Inkwatu

The Old Northeast Tavern, 201 7th Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33701; (727) 821-8070, is definitely high on my short-list of places to go when I want a quick, tasty meal in an informal setting, alone or with friends. Before I went the first time, I checked out their website. It’s an excellent website, but it gives the impression that the Old Northeast Tavern is a hoity-toity, jacket-and-tie kind of place. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It’s a very relaxed, neighborhood pub!

It has an excellent and large selection of beers on tap. The beer list shows the alcohol content of the different ales and beers—interesting, even if you’re not a drinker. The food is very reasonably priced and would hold its own in any restaurant context. It’s not just bar grub, although I’m a fan of good bar grub. Their pizzas are the kind one gets in Italy: thin, cracker-like crusts, with just a few quality items on them, no tomato sauce, no melted cheese. They used to have a sashimi salad on the menu. Even though it’s not on the new one, they’ve always been willing to fix it if I ask for it. The sandwiches are unexpected combinations of gourmet ingredients.

There’s live music sometimes, but the house is divided into two rooms, so it’s possible to get away from the music if you want to. One of those rooms is the darkened bar area with large, old, wooden booths and a warm, convivial atmosphere. The clientele is mixed: casual 30-something’s mainly, but also older. I’ve never felt uncomfortable there and I’m usually quite sensitive to situations where I feel out of my element. I highly recommend this place when you feel the need for a relaxing meal. Tip: try their sliders!

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