CUISINE
NEW CREATIVE TEAM SOARS
400 Beach Seafood
& Tap House
By Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron R. Fodiman
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 147
400 Beach Seafood and Tap House has been one of
the favorite downtown St. Petersburg restaurants
for years. It is known for its quality coastal cuisine,
which is served in a relaxed environment seven days
a week along with 24 beers on tap, bottled beers, classic
beach cocktails and martinis, and a wide range of wines
at reasonable prices. Both indoor and outdoor seating is
available, plus complementary garage parking. It is the
perfect place to dine and relax on Beach Drive.
The Westphal family – Steve and his wife Nancy along
with son Johnny and daughter-in-law Hayley, have
recently taken the restaurant to a new level with a culinary
team that includes Chef Jason Lutzk, who was formerly
at Cafe Ponte in Clearwater. They are constantly finding
new ways to make dining at 400 Beach outstanding. One
way is by offering a three-course early special from 3 p.m.
to 5:30 p.m. daily for $16.95.
You will want to begin with one of 400 Beach’s
appetizers, such as a cup of Island Seafood Chili, Coconut
Ginger Stir Fried Mussels or something from the Oyster
Bar, which includes a selection of boutique oysters or the
sophisticated oysters Rockefeller with spinach, bacon
and Hollandaise.
From 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 400 Beach offers sandwiches,
seafood baskets, tacos and lunch entrées such as miso
glazed salmon, a BBQ pork chop and a daily special created
by the chef in addition to the regular menu.
The full menu is filled with interesting items such as
lobster mac & cheese, beach crab cakes with goat cheese
and sweet corn, braised boneless short ribs and a 14-ounce
grilled rib-eye steak with shallot compound butter, along
with a multitude of other fine dining options. You will
want to finish with one of their six special desserts. Making
a choice is difficult, but we never pass up the homemade
coconut cream pie with Oreo crust and meringue topping.
Dining at 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House is a special
treat because of the soothing décor and attentive service,
creating an ideal setting to enjoy the tasty delights that
appeal to those who enjoy quality meals with real flavor.
Don’t forget their awesome Sunday brunch. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House is
located in downtown St. Petersburg at 400 Beach Drive N.E.,
(727) 896-2400.
This tasty dish of Fennel Chili Caramelized Colossal Shrimp with king crab
butternut squash risotto, fried Brussels sprouts and butternut hash is among
the culinary treats now offered at 400 Beach.
Chefs Zachary Bucher, Jason Lutzk, Thomas Cowsert and 400 Beach Seafood
owner Steve Westphal create new flavors daily from the land and sea.