Michelin-chef driven, Elliott Aster at The Vinoy debuts in St. Petersburg

Downtown St. Pete just gained a new culinary heavyweight: Elliot Aster, the long-awaited fine dining restaurant inside the newly restored Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, officially opened its doors yesterday—and reservations are already booked out through the end of the month.

The debut marks the Florida entry for Chicago’s acclaimed Boka Restaurant Group and Michelin-starred chef Lee Wolen, whose refined Italian- and Mediterranean-inspired menu brings serious star power to the Sunshine City. From the moment guests enter the richly styled dining room—designed by the Rockwell Group with green velvet banquettes, fluted glass chandeliers, and sweeping marina views—it’s clear this isn’t just another hotel restaurant. It’s a full-on experience.

Dishes span handmade pastas, wood-fired steaks, and standout seafood like Mediterranean sea bream and local grouper with brown butter and olives. Meals begin at the antipasti bar, where chefs carve salumi to order and plate seasonal spreads like whipped ricotta and roasted eggplant. On the sweeter side, the dessert menu features tiramisu, salted caramel budino, and rotating housemade gelatos.

Beyond the main dining room, guests can enjoy cocktails and small plates on the Vinoy’s waterfront patio, with the full menu available from 4 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Sunday. The opening also unveils an expansive wine list anchored in Italy and France, alongside creative cocktails like the chili-spiked “Hotline” and bubbly “Seafoam Sparkle.”

Named after Florida’s native lavender wildflower, Elliot Aster blends upscale hospitality with coastal charm. And with Chef Wolen at the helm and a prime location in one of the state’s most iconic hotels, it’s quickly becoming St. Pete’s most sought-after table.

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