We will be staying at the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort on December 8th for one night only.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a moderate-priced, restaurant with a reputation for good food and good service?

Sea Critters Cafe

They have indoor and outdoor dining.

We had lunch there 2 years ago. Very good.

2007 Pass-a-Grille Way
St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
Half a mile South of the
Don Cesar Resort

The Hurricane, also on Pass-a-Grille. There is an italian restaurant right across the street from your hotel, but can't remember the name of it, I have heard is good, but have never eaten there myself.

There's a place called the Reef that's on the gulf side of gulf blvd. that's good food, nothing spectacular, reasonable prices. For lunch, I highly recommend a trip to Groupers, a small restaurant that is on Blind Pass Road (the road that goes to Treasure Island) just before you cross the bridge to TI on the left/south. They are also open for dinner but the place lacks nighttime appeal. For breakfast, try Le Croissette if you can get in. Very popular, be sure to get some of the homemade preserves. If you like Mexican, go to the VIP Lounge at Treasure Island across from the Thunderbird. They make their own tortillas, their guacamole is the best there is.

I'd bypass the Hurricane as the prices are far from moderate. The view there is spectacular, you might get a drink instead.

Thanks everyone for the restaurant suggestions.

I think we may want to have breakfast outside the hotel because it is not included in the room rate. (BTW, this hotel charges a daily rate for parking your car on their property). I've only heard of this before in large cities where space is an issue.)

Le Croissette sounds good for breakfast.

Being a Yankee, I have never tasted guacamole. Is it mild?

Not to worry. They won't ask for an ID before serving quot;>

Guacamole is indeed mild not spicey. The best is made from CA avacadoes, which is what they use at the VIP Lounge. FL avacados just don't have enough oil in them.

Space is precious at the beaches. Unfortunately, lots of people who are beaching and not staying at the beach are also looking for places to park. I've not heard of many hotels that charge for parking though.

An always popular restaurant that is consistently good, family operated by a Greek family, and conveniently located on Gulf Boulevard not far from where you are staying, is named Skidder's.

They have a broad menu, from filet mignon to fish dishes to pizza and sandwiches, and they always do a good job. As an indication of their popularity and success, they don't have to take reservations. You just walk up and usually will be seated within 5 to 10 minutes, less than you might wait when going somewhere WITH a reservation.

I would rank Skidder's a bit above all the others named because of its variety, great service, and reasonable prices in addition to very good food. On a recent visit, I noticed the following specialty-of-the-day entrees on their board at the entry foyer:
-Rack of lamb
-Beef Wellington
-Whole roasted snapper
-Vegetable lasagna

We also love their soups and many times will stop by just to take home a couple of different kinds. If you ask about Skidder's at the hotel, I'm sure they will say it's great. Good luck.

Thank you, Wayne.

Now I just wish there were people like you (Tampa/St. Pete) up there in Citrus County. I have had a question on this board for two days, and no replies.

C'est la vie!

The Tradewinds itself has a good restaurant called Bermudas. The food has been good every time we have eaten there. Do you have an Entertainment Book? It is in the Fine dining 2 for 1 section and is a good deal.

Now if you want something really different and very good, go to the Habana Cafe in Gulfport. It is a very short drive away, 15 minutes perhaps,and it is authentic Cuban food. It is excellent. You can get great fish, chicken or pork fixed in wonderful sauces. The walls are painted with tropical artwork and it is a local place for college faculty from Stetson University and Eckerd College as well as local Cuban/Americans and the funky crowd who live in the little restored neighborhood surrounding it.
The Hurricane south of the Tradewinds on Pass a grille beach does have a great view but it is noisy, crowded and has a swimsuit/tank top beachy type atmosphere, not a nice dinner place to eat.

Geckolips,

No, I don't have an Entertainment Book (didn't know they still publish it).

Good to know about the Tradewinds Restaurant in case we are too tired to go out that evening.

We were in Gulfport in August (the tiny center where H.K. Kane's restaurant is located and, of course, we took a picture of ourselves in front of it). Would you happen to know where the Habana Cafe is in relation to Kane's restaurant?

The Habana cafe is easy to find in Gulfport. It's right on Gulfport Blvd, just a couple of blocks farther east from where you would turn off Gulfport Blvd to go into downtown Gulfport. It is a pretty good Mexican / Cuban style restaurant. HT Kane's is at 5501 Shore Blvd South, which will be about a mile or a little more from where your hotel is located. You'll go north on Gulf Blvd, turn right on 75th Ave, and then follow that road over a couple of small bridges, then turn right on Shore Blvd shortly after the second bridge. To go on to Habana, get back on the main road you were on (which changes name from 75th Ave to Pasadena Ave) and go north a little less than a mile, turn right on Gulfport Blvd and follow it for a couple of miles to the Habana. Good luck.

And I might be able to help with your Citrus County questions, but I don't know what they are.

Hold everything--- I was thinking of another restaurant, not HT Kane's. HT Kane's is in Gulfport's main old town, and so Habana is just a short drive back out to Gulfport Blvd, turn to the right and go a couple of blocks. Sorry for the error--sometimes age gets the best of me. Good luck.

"I would rank Skidder's a bit above all the others named..."

I've not tried Skidders. I'll look for it next time I'm over there. Sounds interesting.

Wayne, you don't like Groupers or the VIP Lounge?

Try Crabby Bill's right down from the Tradewinds. They have a great rooftop dining area that overlooks the Gulf. The food is good and prices reasonable.
We also went paparasailing while there-it was a blast-try it!

islandlady,

The rooftop restaurant sounds tempting too...if the weather cooperates.

Wayne, you've been a lot of help (on both my posts).

Looks like there's a lot of Fodorites down in the Tampa/St.Pete area. We've been in your neck of the woods three times this year. SIL just moved from Cape Cod to Gulfport. We visit her, then head up to Beverly Hills, where my son & his family live.

However, son and family has the house up for sale, and they are moving back to Connecticut. Yeh!!

Just a quick response to TG: Groupers and VIP lounge are fine. I suppose each person has his own preferences. It's just that I have seen such consistently good food at Skidder's, with great variety, and excellent service that can only occur when a family owns and works in the restaurant. Skidder's is not by any means a fancy place; it's informal and frequently the environment is a little hectic because of its popularity. But I've never been disappointed with anything they serve, from gourmet dishes to simple food.

I wouldn't want to comment as I've never been there, never heard one word about it. Your recommendation carrys a lot of weight but I'd be remiss in giving it a thumbs up or thumbs down unless I've been there.

So I will just have to go sometime

We are staying in St. Pete Beach and looking for good food/wine. So far I can deduce that Skidders is a good choice. Also the Habana Cafe.
Any thoughts on the Lobster Pot, Dockside Dave's, Groupers?
We ate at Hurricane's,but not overly impressed with the food/choices.
Leverocks had a good lunch. PJs had an ok lunch.
All thoughts greatly appreciated.

I enjoyed lunch beachside at the Don Cesar.

I've heard that the Sunday brunch is excellent at the Don Cesar, but it's hard to justify $50.00 for brunch. Lunch may be the answer!