The St. Pete Beach staple, Spinner’s at the Bellwether, recently underwent a hefty renovation, and its new team of passionate chefs plan to transform the culinary scene on the coast.
After nearly a year, Spinner’s and its rooftop lounge, Level 11, are making a comeback to St. Pete Beach.
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Every Tampa Bay local and dedicated vacationer knows what has made Spinner’s an iconic St. Pete Beach restaurant over the decades: it’s rotating dining room with 360-degree views of the Gulf, the Skyway Bridge, and Boca Ciega Bay can’t be beat.
But now, the newly renovated restaurant offers more than just stunning waterfront views.
With its refined new look and menu, Spinner’s promises a modern take on a uniquely St. Pete dining experience with fresh local seafood, craft cocktails, and lobster ice cream from Beans & Barlour made especially for Spinner’s – that’s right, lobster ice cream.
Unlike anything else on St. Pete Beach
Perched on the 12th floor of the Bellwether Beach Resort – previously known as the Grand Plaza Hotel – Spinner’s Rooftop Grille is serving up high-quality dishes that, according to Head Chef Doug Cox, “can’t be found anywhere else on St. Pete Beach.”
When recreating the restaurant’s menu, Chef Doug and Spinner’s Sous Chef Mathew Rembes were determined to use as many Florida-sourced ingredients as possible.
The menu features fresh fish from Snug Harbor, artisan breads from award-winning Sullivan Street Bakery, and organic hydroponically grown greens from The Villages Grown.
“We’re taking the best ingredients from around Florida and using worldly cooking techniques to highlight the best of what Florida has to offer,” Chef Doug said.
Chicago-trained Chef Doug has worked in Michelin Star restaurants and began his Florida culinary career at Walt Disney World. Chef Mathew, a graduate of one of the top culinary schools in the country, has become a well-known face to St. Petersburg foodies after heading the kitchen at Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca and FarmTable Cucina.
“St. Pete Beach has been in dire need of a noteworthy dining experience,” Chef Doug said. “There are some exciting culinary ventures happening in Downtown St. Petersburg and I think it’s time that we bring some of that energy beachside. It’s time to start establishing St. Pete Beach as a place that offers exceptional food and service to locals and visitors alike.”
Bringing the finest ingredients to St. Pete Beach
The new menu highlights New American, Latin, and Asian flavors, and includes an array of freshly made appetizers, sides, entrees, and desserts.
If you’re feeling fishy, diners can choose from fine seafood entrees, like Gulf-caught grouper, snapper, and mahi, and order it blackened, grilled, or plancha style. For an extra kick of flavor, add Spinner’s housemade tartar sauce, blood orange maltaise sauce, or browned butter sauce to your made-to-order dish.
Though the fresh fish may be the star of the show, Spinner’s serves up a vast array of soon-to-be fan favorites. Cedar Key Florida clams, handcrafted pasta, premium steaks, and a drool-worthy Cuban grilled cheese sandwich are also on the menu.
Spinner’s takes St. Pete Beach’s dessert game up a notch
Whether you’re a lover of classically sweet treats or you’re someone who can never get enough chocolate, Spinner’s dessert menu is full of decadent deliciousness that is sure to tempt even the staunchest dessert deniers.
For those who prefer the classics, try Spinner’s take on a strawberry shortcake with orange liqueur-soaked poundcake, vanilla bean custard, Florida strawberries, mascarpone cream, and cake croutons.
Partnered with St. Petersburg’s favorite boozy ice creamery, Beans & Barlour, Chef Doug created Spinner’s very own lobster-flavored ice cream with basil, vanilla bean, and Grand Marnier – yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds. Order it with the Banana Buoy, which claims to “put your classic banana split to shame.”
If an after-dinner cocktail is more your speed, the restaurant offers an extensive wine list and craft cocktails, like the Magic Margarita that uses butterfly pea flower to create a beautifully blue-purple concoction worthy of the Instagram feed.
Spinner’s opens for dinner this weekend and will begin accepting reservations next week. Level 11, the rooftop lounge, will reopen later this summer.
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