Steam And Chill On St. Pete Beach Has Something For Everyone

"Small plates, family style" is the motto at Chill Tapas Restaurant and Steam Espresso Bar in St. Pete Beach.

What began as a family-owned local coffee shop has become an all-encompassing dining experience serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The coffee shop and bakery, which is now called Rise, is located across the parking lot from Chill on Gulf Boulevard. It features a full espresso bar and specialty coffee drinks.

Ruthie Buxbaum, the restaurant matriarch, credits healthful food and a unique ambiance for her family’s successful business.

“It’s different than beach food and everything is really healthy. We have something for everyone,” Buxbaum said.

Fine dining is the focus at Steam and Chill, but don’t fear the prices that often accompany that term. 

“[In St. Pete] you’ve got beach bar and you’ve got fine dining, and we’re somewhere in between. The price point I’m so proud of,” Buxbaum said.

Kimmie Copley, Buxbaum's daughter and the front of the house manager at Chill, is responsible for the restaurant’s newest addition: a full liquor bar.

All the food served at Chill is made from scratch. Copley took this idea and translated into the bar.

“There are no pre-made mixes, everything is freshly muddled and squeezed,” Copley said.

Wines selected for the new bar are diverse, rare and “definitely not [found] in the grocery store,” she said.

When all the final touches have been made to the cocktail list, Chill will begin offering happy hour from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., with a happy hour menu of flatbreads and popular tapas options.

Dinner at Chill is all small plates and tapas, intended for sharing as “a great way to try different flavors.” Copley recommends three to five tapas for two people.

Another sharing experience you can find at Chill restaurant is personal interaction with the chefs. 

"Chef’s Tables’ are high-tops facing the exposed kitchen area, where you can watch food being prepared.

Executive chef Jason Kingsley is a big fan of the concept.

“I love to see the faces on people after they have a great meal. That’s where my passion comes from,” he said.

Happy customers Adriana Conde and daughter Giovanna were impressed not only by the food at Chill but also the friendly service. 

“At some places the food is fabulous but they just want you to eat and go. [Here] everyone was very nice and helpful. It was fabulous,” Conde said.

Visit steamandchill.com for more info.

What To Order If You Go:

Breakfast: Fresh daily jumbo lump crab served as a crab-cake over eggs Benedict. 

Lunch: Chef Jason Kingsley’s specially made cheese sauce is used for the popular St. Pete Beach Cheesesteak.

Tapas: Goat Cheese Tapenade Terrine, Herbed goat cheese layered with three fresh tapenades, sun-dried tomatoes, olive & figs finished with a sherry reduction.