FarmTable Goes From Kitchen To Cucina
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Californian, Italian, New American
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 4/5
Dined in: May 2019
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:
FarmTable Cucina Executive Chefs:
Don Pintabona
FarmTable Cucina, formally the FarmTable Kitchen restaurant is on the second floor of The Sundial, a newer downtown destination that has many upscale shops and restaurants like Ruth Chris Steakhouse and Sea Salt, plus an AMC movie theater. The restaurant sits above the Locale Market which features individual areas that produce pizzas, cheese, charcuterie, vegetables, wine, and much more. Cucina in English means kitchen, so though the name changed the language to mean the same thing, one thing that did change was the scale of unique and eclectic menu items earning the restaurant a place in the top 50 Best of the Tampa Bay. They feature casual, Italian-inspired, new American farm-and-Gulf-to-table fare with half priced wine on Wednesdays and an 8-course culinary experience offered at the Chef’s Table on the weekends.
Some of the changes to the Cucina menu include an upscale salumi and cheese board of Italian charcuterie, seasonal sides, house-made bread, and French fries submerged in duck fat. Confused about salumi vs salami? Salumi is a general term versus salami which is a specific type of product.
FarmTable Cucina Lunch Menu:
- Starters and Sharable's
- Salads
- Sandwiches
- Pasta
- Pizza
- Seasonal Sides
- Salumi and Cheese
- Desserts
This is the third with the first two in 2016 when the restaurant name was still FarmTable Kitchen. During those first two visits the food, ambiance, and presentation got high marks, however, the service staff and professionalism did not get high marks. For this visit, there was a remarkable improvement, but they still need to work more. When you have a finer upscale menu, and Tampa rates you one of the 50 best out of thousands, and the prices match the rating, then you need to up your game to match the accolades. We sat on the outside terrace patio enjoying the nice early summer breeze, overlooking the sundial complex.
I started the meal off with a Jai Alai’ draft beer, a 7.5% ABV IPA from Cigar City Brewing based in Tampa, one of my favorite local brews. My wife had the Bosman Generation 8 Rosé from the Western Cape, South Africa. According to the Winemakers’ notes, it has hints of strawberries, fresh spring flowers, cranberries, and a fresh finish. The Cinsaut component adds some structure and texture to the wine. Later during the meal, I switch from the beer to a glass of Paloma Vineyard Merlot which received the Wine Spectator's 2003 Top Pick award over 15,000 other wines from around the world. According to there tasting notes, it delivers a complex mix of zesty, vibrant wild berry, raspberry, currant and blackberry fruit in a firm seamless way. Full-bodied and gaining with every sip, this ends with a complex mix of espresso and wild berry.
We started with a 1/2 dozen chilled Gulf shrimp with fresh horseradish, cocktail sauce, and lemon along with some house-made bread. The bread was soft and moist, but for the shrimp were expecting more, but then you get what the description says. The shrimp were boiled, chilled and presented over a bowl of ice. At least the shrimp had good texture and were not chewy or overcooked.
 |
| FarmTable Cucina / Gulf Shrimp |
Grouper is a very popular fish in Florida seen on many restaurant menus with a wide variety of presentations. My wife had the grouper BLT with caper aïoli, pickled green tomatoes, and applewood smoked bacon. The tomato a little sour flavor which balanced perfectly with the savory rich bacon and the caper sauce had extra lemon juice to bring out more power to the sauce and taming the stronger flavors of the grouper. The fish was cooked perfectly, lightly grilled and dusted with seasoning served with the famed duck fat French fries.
 |
| FarmTable Cucina / Grouper BLT |
For my entree, I chose the burger deluxe, a local grass-fed beef sitting on a house brioche bun with arugula rocket lettuce, sliced tomato, and a smoked scamorza cheese. Other toppings and sauces included a green tomato-bacon jam, arugula aïoli, and a fried duck fat onion ring. On the first visit in 2016, I had the St. Petersburger deluxe, which had different ingredients but the same great quality dry-aged beef. Scamorza is a South Italian cow's milk cheese. It can also be made from other kinds of milk, but that is less common. It is a stretched-curd cheese, in which the fresh curd matures in its own whey for several hours to allow the acidity to develop by the process of lactose being converted to lactic acid. The deluxe burgers tart lettuce choice mixed with the sweet and savory bacon jam and beautifully textured beef had my palette going every direction and back again, but it all came together in harmony and balance with the firm cheese. The chef did a wonderful job pairing these interesting combinations together into one hamburger. Very impressive indeed.
 |
| FarmTable Cucina / Burger deluxe |
Dessert:
My wife ordered the strawberry shortcake dessert for me as it was recently our birthdays and this was our little treat since we rarely order desserts at restaurants. The cake had balsamic infused strawberries, elderflower syrup goat cheese pannacotta, garnished with strawberry spaghetti strings, and syrup. Other choices on the menu included a hazelnut semifreddo with devil’s food cake, with a toasted Italian meringue graham cracker, and a delizie al Limone of almond crostata, with blueberry-ricotta cremosa pistachio meringue.
 |
| FarmTable Cucina / Strawberry shortcake |
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.” - David Auerbach
United States:
California:
Sub-Napa AVA’s:
Other noteworthy “Cal-Italian” articles and restaurants similar to FarmTable Cucina:
California cuisine is a style of cuisine marked by an interest in fusion cuisine (integrating disparate cooking styles and ingredients) and in the use of freshly prepared local ingredients. The food is typically prepared with strong attention to presentation. Foods low in saturated fats and high in fresh vegetables and fruits with lean meats and seafood from the California coast often define the style.
