RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS by Peter Roos
Blake’s Crab Cakes, 7224 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33707 (727) 289-2322. Bringing Chesapeake Bay to the Gulf of Mexico Open Tuesday – Friday 11-8, Saturday 11-7.
Blake is a Maryland native cooking mostly with family recipes. Large crab cakes are almost all lump crab meat with some flavoring but minimal fillers. Try three minis for $10.99 1 large, 5 oz. juicy and golden brown, $12.99, or two 4 oz. for $20.99. They’re the best!
The restaurant is small, but there are a few outside tables as well as a counter and table for 4 inside. Blake also offers: Maryland Crab Soup $6.50, Old Bay fresh-cut Fries $2.99 – $4.99 and Old Bay Wings, $9.50, Dad’s Famous Beef sandwich $7.99, Mom’s Mac & Baby Shrimp, $3.50–$5.50, Grandma’s Cole Slaw $2.50. Ratings on Yelp, Facebook and Google are all 4.5 or above with more than 100 reviews. Blake also loves to cook for parties.
Visit Blakescrabcakes.com for info. or call 727-289-2322. While there, check out the Chinese Tea and Sushi place just east of Blake’s. The owner knows teas and Sushi is great! The Wheelhouse Saloon between the two at 7220 Central also gets 4.7 stars on both Google and Yelp with 150 reviews. Craft beers on tap and a creative menu makes it 3 recommended spots in a row in one little strip center.
If you try them, please let them know you read about them in Paradise NEWS.
St. Pete Beach Mediterranean Deli and Grille – 6355 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach, 33706 727-564-0101 Call ahead for to-go or for fast service. Very affordable! Boars Head Meats and Cheeses, a display case full of Homemade Salads, fresh daily, Lemon Chicken Soup, Greek Salads, Gyro sandwiches, choice of healthier side items or french fries.
A full menu of fresh-made deli sandwiches, with gluten free breads and options that even vegans will love. Traditional Greek entrees available as early dinners to eat in or take home. Also best source in town for olives, feta cheese, goat cheese, gluten free breads, cold drinks, imported wines and beers.
Check out the reviews online, Tripadvisor has this little treasure rated as #5 out of 103 restaurants in St. Pete Beach, and I guarantee that you’ll leave raving about the place and you’ll wish you’ld discovered it sooner than you did.
Love Thai? Sushi? Nori Thai, at 7612 Blind Pass Rd., and Basil Leaf, 6395 Gulf Blvd., in St. Pete Beach both have terrific menus, and delicious, consistent presentation, both with traditional Thai and Japanese cuisine. Popular pricing, generous portions and healthier options make these frequent choices for locals and visitors alike.
How about Italian? You can get a Pizza Hut, Dominos or Hungry Howies brought from the mainland, but why would you? You can almost fill the alphabet with better options on the islands and nearby.
- A Slice of New York – Corey, Eat In & delivery, 5 pm to 4 am most days 727-201-9900
- Bueno – Dolphin Village – Quite good!
- Caruso – New in TI – Top notch family style
- Da Sesto – On the mainland but worth the trip
- Feola’s – In Treasure Island hotel lobby
- Fortunato – Vinny’s latest in S. Pasadena
- Gennaro – A Pass-a-Grille institution!
- Gigi – In St. Pete Beach & Treasure Island
- Manos – new family style near Town Shores
- Marco – Tierra Verde – New York style pizza
- Pia’s – Classic Italian in heart of Gulfport Art
- Portofino – Best food in Skyway Marina Area
- Tony & Nellos – Tierra Verde dine-in favorite
- Tuttorosso – Blind Pass Road – GREAT
- Verducci – Real chef in charge – The Best!
- Vito & Michaels – delicious, consistent, fairly priced, family style, eat-in, take-out, quality food 11 am – 4 am 7 days a week.