Like the George Peabody Library in Baltimore, CL Food Critic Jon Palmer Claridge says downtown St. Pete’s The Peabody is deserving of a detour. This sophisticated dining spot at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital takes great care of everything from a magnificent spinach salad to the fudgey espresso brownie on the totally winning menu. Even though the place looks like a library, its decor will also make you feel like shouting to the rooftops. Read over our review here, and then flip through Nicole Abbett’s tempting photos of what Claridge saw and sampled.
The George Peabody Library has inspired a splendid new restaurant on the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital campus — and it’s deserving of a detour. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe George Peabody Library has inspired a splendid new restaurant on the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital campus — and it’s deserving of a detour. Credit:Nicole AbbettFrom the decor, you might expect a formal, even stuffy, menu. But that’s not the case. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe Peabody offers a wide-ranging breakfast from parfaits and omelets to lox and toast. Credit:Nicole AbbettThis is the French toast with cinnamon swirl sourdough, berries, sweet cream and maple syrup. Credit:Nicole AbbettThere are tall ceilings, hanging globe pendants, two-top alcoves with upholstered wing chairs, and leather seats with decorative nails. Credit:Nicole AbbettThere are tall ceilings, hanging globe pendants, two-top alcoves with upholstered wing chairs, and leather seats with decorative nails. Credit:Nicole AbbettPlus, plenty of dark wood. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe full bar pours specialty cocktails, a small yet thoughtfully curated selection of beer and wine, and Buddy Brew coffee and TeBella tea. Credit:Nicole AbbettChef Rachel Bennett’s all-day menu is largely a casual mix of salads and handhelds. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe magnificent spinach salad is blended with arugula and torn bits of romaine, plus other goodies wrapped in a lovely lemon-poppy seed vinaigrette. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe Peabody also jumps on the cheese and charcuterie bandwagon. Credit:Nicole AbbettIts huge slate is carefully adorned with chorizo, prosciutto, manchego triangles, a wedge of northern California’s unmissable goat cheese that is Humboldt Fog, and Ireland’s Cashel Blue. Credit:Nicole AbbettIn addition, there are terrific dollops of sweet, grainy mustard and pear-chive jam with tart pickle wedges and whole pickled okra. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe restaurant’s goal is a “reprieve from the daily chaos” for the community, visitors and hospital staff alike. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe restaurant’s goal is a “reprieve from the daily chaos” for the community, visitors and hospital staff alike. Credit:Nicole AbbettOur food critic had no idea what to expect as he entered the hospital campus. Credit:Nicole AbbettOur food critic had no idea what to expect as he entered the hospital campus. Credit:Nicole AbbettBut there’s easy-access valet parking, the friendliest attentive waitstaff and a totally winning relaxed menu. Credit:Nicole AbbettNot to mention decor that’ll make you feel like shouting to the rooftops — even though it looks like a library. Credit:Nicole AbbettNot to mention decor that’ll make you feel like shouting to the rooftops — even though it looks like a library. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe Peabody keeps the dessert choices simple, but not without surprise. Credit:Nicole AbbettThe fudgey espresso brownie is covered with peanut butter sauce and chopped nuts. It sits next to a diminutive white ceramic milk bottle, out of which pokes a straw with a blue barber pole stripe. Credit:Nicole AbbettChef Bennett’s kitchen takes great care of its food. Credit:Nicole AbbettWhat more could you ask? Credit:Nicole Abbett
