Breaking News: Cafe Ponte to Shutter its Doors For Good…

The iconic Cafe Ponte, opened by Chef Chris Ponte in 2002, has closed its doors for good. When they shut down "for the foreseeable future" on March 17, 2020 due to COVID-19, they did not know they would never reopen, however Chef Chris has since made that very tough decision. This news will be a…

In the wake of COVID-19, Louie Spetrini, Managing Partner, and Rocco Rinaldi, Partner of Nueva Cantina have launched Louie's Italian Eatery. It is a virtual restaurant, which is a restaurant inside of another restaurant exclusively for delivery with online ordering only. (There are also "ghost kitchens”, which have no retail presence and essentially serve as…

St. Petersburg’s rich food and beverage culture just gained a new bourbon courtesy of Buffalo Trace Distillery. Buffalo Trace Bourbon is aged and bottled at the most award-winning distillery in the world and is only made with the finest corn, rye and barley malt. Buffalo Trace was also named Whisky Magazine’s 2020 Distiller Of The…

Speaking with Chef and Co-Owner of Grace Restaurant, Marlin Kaplin, by phone yesterday, we learned of their new endeavor, Gracie Pasta & Provisions. Right next to their current location, coming in May 2020, they will have an Italian market where they make fresh pasta every day. There will be pasta-making classes as well. You will…

This is Pacific Counter's way of saying Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian) to one lucky winner. Fill out the form below for a chance to win free Dole Whip for a year. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. DUPLICATE NAMES OR EMAILS WILL HAVE ALL ENTRIES FROM THAT PERSON REMOVED FROM QUALIFYING. Contest is closed. The…

Grand Central Brewhouse, St. Petersburg FL

While the original plans for Grand Central Brewhouse & Restaurant were reported back in April 2019 for the former Taco Bus site, permitting has finally got it moving and they are breaking ground today. We have a complete update on the forthcoming plans and the new projected opening for this summer. (more…)

Local restaurateur and chef, David Benstock, announced Monday, November 18th, that he will join Eric Asimov, chief wine critic of The New York Times, and Arthur Schwartz, award-winning cookbook author, food editor, and restaurant critic, as a host on an immersive food and wine cruise in Southern Italy next fall. (more…)

This past Sunday, November 10, 2019 was the 6th Annual Chowder Challenge, presented by The Pass-A-Grille Woman's Club. It's a fundraising event for and by the Pass-a-Grille Woman’s Club and other local charities. The event was held at Horan Park right on the St. Pete Beach Intracoastal. Not only is Horan Park a beautiful location,…

I have been Facebook friends of Brian and Lindsay Rosegger for sometime now. They have also been active members of our Facebook group, St Petersburg Foodies Restaurant Reviews. I initially saw Lindsay's post about finally receiving approval for their two acre lease from the state in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve on February 26th, 2019.…

Toss Salads and Wraps is a fast-serve eatery with fresh ingredients right in the heart of Downtown St. Pete at 600 1st Ave N. St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Co-owner Christina Battafarano says the mission behind Toss is, "We’re providing a casual, healthy dining experience for the average person always on the go with fresh ingredients,…

Attention all wine enthusiasts: Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria is coming soon to Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. Think, 200 bottles of the most delightful wines, temperature-controlled wine lockers, a full-service kitchen with homemade pasta, mac & cheese, charcuterie boards, desserts and more, themed parties & events, and much more. [caption id="attachment_17470" align="alignnone"…

Previously promoted as Clearwater Beach Uncorked for the past seven years, this premier event enters its eighth year as SAVOR ST. PETE, bringing its signature two-day food, wine and craft beer festival to the idyllic waterfront setting of North Straub Park in downtown St. Petersburg. The festival will run November 2nd and 3rd and tickets…

Brought to You by the Founder of Tryst on Beach Drive About a year ago, Renaud Cowez sold the majority of his interest in the Beach Drive lounge, Tryst, and turned over operations to Wassim Nabulsi. Recently, an opportunity arose that he couldn't pass up. I have to admit that when I heard about the…

We first wrote about Club Savor in January 2017, when they had just launched and had 30 locations on board in the Pinellas County area. Now with more than 50 restaurants and bars and the with recent launch of their Local Deals program, they are still going strong and getting stronger. Read our original article…

Chef-Inspired “Build Your Own” Salad Concept Coming To Downtown St. Pete in Fall 2019 UPDATE: December 11, 2019 - Greenstock is now open for business. Scroll down for new photos. When well-known rockstars from different successful bands get together and form a new group, they call it a "Supergroup". We have a new Restaurant Supergroup…