Dinner at the Library

Dress || Wedges || Clutch || Earrings

Local restaurants and businesses are what makes each city so incredibly special. St. Pete has its fair share. In this questionable time, many have decided to cut back on their hours, only offer to-go options, or close down entirely. One of the first restaurants in the Sunshine City to fully close their doors is The Library. As much as I would love for them to have carry out option, I fully commend them for it. You see, The Library is attached to John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The lunchtime crowd is almost exclusively medical staff or parents who need a break from hospital food. Their clientele has direct access to some of the most at-risk people.

Before this wave of social distancing hit St. Pete, David and I had a lovely date night at the Library. Because we can’t eat there in person, I thought I would share some love by giving you a virtual tour of the space. When we are able to return to normalcy, I hope they are at the top of your list to visit.

• 

• 

The Background

The Library is part of the Oxford Commons family of restaurants. They have a select number of locations in both Tampa Bay and Baltimore. This particular restaurant is an homage to Baltimore and friend of the John Hopkins, George Peabody. In 1857, the real library was built for the citizens of Baltimore. While I have never personally been there, the pictures alone would make any bookophile swoon. This restaurant takes that feel on to a much smaller scale with walls of books (all in my favorite blue tones), inviting furniture, and an overall sense of warmth. It’s not quite like anything else you will find in St. Pete, which makes it a fantastic local gem. So much so that is was just named Top 10 Local Restaurants in 2020 from Southern Living Magazine.

• 

• 

The Happy Hour and Cocktails

It’s hard to talk about how great a restaurant is without noting the happy hour, right? 4 to 6 pm is a great time to stop by The Library for post work celebrations and fêtes. Local beers and cocktails with liquor from St. Pete distilleries is on special along with great sharable bites. The cheese plate is always a personal favorite and looks more like a work of art than an appetizer. My top drink on their list would have to be the Hemingway Daiquiri. A classic daiquiri is always my go-to cocktail and theirs is made to perfection.

• 

• 

The Food

Compared to other restaurants in the area, the menu at The Library is relatively small. You’ll find a choice number of items that are prime examples of classic dishes. Since David and I have eaten here a few times, I’ve been able to sample Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner… All fantastic! On the most previous date night, I went traditional with their roasted chicken. The plating with fingerling potatoes and arugula salad was stunning, but more importantly it was absolutely delicious.

• 

• 

The Sweet Finale

To wash it all down, David and I treated ourselves with creme brûlée, garnished with caramelized peach slices. It was the perfect way to finish up a heavenly dining experience. In true ‘library’ fashion, your checks are presented to you in a coordinating blue novel, which is a fun twist on the traditional.

• 

• 

The big point of this blog post is to beg the question, “how can I support this business if they’re temporarily closed?” Well, I have two trains of thought… First, leave them a kind review or a sweet mention on social media. It doesn’t cost you a dime and will help boost their ratings for when they open up again. Your second option is to buy gift cards now and save them for a future date night. The smallest steps will make a huge impact on our local businesses!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Tips for St. Pete’s Grand Prix

Cami || Skirt || Jacket || Wedges || Purse (similar) || Earrings || Bracelet || Watch

This weekend, St. Pete is hosting one of the biggest events on our town’s calendar. Seriously, this thing is like the Super Bowl for the Sunshine City. If you’re a local, then you obviously know I’m talking about the Grand Prix. It serves as the opener for IndyCar Race and is seriously a sight to see! The popular downtown scene is transformed into a race track with winding turns. If you’re planning on attending the race, you’re almost guaranteed a great time! Here are some tips for making the most out of race day.

Buy Your Tickets in Advance

The whole weekend can become such a blur. I highly recommend being prepared ahead of time and buying your tickets in advance. That way, you can walk right up to the gates and into the track on race day. There are different options for tickets. General Admission will get you in and close to the action. If you want guaranteed starting, then the Grandstand ticket is your best bet. The final option is the Paddock Pass which lets you check out the cars in between races. For more information on all of the ticket options, take a peek at the link here.

Bring Ear Protection

Do not underestimate how loud this event is and how rough it could be on your ear health. In the past, I’ve just kept a pair of these ear plugs on hand and they seriously work wonders. They come in a 50 pack and I know that seems like a lot, but these little plugs would also be helpful to have on hand during travel days. On the other hand, you may want something a little more robust. I would pick these from Amazon. I like the blue color. They will cost a little more than the plugs, but are completely reusable for the races to come.

Wear a Protective Layer

Especially if you’re sitting in the grandstands, the amount of shade is pretty limited. Obviously, Florida sun can particularly brutal and using your common sense is vital. During one of my first Grand Prix races, I wore a tank top and skipped the sunscreen. Even though I was in the shade for the majority of the time, I ended the day exhausted and a little toasted. I suggest bringing a light jacket and a small tube of sunscreen, especially for the face. Nothing ruins a day outside quicker than too much sun exposure.

Stay Hydrated

This goes without saying, right? While you can’t bring in your own water, there are plenty of hydration options inside, just be prepared to pay an inflated rate. You may even want to consider bringing electrolyte tablets to help with recovery. As tempting as it is to sip alcohol all day, remember that you may suffer the consequences later on.

The hum of race cars adds so much buzz to the Sunshine City. It’s one of my favorite weekends of the year. Even if you’re not a huge car enthusiast, and I definitely fall in that category, it’s still a great opportunity to get out and see what St. Pete has to offer.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.