Lunch at Baba on Central
Dress || Sandals ($100 off with code BAKATIE50) || Handbag || Earrings || Bracelet
As a disclaimer, I originally intended to write this blog post about a favorite St. Pete restaurant back in March. For obvious reasons, i.e. the country beginning to shutdown, it just didn’t seem like the right time to hit PUBLISH. Now, the Sunshine State is beginning to open up and, whether you agree with it or not, our local businesses and restaurants need our patronage. I have to admit, it feels so good to dine out with David. More importantly, I’m so proud of how St. Pete has stepped up to incorporate social distancing into our new normal. If you’re looking for a new-to-you place to eat at, let me introduce you to Baba.
The Back Story
Baba is a Mediterranean restaurant brought to you by the team behind Bodega, another local favorite. There is a lot of love put into this most recent endeavor. The owners, Debbie and George Sayegh, can both trace their roots back to the Mediterranean. The cuisine is inspired by Greek and Lebanese cuisine with an American twist.
The Aesthetic
While the food is amazing, I would come here for the decor alone. It’s light and bright, with beautiful blue accents. AKA, it’s just my personal style! While I took these pictures for the blog post, I’ve also filed them under ‘Future Home Inspiration.’ That’s especially true for the tiling at the bar. While I’ve never been to Greece, it’s top on my bucket list, I’d like to think this serves as temporary substitute for the real deal.
The Restaurant
The restaurant portion to Baba is where I’ve spent the bulk of my time. I remember when this space was a defunct gas station, but the transformation has been amazing! It’s very open air with food options that are light, but surprisingly filling. My number one pick would have to be their falafel. Available in both a pita and platter form, it’s my favorite thing on the menu! The platter comes with an apple and fennel salad that I wish I could recreate at home.
The Bakery
If you need something a little bit more on-the-go, Baba’s bakery is the option for you. The menu is slightly different than their restaurant, specializing in pitas, mezze, and baked goods. It’s also the best place in town to treat yourself with Greek coffee. With summer fast approaching, my drink of choice is the Frappe. The foamy drink is impossible airy, but still gives me the much needed caffeine pick-me-up. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a healthy portion of baklava. No Greek meal is complete without this decadent dessert.
With Florida, and the country as a whole, starting to open up and return to normalcy, it’s a great opportunity to try new restaurants. You never know, you may just end up finding a new favorite!
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.