Cinco 'De-Bistro' Mayo
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
Cuisine Style: Bistro
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 5/5
Dined in May 2017
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:
The balcony on the 11th floor of the Grand Plaza Hotel, which screams 1980 as far as design, architecture, and estheticism also home to the Level 11 rooftop Lounge, to which my wife and I have been to many times either by ourselves, with family and friends. Below you is the beach and Bongos Bar and Grille, and above you is another Bistro, but none of that matters because you have just witnessed one of three best sights on St. Pete Beach to see the sunset, and enjoy great cocktails and foods.
Menu:
- Starters
- Salads
- Soups
- Sandwiches
- Entrees
- Desserts
This is the second written review but by no means can catch up to the countless visits over the years, watching as the balcony, drinks, and food continue to improve from the very nice level they were at when we first dined here. With several friends we gathered and started with the jumbo shrimp cocktail, lightly poached and served chilled with a key lime cocktail sauce, lemon wedge & herbed crostini’s sitting in the classical 1980s presented martini glass. I could say wonders about this dish or describe intricate details, but it was poached shrimp.
The charcuterie and cheese platter dish came with an assortment of prosciutto, Genoa salami, and Spanish chorizo, then on the cheese side a wonderful cranberry infused British stilton blue, aged sharp cheddar, and other chef selected cheeses for the week, along with the normal accompaniments of marinated olives, fresh seasonal fruit, Dijon mustard, red currant rosemary jam, and French baguette pieces with water crackers. A tremendous presentation that gets high marks and the rotating selection of cheeses beyond the typical was very nice to see as well.
 |
| The charcuterie and cheese platter |
The scallops dish ordered by some friends were a little-overcooked sitting on a bed of creamy wild mushroom risotto, and a pesto aioli sauce with micro greens. Scallops unless they have unique seasoning or if they're blended with something else is like shrimp cocktail, not much to write home about. The Kobe beef and Ahi sliders dish, the name alone makes you do a double take to read it again. A surf and turf combination of American wagyu not Japanese Kobe with some yellowfin ahi tuna seared rare, with the meat cooked above medium and more to the good side. People ask how do you know the dish is not true Kobe like the menu says it is. Two simple answers are that you have to be certified to serve it which only eleven restaurants in the United States actually are, and second, the price of the dish was $15, not $115. The dish was served with a teriyaki wasabi BBQ sauce and sliced avocado pieces on a pretzel roll, along with a seaweed salad plus pickled ginger on the side. Taking the Kobe fact away from the mislabeling of the menu does not take away the flavor. The dish was fantastic. Putting these two together surf and turf style was genius as you get the best of both worlds and a third unique best by putting it on a min hamburger. Krystal's never thought about that.
The healthy hummus as advertising which can be healthy, but with all the carbohydrates, that equals tonnes of sugar being produced in the body once the elements are broken down, so is it healthy or just a healthier vegetarian choice? That will be your decision. four separate hummus selections which include lemon garlic, pesto, Thai chili with roasted beets, and a Sriracha lime hummus served with assorted crudités and pita bread. The flavors were nice and light on the tahini, yet very smooth. They had the perfect ratio balance of lemon, garlic, and water while being blended. Of the grouping, the Sriracha was my personal favorite.
 |
| The healthy hummus platter |
The big dipper was the final selection from the group for sharing. The dish consisted of a series of dips starting with a crab, followed by a salmon dill, a smoked fish spread, and finally a Port wine with cheese. The plate had some French baguette and water crackers like the charcuterie platter. Fish dip is a common find in many Florida Restaurants as it is considered Floribbean cuisine along with Key lime pie, conch fritters, and others. Each restaurant tries to outshine one another on the best spread and Level 11 does a good job to some of its competitors. All of the dips were fun and enjoyable, especially the port wine with cheese, which had two profiles; rich from the dairy and sweet from the port wine. In a way, you were enjoying a dessert at the same time.
