Virginia Woolf said it best, "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." Well then, great news!! Imagine yourself dining in Henry L. Taylor's lavish Pompeian dining room overlooking the bay, while enjoying a 4 star three-course meal for $19.25. Yes, you read that right! The 1925 Classic Menu at Aymer Vinoy Laughner's historic St. Petersburg hotel gives you fresh farm-to-table quality food, nice portions and an amazing price! The menu changes seasonally, so we took the scenic drive to this iconic property and had the BEST experience as we enjoyed the new 1925 Classic Menu at The Vinoy.
The BEST Experience | NEW 1925 Classic Menu at The Vinoy
Anchoring beautiful Beach Drive N.E. since 1925 the The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club is one of the finest properties in the Tampa Bay area. Pulling up outside it felt as if we stepped back in time, turning our keys over to an incredibly charming valet* we met our friend Michele on the The Veranda overlooking the Yacht Basin. It's here we discovered Elaine Normile, standing at the top of the stairs. As the breeze gently blew through her hair it was not difficult to imagine Elaine, the Vinoy's sweet Resident Historian, as a young girl mesmerized by "The Grande Dame", The Vinoy Park Hotel. If you enjoy local history as much as we do, you want to schedule a tour with Elaine! Her tours include lunch, and are an experience we've added to our Bucket Lists!
Struck by the Vinoy's meticulous elegance we ambled across original quarry tiles, under original cypress beams, past cozy sitting areas where each piece of furniture is a work of art, past the Chihuly Collection exhibit to one of the prettiest dining rooms in Tampa Bay, Marchand's Bar & Grill.
Named "Best of the Bay" by the readers of Tampa Bay Magazine, Marchand’s also earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence several times and received Florida Trend magazine's Golden Spoon Hall of Fame Award. The 1925 Classic Menu offers a three-course meal including a choice of Appetizer, Entree and Dessert. Wines recommended by the Chef are suggested as pairings with each course for $8 per glass, or you can choose your favorite from their award winning cellar at menu prices. We went with the Chef's selections.
Where to Start?
Our 1925 experience began with former Executive Chef and Director of Restaurant Operations Mark Heimann, author of Taste the Vinoy - Without Reservations and Fire It Up: Grill with Flavor, Flair & Fun. One of the most gracious people you will ever meet, Mark walked us through the new 1925 Classic Menu.
For 'Starters' we had the Panzanella Heirloom Tomato Salad with Pickled Onion paired with a buttery '2013 Lake County Guenoc Chardonnay'.
As our Second Course we went with comfort food, 'The 'Short-Rib Bourguignon'. Served on house-made Papperdelle Pasta with roasted Cipollini Onions, Carrots, Tomato and Mushrooms in a rich red wine sauce we were pleasantly surprised by the ample portions as we polished off this delicious dish with a full-bodied 'Guenoc Victorian, North Coast Claret'.
Given the opportunity to chat with Chef / Director Mark about The Vinoy Park Hotel as we peered through lead-glass arched windows beneath buon frescoes, we learned about Marchand's and the man setting the tone for The Vinoy's six restaurants.
From casually elegant Marchand's to the exclusive speakeasy known as Fred's Cellar, where a passcode is required before winding your way THROUGH the kitchen to this secret jazz hideaway, Mark prides himself on serving locally sourced ingredients with a focus on quality.
As we savored silky Cheesecake smothered with Grand Marnier marinated strawberries as our Third Course, Mark shared plans to enhance the Sunday Brunch Bloody Mary Bar at Marchand's with House-Made Beef Jerky, Shrimp, Sausages, Cheeses, House-Made Pickles, Cauliflower, Okra and more. Sunday Brunch is served in Marchand's from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Coming in March The Vinoy will kick-off their first Local Craft Beer Brunch featuring a local brewery for the month at brunch and during regular service. "On Sundays our menu items will be paired and prepared with our feature beer", said Heimann. Beer flights, growlers and pints will be served during the month long 4-tap takeover at the Vinoy.
The Beer Brunch will include a, "Hybrid brunch featuring a buffet up front with small plates you can order from the kitchen, as much as you want!" said Chef Heimann.
Also in the works for the Vinoy is "Vino on The Veranda" and new Happy Hour deals for each of the Vinoy's neighborly bars, including a dockside surprise soon to be announced!
Enjoy refreshing views of St. Pete's waterfront as you experience the New 1925 Classic Menu at The Vinoy Park Hotel, with a #datenightdoneright 7 days a week from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm or stop in for Happy Hour and try 'Paul's Landing', a craft beer made exclusively by Ty Weaver of 3 Sisters Brewery for the hotel and ask why they call it 'Paul's Landing'... Interesting story! Or try expertly prepared sushi by Chef Donnie Tuesdays - Saturdays 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm.
From the warm greeting we received upon arrival, to the charm and cleanliness of the hotel, to the gourmet meal and after dinner drinks on the Veranda we felt spoiled, completely pampered and delighted to have experienced this treasure on Beach Drive.
* Valet parking is FREE with the 1925 Classic Dinner Deal! Walk-Ins are welcome, or click the link to call for your reservation to one of the BEST Gourmet Deals in Tampa Bay, the 1925 Classic Menu at Marchand's in the historic Vinoy Hotel and see for yourself what all the excitement is about!
Interested in BRUNCH? Marchand's, always on the forefront, came up with something new they call a small-plate brunch experience. In conjunction with a local craft brewery the award-winning chefs at Marchands are preparing, in addition to their traditional Sunday brunch, small-plates, incorporating the featured beer. These small plates are made to order and come from the kitchen hot and delicious. Just like any brunch you can order as many small plates as you like in addition to the standard brunch Marchand's has become famous for! Read more: Taste of 727 Spotlight | Vinoy's Fantastic Sunday Beer Brunch
