Prima Cantina’s

Baja-Mexican Cuisine

St. Pete Beach’s Newest Baja-Inspired Eatery

By Morgan Banno

Say hola to St. Pete Beach’s newest Baja-inspired eatery, Prima Cantina & Tacos! Prima Cantina opened its east coast location in St. Pete Beach early this spring and has quickly become a local fave.

The original location is in Santa Monica, California but unlike other Mexican restaurants on the Florida beaches, Prima Cantina’s concept blends Mexican flavors with Californian coastal cuisine into a Baja-Mexican fusion that is both different and delicious.

A hearty selection of draft beer ($6) is available but the cocktail program at Prima Cantina is expansive and boasts a long list of tequilas, mezcals, wine, hand-crafted margaritas and table-side sangrias.

With cold beers, my wife and I started our meal with the best complimentary house salsa and chips I’ve eaten. Ever. Before we even ate anything else, I’d already decided I’d be back just for the salsa.

What’s Unique at Prima Cantina?

Prima Cantina offers a salsa flight for only $4 where you can sample any three of their six homemade salsas. For a self-proclaimed salsa connoisseur, this was pure bliss to see on a menu. I tried the salsa verde (made with tomatillos and garlic), El Jeffe (a spicy blend of habaneros, garlic and mayo), and the Salsa Ajo (with roasted arbol chilies). While I had hoped for a more exciting presentation instead of a cluster of cups (or some additional chips, at the least), they were all tasty nonetheless.

Kick off your meal with appetizers like fresh Shrimp Ceviche ($13) or Stuffed Jalapeños ($10). I ordered the Street Corn Esquites ($7) which was like deconstructed Mexican street corn and it was damn delicious. But save room for your entrée!

Dig tacos? Prima Cantina offers 11 different proteins, including classics like carnitas ($15) and carne asada ($16), as well as pescado ($16), lobster ($22), and bay scallop ($19). Don’t eat meat? Try the mushroom barbacoa ($15) or meatless beef ($17). If you’re on a health kick, be sure to check out the many salads and bowls ($10-$13), too.

Baja-Mexican cuisine is more than ubiquitous tacos and burritos. It puts seafood at the forefront and incorporates fresh ingredients like chilies and citrus. Dishes like Mahi Mahi a la Veracruzana ($26) showcase mahi sautéed with aromatics and olives, served with cilantro pesto. The Sea of Cortez ($24) is the epitome of Prima’s Baja flavors with clams, shrimp, scallops, mussels and fish in a spicy, tomato seafood broth.

My wife opted for the Enchiladas de Pollo ($20) with homemade corn tortillas, topped with warm salsa verde. Outstanding! My chicken fajitas ($21) came presented on a sizzling plate of onions, red and green bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes with rice, beans, and fresh guacamole. Delicious! Both portions were so big, we took home leftovers.

The restaurant is huge, with ample inside seating as well as a shaded, wrap-around deck. And there’s plenty of parking (a commodity hard to find on the beaches). Enjoy the fresh fusion but don’t skip the salsas or homemade corn tortillas!

Prima Cantina, 4945 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Open daily 12-9 p.m., with happy hour Tue-Fri 4-6 p.m. 727-289-2635, primacantina.com

Cool Off With A Vegan Scoop of Plant Love

Gulfport’s Newest Ice Cream Shop

By Morgan Banno

The Gulfport food scene expanded this month with the recent debut of vegan ice cream shop, Plant Love Ice Cream. It’s the city’s newest creamery that serves 100% homemade vegan ice cream.

This new shop is right in the heart of Gulfport, taking the space of the former bakery. All of the ice cream is made in house, almost daily, from organic coconut milk. And it tastes just as good, if not better, than the real stuff.

There are 12 flavors available daily, with six of them rotating. They range from classics like chocolate and pistachio to fun blends like Snickers and Golden Mylk (laced with CBD, courtesy of SumitrA Espresso Lounge across the street).

I always like to sample as much as possible when visiting a new restaurant, so I opted for an ice cream flight ($9.95) of five, golf ball-sized scoops served in a small paper boat with a biodegradable spoon.

I sampled the Toasted Coconut, Pistachio, Snickers, Cookie Butter, and Espresso flavors. And while all were delicious, my absolute favorite was the Cookie Butter. If you’re familiar with Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter (a thick spread that mimics peanut butter but is made with European cookies with a hint of gingerbread), this ice cream tastes just like it, complete with cookies pieces scattered throughout each bite. Highly recommend!

Yes, the consistency is different than “real” ice cream. I found it creamier and smoother, similar to gelato. But it is just as refreshing on a hot Gulfport day.

Plant Love Ice Cream 2901 Beach Blvd. S., Unit 105, Gulfport. 727-7395854, Tues.-Sat., 12-9 p.m., Sun., 12-8 p.m.

The Gabs

What Is Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor?