Schakolad - downtown St Petersburg, FL

This is perhaps the yummiest locally made chocolate one can find in St Petersburg and of very fine quality. Sometimes, I stop in to get just a piece and grab a cup of coffee there. The coffee is quite good there, too. Other times, I buy a box to take home or have a box made up for gifts. You can have them make up a box for you or point and choose. It's chocolate, it's delicious, and can one really go wrong with chocolate?

Schakolad
401 Central Avenue
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727-892-2400

Athenian Gardens - St Petersburg,FL

I have been to Athenian Gardens with my family many times to get take out and have with my beer at the Independent Bar next door. It is conveniently located in the center of things downtown and it is good and affordable Greek food. On my most recent visit, I went with my family on a weekday for lunch. Nothing fancy here, but very comfortable. Our server was quick to take our order and aware that this was a weekday and people need to have their lunch and perhaps head back to work. Knowing that the portions are huge here, my husband and I opted to share a gyro. My son ordered a cheeseburger and fries. Even having just a half a gyro, I was fully satisfied and this was a delicious gyro stuffed with meat. We tried our son's burger because he couldn't eat it all and found it to be quite good. This is a good neighborhood place to stop by again and again. Service is fast and friendly, too.

Athenian Gardens
21 3rd Street North
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727-822-2000

Dive Bar and Grill - Gulfport, FL

I stopped at the Dive Bar and Grill one night with my family because we had a small wait before Peg's Cantina down the street would open up for dinner. The Dive Bar and Grill opened up in a space that was previously occupied by an Italian restaurant. Before having a seat at the bar, we walked upstairs to check out the deck. The second floor deck was a beautiful spot overlooking the water, and looks like a great place to hang out, but not on the day we went as it was too hot outside. So, we went back inside and grabbed a seat at the bar and enjoyed a beer. The bartenders were quite friendly and chatted with us for a bit between customers. The gave us a menu to look at and although we weren't eating that night, it looks like something I would like to come back and try, especially since the staff there is very friendly. I will update this post, once I have been back to try the food.

Dive Bar and Grill
3128 Beach Blvd
Gulfport, FL 33707

Horse and Jockey British Pub - South Pasadena, FL

This a comfortable place to relax and hang out with friends or family. As one can tell by the name, it is a British pub. I visited this place for the first time on Friday night to listen to live music playing out on the patio. They have a small patio set up with a few picnic tables and bar tables and chairs with a spot for musicians to play. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful that evening and it finally looks the Florida summer is behind us.

While at Horse and Jockey, we grabbed a few Smithwick's and Boddington's along with some medium wings from the appetizer menu. Looking over the menu, I was delighted to see they have shepard's pie and pasties on their menu, so I will have to go back for a full meal to try those items. However, we enjoyed our wings. Once, the music started we had a great time. For a sweet ending, we ordered a ice cream sundae with chocolate syrup and rainbow sprinkles and we were very happy with that. Next time, shepard's pie.

The Horse and Jockey British Pub
1155 Pasadena Avenue South
South Pasadena, FL 33707
727-345-4995

Crowley's Downtown - downtown St Petersburg, FL

Crowley's is one of those places that has a great neighborhood vibe and says we are part of the downtown community. It's a relaxed place where you can grab a pint with friends or grab a seat at the bar and watch the game. Or better yet, grab a seat on the sidewalk outside and people watch, which is always fun when you are on Central Avenue. We opted to dine outside on the day we were there.

We started by ordering a Smithwick's to drink as it always goes great by itself or with pub grub. Not sure how hungry we were, we started with the Reuben Egg Rolls that someone had recommended to us. Cold beers in hand, our egg rolls soon arrived. The egg rolls are served with a 1000 Island dipping sauce and they were every bit as good as we had been told. They were quite substantial and could easily make a meal for one. After finishing the egg roll, we were full enough that we decided to share a Reuben with fries. Again, the sandwich was very good and a huge portion. Even if I hadn't had the egg roll, this was of a size to share, depending upon your appetite. My son had a cheeseburger and he was quite happy with his choice. Overall a great neighborhood hangout with good food and service.

Crowley's Downtown
269 Central Avenue
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727-821-1111

Acropolis Greek Taverna - downtown St Petersburg, FL

I love it already and it just opened. My family and I attended the public opening and tried some of the great food Acropolis offered free to the those of the public willing to stand in line. We are talking a full buffet of food with meat, chicken, fish, pasta, dessert, etc. We were so impressed, we had to go back the next day and try it for lunch. For those of you who don't know, the Acropolis is located in the former space occupied by Bella Brava. Acropolis brightened up the space with new pictures and white chairs. The brick oven in the back is gone and replaced by a big table for a large group. When we stopped in for lunch, the place was crowded and I was impressed how busy they were at lunchtime on a weekday.

We were quickly seated and took a look at the drink menu. I loved the number of choices of greek beers and wines. I went for a white that was lovely and crisp and not too sweet. My husband tried the Mythos beer and it was also refreshing and a perfect match with the food. Our server brought us a big basket of warm bread and dip. We started with the calamari for appetizers, which was delicious and more than we could eat. After that we tried the egg, lemon, and chicken soup, which was another winner. My husband and son ordered gyros for their lunch because they cannot resist gyros. The gyros were delicious and also quite substantial. I ordered the special of the day, which was a lemon chicken dish. I love lemon dishes and this was no exception. The chicken consisted of a leg and thigh portion and it was perfect. Along with the chicken was a hearty serving of potatoes, peppers, and orzo pasta. Again, I could not finish it all. And as a perfect ending to our meal, I had an espresso and a baklava. The baklava was very good. Also, I want to add that the service was excellent.

I am very happy about this addition to the downtown area. I think the Acropolis will do far more justice to this beautiful space with their awesome food. (Sorry, Bella Brava sadly went downhill since Domenica Macchia left.) Acropolis is one of those places that will be awesome to go to on a date or with the whole family. This is pure comfort food, Greek style!

Acropolis Greek Taverna
515 Central Avenue
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727-823-1010