Downtown Concierge By Nanette Wiser
EAT & DRINK: Cool boutiquey Cordova Hotel’s stylish art deco interior (blue velvet sofas, library) sports The Scott, a coffee bar by day, hip cocktail lounge at night with the best espresso martini in town. Replacing WEPA near 3 Daughters Brewing will be health-conscious sol this fall. Social Roost, Lingr (Norwegian/Asian), Fado’s (Portuguese) and Sauvignon’s Christopher Stockwell’s new American and Italian dishes (handmade pastas, charcuterie) are the hottest dinner tickets in town, joining Parkshore, Il Ritorno, Gratzzi and Sea Salt for memorable meals, soon to be joined by Ceviche on Beach Dr. Aussie Brew Pub Where’s Jubes. Lucky Jube opening in the Lucky Dill location. Famed chef Fabio Viviani will open Taverna Costale, serving coastal Italian cucina.
Blue Velvet Couches at Cordova Hotel 
Lounge at Cordova Hotel 
Valkyrie Doughnuts
Enjoy Neapolitan pizza and California-Italian style fare at Central Ave’s Matteo Trattoria & Pizzeria. DTSP’s two faves Nueva Cantina will open in St. Pete Beach next to Boulevard Burgers later this summer and Naked Farmer will have a second location in Tampa. Get a hole-in-one at Grand Central District’s Valkyrie Doughnuts (egg-free, dairy-free) in awesome flavors from chocolate to blueberry French toast.
New to South St. Pete is Mullet’s Fish Camp Florida-style fresh fish (fried, Cajun, grilled or blackened), shrimp platters, crab cakes and garlic beer-battered onion rings near Munch’s and Southside Coffee, with awesome retro cocktails, Vitale Bros. murals and live music on weekends.
FUN-TASTIC: Hollander Hotel poolside yoga is back with Body Electric instructors every Sat. morning 8:30-9:30 am limited to 38 students. Reserve, $15 or $20 at the door if it’s not sold out ($5 for Body Electric members). You can also reserve a cabana at the pool for you and six of your friends if you are a paying customer. The $150 rental for the cabana can be deducted from your food and beverage bill (727-873-7900 to reserve).
Get a seasonal watermelon pedicure at the delightful Woodhouse Spa, the perfect way to soothe your soul (massage!) and escape the heat. At The Hive explore vintage treasures and take crafty classesincluding pottery. Intrigued by the Tibetan Singing Bowl classes being offered downtown? Sign up 813-545-4831. Rent a cycle from Coast Bikes’ kiosks or Tony’s Bikes to explore the waterfront and murals downtown.
SHOP: Browse Cosette’s Boutique for cool clothes, Christy’s Enchanted Notions for wisdom candles and dream catchers, The Merchant St. Pete’s octopus mugs, Steampunk jewelry, local artists and rock star portraits (Tom Petty, Prince) and cold brew at Crislip Café, who just celebrated their one-year anniversary. Discover unique jewelry, accessories and gifts at St. Pete Store, Shapiro’s Fine American Craft, Florida CraftArt, Craftsman House, James Museum Shop and The Dali Museum Store. Truffula eco-boutique features organic cotton, bamboo and hemp clothing, jewelry and solar powered lights, phone chargers and more. Vinyl lovers, head over to Bananas Records on 2226 16th Ave. N or the main store near Mazzaro’s on 22nd Ave. N for records, CDs and DVDs.
DTSP KUDOS: FORUM, the Magazine of Florida Humanities, won 14 awards at the Magazine Association including Best Magazine in its category and eight first place “Charlies” for Best Overall Magazine, Best Theme Issue (democracy), best feature and in-depth feature, best commentary and more. Hats off to St. Pete’s Bill DeYoung and legendary Eric Deegans for their best in-depth feature “Lights, Camera, Florida.” Welcome to Florida Humanities’ new executive director Nashid Madyun, and congrats to FORUM editor Jacki Levine. Another accolade for the USF St. Pete campus, where Florida Humanities resides.
Another bonus for St. Pete is the new executive director of Preserve The ‘Burg, Manny Leto, who recalls “attending concerts at the historic State Theater (1924) or the iconic Detroit Hotel (1888) playing shuffleboard at the oldest courts in the nation (1927) or strolling historic Central Avenue in search of local shops and locally brewed beer, St. Petersburg has always possessed a certain powerful draw.” Hooray for former DTSP boutique owner Desiree Noisette and her Mermosa wines, available at Elizabeth’s Boutiques and officially rolling into Walmart (bottles), Target (cans), Total Wine (bottles) and Sam’s Club soon.