Oysters and More At Happy Hour
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Mediterranean, Seafood
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 5
Dined: 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:
Sea Salt Zomato rating:
Sea Salt Executive Chef:
Fabrizio Aielli
Justin Chamoun—Sommelier
Cory Jones—Service Manager
Kenny Tufo—Executive Chef
Molly Winkler-Tine—Sous Chef
Sea Salt, which is part of the Aielli Group of restaurants blends Florida style cuisine with the Mediterranean, 20-foot-tall wine tower, 80-foot long raw bar, private chef’s dining room and much more. It is a welcomed addition to The Sundial. My wife and I went for a second happy hour visit the first with friends, this time just the two of us. This is a hot spot and a great seafood restaurant for you to add to your St. Petersburg list of places to dine.
Chef Aielli’s philosophy is to blend simplicity with the very best fresh ingredients in a menu that changes daily. Sea Salt uses products of the highest quality that are prepared and presented in a unique way while creating a warm, welcoming local environment that results in a truly memorable dining experience.
Sea Salt Menu:
- Oyster, Bar, Crudo
- Pre Sunset Menu
- Starters From Land and Sea
- Liquid (soups)
- Garden
- Grain
- Sea and Ocean
- Vegetarian
- Fishermans Case and Grill
- Land and Farms
- Custom Cut Beef
- Accompaniments
- Sides
- Desserts
Other menus available at Sea Salt:
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Kids
- Brunch
- Oyster and Raw Bar
- Bar Menu
- Desserts
For drinks, my wife started with a Calafuria Rosé from Tormaresca Estate Vineyard located in the heart of Apulia Masseria Maime near San Pietro Vernotico, ‘on the boot heel’ of Italy. According to the winemakers’ notes, the aroma is intense and delicate with fragrant notes of pomegranate, peach, and grapefruit along with floral notes, particularly violets. It is initially soft with a pleasurable crispness followed by delicately savory sensations and much balance with the aromatic persistence. The wine is made from Negroamaro grapes grown on the Masseria Maime estate in San Pietro Vernotico (province of Brindisi). I had a Freedive IPA from the Coppertail Brewing Company which is a pale golden colored beer, aromas of clean malt, heavy citrus and pine, though a hoppy taste, and a medium palate with a lingering bitterness.
We began with some Louisiana Gulf Coast Oysters which have become very prized in the region since the numbers have been drastically reduced since the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, and the fact that Hurricane Michael knocked out the oyster capital of the world in Apalachicola 2018. My wife is not a big oyster fan so I enjoyed the plate. The oysters were large in size, deep cupped, and a liter clean grey color. It tasted like the ocean versus being brackish, a good sign. Smooth jelly-like texture and a sharp saltiness gives way to a subtle sweetness, still with a mild brine with a lite clean metallic taste. This was a very soft yet creamy oyster with a minor complexity of flavors.
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| Sea Salt / Gulf Coast Oysters |
Next came an order of four truffled deviled eggs using free-range eggs filled with a creamy truffled-Dijon filling, garnished with red chili slices on a bed of arugula rocket lettuce leaf pieces. For a bar dish, the presentation was better than most bar dishes you see, and the filling greatly exceeded that of a normal deviled egg you would make at the house. The truffle flavor was very forward and hit the tongue seconds after the first bite and lingered all the way to the back palette, along with the spice from the Dijon. The other seasonings were lite and not overpowering to include the sodium. The flavors binned together for a nice finishing complexity to the egg dish and it melted in my mouth.
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| Sea Salt / Truffled Deviled Eggs |
The final dish was a locally caught grouper fish tacos topped with a jalapeño and red cabbage slaw mixed with shredded carrots, avocado pieces, diced tomato, and a garnish of sriracha aioli with ripped pieces of cilantro. The fish itself was lightly seasoned, but the first batch we got tasted old and tough plus a little dry. So a replacement dish was brought out that had a very juicy and tender texture that was much better than the first. The spices were light with salt and pepper, maybe some hint of blackening, and when mixed with the wonderful but lite and slightly spiced slaw, the flavors all came together with an explosion on the palate.
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| Sea Salt / Grouper Fish Tacos |
Dessert:
We did not have dessert during this visit, however, they had a few options that looked really good to include a milk chocolate dome with warm caramel sauce and Murray River salt from Australia. Others include a Crème Brûlée with dates and Kahlua, and assorted gelatos like a fernet Branca Menta gelato.
