pm. Even on a busy Friday or Saturday I'll usually do a few passes up Central Ave and be fortunate enough to find a spot. I hate dealing with the BayWalk or Midtown Sundries parking garages.

[triff]

We were parked on Beach Drive, across from the Museum of Fine Arts on Friday night (had a Paciugo gelati - yum!), and the meters said "Enforced until 11 P.M."

[fjs08]

I've read that Bay Walk area isn't that safe. Hype or truth???
Thoughts?
Thanks.
Frank

[sandra]

hype

[RBTampa]

That's definitely hype. Heck, I'm more worried walking to my car after a Rays game than I am spending time at BayWalk.

As for food recs, try Zurritos. It doesn't get any better than a fish burrito with mango salsa and a Lagunitas IPA on tap.

[RibDog]

Ditto on Zurritos. This is definitely ultra-casual but excellent food!

[laboheme]

The Table on Central Ave--really imaginative menu, great atmosphere

[rebecca.kukla]

I ate once at Zgrille and loved it. Have eaten several times at The Table with very mixed results ... BUT the little cheesy, yuca-based bread balls they serve to start the meal at The Table are worth the trip all on their own. They are little balls of lovable goodness - seriously, I can't even think about them without craving them.

[MDub]

Cafe Primi - great food, inexpensive, south african wines
Z Grille - I've never had a bad meal from Zack
Pacific Wave - Sit at the sushi bar and have Patrick (sushi chef) make you stuff off menu

[fjs08]

I went to some of the web sites. Pacific Wave looks very nice. Where is it at???
Is there parking around there???
Frank

[matt21sz]

Z Grille
Primi Urban Cafe
Central Ave. Oyster Bar
Ratchada...if you guys do sushi.

[ivanova]

I don't get to downtown St. Pete a lot, but I like Primi Urban Cafe. It would definitely be under $100 per couple.

[sandra]

savannah's, zgrill, red mesa, pacific wave

[laurie]

Agree with all of the above, and would add Bella Brava to the mix.