CL Food Critic Jon Palmer Claridge’s recent meal at Pacific Counter in St. Petersburg revealed a couple of things. For one, the 600 Block newbie does fresh, affordable eats in a sleek setting. And two: It advances this well-known stretch of Central Avenue’s fairly young reputation as a food destination. Whether you pick one of the 12 “counter creations” or choose the “build your own” format, Pacific Counter offers both tasty rolls and bowls, as well as refreshing beverage concoctions. Read our review here, and check out Nicole Abbett’s photos of what Claridge saw and sampled.
The emphasis at Pacific Counter, which has a Japanese culinary vibe, is essentially sushi-esqe. Credit:Nicole AbbettIn roll form, Over the Rainbow is stuffed with cubes of bright red tuna, glistening coral salmon, krab, mango, edamame beans, crunchy sprouts, sesame seeds and masago. Credit:Nicole AbbettSweet wasabi yuzu sauce on the side is a well-balanced and delicious accompaniment. Credit:Nicole AbbettPartners Tanner Loebel, Chitt Noythanongsay and Eric Bialik. Credit:Nicole AbbettIt seems everyone’s hopping on the create-a-bowl bandwagon. Credit:Nicole AbbettLuckily for local diners, our choices combine fresh with affordable. Credit:Nicole AbbettAmid Pacific Counter’s white walls, tile and white can pendant lights, primary colors abound — bright red cabinets and a lower blue accent wall with a bright yellow stripe that pops. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe back wall invites diners to “roll it or bowl it” in bright white dancing letters. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe edamame trio features individual paper cups of pods with salt, with spice and with a traditional soy-based sauce. Credit:Nicole AbbettIf you’re a fan of these soybeans, you’ll be happy, but there’s nothing special to convince the uninitiated. Credit:Nicole AbbettRamrod straight tempura-battered shrimp poke their tails out of our noodle-filled Land & Sea bowl, joining chicken nuggets representing the turf. Credit:Nicole AbbettCoconut water (L to R), honey hibiscus Arnold Palmer, coconut matcha limeade and hibiscus saké slush. Credit:Nicole AbbettTuna, avocado, edamame, greens, shredded nori, onion and sesame seeds make up this bowl with “poké classic sauce”: The O.G. Credit:Nicole AbbettOn St. Pete’s Central Avenue, Pacific Counter is a fair deal. Credit:Nicole AbbettIt’s easy to see why these casual restaurants have proliferated. Credit:Nicole AbbettFresh and affordable is always a welcome combo as long as you remain discrete with your wallet. Credit:Nicole AbbettCoconut water (L to R), honey hibiscus Arnold Palmer, coconut matcha limeade, hibiscus saké slush and
ginger lime saké slush. Credit:Nicole AbbettTuna, avocado, edamame, greens, shredded nori, onion and sesame seeds make up this bowl with “poké classic sauce”: The O.G. Credit:Nicole AbbettIn addition to the shrimp and chicken, Land & Sea comes with avocado, corn, kimchi, scallion, daikon and wonton crisps with chili aioli. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe bowl is another tasty offering. Credit:Nicole Abbett
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