By Kelly Rouse
The holidays are a time for gathering with cherished friends and family, taking stock of the past year and reflecting while making exciting plans for the year to come. In the St. Pete area, we have many incredible dining options for celebrating together. Here are a few festive spots to enjoy (and don’t worry–I won’t hold you to your New Year’s resolutions). Reservations are recommended for this busy season.
CASSIS ST. PETE
Perched at the corner of Beach Drive and Second Ave. NE, Cassis always features an appealing array of French and American cuisine and will be open to the public for the upcoming holiday season including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day as well as New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. All the regular goodies will be available from the yellowfin tuna tartare to the steamed mussels. Of course they will be offering their many varied salads, including the popular fried chicken cobb, along with handmade pizzas, sandwiches and pasta, as well as a selection of excellent entrees and specialties, from seafood to steak. And because it’s the holidays, treat yourself to a decadent dessert. So take the whole family, enjoy the beautiful sunshine and atmosphere of downtown St. Pete on their patio and toast the season while eating some fantastic food!
Mon.-Thur. 11am-10pm, bar until 11pm, Fri. 11am-11pm, bar until 12am,
Sat. 8am-11pm, bar until 12am, Sun. 8am-10pm, bar until 11pm
www.cassisstpete.com
BEAU & MO’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
If you’re looking for a more traditional but no less delicious option to usher in Christmas cheer or the change of the calendar, look no further than Beau & Mo‘s Italian Steakhouse nestled in the Kenwood area of St. Pete. Opened in 2015 by Chicago couple Robert and Madonna Wallace (the Beau & Mo respectively), this intimate Italian steakhouse manages to provide a warm family atmosphere along with the upscale feel of a Windy City chophouse. Decorated in a subtle black and red palette, the comfortable waiting area, bar and dining room with a charming piano accompaniment makes you feel welcome. Once seated, you then get to delve into the scrumptious menu from traditional Italian fare to contemporary entrées and desserts. The appetizer menu consists of many well-known starters but also boasts unique options like the stacked eggplant and the cannot-miss roasted Brussel sprouts. While you certainly can choose – and enjoy with no hesitation – the many chicken, veal or seafood dishes, Beau & Mo’s is known for its perfectly seared steaks and were the winner of Tampa Bay Magazine’s 2024 Best Steakhouse. They have happy hour from 4:30-6pm Tuesday through Friday and will be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Tues.-Sat. 4:30-9:30pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
www.beaunmo.com
CEVICHE TAPAS BAR & RESTAURANT
For 20 years now, Ceviche has been a staple in the downtown St. Pete culinary community. Having moved from their original location in the Ponce De Leon Hotel, they now reside in the ever-growing, diverse Beach Drive row of bars and restaurants and have a lovely patio for fun people watching. Ceviche offers a casual dining experience, but with the menu of an upscale eatery. Since opening their doors, Ceviche has delivered to St. Pete all the best flavors and tastes from Spain and especially the Barcelona area. They will be open on New Year’s Eve, so stop by for all the alluring tastes of the Iberian Peninsula. If you’ve
never had tapas before, you are in for a treat! There is a mountain of eclectic morsels to choose from and it’s best to choose several tapas to sample and share with your party. Start with the extensive charcuterie, follow it up with the Iberian oysters adorned with gazpacho mignonette and be sure to try some of their Papas Fritas. From there, dip into their ceviche menu from citrus ginger snapper, Ahi tuna or the mango leche salmon. After these delectable bites, there are many paths you can take through the restaurant’s menu: a multitude of fish, meats and vegetable dishes. Every one of them as enjoyable as the last. So if you love tapas, going to Ceviche is a great choice, and if you have never tried them, then why not bring in the New Year with a novel and tasty experience?
Mon.-Thur. 11am-10pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-11:00pmSunday 11am-9pm, Closed Christmas
www.ceviche.com
BONU’ TAVERNA ITALIANA
“At Bonu’ Taverna, we believe that one of the greatest sources of joy is what happens around the dinner table.” This downtown Central Avenue eatery specializes in the exquisite culture of South Italy with an avant garde flair. Opened in 2022 by brothers Antonio and Luca Martucci and Mia and Mario Maccarrone, the restaurant aims to have the feel of a neighborhood restaurant and bar – and it succeeds, particularly due to the presence of the owners (who are often seen chatting with guests or taking away plates that have been licked clean and asking if you enjoyed your meal – yes!) The restaurant is bright and airy and the food is consistently wonderful. Their chef, Luca Bizarri, is one of the area’s best. So much to suggest on the menu, but for appetizers try the crispy calamari or the grilled octopus. For pasta, the farfalle with salmon and the lobster ravioli are standouts. Their “Pinsa” style pizza is created with hand-pressed dough that has been part of the Roman artisan baking tradition for over one hundred years. It’s worth a visit just for a true Italian tiramisu! They are open on New Year’s Eve, so stop in and indulge your taste buds.
Sun.-Thurs. 11:30am-10pm, Fri.- Sat. 11:30am-10:30pm
Closed Christmas
www.bonutaverna.online