Historic Vinoy Introduces New Restaurant As Part Of Redevelopment
ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- The historic Vinoy Renaissance Resort has opened a new waterfront restaurant, adding more diversity to its existing dining options. Paul's Landing specializes in innovative Florida-inspired cuisine, made from fresh ingredients sourced from local growers and suppliers.
Debuting as the only chef-driven, waterfront restaurant in the area, Paul's Landing enhances its distinctive cuisine with a colorful, modern design, along with sweeping views of the Vinoy Basin and downtown St. Pete skyline.
The restaurant's menu includes Gulf fish tacos, beer-brined smoked wings, smoked fish spread and fresh clams with orange and jalapeño broth from Two Docks Shellfish, based in Tampa Bay.
The drink menu features specialty cocktails, along with rotating on-tap cocktails and daily frozen creations crafted with top-quality spirits and fresh pressed juices.
Honoring the downtown St. Petersburg's craft brew scene, Paul's Landing will also showcase an array of regional beers, including the Paul’s Landing Orange Wheat, a signature brew created by the resort's head chef in collaboration with Three Daughters Brewing’s brew master.
With indoor and outdoor seating for up to 200 guests, Paul's Landing offers al fresco lounges, group tables and an outdoor fire pit. Paul's Landing will also host special events such as trivia nights, themed dinners and black-and-white classic movies on the promenade.
The restaurant's name pays homage to a historical figure in St. Petersburg.
More than 150 years ago, William Paul, a U.S. Navy carpenter, began construction on a seaside railroad depot. Over the course of the project, Paul built temporary barracks, along with a smokehouse and the first pier in St. Petersburg. When his time in the Navy concluded, the carpenter returned to St. Petersburg where he planted an orchard of Florida 0range trees, while continuing to smoke fresh fish and shellfish sourced from the bay.
He named the settlement "Paul's Landing." Inspired by this story and the flavors of citrus, seafood and smoke, the Paul's Landing restaurant incorporates the same fresh Floridia ingredients from all those years ago.
The opening of Paul's Landing is a cornerstone of the historic Vinoy Renaissance Resort's multi-year, multi-phase redevelopment project, which focuses on enhancing and upgrading the resort's amenities.
The $53-million-plus renovation includes a makeover of 362 guest rooms, the swimming pool, the ballroom and the golf club.
Last month the Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club, located at 501 5th Ave. N.E. in St. Petersburg, was sold to SCG Hospitality, whose principal is Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ owner Bryan Glazer.
"The Vinoy is a crown jewel for the city of St. Petersburg and the entire Tampa Bay area," Glazer said in a press release. "I look forward to the Vinoy being just as iconic on its upcoming 100th anniversary as the day it opened in 1925."
The Vinoy will continue to be managed by Marriott under a long-term agreement.
Opened on New Year’s Eve in 1925, the Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The iconic resort is also the only historic luxury resort on Florida's west coast to offer a 12-court tennis complex, 18-hole golf course, private 72-slip marina and 5,000-square-foot fitness center.
Overlooking Tampa Bay, the hotel showcases Mediterranean Revival architecture accented with custom-made artwork from Renee Dinauer and Dale Chihuly.
In addition to Paul's Landing, the Vinoy has four other restaurants, ndoor/outdoor event space, a salon and day spa.
For more information, visit the Vinoy's website.
Images via the Vinoy
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