The Helm Seafood Parlour — Restaurant in Saint Pete Beach

Restaurant Review: The Helm

Located near Saint Pete Beach, The Helm is a culinary gem that offers a unique dining experience blending exceptional food with a cozy, maritime-inspired ambiance. From the moment you step through its doors, you are greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere reminiscent of a sophisticated seaside retreat.

Ambiance: The decor at The Helm strikes a perfect balance between elegance and comfort. Nautical elements are thoughtfully integrated into the design, with soft lighting, and subtle maritime artifacts. The seating is well-spaced, providing an intimate setting perfect for both brunch dates or casual gatherings.

Service: The service at The Helm is exemplary. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring that each guest feels valued. From the moment you are seated to the final farewell, the hospitality is seamless and professional.

Cuisine: The Helm's menu is a delightful fusion of contemporary and traditional flavors, focusing heavily on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Seafood enthusiasts will find a haven here, with dishes like the “Seafood Quiche”, “Lobster Grilled Cheese”, and their famous “Lobster Roll”, standing out as particularly memorable. The land offerings are equally impressive, with the “Butler Chicken Sandwich” and “Chicken and Waffles”, being standout options.

Drinks: The bar at The Helm is well-stocked with an impressive selection of wines, craft beers, and artisanal cocktails. The house cocktails, inspired by classic maritime themes, are both creative and refreshing. The knowledgeable bartender Angela is adept at crafting drinks that perfectly complement the menu.

Desserts: Save room for dessert, as The Helm’s sweet offerings are not to be missed. The “Sour Orange Pie”, is a perfect balance of tart and sweet which provides a rich, indulgent end to the meal. Ask about the history of the pie!

Overall Experience: Dining at The Helm is more than just a meal; it's an experience. The combination of exquisite food, attentive service, and a charming ambiance makes it a standout choice in the beaches dining scene. Whether you are a local or a visitor, The Helm is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a memorable brunch or lunch dining experience. Highly recommended.

I would have took pictures but we dove into the meals before I...

Went in on a Saturday for a late brunch. After a few minutes wait, an elderly woman seated us in their main dining room. 5-10mins later that same woman seated another larger table next to us. After about 20mins of no one attending to us, I flagged that elderly woman to let her know that no one has attended to us since we got seated. The woman told me that the waiter is waiting on a large table, pointing to the table next to us who were seated after us, and told us to be patient. I then pointed out to her that large table got seated a lot after us. The woman didn’t say anything after that other then went to grab a waiter. This incident was a huge turnoff and did not make us feel welcomed. Longer wait time is understandable if a place is busy but not okay if that long wait is because another table is being served before yours when you’ve arrived first, and then be told me to be patient. At any rate, when the waiter did come to us, he was apologetic and friendly and service was prompt thereafter.

We got started with coffee which were lukewarm and became room temp after adding creamer. To share we got the carpaccio which was okay. I got the lobster roll which gave this place a lot of hype. The roll is served one way (cold), and the order comes with one side and I got their French fries as my side. Presentation was nice —the lobster roll and the basket of fries comes in an cigar box. The lobster roll is petite (priced at $29) and they were not generous with the lobster. It tasted fresh but had no depth of flavor. The fries were not fresh and were soggy. Overall a very bad experience —from service to taste and quality of food. Disappointing.

Update 9/24/22. I went back for brunch on a Saturday. The experience this time was significant better than last time (see review above). We were greeted and seated right away. And a waiter attended to us almost immediately. I again ordered coffee which was actually freshly brewed and was hot. For food, I got the breakfast slider which was tasty, flavorful, and the eggs were perfected prepared. It needed a little salt but otherwise it was a good dish. The side of French fries were delicious: fresh and crispy and very flavorful. Overall significantly better experience than last time and happy to update my review...

Went to this place because my friends raved on and on about it and wanted to take me somewhere special for my birthday. We were sat outside and our server seemed very bubbly and friendly. We all ordered our drinks and appetizers. After a very long wait, we got our drinks (except me). After waiting over 10 additional minutes, I finally went inside and asked someone at the counter for my iced tea. When our appetizers came out, I found a hair in my food (gross). Our server never came back to see how things are going. Then our food came out but what I ordered wasn't what I got. I ordered the Big Salad, the menu said it had roast beef, ham, and turkey. I got only turkey. No explanation from the person who brought the food out as to why I only got turkey which would have been nice. How do you screw up a salad that you've advertised with 3 different meats?? I gave the guy my plate with the hair on it and said that was pretty gross. Later, our server came out to ask how the food was and if anyone needed more drinks, some at our table ordered more drinks, I asked for more tea. She came out later and brought everyone their drinks (except me.. AGAIN). I finally took my glass in and asked another person at the front counter for a refill. She went to the bar and got me my drink, I took it and went to sit down. All this time, our server is out on the patio asking other tables "if they need more of this or that, do you need a tea or drink to go?" She came back and asked if anyone needed anything else. I asked for more tea, never got it. When she brought the check out, she apologized for the hair being in the crab fries and asked if we wanted desert. We were all kind of disgusted with the service and food and said no. They didn't take off the She Crab Fries (that came out with a black hair as a garnish) from our bill. I would not recommend this place and would never go back. There are plenty of other places to eat that offer quality food and good service. The fact that I had to go and get my own drink not once, not twice, but on 3 separate occasions is laughable and...