By Kelly Rouse
Summer is upon us. And if you’re craving a healthy – but still super tasty – salad, give one of these terrific St. Pete spots a try!
ODI’S MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN. Odise “Odi” Armata is the owner and chef of Odi’s Mediterranean Kitchen, a hidden gem in St. Pete Beach. Born in Albania, he learned to cook from his grandmother. After training in restaurants in Greece, he relocated to St. Pete Beach in 2000 and fell in love with the area. His produce shop eventually became Odi’s Mediterranean Kitchen. At Odi’s, they strive to bring the beloved and authentic taste of the Mediterranean to the community. To ensure this, they use only the freshest and healthiest ingredients. A few of the most requested menu items are the mouth-watering gyros and best-around Greek salads. Their homemade house dressing is made fresh every day! The Greek salad features romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, peppers, pepperoncini, olives, feta and a delicious potato salad. They offer several other excellent salads, including the Chef Salad, Odise Salad, Grilled Veggie Salad, and Village Salad – and grilled chicken or gyro meat can be added to any selection. Their subs and wraps are also popular. If you’re having a gathering, don’t forget about their party platters. And be sure to save room for their fantastic baklava or one of their many other delectable desserts. www.OdisKitchen.com Mon.-Wed. 11am-6pm. Thurs.-Sat. 11am-8pm. Closed Sundays.
CALI Though they have four locations in the Tampa Bay Area, Cali is not a chain. Their restaurants are, in their words, “bound by a purpose – to create a menu that is both nourishing to our people and the planet. “Sitting on the corner of one of Northeast’s shopping centers is the St. Pete location of Cali – a haven for those seeking fresh, quick and healthy cuisine. Started by patriarch Francesco in San Francisco, the restaurant brings the Lanza family’s 100+ years of seeking out and then providing local nutritious ingredients into a tasty menu. With a sizable patio for outdoor dining, a swift take-out service and a relaxed, west coast feeling indoor area, Cali provides every opportunity to savor the stimulating fare; many health-centered bowls and wraps, freshly made pizzas plus an array of appetizers. Among these, Cali also offers two tasty salads you can begin with or enjoy all on their own. The chopped house salad isn’t just a sizable portion of greens, red onion, red cabbage, tomatoes, carrot and ripe avocado but also offers one of Cali’s secret weapons, their Lime Caesar dressing. It will perk your taste buds up in the most enjoyable way. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try the sumptuous Asian Salad, a concoction of greens, cabbage, mango & carrots with the unique salad flavors of Udon noodles, jicama, and cashews all drizzled with a truly mouth-watering Thai vinaigrette. No matter where your taste buds take you within Cali, I’ll bet you’ll travel back for more.
www.eatatcali.com
Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm. Fri. 11am-9:30pm. Sat. 10am-9:30pm. Sun. 10am-9pm.
JAY LUIGI “Quality Without Compromise” is the motto at Jay Luigi. Owner Jay Brunetti opened his restaurant in January 2022 and has developed a following with neighborhood regulars and Ciccio Restaurant Group fans. They have a welcoming vibe and a menu inspired by creative Italian cooking. The restaurant has a fast casual model – guests order and pay upon entering and seat themselves. There is a lovely bar and couches outside as well. Jay Luigi is known for their thin crust pizzas, a yummy hybrid of New York style and Neapolitan pies. And Brunetti knows pizza: he’s the co-founder of Forbici in Tampa’s Hyde Park and owns Brunetti Pizza, with locations in New York City’s West Village and the Hamptons. The menu has plentiful gluten-free options and even offers “impossible” meatballs for folks who prefer plant-based foods. The fresh pastas, sandwiches, and cauliflower rice bowls are all great options, but we’re here for salads, right? The “Luca” is a favorite: kale, romaine, Marcona almond, dried cherry, and cashews, with a balsamic herb vinaigrette. May we suggest adding the crispy Milanese chicken?
www.Jayluigi.com
Mon.-Thurs. 11:30am-9pm. Fri. 11:30am- 10pm. Sat. 11am-10pm. Sun. 11am-9pm.
THE BIER BOUTIQUE At the Bier Boutique, they bring the best of the Midwest with scratch made food, a celebration of craft beer, and a passion for top notch service. Tucked away in a neighborhood not far north of downtown, their casual lakeside patio is pup-friendly, and they offer good happy hour specials. The house salad here is scrumptious (all of their greens are locally sourced from Brick Street Farms). TBB’s house salad is mixed greens, onion, tomato, bacon, feta cheese, sunflower seeds and chow mein noodles and for dressing you can choose from ranch, blue cheese, or honey peppercorn vinaigrette (the last is a creamy delight, which they have available by the bottle at their restaurant under the label “First & Flagler”). The steak and apple wedge salad is a standout, too. Not in the mood for a salad? Try one of their fantastic bison bacon burgers or indulge in a perfectly made four-cheese grilled cheese. And be sure to check out their world-famous fish fry on Fridays. Sign up on their website to become a VIP and you will receive updates on events, secret menus, loyalty rewards and more!
www.thebierboutiquestpete.com
Mon.-Sat. 11am-10pm. Closed Sundays.
