Columbia Restaurant - St Petersburg, FL

CLOSED May 31, 2013.  The Pier has been razed.

800 2nd Ave NE

Entrées came with a 1905 Salad tossed at the table, consisting of crisp lettuce with Julienne of smoked ham, natural Swiss cheese, fresh tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and garlic dressing. This is a refreshing filling excellent salad that could be a standalone meal.

Paella a la Valencia is prepared in a paella pan with clams, mussels, shrimp, scallop, calamari, grouper, chicken, and pork baked with Valencia rice, extra virgin olive oil, Spanish onions, tomatoes, garlic, spices, and white wine. The rice is risotto-like, vibrant, and the best part of the dish. The plentiful shrimp is the best of the seafood. The clams are near nonexistent. The scallops lack seasoning. The chicken and pork are dry. The shriveled mussels are overpoweringly fishy off tasting which is spit out. 2.5 stars.

The Key Lime Pie combines sweet with a tartness to make the salivary glands behind the ears work overtime.

Cha Cha Coconuts - St Petersburg, FL

CLOSED May 31, 2013. The Pier has been razed. 

800 2^nd Ave NE

Cha Cha Coconuts is a tourist stop serving sports bar food with a safe Caribbean flair catering to the taste of the masses.

Alfresco at Vinoy Hotel and Golf Resort - St Petersburg, FL

CLOSED 2018(?).  Alfresco has closed but Marchand's remains.

501 5th Ave NE

Business brought me to the Vinoy, one of the 500 greatest hotels in the world according to Travel & Leisure magazine. Within the Vinoy are four restaurants: Alfresco, Marchand’s, Fred’s, and the Clubhouse. The Marchand Bar and Grill serves nationally recognized award winning food, which we lacked opportunity to try.