Savoring Sea Grapes: Exploring the Flavorful Transformation

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Savoring Sea Grapes: Exploring the Flavorful Transformation

PERMANENTLY CLOSED MAY 2024

Sea Grapes Eatery, nestled in the heart of St. Pete Beach, has undergone a culinary evolution since my last visit in 2022. Initially known for its wine-forward bar and array of small bites and Cheese & Charcuterie offerings, Sea Grapes has now transformed their menu to Latin-inspired Florida cuisine with the creative help of Chef Alex Rodriguez (owner/chef of Lolita’s here in St. Pete. He also worked under celebrated chef Jose Andres in Miami.). Running the daily kitchen is Chef Mauricio Jiminez. The menu features a selection of seasonal small plates, pastas, and full entrees. While maintaining its extensive wine list, Sea Grapes now has a full liquor bar to complement its revamped menu, catering to diverse palates.

Wine
Vina Cartin Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2022

Opting out of the cocktail route, my friends and I indulged in a couple of bottles of wine. While I’m no wine connoisseur, the selections we went with were the ideal accompaniment to our meal.

For appetizers we decided on the Crab Croquettes, Whipped Feta + Honey, and Burrata + Prosciutto. Other options included Shrimp Ceviche, Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Baked Brie Brulé, and the Chef’s Choice Charcuterie Board.

Crab-Croquettes
Crab Croquettes

The Crab Croquettes with Spanish rice, cilantro yogurt, sofrito, and pimento oil, exuded savory smokiness and had a surprisingly generous portion of crab.

Whipped-Feta-Honey
Whipped Feta + Honey

The Whipped Feta + Honey, accompanied by mango & date chutney, honeycomb, pistachios, and peppercorn dust, was a symphony of sweet, salty, and savory flavors, leaving me practically licking the plate clean.

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Burrata-Prosciutto
Burrata + Prosciutto

Not to be outdone, the Burrata + Prosciutto, with its blend of sweet guava preserves and savory prosciutto atop toasted ciabatta, was a true palate pleaser.

Moving on to the main courses, Sea Grapes continued to impress.

Lobster-Mac-Cheese
Lobster Mac + Cheese

The Lobster Mac & Cheese, featuring lobster escabeche, orecchiette, peppers, and Manchego fondue, was a savory delight bursting with flavor, making the classic dish near perfection. In many restaurants mac & cheese falls flat due to a lack of flavor, but that is definitely not the case with this dish.

Lomo-Saltado
Lomo Saltado

Equally impressive was the Lomo Saltado, with sliced steak tenderloin, tomato, red onion, pommes frites, and a soy sauce + balsamic vinegar marinade, created a combination of flavors that left me craving more. The steak was perfectly cooked, tender, and full of flavor. And while the steak was a standout, I can’t lie, the fries were my favorite part. They were cooked cripsy and caught the dripping sauce to create an irresistible bite.

Sea-Grapes-Gnocchi
Sea Grapes Gnocchi

The Sea Grapes Gnocchi featured a cilantro cream sauce, cherry tomatoes, corn, and rustic bread, with scallops substituted for chorizo upon request. (Scallops were served on the side, so they are not pictured)

Savory-Scallop-Pasta
Savory Scallop Pasta

The Savory Scallop Pasta with cilantro lime butter, cherry tomatoes, chimichurri, and fresh seared scallops created an exciting combination of flavors. However, I found myself looking for more chimichurri to elevate the dish. Despite this minor critique, the pasta was undeniably delicious.

The scallops on both dishes were cooked perfectly.

Other entrees that piqued my interest were the Sea Grapes Paella, Mole Beef Short Rib, Jerk Lamb Lollipops, and the Salmon a la Parilla.

Though our stomachs were at capacity, we couldn’t resist a glimpse at the dessert menu, which included options such as Key Lime Brulé and Chocolate Tres Leches. Alas, after a night of indulgence, there was no room left to try these delectable treats.

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Sea-Grapes-March-Menu
Sea Grapes March Menu

Despite a massive menu shift, Sea Grapes’s impeccable service and inviting ambiance remained unchanged from my first visit. Without a doubt, Sea Grapes Eatery stands as a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an exceptional dining experience in St. Pete Beach.

Sea Grapes Eatery + Wine Lounge
  • Readers Rating
  • Rated 4.7 stars
    4.7 / 5 (13 )
$$
  • Your Rating


  • Sea Grapes Eatery + Wine Lounge
  • (727) 500-0052
  • Wine, Dinner, Cocktails
    • Tue - Thu 5:00pm - 9:00pm
    • Fri - Sat 5:00pm - 10:00pm
  • View menu
  • 6390 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, Florida 33706, United States

Wine Bar and Restaurant serving Florida and Latin inspired cuisine in St. Pete Beach.

DISCLAIMER: Kevin, Lori, Abby, Haley, Lindsey & Mahika do not dine anonymously (this would be impossible) and we sometimes get free food (though never expected). However, we dine with the locals and we support our own. You will always get honesty in a respectful manner. We do not include any large national or regional chains in our ratings and reviews. We focus on independent locally owned eateries exclusively.

PLEASE NOTE: Reviews reflect a certain moment in time. Some restaurants stay extremely consistent over many years, and some change for the better or worse. Some things that may change are: chefs, recipes, food suppliers, ingredients, philosophies, ownership, etc. We always hope that you have the same good, or great experience we had.
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