Those who have plenty of money and want to treat their special pals to a gastronomic romp of serious magnitude should reserve a seat at The Don's Chef's Table, where the kitchen staff treats you to a custom, six-course meal prepared for your personal enjoyment for $125 per person. The price does not include drinks (wine, coffee, etc.), tax or tip. Perched just off the bustling kitchen, sheltered from the prying eyes of regular diners, it inspires a certain, uh, carefree abandon that translates to bawdy jokes, flopping cleavage and wine overindulgence. The hotel chefs go wild, plying you with caviar, yellowtail snapper with scallops, or a chocolate tower sporting real gold leaf emblems. Rent a room at the hotel before you dine, so if you find your motor skills impaired after the last glass of champagne, you can stagger upstairs and collapse in style.
Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-1881 or www.doncesar.com.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.