REFRESHING!
Let’s Talk “The Library”
Location: This unique and beautifully designed restaurant is located in downtown St. Petersburg, FL, in the John Hopkins children’s hospital building. The restaurant has an area dedicated to parking or street-paid parking.
Service: My friend made reservations as this was her gift to me for my birthday celebration. She knew I’ve always wanted to try this place and said, okay, let’s go. So when we entered the restaurant, I was welcomed with a “Happy Birthday” (still feeling special to be celebrated) and were seated right away by our host Jennifer at a particular section of the restaurant. Our server Jennifer was super friendly, and her service was spectacular. I would highly recommend making a reservation for this restaurant, especially on the weekends.
Food: Our server Jennifer was such a help with the menu. We selected our drinks for our food. I ordered a white coconut dulce hot tea (Tebella Tea Co.). For my meal, I ordered the Blackened Fish Tacos (chile glaze, napa slaw, pico, feta, cumin aioli, served with truffle fries. My friend ordered the cold summer melon tea, and for her meal, she ordered a custom salad, which she created her own. So funny, in creating her own, she was able to choose two bases (spinach and rice), three mixers (chopped egg, bacon, and tomato, a protein (grilled salmon), and a dressing (lemon shallot vinaigrette). The meals were delicious 😋. I really would like to try this place for dinner one time. We ended the meal with Crème Brulée with an orange flavor. All I can say is Yum Yum!
Ambience: The ambience is inviting for a restaurant in a hospital building; I would have never thought. According to their website, there is a little history behind The Library and the John Hopkins Restaurant. The narrative is that George Peabody was a close friend of Johns Hopkins who was inspired by George. George Peabody believed in educating others, and one of his legacies is the George Peabody Library, dedicated to the citizens of Baltimore. The incredible connection between the two men is an inspiration to the restaurant. This is a sister restaurant to Oxford Exchange located in Tampa, FL. They will be opening another restaurant on the Courtney Campbell (the old chart house restaurant), which is what was shared with me. You walk in, and the decor truly feels like a library, the color scheme of the browns, beige, white, and the blues makes it even more friendly and inviting. There are tons of books all in the color of blue, now how detailed is that? At the end of our lunch, we were able to sign a book, in which the check was in when our server brought over the bill. Talk about unique!!! There is outdoor seating! Even if you want to host a special event, you can have it! Love the decor! You got to go check it out.
Price: $$
