The Lure — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

If you're looking for a hip, laid-back spot for sushi, drinks and interesting culinary creations, then you'll love the Lure. What makes the Lure a great place to eat is the stylish interior. The artwork on the walls is eclectic, the furniture is a mix of classic wood tabletops and modern plastic and metal chairs, and the music consists of chart-toppers from the 70s and 80s. The staff was very friendly and attentive. I had a waitress in training, but it was reassuring to see an experienced team member following her around to make sure she representing the restaurant the right way. I went for lunch and tried their Lava Drops, sashimi, nigiri, shrimp tempura roll and seaweed salad. The seaweed salad was the best part of the meal, and maybe the best one I've had in St. Pete. The sashimi was fine, if maybe a tad too thick. The nigiri was lacking, and a better-tasting rice could have saved it. The shrimp tempura roll was okay, but a little dense on the rice. It was also rolled too tightly. I find a good sushi roll is one that holds together well but is loose enough so the ingredients are not mashed together. As I don't drink I feel like I have missed one of the stronger features of the Lure. They had an extensive drink menu, everything from wines and beers to specialty cocktails. All said and done, I give the Lure a 3/5 stars. The food was okay, not terrible but not spectacular. The interior was nicely decorated, cool and relaxing. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. If you're looking for a place that captures the hip, fun vibe of St. Pete with some decent sushi, make sure to check...

My experience was not the worst but also not the best I have had. To start I came in and standing at the hostess station because there was nobody to seat me. I was finally seated and had to wait 15 minutes till the server that seated me remembered me. She even commented that she forgot me. The food came out without much of a wait at all. The sushi was not exactly pieces of meat but a ground up cat food type of process in the sushi. There was more rice than anything in it. There was one bottle of sodium soy sauce that she tracked down. For this reason only she got a tip. I appreciated she looked when I didn’t ask after she said they didn’t have any. Then I am halfway through my meal and out of a drink. I had to finish my meal and walk up to the bartender to refill my drink myself. She had popped up twice but went to the table behind me. She didn’t check back up on me. I had to wave her down and then request the check. I did have a talk with her to advise that I served for years before college. I was not there to get her into trouble. I did however want to help her prove by making aware that she does need some work and in what areas. She was nice enough and listened to me. Overall my experience was not a great one. While I waited I did get to make friends with the flys that fly around your table indoors. I made great friends with all of the flys at least. In any case this place does have an excellent menu selection. I can’t guarantee the sushi is not some sort of cat food look alike. The prices are super expensive and to be honest if the experience sucks then the place is really not...

Last evening we dined with friends who frequent this place often. The atmosphere and waitress were great along with the food. I even tried sushi minus the fish for my first time ever. When I woke I realized I had left my debit card. I immediately called and had a staff member tell me they had it. My friend offered to settle card for me as we live 45 mins away. And she lives 2 mins away. A staff member TOLD ME THAT WAS FINE so I sent my friend who also ordered to go since she was heading that way. The host and waitress BOTH recognized my friend as again she frequently eats here. However the manager refused to help and assist her by giving her my card, even when she offered to FaceTime me. My complaint is that you have told me twice when I have called by your own staff that I can allow my friend to get my card. I live 45 mins away and you've inconvenienced myself and my friends who were trying to help me. And not only that but the manager was rude. The waitress clearly recognized us from last night. Knew my friend who was with me when I left my card and even talked to her about it when she came today. Its unacceptable for a manager to be that much of a jerk. Both the waitress and host knew my friend. I can't say I'll ever go back to this place or recommend it to friends either because this experience has given me such a hard time. Hopefully for the future you can recognized customer service, teaching your managers better communication and realizing you have repeat customers that when your staff recognizes you help instead...