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
European Union:
Italy:
Other noteworthy Seafood articles and restaurants similar to Sea Salt:
Seafood cuisine is any form of sea life regarded as food by humans. Seafood prominently includes fish and shellfish. A seafood restaurant is a restaurant that specializes in seafood cuisine and seafood dishes. They may include freshwater fish, sushi, raw bars, or rarer items such as the deadly Fugu Blowfish.
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
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood A Jazzy upscale seafood eatery chain in 9 States, review from Tampa, Florida
Hank’s Seafood A classy southern seafood eatery house in Charleston, South Carolina
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
Sparkman’s Wharf An outdoor Channelside venue with a beer garden, coffeehouse, and 10+ restaurants in Tampa, Florida
Mediterranean cuisine represents the foods and methods of preparation by people of the Mediterranean Basin region, primarily to the Southern European countries of Portuguese, Spanish, Provençal French, Italian, Sicilian, Greek, Cretan, and can include elements of North African and The Fertile Crescent. These areas include Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian, Israeli, Turkish-Ottoman, and Syrian cuisines.
Castile Restaurant Med-Latin and tapas café with 360 views at the Hotel Zamora, in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Chill Restaurant and Bar New American cuisine, tapas, and exotic cocktails in St. Pete Beach
Ecco Restaurant Seasonally inspired European fare at the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, Atlanta, Georgia
Iberian Rooster Craft Cocktails, Drinks, and Desserts in this Portuguese fusion restaurant in St Petersburg, Florida
Muse Italian villa with classic Mediterranean dishes and wine bar in Charleston, South Carolina
O’Bistro A casual style bistro focusing on the Mediterranean and New American Cuisine with a small eclectic flair in St Petersburg, Florida
Rioja Creatively presented high-energy Mediterranean fare in Denver, Colorado
Table 9 Stylish modern Spanish and global cuisine at the Hilton Dubai Creek in Deira 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:
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American Cuisine at Marina Cove
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Better food than years ago + fun
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Part of Datz Restaurant Group in the James Museum of Western Art
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
|
Steakhouse restaurant on inlet offering Gulf views
Sarasota, Florida, USA
|
American & Greek Cafe on the banks of the Manatee River
Palmetto, Florida, USA
|
American Grill with an Asian twist
Palm Harbor, 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 Sea Salt a 5 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 surpassed outstanding and were extraordinary. The first review score was 4 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 Sea Salt
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Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
|
11
|
10
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1
|
Food quality
|
11
|
11
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0
|
Plate presentation
|
10
|
9
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1
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Customer service
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13
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12
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1
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
|
10
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0
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Total regular points awarded
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55
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52
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3
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
|
0.945454545454545
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“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
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1
|
0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0181818181818182
| ||
Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
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0.963636363636363
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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5
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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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5 of 5 Stars:
96% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
An Extraordinary Dining Experience
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Wine List:
| |
Sea Salt Wine rating:
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7 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Germany, Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, Sicily, and Spain
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, New Zealand, Oregon, South Africa, Virginia, Washington State
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Corkage fees:
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Sea Salt 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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Conservative dining
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Cuisine Style at Sea Salt:
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Seafood
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Local, Organic, 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:
|
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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Sea Salt Experiences:
|
A place for foodies, Contemporary, Modern, Trendy, Lounge, Romantic, Hotspot, Great bar, Good for special occasions, Classy, Upscale, 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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Sea Salt has a valet or garage parking
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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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Sea Salt 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)
|
£
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
|
€
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Alcohol prices:
$18.00 USD
Sea Salt:
183 2nd Ave North
St. Petersburg, Florida
33701
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 727 873 7964
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Online reservations
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Email Us:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Lunch: Mon-Sun
11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Dinner: Mon-Sun
5:00 pm - Closed
Happy Hour: Daily
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades for Sea Salt:
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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…
|
Top 10 American fine-dining ornate chophouse
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
|
Turkish culinary journey with an eclectic European twist
Plaza Versace Hotel, Dubai, UAE
|
Seasonal Irish with French gastronomic dining
Dublin, Ireland
|
Other Sea Salt Pictures:
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| Sea Salt / Louisiana Oysters |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
