Dining Out

SPICE IS NICE New American food is the biggest 2022 dining trend, which translates to signature dishes with unique flavors from multiple global and ethnic cuisines that define the U.S. today. Spice & Tea Exchange and Savory Spice feature popular international spices and hot sauce aficionados boast that it’s not just the sauce, it’s the ghost pepper that wows them.

Best of spicy food is good for you. Hot foods, such as peppers and sauces, contain capsaicin, an effective pain reliever, antioxidant, and immune system booster. It’s good for your heart too, lowering blood pressure, fighting inflammation, and reducing the effects of LDL, the bad cholesterol.

Explore the world, one taste at a time, at these fabulous finds from St. Pete to the Gulf Beaches. For Brazilian, you must head over to Tampa’s Texas de Brazil.

LATIN AMERICAN/PERUVIAN

Alma Llanera Venezuelan Food: Try the chorizo arepa or asado negro. Pinellas Park

La Mordida Restaurant Bar and Grill

Peruvian: Share the arepa corn cake made with chicken and beef with pink sauce, the Jaya fried shrimp with homemade sweet chili sauce, add a tostone and shredded chicken breast in Peruvian yellow pepper cream, milk. Clearwater

Chicks: Venezuelan delights especially the spicy jerk chicken. St. Petersburg

COPA Try the spicy margarita or Cocopeño Mojito with jalapeno at this Latin American bistro. DTSP Latin Bowl Restaurant: Create a bowl with your choice of protein, toppings, sides, and spicy sauce (bbq chipotle, creamy jalapeno) or opt for the empanadas or tostones. Largo, Brandon, Palm Harbor (coming)

NEW AMERICAN REGIONAL FARE

Aussie Grill: Opened Dec. 6, spice it up with their Volcano Burger with creamy Cajun sauce on a burger, crispy shrimp, cheddar cheese, pickles, aioli, lettuce, tomato, or crispy Sriracha Chicken Sandwich. Clearwater

Nash’s Hot Chicken: Nashville’s spicy chicken with mac n’ cheese will set your palate on fire. DTSP

Datz: Oodles of spicy dishes here and at sister resto Dr. BBQ but we love these eggs poached in tomato Shakshuka sauce with spinach and grilled challah in a cast iron skillet at this bacon-obsessed fave. Tampa, DTSP

SPANISH

Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant:

Start with marinated olives with chili flakes, potatoes with spicy aioli and red peppers, veal, pork, chorizo, sherry cream tapas or relish the hanger steak, confit piquillo peppers and spicy quince sherry glaze. Exquisite food, wine, and spirit list. DTSP

BEST OF SHOW

African: Mitmita Ethiopian Restaurant (vegetable sambusa filled with lentil, onion, jalapeno pepper, herb), Queen of Sheba Ethiopian.

Asian: Nori Thai, Basil Leaf, Matjoa Korean Barbecue, Buya, The Abandon Izakaya, Sab Café, Token Ramen, Hawkers Asian Street Food, Nine Spices Hot Pot, Savanh of Laos, Lanna Thai and La V Vietnamese.

Caribbean: Miller’s Jamaican Spice Cuisine, La Gloria Caribbean Restaurant Pinellas Park and Yah Mon.

Indian: Flames Indian Cuisine and Gateway to India for exceptional curry and naan.

Mexican: Nitally’s Thai-Mex Express, Red Mesa, VIP (Mexican pizza, enchiladas) in TI and Indian Rocks Beach or Nueva Cantina (albondigas soup) are my faves.

DINE & DRINK Like speakeasies, Latin/ Caribbean fare, Cuban coffee, mango guava mojitos and live music? Mosey over to Grand Central’s Dirty Laundry as it joins DTSP speakeasies Bar Chica and The Saint and is the brainchild of Hunger & Thirst Restaurant Group (The Avenue, No Vacancy, Park & Rec, Tropicana Field’s BallPark & Rec). We love The Oyster Bar’s new $10 lunch featuring Oyster Po’boys, Veggie Power Bowls, Salmon Sliders, grilled cheese with lobster bisque as well as the 3-6 pm daily happy hour and weekend brunch. New on Central is Mangosteen, a tropical Asian restaurant featuring tapas, yakitori, tacos, sushi, and tropical cocktails.

Lots to look forward to in 2022 including acclaimed chef Fabio Viviani’s Taverna Costale and steak/seafood resto The Crane located in the former Wig Villa on Central. Originally slated for DTSP, Portillo’s Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef will open in Tyrone. The old Woolworth Building is being transformed into the Central Park St. Pete food hall, already home to Italian resto Speaks Clam Bar and Kojo for Asian fare.

Hoping Chill Bros. Ice Cream opens a fourth location in Pinellas after their new scoop shop at Tampa’s Epicurean Hotel. Tampa Bay’s Chillura brothers specialize in all-natural, hand-crafted American-style ice cream. Visit St. Pete/Clearwater’s Gulp Coast Craft Brewery Passport has gone digital; explore 35+ breweries on both sides of the bridge. We’re not getting California’s In N Out Burger, but we may see LA import Dave’s Hot Chicken, please Santa please, in 2022.

