DETAILS
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Sunday, January 28, 2007; Page P04
GETTING THERE: St. Petersburg has its own airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Clearwater, but it's just as easy to fly into Tampa International Airport, a short drive across the Howard Frankland Bridge (Interstate 275). United, Southwest and US Airways offer nonstop service from Washington, with fares running between $165 and $200 round trip.
WHERE TO STAY: I stayed at the Pier Hotel (253 Second Ave. N., 800-735-6607, http:/
The landmark Don CeSar Beach Resort (3400 Gulf Blvd., 866-728-2206, http:/
WHERE TO EAT: For cheap, casual food in a bohemian setting, swing into the Globe Coffee Lounge (532 First Ave. N., 727-898-5282), where you can also get a henna tattoo from Darla Nunnery ($5-$25). Specials include lemon feta pasta for $4 and a portobello parmesan wrap for $4.50. Ceviche (10 Beach Dr. SE, 727-209-2302) serves tasty hot and cold tapas and other Spanish fare; tapas plates are $5-$10, and entrees are about twice as much. Go downstairs to hear live flamenco music.
There are lots of dining choices along Central Avenue, including Bella Brava (15 Central Ave., 727-895-5515), a two-level trattoria that prepares pastas, risottos, seafood dishes and more. Dinner entrees from $10, but most are in the $20 range. For breakfast or lunch, visit the Saturday Morning Market (open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., October to May), on Central Avenue at Second Street. Snack on fresh baked goods, crepes, barbecue and other treats, some of which are free (samples!). The market also has art, clothing and other vendors, as well as live entertainment, sometimes including the mayor on guitar.
WHAT TO DO: In addition to the surreal art at the Salvador Dali Museum (1000 Third St. S., 727-823-3767, http:/
On Friday nights at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club (559 Mirror Lake Dr. N., 727-822-2083, http:/
For bands, art shows and other events, check out Creative Loafing online ( http:/
INFO: St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors, 877-352-3224, http:/
-- Andrea Sachs
