St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Cuisine Style: Seafood
Average Price: $$$
Overall Rating: 4/5
Dined in January and December 2016
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine, Dine, and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Executive Chef:
Ana Granucci
400 Beach is across from North Straub Park on Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg in the area that I like to call restaurant row. From tourist magnets to places for locals it is one of many places in this vibrant and upbeat city to go and enjoy local, southern, or seafood cuisine that is farmed, caught, sustainable, and when possible not filled with hormones, antibiotics, and GMO’s. Along Beach Drive starting with 400 Beach, there are a variety of eateries from Indian, New American, Gelato, Gastro Pubs, Italian, French, Irish, and Tapas, all within a two to three block walking distance.
My wife and I have been to 400 Beach a few times throughout 2016, and she went with her mom and my parents on Thanksgiving while I was working overseas. Our last visit was in December of that year with several local and out of town friends which is what this review is based upon.
400 Beach is named after the address of the business on 400 Beach Drive, not very original but it is what it is. What is original is the kindness and attentiveness of the service and management staff, the flavor and quality of the foods from starters all the way to desserts, and the overall ambiance and attraction. 400 Beach has a very warm welcoming atmosphere, and they are not afraid to stop everything they are doing to assist a guest. Can’t find a parking space, then free valet is available, even if you just come in for a cocktail, then wander around for hours shopping. 400 Beach is part of the Go To Steves association of restaurants which also owns The Hangar Restaurant, Aqua Prime, Cafe Gala, and Parkshore Grill. The Restaurant is attached to the larger Morean Art Center, a community-based center that allows all ages to come in and practice art, and also has a museum with revolving exhibits.
Christmas was in the air. We had friends visiting from all over the country as my wife and I were celebrating our wedding parties, and several of us got together to enjoy a nice dinner. Straub Park was decorated with lights and displays. We all sat at some connected cocktail tables near the bar. There was also a large wine display enclosed in glass, which only represented a small portion of the overall selection.
Menu:
- Appetizers
- Oyster Bar
- Salads
- Seafood, Steaks, and more
- Sides
- Desserts
- Sunday Brunch Menu
We began with a few drinks and cocktails starting with the table ordering two bottles of the JCB # 5 Côtes de Provence Rosé from Jean-Charles Boisset. The tasting notes according to the website describe it as a rosé-petal pink color with purple nuances. The nose is delicate with scents of red berries, citrus, and spicy white blossoms. Soft and delectable on the palate with floral notes and flavors of white fruit. The First of four appetizers that the table shared were the crab cakes packed with goat cheese, sweet corn, topped with a lime aioli, and a side of salsa.
The second starter to share was the coconut ginger stir fried mussels cooked with red chili and lemongrass. Another person in our party was drinking a sauvignon blanc from Clifford Bay Winery, which according to the web sites tasting notes has a light straw color and tropical aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit. The palate exhibits the same fine flavors followed by a crisp, dry, mineral finish. Two other ladies in the group shared a bottle of LA Crema Chardonnay, or the Sonoma butter bomb as I like to call it. According to the wine makers tasting notes, this vintage is very floral, with lemon, green apple, subtle oak and spice aromas. Lemon drop, white stone fruit, yellow plum and honeydew melon flavors. Richly textured and concentrated, with balanced acidity that drives a lingering finish. The third shared appetizer was the artichoke manchego fondue with blue corn chips and crab meat.
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| Coconut ginger stir fried mussels |
As the drinks and food continued to go around, I enjoyed a South African Shiraz called Jam Jar with the website tasting notes of mixed berries, dark chocolate undertones. Fruit-forward and semi-sweet, with a clean finish. For my starter, I enjoyed a half dozen gulf oysters on the half shell, one of five ways on the menu to order them.
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| Gulf oysters |
For entrees, my wife had the large Caesar salad with homemade dressing. A chicken satay appetizer with crushed pineapple and the peanut sauce was also ordered, but I honestly don’t recall if my wife or someone else at the table ordered it. To drink, my wife switched to a glass of Côtes de Provence rosé from Les Vignobles Gueissard. According to the site, it was a blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Cabernet-Sauvignon, and Rolle aka Vermentino. To sum up the remaining entrees, a person at the table ordered the Florida Grouper Oscar, topped with jumbo lump crab meat, hollandaise sauce, over a bed of potato Hash, and some grilled asparagus, which looked very appetizing. It was unfortunate that this fish entree and the mahi that was ordered had to be returned for being too salty. Other wines ordered were a Côtes du Rhône by Saint Cosmo winery, and a Mendoza cabernet by Lagarde Winery.