SHOP/GIFTS St. Petersburg Press’ Feast

by Maureen McDole, The Last Florida Boy by Tom Gribbin, Kerry Kriseman’s Accidental First Lady memoir and Bill deYoung’s Vintage St. Pete Volume II are available online and in Tombolo books.

s weet d iva C H o C olates

J9 Shoe Salon features philanthropist/ fashionista Pat Rossignol’s fab French perfumes, also at Corey Ave.’s Elizabeth Boutique. Find fur baby gifts at Woof Gang Bakery and Petworks, sports/apparel at Reno Beach Surf Shop and Bada Bing Watersports, boutique wines at CellarMasters and Hawthorne Bottle Shop, Savory Spice’s popcorn seasoning trio, artsy treasures at The Dali, Shapiro’s Gallery and Florida CraftArt, locally made gifts @St. Pete Store or The Edge Collective and bonbons at Sweet Divas Chocolates, Kilwin’s and Schakolad Chocolate.

s H apiro ’ s a ll t H in G s s t . p ete

EXPERIENCE DTSP’s All the Things St. Pete is the newest artist hub, a space to showcase their work and host live events and workshops thanks to owner Jodi Chemes. Their debut Dec. 4th features a steampunk-themed art show, food, drink, axe throwing, a fiery burlesque show and aerial performances. Zubrick Magic Theatre has added Sunday matinees during the holiday season and is available for special events. The Craftsman House celebrates its 19th anniversary 12/11 in conjunction with Holiday ArtWalk 5-9pm; follow them in social media for concerts and gallery news.

TIDBIT City of St. Petersburg’s lobbying hard for affordable housing and soon 50 more affordable homes break ground in the Innovation District. According to climatecentral.org, St. Pete ranks as the eighth-most vulnerable American city for coastal flooding as augmented by projected sea-level rise, putting 91,000 of its residents directly at risk. Florida is home to 23 of the 25 most at-risk cities.

Hats off to Mayor Rick Kriseman for his efforts and representing the area at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. In November, he also extended the relationship with St. Pete Pride through 2026. Farewell to hizzoner, never to be forgotten for his good deeds.

C ourtesy C ity o F s t . p eters B ur G

Beverly’s Favorite Jewelry

Special Easy Finance options available, Free Gift Wrapping

and Free Gifts! *See store for details. While supplies last. Versatile, stylish, everlasting, and in-style. A jewelry collection isn’t complete without at least one pair! Make it fun with some hoops, or go more classic with a pair of studs.

One of the biggest jewelry trends in recent years is here to stay. Whether you layer them or wear them as a statement piece, chains are timeless and elegant.

Gold Earrings

Rings, Rings, Rings!

14k Gold 2.28ct Diamond Engagement Ring $14,000

14K Gold 1/6ct Diamond Chain Link Ring

$799 Rings are the ultimate everyday accessory. There’s a ring for any type of occasion. Everyday or occasional wear, simple, extravagant, bridal, fashion, and/or color… we’ve got your style!

14k Gold Blue Topaz Ring $1,995

14k Gold Blue Pear Topaz and Diamond Pendant $400

A Chain Necklace

A Diamond Bracelet

One of the hardest-working pieces in any jewelry collection. Smart for the office and glamorous for black-tie dinners. Adds just the right amount of sparkle to your closet!

14K Gold 2ct Diamond Tennis Bracelet $9,000

14K Yellow Gold & Diamond Bangle $6,500

14K Polished 2x25mm Lightweight Tube Hoop Earrings

$230

14K Gold Diamond Studs 3/4 carat total weight

$1,495

Leslie’s 14K Polished Fancy Link Necklace

$2,375 *See store for details. Prices and carat weights may vary. Fishing Anyone?Diny’s Jewelers of Florida | 130 107th Ave., Treasure Island, FL 33706 | 727.513.3469 | www.dinysflorida.com

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Basil THAI•SUSHILeaf

Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm

Dinner Daily 4:30pm-10:00pm

7612 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach 727.367.6535 NoriThai.com

Open Daily 12:00pm-10:00pm

6395 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach

727.360.4000 BasilThaiSushiBar.com

Fishing Charters

Tampa Bay’s Fishing Charters

Fishing Apparel

call 813.359.7041 online FishHuge.com

BEST HOLIDAY BUBBLY

St. Pete’s favorite mermaid and former DTSP boutique owner keeps hitting home runs with her Mermosa wines nationally. “Wine Enthusiast named TWO of my wines as BEST BUYS for 2021 with 90 ratings - Mersecco and Celestine Rose’! I’m over the moon!” says Mermosa’s Denise Noisette. Sip it at Elizabeth’s Grapes Wine Café on Corey Ave. and take some home from there as well as Book+Bottle, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Total Wine. It even comes in cans! Mermosa was inspired by her family’s original mermaid, Celestine Noisette, whose siren-song set her free and inspired generations of strong voices and unstoppable spirit.

