Paradise Sweets
This is a photo I took last night of a couple looking out over the ocean and eating their ice cream in front of Paradise Sweets in St. Pete Beach (and feeding their dog sitting between their chairs). I didn’t want to startle them by using my little point-and-shoot’s flash; that’s why it’s blurry. But you get the don’t-worry-be-happy feel of this vacation.
On a more somber note, as far as I can tell, I’m the kiss of death for St. Pete Beach restaurants. A few years ago we discovered a tiny mom-and-pop operation that was the best Italian restaurant in the universe. People came from as far away as Tampa to eat there. The next year ...
...it had changed hands because the pop had to have a knee operation and couldn’t stand at the stove anymore. No longer worth a visit.
The next year we found a very good upscale Italian restaurant in Pass-A-Grille, the old section of St. Pete. But when we went back last year, it had become the Brass Monkey, a bar and grill. And to add insult to injury, it had been bought by Marylanders who have introduced crab cakes and other Chesapeake Bay dishes to St. Pete Beach.
I’ve gotten over the shock this year. Maybe I’ll go talk to them out of curiosity.
This year our find of last year, a good fusion restaurant called Banana Leaf, has become Mosaic, a tapas place. Stay tuned.
Comments
The Brass Monkey is horrible and it's a shame since Pass-A-Grille is a very nice little beach community. Will ya go to Gulfport already....I think you'd like Pia's...a little pasta joint on the main drag.
Posted by: Kitchen Goddess | January 7, 2008 5:37 PM
Try VIP Mexican Restaurant on Gulf Blvd. Was just there before the New Year and food was excellent! It's sort of a hole in the wall, but known by locals.
Posted by: strawberryblond | January 7, 2008 8:16 PM
I feel your pain. Back in the day, we used to go to Dexter's on Fairbank's in Winter Park. It was a small neighborhood palce. There was a wine shop in half of the old building and a bar and seating in the other half. Great small plate menu. As you went to the WC you'd say hey to the guy cooking in the tiny kitchen Then they moved to a bigger, better place on New England Ave. They also have a place in Thornton Park and Lake Mary. Not the same! Also we lost our Italian place on Oak St. in Kissimmee.
Posted by: Dave | January 8, 2008 10:39 AM