While walking around historic downtown St. Petersburg we discovered a quaint and beautiful place along Central Avenue called The Garden Bistro.  My only criteria was that I was in the mood for a great dinner salad.  That was found as well as a place I would visit monthly if I lived in the area.   Nestled in the garden of the old Detroit Hotel lays the city’s oldest restaurant yet it is modern, friendly, funky, and features great live music. 

The Detroit Hotel was not only the first hotel but was actually built by the founders of St. Petersburg John Williams from Detroit, MI and Peter Demens from St. Petersburg, Russia.  Little known fact:  the name of the city was won by Peter in a coin toss and therefore John got to name the hotel.  Many famous people have stayed or eaten at the hotel including St. Petersburg native Jim Morrison, who had played in The Garden.  Live Jazz is still played every Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Now, the real reason to go to The Garden Bistro would have to be the food.  After a weekend of traveling from one place to another, something healthy yet hardy was on the menu.  The Marinated Steak Salad called to me from the display menu out front and features roasted red peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and shredded Parmesan.  All of their salads are reasonably priced and include Caesars, Garden, Mediterranean, or even a Curry Chicken Salad.  Grilled meats can be added to any of them to make very unique creations. 

Are you in the mood for something Vegetarian with a kick?  They have a Moroccan Tajine (or you can get it with chicken) with rice.  Feeling meaty?  They feature a Rack of Spring Lamb with rosemary, thyme, and Dijon mustard as well as Salmon, Shrimp dishes.  Their dishes are Mediterranean inspired and are evident in their pasta selections.  If it is cool out then the Pasta Carbonara will be ordered next time.  It features a cream sauce with both Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, bacon, and peas but if still warm then either the Garden Pasta or The Mediterranean with fresh seafood.  Even though my salad was completely satisfying, the Sirloin that came out was simply perfection only to be paired with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables.  Envy was served at table 150.

If you are in the downtown St. Petersburg area, The Garden Bistro is definitely a ‘must drop by’ whether for cocktails and tapas at the bar with friends, business lunches, a romantic dinner out in the garden with live jazz, or 20 of your closest friends in the side room. The décor will get you in the door, and the food will make you tell everyone you know. 

The Garden Bistro opens daily at 11:30 a.m. for lunch (up to 4 p.m.) and dinner is served until 10 p.m. with a late night bar menu available.