Health & Fitness
What Does The Closing of Savannah's Cafe Say About the St. Pete Restaurant Scene?
Savannah's adieu, and the loss of its 'Lowcountry Cooking,' also serves as a reminder to the sophisticated diner that downtown's dining choices are more limited than at first glance.
Reading the disappointing news that Savannah's Cafe will close on May 28, now seems a good time to take a (perhaps critical) account of downtown St. Petersburg's restaurant scene.
So much has been written about all of the wonderful comings and disappointing goings of the dining scene that it's easy to forget that many of the restaurants that opened before the 2008 economic collapse -- Parkshore Grill, Z-Grille, etc., -- are not only still in business, they are flourishing.
In fact, what is truly remarkable about the downtown dining scene is that so many restaurants debuted or stayed open during such a difficult economic period.
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That's why I find it odd that Savannah's is closing its doors now, when the national and local economy seem poised for a rebound.
Savannah's adieu, and the loss of its "Lowcountry Cooking," also serves as a reminder to the sophisticated diner that downtown's dining choices are more limited than at first glance.
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Why are there several restos serving Indian cuisine, but there isn't any good Chinese? Or a decent noodle bar?
Where are the wine bars so prevalent in other smart dining cities?
Where are the communal dining tables? Or the charcuterie plates? Or the bars with cocktails fashioned from pre-Prohibition recipes?
And the most pressing question: Why is the bar at Bella Brava so damn loud?
The fact is downtown St. Petersburg diners confuse busyiness with quality. There are many busy restaurants in downtown, but not many of them rise above the 1- or 2-star level. Don't believe me? Look at the menu at the always-busy 400 Beach Drive Seafood & Tap House and then look at the menu at the Ale House. There's not much difference in intent, if not specifics.
That's what's truly sad about the departure of Savannah's. Not that it was a great restaurant (it wasn't). But at least it tried to do something different than serve Margherita Pizza at a too-loud bar.
Disclosure: The author was previously employed as the General Manager of Parkshore Grill.
