A Pub-Style Concept With Elevated In House Prepared Menu
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: American, Gastropub, Tavern
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 4/5
Dined: October 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:
Three Birds Tavern Zomato rating:
Three Birds Tavern located on 4th Street North is a century-old farmhouse surrounded by magnificently large oak trees and has recently been landscaped to include a wide variety of indigenous Flora. The patio wraps around three sides of the building and includes an outdoor bar with television, plus a large indoor space for days when it is too hot outside. The tavern makes for a very festive pub-style atmosphere where quality and presentation take the food to the next level. They are inspired by the old European Tavern concepts to create a gathering place where people of all backgrounds and ages come together to create an eating and drinking experience that enhances your best days and comforts your worst.
Robin King the owner of Three Birds Tavern began her love of food with early studies in Indonesia and New Orleans. Three Birds Tavern opened in 2009, replacing the previous restaurant that had been in operation for nearly 20 years prior. In the kitchen mostly everything is made from scratch plus adding a few healthy items to go along with the comfort food. They make and sell their own sauces in house, which through popular demand required them to lease a second location just for the manufacturing and distribution. The items produced also include salad dressings such as the carrot ginger, roasted beet, and roasted tomatoes. This was our first experience to Three Birds Tavern and the review here on Wine Dine and Play are based on two lunch visits.
Three Birds Tavern Menu:
- Brunch, Plus 'Frunch'
- Weekday lunch specials
- Starters
- Entree Salads
- Sandwiches
- Entrees
- On the Side
- Children's menu
- Night Owl Menu
- Desserts
Besides the extensive menu selection, Three Birds Tavern also has a rotating cocktail and beer specials list:
Monday – Seasonal Sangria, and Yuengling Drafts
Tuesday – The Red Bird, and the Green Bench Sunshine City IPA
Wednesday – Ruby Red Grapefruit Crush, and the Cigar City Guayabera Citrus Pale Ale
Thursday – Signature Martinis, 3 Daughters Beach Blonde Ale Drafts
Friday – Lemon Blossom, and Bass Ale Drafts
Saturday and Sunday – Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and PBR Drafts
My wife started with a Milagros silver tequila cocktail, followed by a Cucumbertini with crop organic cucumber vodka, vermouth, and a cucumber garnish. It was very refreshing for the warmer weather that day, which made that cocktail an even better choice. I had the daily beer special which was a Cigar City Brewery Guayabera Citrus Pale Ale, which the brewer says imparts notes of tangerine, lime, and berries to this traditional American Pale Ale. The exclusive use of Citra hops in this beer creates a flavor that’s at once unique and recognizable, while its dry, crisp character and moderate alcohol make it as refreshing and functional as a crisp linen guayabera. I followed this up with the Cycles Gladiator pinot noir which according to the winemakers’ notes has initial aromas reminiscent of raspberry and cloves which draws the drinker in for the first taste, where you are greeted by racy acidity and pomegranate, followed with the round and supple mouthfeel complementing a medium body that frames delicate tannins. On the finish, a slight cedar and vanilla character show off a gentle oak influence.
Over the two visits, the entrees we tasted included the bird dog which was a grilled wagyu all-beef hot dog, prepared in house, char grilled, then topped with a crispy pork belly, roasted shishito peppers, house-made pickles, and tobacco onions. As a side, to this dish, we went with the seasonal vegetables that included roasted carrots, bell peppers, and pumpkin. Other sides include corn on the cob, sautéed spinach, creamy mustard slaw, mashed potatoes, soup or salad. The house-made hot dog came on a made from scratch brioche bun and was presented simply. The dog was the highlight without a need for garnish. The flavor is a mouth-filling savoriness combined with a richness from the marbling that savors the complexity of the palate, plus the texture is as tender as lightly cooked seafood.
 |
| Three Birds Tavern / Bird Dog |
The next dish was the Shishito pepper burger made from ground sirloin cooked to order, then topped with roasted shishito peppers, smoked gouda cheese, roasted garlic aioli, and mixed organic greens. Shishito pepper is a sweet, East Asian variety of capsicum known as kkwari-gochu in Korea due to its wrinkled surface resembling groundcherries. The pepper ranges from 50 – 200 on the Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale, compared to a typical jalapeno pepper, which averages about 5,000 SHU. Though I prefer my meat cooked to a lower medium-rare temperature, my wife prefers well done. The meat to me being over-cooked had a metallic flavor, so I can see why people that order meat well done require the need for Heinz 57 or A1 sauce, but the sweetness with a hint of smokiness in the pepper did enhance the beef.
The Buffalo chicken salad is prepared by deep-frying boneless chicken breast tossed in a house wing sauce, sliced and served over a bed of mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, and blue cheese crumbles with celery and carrot sticks and your choice of dressing. The wing sauce gave a nice kick to the chicken, and the breast was not over-cooked from the fryer. The meat was still juicy though still cooked through to avoid contamination.
 |
| Three Birds Tavern / Buffalo Chicken Salad |
The beer-battered Atlantic cod sandwich is from a grouping of wild-caught North Atlantic cod dredged in a house-made beer batter, then deep-fried to a golden brown and served with house-made malted tartar sauce. The batter smothers the fish with a clean crispy coating lightly seasoned and with the tartar gives a taste reminiscent to a classic British fish and chips dish.