In addition to drinking local, stock up on these 2021 holiday faves for an auld lang syne toast! Moet & Chandon Imperial, Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee, Pol Roger Brut Champagne, Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label, Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve, Taittinger Brut Champagne, Dom Pérignon Plenitude Vintage 2003 and anything from Sonoma’s Schramsberg. What’s trending? Winter rose and South African wines as well as alternative sparklers such as Cava and Prosecco.

SPIRITED TOASTS Recently tasted at the Floridian Social Club, Brugal 1888 Doblemente Añejado is a truly exceptional rum, produced in the Dominican Republic and combining the rich flavours of bourbon and sherry casks through a double-ageing process. With notes of vanilla, red fruits and toffee intertwined with cocoa and natural oak spice. On New Year’s Eve, embrace the Spanish tradition of peeling and eating 12 grapes for good luck! Don Nano’s Favorite: Freeze coconut water in ice cube tray. Pour 50 ml Brugal 1888 over coconut ice cubes and enjoy!

HAPPIEST HOURS Thursday is my favorite day to explore happy hours. I usually start downtown at Flute and Dram for live music, charcuterie and drink specials and head over to Copper Shaker or Sauvignon for half-priced pasta and cocktails/wine 4-6pm. Gratzzi serves three-course prix fixe 4-5pm for $20 with $4 house wines. The Hollander Hotel happy hour 3-6pm Mon.-Fri. is a deal and great people watching. The Canopy and Birch + Vine serve happy hour Mon.-Fri. 4-7pm with half-price signature cocktails and selected wine/beers. Stop in at Bacchus daily 3-6pm for $4.50 small plates or bubbly/wine/beer/rose. Ceviche hosts Tapas Tuesday and happy hour daily 3-6pm with $6 bites and bar (Vino Blanco, Vino Tinto, Single Well Cocktails), $7 sangria and bites or go big for $8: Caipirinha Cachaça (lime, sugar, Mojito Brugal 5yr Anejo Rum, mint, lime); Paloma Exotico Tequila (agave, ruby red grapefruit) and nibble on Ceviche Casa (shrimp, scallops, squid, market fish, garlic, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, peppers), Queso de Cabra (spicy goat cheese, tomato sauce) or Albondigas with Manchego cheese. On the beach, happy hours abound and we like to head to Clear Sky in Clearwater and Dunedin for happy hour wines, beers and signature cocktails 2-6pm daily. Salt Rock Grill and Sea Salt both have tremendous early bird dining specials and drinks.

DRINK IN THE SUNSHINE.

Gazing out over the Gulf of Mexico with a stellar view of the setting sun, 82 Degrees provides nature imbued interiors and fresh Southern coastal cuisine to launch you into the decadence of an unhurried coastal vacation. Enjoy craft cocktail-sipping, fine wine tasting, and local beer distilling with alfresco dining options and locally sourced fare at a premier location destined to become a favorite.

7203 Sunset Way in St. Pete Beach 727-292-0282 • www.eatat82.com

REDISCOVER GULFPORT

www.visitgulfportflorida.com @visitgulfportfl

Rediscover Gulfport PN Ad-8.5x4.5.indd 1 1/13/21 8:57 PM

John’s Pass 166 John’s Pass Boardwalk West Madeira Beach, FL 33708 727-329-8789 Gulfport 3129 Beach Boulevard Gulfport, FL 33707 727-303-0966

By Caron Schwartz

Midweek movie matinees – the other afternoon delight

Some days all you want to do is be entertained. Netflix, Prime, et al offer plenty of options, but sprawled on your sofa surrounded by Honey-Do chores isn’t going to cut it. You need to play hooky. You need to sit in the dark, munching too buttery, too salty popcorn, mesmerized by the big screen. It’s even better if it’s a great deal, like the ubiquitous only-on-a Tuesday matinee discount.

There are plenty of choices for the “other afternoon delight.” Not that long ago I took in the Tuesday special at Regal Park Place at the Shoppes at Park Place in Pinellas Park, where for five bucks you can sit back in a comfy recliner and relax with an adult beverage.

The Tuesday special is a little more complicated at the AMC Sundial in downtown St. Pete. AMC features 30% off the cost of evening shows for all matinees, but on Tuesday there’s an additional perk. If you become a Stubs Insider, your free membership reduces the price to $6.50. And there’s more! A $15 Stubs Premier membership gets 12 months of waived online fees, free popcorn, and fountain drink size upgrades. If you want to splurge, it’ll cost you $19.95/month. The Stubs A-List gets you Premier benefits plus movies in any format including Dolby Cinema, IMAX, and 3D, plus you get 10% back on refreshments.

The CMX Cinemas Tyrone in St. Pete’s Tyrone Square is a little different. Movies are $5 all-day Tuesday, so if you really can’t play hooky at least you get a discount if you show up after work.

Indie art-house Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg, doesn’t offer discounts any day or time of the week. But where else are you going to see indies, foreign, docs, classics, and local content?

Maybe the historic Beach Theatre? According to new owner Christopher Scott, who’s just begun to repair and renovate the 81-year-old St. Pete Beach edifice, the venue is far from ready for prime time. But he’s open to suggestions. For more information and updates see www.spbeachtheatre.org.

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