THE URBAN STILLHOUSE GRACE tartare with sesame garlic aioli and kimchi and sweet and savory meatballs. THE LIBRARY • St. Pete; $$ • With wood paneling, bookshelves and royal blue banquettes, it’s easy to see where this place gets its name. The spot gets lively during brunch, when light fills the sprawling dining room space and guests linger over plates of crispy-fried Brussels sprouts with pomegranate molasses and smoked gouda grits with bacon and maple drizzle. THE RESTORATIVE • Dunedin; $$ • An always-changing menu keeps it fresh at this New American restaurant in Dunedin. A husband-and-wife team runs the show out of a microscopic kitchen, wooing locals and critics alike for their ambitious menu and welcoming atmosphere. The kitchen’s creativity never ceases to impress with dishes like crab imperial with green apple and kohlrabi and beef tartare topped with golden raisins and savory granola. SAUVIGNON WINE LOCKER & AMERICAN TRATTORIA • St. Pete; $$$ • Tucked between two bars off a busy strip of Central Avenue, this elegant restaurant offers a fresh breath of air from the bustle down below. There’s a heavy focus on charcuterie boards and fine wines, but the rest of the menu is equally exciting, from a Creekstone Farms carpaccio with honey truffle aioli to duck leg bucatini with coconut curry. THE LITTLE LAMB • Clearwater; $$ • This unassuming Clearwater gastropub delivers big flavors with an ambitious, globe-trotting menu and an elevated cocktail program that offers creative spins on the classics. The dinner menu includes dishes like shrimp toast with spicy tomato broth and fried cauliflower with coconut caramel. Larger plates include a roasted chicken with potato gnocchi and a lamb carbonara with zucchini and preserved lemon. ROCOCO STEAK • St. Pete; $$$ • One of the best spots for a classic steakhouse meal, this downtown St. Pete restaurant excels with a creative menu of upscale New American fare and an award-winning wine selection. Guests can sidestep some of the sticker shock by popping in for the bar’s killer happy hour, where dishes include a beef THE URBAN STILLHOUSE • St. Pete; $$$ • St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District is home to this sprawling cocktail bar, restaurant and bourbon lounge. Designed with distilleries in Scotland and Kentucky in mind, the 16,000-square-foot space features industrial touches and a sleek modern decor. Guests can sip cocktails at the lounge while diners nosh on plates of octopus carpaccio with olive tapenade and braised Wagyu short ribs with creamy Brussels sprouts. VISITSPC .COM 83
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