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| Florida Grouper Oscar |
Dessert:
To finish the evening with coffee’s and espresso-tini cocktails was the key lime macadamia tart. It is very common in Florida to see many variations of the key lime pie since it was invented in Key West.
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| Key lime macadamia tart. |
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy Seafood Articles & Restaurants:
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
Bonefish Grill Contemporary 200+ chain with a seafood-centric menu; reviewed in St. Petersburg, Florida
Hank’s Seafood A classy southern seafood eatery house in Charleston, South Carolina
Hurricane Seafood Restaurant Beachside Victorian-style seafood restaurant in Pass-A-Grill, Florida
Hyman’s Seafood Enduring southern seafood eatery in Charleston, South Carolina
Jack Dusty’s Nautical themed eatery with crafted cocktails and raw bar at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota Florida
Moshulu New American dining on a restored ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar Laid-back Cape Cod-style seafood restaurant in Austin, Texas
Red Snapper Kiwi “fush n’ chups” takeaway restaurant in Sumner, New Zealand
Sea-Guini Chic restaurant with seafood & Italian-inspired cuisine in Clearwater Beach, Florida
Sea Sea Riders Restaurant Homey seafood eatery in a 1903 cottage in Dunedin, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St. Petersburg restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Innovative Finer Seafood & Raw Bar
At the Sundial
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Rustic New American Fare
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
A top 20 on Wine Dine and Play
|
New American, Southern Twist
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
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Modern Italian and Southern
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Traditional and classic Italian plates
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Organic Farmers Market in Pioneer Park
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
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Locally Sourced Café for Southern Grub
St. Augustine
|
Old-world classic Italian & Mediterranean
New Smyrna Beach
|
Old School Rustic Tuscan
Gulfport
|
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Native American Cuisine w/Barbacoa Grilling
Tampa
|
Upscale Pan Asian Fare w/sushi
Orlando
|
Sanibel Island
Waterfront upscale new American cuisine
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
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Max Points Possible:
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Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
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9.5
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8.5
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1
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Food quality
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9.5
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6.5
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3
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Plate presentation
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8.5
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8.5
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0
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Customer service
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9
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6
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3
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
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9
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1
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Total regular points awarded
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46.5
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38.5
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8
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Total percentage Of Bonus
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0.827956989247312
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“Wow” factor BONUS
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5
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3
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0645161290322581
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Total percentage of a bonus for the final star rating
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0.89247311827957
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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4
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**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
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4 of 5 Stars:
89% Rating with a 3 point “wow” bonus
An Outstanding Dining Experience
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Wine List:
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Wine rating:
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7.5 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece,
New World selections:
Argentina, New Zealand, California, Oregon, Washington State, South Africa
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Corkage fee’s:
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This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Casual dining
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Cuisine style:
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American, Raw Bar, Seafood
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Local, Pescatarian, Vegan Options, Vegetarian
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Reservations:
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Not Required, But Recommended
Walk-Ins:
Accepted
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Dress code:
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Casual attire
It’s Florida everybody wears flip-flops
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
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Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Contemporary, Modern, Hot spot, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Good for special occasions, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Valet or Street meeter parking
Complimentary validated parking with your meal
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Medium
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Smoking:
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Nonsmoking restaurant, and nonsmoking patio
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Patio or terrace:
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Yes
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Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
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Price
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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£££
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€€€
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Alcohol prices:
$140.00 USD
400 Beach Seafood and Taphouse:
400 Beach Drive NE
St. Petersburg, Florida
33701
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 727 896 2400
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Online reservations
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Webpage Contact:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT - 5:00)
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Brunch: Sun
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Daily: Mon-Sat
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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Social Media
&
Accolades:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
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Medieval-style British cuisine banquet plus 2-hour dinner show
London, England, UK
|
California cuisine & fine dining chain
Orlando, Florida, USA
|
French & Canadian cuisine
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
|
Other Pictures:
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| Blackened mahi-mahi special with risotto and carrots |
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| Chorizo corn risotto |
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
