No vacation this year because of funds getting smaller and bills getting bigger? Make the best of the recession, hop on over to one of our great beaches and feel like a tourist in your own backyard. To help you along in your staycation (or day trip), here's a guide to dining and drinking on St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille.
BELLA HABANA 5905 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-367-1555, bellahabanarestaurant.com. Experience Cuba without leaving the beach. Authentic Cuban cuisine, tasty Cuban sandwiches and not-so authentic drinks — phenomenal mojitos nonetheless.
AVENUE GOURMET 338 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, 727-498-6466. theavenuegourmet.com. Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and mouthwatering gourmet meals to enjoy there or to-go. Call for daily specials and be sure to try their scrumptious cookies.
BAVARIAN HOUSE 7115 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-363-4414. bavarianhouse.us. The place to go for authentic, homemade German cuisine. German (via Munich) owned and operated.
BRASS MONKEY 709 Gulf Way, Suite 200, Pass-A-Grille', 727-367-7620, thebrassmonkey.net. Up a circular flight of stairs is a spacious second-floor restaurant known for its seafood, "monkey wings" (but not monkey balls) and a balcony with one of Pass-A-Grille's best views of the Gulf.
BLACK PALM 109 8th Ave., Pass-A-Grille, 727-360-5000, blackpalmrestaurant.com. The most sophisticated dining spot in Pass-A-Grille, offering delicious twists on traditional South American and Caribbean cuisine (try the paella with orzo, or the "ricanachos" with banana tostones and pulled brisket). The open courtyard on 8th is a lovely place to while away an evening, especially when there's a live Latin combo playing.
CAFE LUNA 6700 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-7500. cafelunabistro.com. An eclectic bistro specializing in Euro-Asian cuisine and gourmet pizzas as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options.
THE DRUNKEN CLAM BAR AND GRILLE 46 46th Ave., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-1800, drunkenclambar.com. Surprisingly more hopping than its beachside counterparts on a Friday night. Small in size but big in entertainment: live bands and sports packages bring in locals and main landers alike.
This article appears in Dec 30, 2010 – Jan 5, 2011.