400 Beach Drive Seafood and Tap House

400 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg, FL. Tel. 727-896-2400

400 Beach Drive is a luxurious condominium that rises far above the corner of Beach Dr. and 4th Ave. No. The restaurant of the same name is one of the sleeker restaurants in St. Pete. The entrance is at street level, next to the towering pink sculpture in front of the Chihuly Museum.

This tap house and beautiful bar boasts 24 beers on tap and despite the elegance of this restaurant with it's wood, steel and glass motif still maintains a casual feel with ketchup and condiments on each table. Private parties are held in a private room. In warmer weather outdoor seating is a pleasure with Tampa Bay, Straub Park and the Vinoy on view.

The menu is extensive with seafood as the main attraction. Sixteen appetizers ranging from Beachside Clam Chowder at $5.95 to the Iced Seafood Platter for $15.95. Entrees run from $15 for Fish and Chips to $37 for Grilled King Crab. Cheddar Biscuits are a house specialty served with most meals. The Vegetable Stir Fry is one of the cheaper dishes and delicious the first time I tried it, but alas, not very good the second time. Hopefully, the preparation of other meals might be more consistent. Sunday Brunch Buffet is held from 10AM to 3PM and just in time for New Year's Eve Dinner at $60.

Take advantage of the free valet parking, an attractive feature in a city where nighttime parking is quickly becoming a nightmare.

Lee's Crab Trap I

5611 US Highway 19, Palmetto, Fl. Tel. 941-722-6255

First, no this is not in St. Pete., but just over the Skyway bridge. Call before you go or use Mapquest for directions. It's really quite easy to get there, a very popular place for St. Petersburg residents with an good reputation. It also has an excellent location on Rt. 19 with no competition in sight.

I'd been there years ago and then dined there again last night with 3 friends. It's a very warm comfortable environment and much cleaner than I remembered. The decor is dated, with dark wood paneling and booths of the same color. No padding on those benches so just be prepared. To make up for that, a young waitress provided excellent service. The menu is extensive. Plastic covered pages in a binder once again give you that out-of-date feeling. This is one of those old fashioned fish houses where shellfish is a priority. Whether you're in the mood for just an appetizer, an entree that comes with a host of sides or a sandwich and salad, you can find it served with your favorite shellfish. My friends ordered their usual Crab cake served with baked potato and coleslaw. I was surprised to learn that the cost was a few dollars more than my Tilapia fish platter for $10.95. They both agreed that the cake was smaller than usual. In general, however, the pricing is very reasonable and there are daily dinner specials on the last page (why not the front page?) that are less expensive. I was satisfied with my platter but really preferred the sides of coleslaw and sweet potato to the fish.....not tasty at all. Next time I'll choose another dish. Yes, I would go again if I'm passing by, but wouldn't go out of my way.

Thirsty Marlin

351 West Bay Drive, Largo, FL 33770
Tel: 727-586-3474

I went to a holiday gathering at the Thirsty Marlin last night and was very pleased with the food, atmosphere, and staff. The interior of the restaurant is clean and decorated in a tropical theme that is fun but not overdone. The staff was very friendly and for our group of 30, management supplied plenty of help. The menu is part Florida seafood and part Caribbean flair. I ordered the Jambalaya which was full of  shrimp, jerk chicken, Andouille sausage, roasted red peppers and yellow rice with a light sauce. The menu said it is a true Marlin original, “brought back from Romora Bay Club in the West Indies.” It wasn't spicy or typical Lousiana fare if that's what you're used to, but it was a tasty meal. It was definitely more on the Caribbean side of the flavor spectrum. There is a full menu of appetizers, specialty drinks, burgers, saldads, sandwiches and entrees. Something for everyone and comfortable seating for whatever size group. I sampled their salad on another occasion and found the greens fresh and plentiful. Desserts are available and tasty too. I had the Heath Bar Pie which was a nice topper for my entree choice. I visited the Largo location, but there is also the original location in Palm Harbor. Hours are 11:30 am - 12:00 am.  Their online ordering system is convenient, user friendly and unique among the many restaurant web sites I have visited. Locals tell me to look for the nightly specials and to try the grouper nuggets. Next time, I will do so.

Harvey's 4th Street Grill

3121 4th Street. North, St. Petersburg, FL. Tel. 727-821-6516

Harvey's is one of those old neighborhood hangouts that has become an icon. A family restaurant/bar that's on every local's radar but definitely not the place to go if you're dieting. The menu has too many very tempting high carb dishes to choose from. On the other hand if you're looking for a homey environment, this is a fun place. Did I mention the long saloon style bar and what they call the 'Full Moon Party'? It's an evening that features Maine lobster and entertainment. I haven't experienced it but I know people who have and they've told me it's a blast.

Their specialties are grouper, shell fish and fresh steak from Iowa which, they claim, is never frozen. I've always kept my orders simple and have tried their salads and burgers, all very fresh and ranging in cost from $6 to $8. To be honest, to me thishas a diner-like feel to it with Platters, a Kid's Menu and desserts like Mud and Key Lime Pies and Cheesecake. Entrees come with garlic bread, cole slaw, etc. Prices range between $8 and $17. There's even an inexpensive Late Night Menu. Their ambience is a little different from the other places we've written about so maybe try their Sunday brunch, it looks like family fun.

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill

7 Rockaway Street, Clearwater Beach, FL
Tel: 727-446-4844

Having grown up in St. Petersburg, I always thought the Hurricane was the best place to eat a grouper sandwich. A recent trip to Clearwater Beach with a friend, who guaranteed my satisfaction, changed my mind completely. Frenchy's Rockaway Grill is perched directly on the beach, making a fantastic view for diners. I did a little asking around before the trek out there and heard more than once that I should order the She Crab Soup and either the grouper bites or the grouper sandwich. The soup was beyond my expectations and if I make it out there again will definitely be my first course. An appetizer not to be missed are the conch fritters. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and just a slight bite from something spicy in the mix. The grouper is available a myriad of ways. The one I tasted had delicious caribbean spices and was cooked to perfection. My side salad was fresh and dressed well. The atmosphere is as you would expect it to be with a casual, with a fun and flirty flair. We got there early and were seated right away, but by the time we left the lunch crowd was waiting in a winding line outside the door. Prices were reasonable for a seafood joint, starting around $5 and ending at $21. Now I feel like going out to Pass a Grille Beach for a comparison taste test.

4th Street Shrimp Store

1006 4th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Tel: 727-822-0325

4th Street Shrimp Store is a fun place to take visitors and to meet up with friends and family for lunch or dinner. The portions are generous, so you won't go away hungry. There are specials throughout the week and early bird deals for those who can get there between 3 pm and 6 pm. Since 1984, this St. Petersburg favorite has offered shrimp boiled or fried, with a side of slaw and buttery red bliss potatoes. There are great fish sandwiches, and typical fried fare like french fries and onion rings. The clam chowder is some of the best in this area and it is something the whole family will enjoy. The decor is whimsical and clever, seating is abundant and everyone has a noisy, casual experience. It's a few blocks from the water, but you can almost hear the waves crashing as you sit down to order.