Dessert:
We did not have dessert on this visit
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy Bistro Articles & Restaurants:
Bistro at Biltmore Classy farm to table eatery in Asheville, North Carolina
Bistrot La Minette Charming French Bistro with movie filmed terrace in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bridge Street Bistro Third Floor terrace Seafood Centric New American dining, Bradenton Beach, Florida
Cook'n' With Gas Bistro High end bistro with modern New Zealand cuisine in Christchurch, New Zealand
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro - Laid-back dockside spot for global eats in St. Petersburg, Florida
Josty Bistro Eatery serving German regional cuisine at the Potsdamer Platz Sony Center in Berlin, Germany
Laurent Tourondel / BLT Swanky French-American Steakhouse chain with 14 restaurants
Le Grand Chancelier Countryside French Bistro in Cheverny, Loire Valley, France
Lobby at Twelve Boutique hotel bistro, New American, and Southern favorites at Atlantic Station, Atlanta
Prato Rustic Italian bistro with modern takes on classic dishes in Winter Park, Florida
Restaurant Le Gabriel Haute Gastronomique French restaurant & bistro in Bordeaux, France
Spinners Rooftop Revolving Bistro Buzzy seafood spot & 360-degree views in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Terroir Seasonal South African cuisine bistro in Stellenbosch, South Africa
The Brasserie at the Café de Paris A Parisian style bistro rendez-vous in Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Tirquaz Bistro and Garden Lounge W. Asian, N. African, & European dishes in Bur Dubai, UAE
Zinc Bistro and Bar Southwestern-inspired New American fare in San Antonio, Texas
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St Pete Beach restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
|
Table-side Hibachi with a sushi bar
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
Waterfront Beach and Seafood Bar
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
Nautical themed American eats with a Caribbean flair
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
|
German Bites in Bavarian-style Tavern Ruskin / Sun City
|
Fine-dining waterfront spot for grilled fish and steaks
Indian Shores
|
Key West
Landmark bar since 1851, where Jimmy Buffet got his start
|
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:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Level 11 Bistro a 5 out of 5 stars, meaning that they exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
10
|
10
|
0
|
Food quality
|
10
|
9
|
1
|
Plate presentation
|
8
|
8
|
0
|
Customer service
|
8
|
6
|
2
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
10
|
9
|
1
|
Total regular points awarded
|
46
|
42
|
4
|
Total percentage Before Bonus
|
0.91304347826087
|
||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0.0434782608695652
|
||
Total percentage with a bonus for the final star rating
|
0.956521739130435
|
||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
|
0 - 5
|
5
|
**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:
|
5 of 5 Stars:
96% Rating with a 2 point “wow” bonus
An Extraordinary Dining Experience
|
Wine List:
|
|
Wine rating:
|
6 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Italy, Portugal
New World selections:
Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, California, Oregon, Washington State
|
Corkage fee’s:
|
This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant style:
|
Casual dining
|
Cuisine Style:
|
American, Bistro, Seafood
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Farm to Fork, Low Carb, Organic, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegan, and Vegetarian Options
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted
|
Dress code:
|
Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wears flip-flops!
|
Child policy:
|
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!
|
Experiences:
|
Place for foodies, Trendy, Hotspot, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Scenic views, Upscale, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
Valet or Hotel lot
|
Wifi
|
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.
|
Noise level:
|
Medium
|
Smoking:
|
Nonsmoking restaurant, and nonsmoking patio
|
Patio or terrace:
|
Yes
|
Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricy)
$£€¥ 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:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
££
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$$$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€€
|
Alcohol prices:
$51.00 USD
Level 11 Rooftop Bistro:
Grand Plaza Hotel
5250 Gulf Boulevard
St. Pete Beach, Florida
33706
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
|
|
Maître d or host:
|
727-360-1811
|
Email Contact:
|
|
Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Dinner: Mon-Sun
3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
|
Social Media
&
Accolades:
|
|
****
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…
|
An innovative and eclectic tasting menu
Ripponlea, Australia
|
Innovative East Meets West Menu
Cape Town, South Africa
|
Haute French Restaurant
Paris, France
(Now L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon)
|
Other Pictures:
 |
| Scallops |
 |
| Surf and turf sliders |
 |
| Fish dips |
 |
| Shrimp cocktail |
 |
| Sunset at Level 11 |
 |
| Night-time dining |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
