Inviting Bistro With An Eclectic Menu
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Bistro, New American
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined in: December 2018
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:
O’Bistro Zomato rating:
O’Bistro is an artsy, yet informal style bistro that serves an eclectic New American mixed with lighter fared Mediterranean cuisine in the Pasadena On The Gulf neighborhood of western Saint Petersburg, Florida nearer to the city of Treasure Island along the gulf beaches. My wife and I stopped in for a bite before going to a play at the Free Fall Theater a few blocks down the road. My wife had been to O’Bistro a few times, but this was my first visit. The restaurant is rated highly among social media review outlets, and from the list rating above I gave it 3 of 5 stars, so is it worth it?
O’Bistro Menu:
- Salads
- Gluten Free Wraps
- Entrees
- The Signature Collection
- Sides
- Desserts
The Mediterranean flare to the food is evident throughout the menu with Italian and Greek-inspired dishes that are moderately priced between $13 and $25 for the entrees. There are heavy protein-rich dishes from starters to finishes running the gauntlet of items you would see from Boston to Charleston, South Carolina on the menu with interesting sauces and inspiring sides that wet the appetite by name alone. Added to this is that all meats from the menu are not injected with any hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, and they try to source from sustainable farming operations.
My wife started with a patron cocktail while I had a very interesting and bright tasting special martini cocktail with house vodka, wasabi, and cranberry called the ‘wasabitini.’
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| O'Bistro / Wasabatini |
Since we had tickets to a show, we shared a quick bite from the signature collection called the Southwest turkey wrap, a gluten-free selection with Boar’s Head natural turkey breast, with sun-dried tomato aioli, applewood smoked bacon, shredded pepper jack cheese, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato. The wrap was cut in half on a bias diagonal cut, and for a side enjoyed a four-cheese macaroni and cheese with spicey andouille sausage.
The presentation had half the wrap resting on the plate while the other piece lay on the side of the flat first piece with the Mac and cheese in a bowl that it was baked in and was oven safe. A basic presentation considering the dish, but then it was just a wrap. To taste the rich textures of the turkey breast came through nicely with the light Mediterranean flavors on the aioli, though the guacamole lacked the good flavors and ratios of salt to spiced pico you come to expect from a guac. The complexity was neutral and would have been bolder if the guacamole had stronger flavors, though the textures blended together well in the end. The macaroni and cheese to use the metaphor from M&M’s commercials that it ‘melted in your mouth.’ The andouille spice came through with a punch and the creamy flavors of the cheeses paired perfectly with the sausage, with a slight nutmeg profile in the sauce.
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| O'Bistro / Turkey Wrap |
Was the rating of 3 out of 5 stars worth it, considering I did not try varieties of the menu for an accurate assessment? Yes, it is worth it. The flavor profiles where some were blander than others, the combinations were well thought out. The service could have been to a higher par as well, but between the ambiance, and quality the stats exceeded expectations in a dining experience.
Dessert:
We did not have dessert during this visit, but some items of interest on the menu include a seasonal rotating cheesecake selection, a six-layer carrot cake, chocolate mousse crêpe, berries with whipped cream, a chocolate kahlúa mousse torte, and finishing with a crème brûlée.
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 and New American articles and restaurants similar to O’Bistro:
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In its original Parisian incarnation, a small restaurant, serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros’ are defined mostly by the foods they serve. They feature creative, healthy versions of casual, contemporary cuisine consists of ample portions and often accompanied by wine.
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New American Cuisine:
Also known as Modern American cuisine, or Contemporary American cuisine, the term refers to the wave of modernized cooking predominantly served at upscale fine dining restaurants that began in the 1980s. It is generally a type of fusion cuisine which assimilates flavors from the melting pot of traditional American cooking techniques and mixes it with foreign and sometimes molecular gastronomy components. There is an innovative use of seasoning and sauces, originally based on French, and Nouvelle cuisine, and it has progressed to include elements of Asian, Latin American, Mediterranean, and other cuisines.
Alinea Highly creative New American molecular gastronomy tasting menus in Chicago, Illinois
Bridge Street Bistro Third-floor terrace seafood-centric New American dining, Bradenton Beach, Florida
Harvest Moon Café Farm-to-Fork daily changing new American fare menu in Sonoma, California
Moshulu New American dining on a restored ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Samantha’s Restaurant Mellow new American dishes in North Canton, Ohio
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Saint Petersburg restaurants, and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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2nd Review with a casual lunch
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Rustic New American Fare
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
A top 20 on Wine Dine and Play
|
Innovative Finer Seafood and Raw Bar At the Sundial
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A few Florida restaurant favorites:
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A casual bistro offering Greek favorites near the Sponge Docks
Tarpon Springs
|
Rustic Italian bistro with modern takes on classic dishes
Winter Park
|
Ybor City & Sarasota Traditional Spanish & Cuban chain since 1905
Sarasota, Florida, USA
|
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 O’Bistro a 3 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 for O’Bistro
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Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
|
10
|
10
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0
|
Food quality
|
11
|
9
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2
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Plate presentation
|
9
|
8
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1
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Customer service
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11
|
8
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3
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
|
8
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2
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Total regular points awarded
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51
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43
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8
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
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0.843137254901961
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“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
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0
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0
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Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
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0.843137254901961
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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3
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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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3 of 5 Stars:
84% Rating with a 0 point “wow” bonus
Exceeded all my Expectations in a Dining Experience
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Wine List:
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O’Bistro Wine rating:
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6 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Germany, Italy, Sicily, Spain
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, New Zealand, Oregon, Washington State
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Corkage fees:
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O’Bistro 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 at O’Bistro:
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American, Bistro
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten-free choices, Low Carb Choices, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
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Not Required, but Recommended
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
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Dress code:
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Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wear’s 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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O’Bistro Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Contemporary, Modern, Business parties, Romantic, Hotspot, Great bar, Good for special occasions, 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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O’Bistro has a public lot
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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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Low
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Smoking:
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O’Bistro is a non-smoking restaurant with a non-smoking 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:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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£
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
|
€
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Alcohol prices:
$29.00 USD
O’Bistro:
6661 Central Avenue North
Saint Petersburg, Florida
33710
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 727-381-1212
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Website Contact:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Sun-Wed
9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Fri - Sat
9:00 am - 11:00 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades for O’Bistro:
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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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Quintessential Modern Australian Cuisine
Sydney, Australia
|
Old School Rustic Tuscan
Gulfport, Florida, USA
|
Eclectic global plates and sushi
Austin, Texas, USA
|
Other O’Bistro Pictures:
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| O'Bistro / Front Entrance |
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| O'Bistro / Bar |
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| O'Bistro / Turkey Wrap Close-Up |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