Fleur de Lys Lavish French-Californian by Hubert Keller in San Francisco, California
Gaia Restaurant Organic and sustainable concept in American Canyon, California (Renamed Table 29 Bistro and Bar)
Greystone CIA Restaurant CIA School restaurant formally called Wine Spectator now Gate House in Calistoga, California
Harvest Moon Café Farm-to-Fork daily changing new American fare menu in Sonoma, California
Wipeout Bar and Grill Surf shack theme with California and Mexican cuisine in San Francisco, California
Wolfgang Puck Celebrity Chef’s California cuisine and fine dining chain; reviewed in Orlando, Florida
Italian cuisine is noted for its regional diversity, especially between the northern and the southern Italian peninsula. It offers an abundance of taste and is one of the most popular in the world. It has influenced several cuisines around the world chiefly that of the United States.
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
BiCE Restaurant Acclaimed upmarket classic with innovative Italian at the Dubai Marina in Dubai, UAE
Gino’s East Pizzeria Chain serving Chicago-style deep dish pizza and other Italian eats in Chicago, Illinois
La Petite Maison Relaxed French-Italian restaurant at the DFIC in Dubai, UAE
Locale Seasonal Northern Italian at the De Bortoli Winery in the Yarra Valley, Australia
Pizza Republica Trendy Italian trattoria and pizza restaurant in Centennial, Colorado
Ponte Vecchio Fine dining Italian classics in the Fallsview Hotel, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Roberto’s Ristorante A walk into the Piemonte with a contemporary twist at the DIFC, Dubai, UAE
The Garlic An old world approach to Italian with Mediterranean classics in New Smyrna Beach, 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:
|
Contemporary-Authentic Mexican Cuisine
St Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Old-school English-American Eatery
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Traditional Thai with an impressive menu
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
|
Modern café for southern Grub
St Augustine, Florida USA
|
The “Last Local Beach Club”
Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
|
Landmark bar since 1851, where Jimmy Buffet got his start
Key West, 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 FarmTable Cucina a 4 out of 5 stars, meaning that they not only exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants, but they were outstanding. The first review score was 3 of 5 stars, so they have improved from my last visit.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for FarmTable Cucina
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
10
|
10
|
0
|
Food quality
|
11
|
11
|
0
|
Plate presentation
|
10
|
10
|
0
|
Customer service
|
12
|
7
|
5
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
9
|
8
|
1
|
Total regular points awarded
|
52
|
46
|
6
|
Total percentage — less the Bonus
|
0.884615384615385
| ||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0.0192307692307692
| ||
Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
|
0.903846153846154
| ||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
|
0 - 5
|
4
|
**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:
|
4 of 5 Stars:
90% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
An Outstanding Dining Experience
|
Wine List:
| |
FarmTable Cucina Wine rating:
|
7 of 10
Old World selections:
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Sardinia, and Spain
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, New Jersey, New York, New Zealand, Oregon, South Africa, Virginia, Washington State
|
Corkage fees:
|
FarmTable Cucina does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge $25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant style:
|
Upscale casual dining
|
Cuisine Style at FarmTable Cucina:
|
Californian, Italian, New American
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Farm to Fork, Gluten-free, Grass Fed, Local, Low Carb Choices, Non-GMO, Organic, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegan and Vegetarian Options
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
|
Dress code:
|
Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wear’s 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!
|
FarmTable Cucina Experiences:
|
A place for foodies, Contemporary, Modern, Trendy, Hotspot, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Upscale, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
FarmTable Cucina has a valet, public garage lot, or street meter parking
Validated parking with restaurant receipt
|
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:
|
Low
|
Smoking:
|
FarmTable Cucina is a non-smoking restaurant, with a non-smoking patio
|
Patio or terrace:
|
Yes
|
ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS ARTICLE ON FARMTABLE CUCINA SO FAR? PLEASE CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TO RECEIVE NEW POSTS OR SHARING ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA!!
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)
|
£
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€€
|
Alcohol prices:
$40.00 USD
FarmTable Cucina:
179 2nd Ave North
St. Petersburg, Florida
33701
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
| |
Maître d or host:
|
+1 727-523-6297
|
Online reservations
| |
Email Us:
| |
Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Open From:
Mon - Thur
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Fri - Sat
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sunday
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Brunch:
Sunday
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri
3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
|
Social Media
And
Accolades for FarmTable Cucina:
| |
****
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…
|
New American, Southern Twist
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Safari + Upscale African Cuisine
Sabi Sabi, South Africa
|
Seasonal American cuisine
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
|
Other FarmTable Cucina Pictures:
 |
| FarmTable Cucina / House-made bread |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
