LemonGrass Sushi Thai tapas — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

I was out on a special day with my girlfriend who is Vietnamese and she said she wanted sushi, so as we were in the St. Pete area we drove by this place and decided to stop in. It was a Sunday evening around 7 and there where a lot of open tables. It's close to the pier which was our ultimate destination and so there a lot of great culinary options around.

Parking was hard to come by even on a slow Sunday evening as there is some construction going on in the area that limits your options. The restaurant itself is inviting with wide open spaces and big picture windows that look out on the street. Seating is a mixed bag. It's all geared towards large parties with long tables. In fact I don't think I saw a single 2 top in the place. Since the place was half empty when we came it wasn't a problem and we got one of the few 4 tops all to ourselves. It did make me wounder though about our chances at having an intimate dinner on a busy night. I imagined we'd most likely have to share an 8 or 10 top with 2 other couples. But there's nothing wrong with communal dining, just bear that in mind.

The place was clean, but the bathrooms where not impressively clean. That was a bit of a draw back.

The service started out poorly, but ended up well. We sat for a couple of minutes before another couple where seated in the 4 top next to us, and a minute or two after that a young lady approached them first and got their drink order. She told them it was her second day on the job. Then she turned to us and asked for our drink order and then disappeared. A couple of minutes later the couple next to us got their drinks, but we sat for another minute before the young man who had sat us showed up and asked us if someone had taken our drink order yet. That was a bit confusing, but I said no and we ordered again. My thinking was if 2 actually come, we'll drink both. Only one drink order came. The young man also took our food order promptly. After that the service was impeccable.

The food: I ordered the miso soup. I always judge a Japanese restaurant by their miso. My woman ordered a shrimp soup with a lemongrass base. She told me to try hers before I tried mine. It was out of this world! It was the kind of soup you want to beat people up for! The miso was equally impressive, but do yourself a favor and order any of their signature lemongrass based soups.

I ordered a spicy tuna cone. It's been 20 years since I've seen a "cone" on the menu, but let me tell you, this was done to perfection! At that moment I knew I'd be coming back again. She ordered a volcano roll. That's simple enough, but this roll was a work of culinary art! As I tried a piece or two that she put on my plate I couldn't help thinking, how do they charge the prices that they do for this amazing food? I ordered the shashimi dinner. The menu said there where 9 pieces. This giant wood block came with at least 25 pieces of shashimi. I don't know if they were giving it all away that night because it was slow. I thought maybe they had mistaken my order for the shashimi dinner for myself as shashimi dinner for two.

Nope. The check came and I actually looked at it which I never do and it all came to 75. So 100 after tip is a little high, but we both struggled mightily to eat all that food. It would easily be half that with our normal eating habits. We just had no idea how much food we'd be getting. However, this place will make you fat! LoL!! I'll be back no doubt, looking for...

A Must-Visit Sushi Bar!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the extraordinary sushi bar in town, and I am still in awe of the remarkable culinary experience I had. From start to finish, every aspect of my visit was simply outstanding. I cannot recommend this place enough!

First and foremost, let's talk about the food. Oh, what an absolute delight it was! The menu offered a wide array of sushi creations that were nothing short of exceptional. Each bite was like stepping onto a flavor train, whisking me away on a journey of deliciousness. The delectable combination of fresh ingredients, expertly crafted rolls, and unique flavor profiles left me utterly mesmerized. It was evident that the chefs poured their heart and soul into every dish they presented.

The level of creativity and attention to detail showcased in each plate was truly remarkable. From traditional favorites to innovative fusion creations, the sushi bar seamlessly blended various culinary influences to create a harmonious symphony of flavors. It was a culinary adventure, and I savored every moment of it.

Moreover, the presentation of the dishes was a feast for the eyes. Each plate was meticulously arranged, showcasing the artistry that went into their creation. The vibrant colors, the delicate placement of garnishes, and the overall thoughtfulness in every detail elevated the dining experience to new heights.

The service was equally commendable. The staff members were warm, friendly, and knowledgeable, making me feel welcome from the moment I stepped through the door. Their passion for their craft was evident as they guided me through the menu, offering recommendations and answering all my inquiries with enthusiasm. Their attentiveness throughout the evening was truly appreciated.

In conclusion, if you are a sushi lover or simply someone who appreciates exceptional cuisine, this sushi bar is an absolute must-visit. The food is nothing short of phenomenal, a flavor train of many amazing things all beautifully put together. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Bravo to the talented chefs and the entire team for an unforgettable dining experience!

Note: Please be aware that this review is based on my personal...

Don't get the pad thai with seafood!. Ate here with two friends on a Friday night. They had massamam curry and rice and said it was good. I ordered pad thai with seafood. When it arrived, it was an enormous portion of noodles on a big plate, probably enough to feed a family of 4 or 5, on a syrupy extremely sweet sauce. The shrimp were large and there were rings of squid and a couple of unshelled mussels. I took a couple bites but the noodles were extremely overcooked and the seafood looked kind of okay but was flavorless like something out of a can. The place was packed with a line out the door. I remembered eating here at Lemongrass several years earlier pre-Covid during after hours when it was one of the few places open after the bars closed. I remembered ordering a Ramen dish and thinking it wasn't very good but then thinking it might be better during the day. Here I was a few years later and I was disappointed again We met up with 3 friends afterwards at Tampa Bay Drinkery, which is a unique live music bar with great cocktails. They asked how dinner was. I said I would never eat there again. They were surprised. What about the chicken satay one of them asked I didn't order that, but I'm not going to chance being disappointed for a third time. The service was robotic, impersonal, but maybe it's because Lemongrass is an all night kinda place. But quite honestly I'd rather eat at Waffle House. I know the chicken sandwich would be quite good, and I'd spend $10-15 instead of $50 for a mountain of overcooked noodles on a cotton candy sauce, 95% uneaten.. There are so many better restaurants to choose from in St. Pete. Maybe it's the hurricanes and everyone's traumatized. But, come on St. Pete restaurants! Can you at least act like you're proud of your food and happy to be there serving your customers? Is that really too much to ask...