While sugar-white sand beaches and emerald Gulf waters have always been hallmarks of St. Pete-Clearwater, its burgeoning culinary scene is becoming an increasingly enticing draw for travelers. St. Pete-Clearwater is now part of The Michelin Guide Florida selection, a true testament to the dynamic and diverse dining experiences found throughout the community. Whether a local seafood shack or a sophisticated, high-end establishment, many of the area’s eateries have a few things in common: fresh, locally sourced ingredients and talented chefs.
David Benstock is a native of St. Pete and the owner and executive chef at IL Ritorno, an upscale Italian restaurant whose name means “the return.” And that’s exactly what he did after working for Michelin-starred chefs around the world—using the knowledge he gained to create innovative, creative dishes for his hometown. Benstock has always loved where he grew up and is now a key player in establishing St. Pete as a food capital: “I worked in
New York City, San Francisco and Miami when I was younger, always with the goal of moving back to St. Pete and opening a restaurant,” he says. “All of my family’s here, so it’s always been a dream for me, and now I’m living it.” When Benstock isn’t working, he loves enjoying the beach and the best local hangs with his wife and four young children. “I love the area just north of St. Pete Beach. That’s probably my favorite spot.”
St. Pete-Clearwater’s dining landscape has come a long way since Benstock came of age and he couldn’t be prouder of its evolution. “It’s really incredible, the amount of high-quality restaurants opening up,” he says. Benstock recommends checking out Wild Child, Fortu, Sushi Sho Rexley, Brick & Mortar and Uncle Funz Provisions. He credits the community and his fellow chefs for the recognition that St. Pete-Clearwater recently received: “It’s an honor to have The Michelin Guide down here. We’ve proven ourselves worthy,” Benstock says. “It brings a lot of recognition to the area, as well as foodies that are looking for amazing experiences when they come and visit.”
LOCAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Chef David Benstock’s Top 5
“Obviously, you have to get dinner at IL Ritorno. If I had to pick one dish, I’d recommend the pork campanelle.”
“I would also make sure to make a trip to Fort De Soto because it’s a cool combination of nature and history.”
“Walk through downtown St. Pete and go to some of the great museums, like The Dalí and The Museum of Fine Arts.”
“Even though I grew up here, I still love the beaches in St. Pete-Clearwater. There’s 35 miles of shoreline and you have so many options.”
“Great Explorations Children’s Museum is wonderful. It’s a fun place to bring kids because they can learn and play in an interactive environment.”