The Three Birds tri-salad plate is marked in the new healthier section of tavern choices. With a basic layering of a lettuce bed topped with sliced tomato, cucumbers, with batons of carrot and celery. The salad is then topped with grilled flatbread wedges, then topped with a scoop each of egg salad, chicken salad, and Mediterranean hummus. The salad was very Middle Eastern in design and blend with a Southern European flair. The egg and chicken salad were tossed lightly with mayonnaise and were both a little heavy on the salt in my opinion.
 |
| Three Birds Tavern / Tri-Salad |
The spicy BBQ chicken sandwich concluded the lunch tastings for our visits. The chicken is dredged in a chipotle breading then is deep-fried until the internal temperature kills any bacteria while keeping the chicken juicy at the same time. The fried breast is then lathered in sliced pepper jack cheese, topped in a covering of a house chipotle BBQ sauce, lightly fried tobacco onions, roasted garlic aioli, and mixed greens on a brioche bun. The texture held well while the chicken dripped in natural juices, with a spicy complexity along with a sweet after-taste. On the finish, a spice returned but mellowed out a few seconds later. This was a very enjoyable sandwich that I will be more than happy to order again.
 |
| Three Birds Tavern / Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich |
Dessert:
We did not have dessert during this visit, but some items of interest on the menu include the bread pudding of the day and the Guinness and vanilla ice cream float topped with chocolate cookie crumbs and sea salt.
But check out some of these wonderful selections from Wine Dine and Play:
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:
Under or Sub-Lodi: AVA
Other noteworthy Tavern or elevated pub cuisine articles and restaurants similar to Three Birds Tavern:
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in most cases, where travelers receive lodging such as an Inn. The word derives from the Latin taberna or the Greek Taverna, whose original meaning was a shed, workshop, stall, or pub. In the English language, a tavern was once an establishment that served wine whilst an inn serves beer and ale.
Acropolis Greek Taverna Modern café-tavern chain with Greek eats; reviewed in St. Petersburg, Florida
Jungle Prada Tavern American Bar/Tavern next to the Narvaez historical site in St. Petersburg, Florida
McCrady’s Tavern Acclaimed high-concept inspired Farm-to-Table tavern in Charleston, South Carolina
Stonewood Grill and Tavern Stylish chophouse chain with surf ’n’ turf; reviewed in Brandon, Florida
Tapas 218 Cozy tavern severing traditional Spanish small plate cuisine in Canton, Ohio
The Moon Under Water A colonial-style British Tavern with Indian & English cuisine in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Oyster Bar Elegant tavern seafood with oysters and brunch in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Pegasus Arms Casual tavern serving contemporary New Zealand cuisine in Christchurch, New Zealand
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St. Petersburg restaurants, and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
|
Scores a Second home run
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A colonial-style British tavern
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A Fusion of Thai and Mexican Cuisine
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A few Florida restaurant favorites:
|
Floribbean fair owned and named after fictional character by the author
Captiva Island, Florida, USA
|
A casual bistro offering Greek favorites near the Sponge Docks
Tarpon Springs, Florida
|
American & Greek Cafe on the banks of the Manatee River
Palmetto, 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 ambience, 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 Three Birds Tavern 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, they were outstanding and nearly hit 5-stars.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for Three Birds Tavern
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambience
|
11
|
10
|
1
|
Food quality
|
10
|
9
|
1
|
Plate presentation
|
10
|
10
|
0
|
Customer service
|
10
|
8
|
2
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
8
|
7
|
1
|
Total regular points awarded
|
49
|
44
|
5
|
Total percentage — less the Bonus
|
0.897959183673469
| ||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0.0204081632653061
| ||
Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
|
0.918367346938775
| ||
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:
92% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
An Outstanding Dining Experience
|
Wine List:
|
Click here to view the restaurants’ wine list
|
Three Birds Tavern Wine rating:
|
4 of 10
Old World selections:
Germany, Italy
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California, Washington State
|
Corkage fees:
|
Three Birds Tavern does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge $25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant-style:
|
Casual dining
|
Cuisine Style at Three Birds Tavern
|
American, Gastropub, Tavern
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten-free choices, Low Carb Choices, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegetarian Options
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
|
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!
|
Three Birds TavernExperiences:
|
A place for foodies, Trendy, Hotspot, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Good for special occasions, Rustic, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
Three Birds Tavern has a valet, public lot, private lot, or street meter parking
Validated parking through the restaurant at charge excluding gratuity
|
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:
|
Three Birds Tavern is a non-smoking restaurant with a non-smoking 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 (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:
$20.00 + USD
Three Birds Tavern:
1492 4th Street North
St. Petersburg, Florida
33701, United States
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
| |
Maître d or host:
|
+1 727-895-2049
|
Website Contact:
Email Us:
|
|
Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Mon - Fri
11:30 am - 1:00 am
Sat-Sun
10:00 am - 1:00 am
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
|
Social Media
And
Accolades for Three Birds Tavern:
| |
****
The world’s 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…
|
Eclectic tavern for Surf 'n' Turf in Griffin, Georgia, USA
|
Nautically themed eatery with crafted cocktails and raw bar
Sarasota, Florida, USA
|
New American Cuisine, tapas, and exotic cocktails
St Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
Other Three Birds Tavern Pictures:
 |
| Three Birds Tavern / Atlantic Cod |
 |
| Three Birds Tavern / Side Salad |
 |
| Three Birds Tavern / Shishito Burger |
 |
| Three Birds Tavern / Patio and Bar |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
