St. Petersburg’s vibrant Edge District has just elevated its dining scene – quite literally – with the arrival of Sparrow, a stunning rooftop restaurant and lounge perched atop the Moxy hotel. This chic and energetic venue, blending Asian-inspired cuisine with a sophisticated lounge ambiance, presents itself as the perfect spot for delectable small bites and captivating cocktails. Consider Sparrow a delightful bonus st pete experience, adding another layer of excitement to this already dynamic city.
Your journey to Sparrow begins within the trendy Moxy hotel. Navigate to the back left corner, near the elevators, where a host awaits. After a quick check-in, you’ll be whisked up to the seventh floor, the exclusive domain of Sparrow. Greeted at the entrance, simply provide your name to the host, and you’ll be guided to your table within this expansive space. Sparrow boasts a generous capacity, accommodating up to 250 guests across its indoor and outdoor areas. While ample seating is available, securing a reservation, especially for prime indoor or outdoor spots, is highly recommended to fully enjoy this bonus st pete destination.
On a recent Friday evening around 6:30 PM, Sparrow was already buzzing, reaching full capacity both inside and out within the hour. The thoughtful design of this restaurant and bar is immediately apparent. Edgy yet chic interior elements define this new hotspot. The dining room, stretching across the hotel’s length, offers diverse seating arrangements – intimate two-tops, larger tables for small groups, and a more relaxed lounge area furnished with armchairs and a couch. Stepping outside reveals breathtaking panoramic views of the St. Petersburg skyline, a true visual bonus st pete offers. These coveted outdoor tables are reservable, adding to the exclusivity. For spontaneous visits, two bar areas are available – a stylish marble-topped indoor bar and a second, equally inviting, outdoor bar.
The overall vibe at Sparrow leans more towards a lively lounge than a traditional restaurant. A DJ sets the energetic tone, spinning tunes from Thursday to Saturday, enhancing the spirited atmosphere. This vibrant ambiance is a key characteristic of Sparrow, making it a standout bonus st pete nightlife option. If you seek a high-energy setting for enjoying sophisticated cocktails, Sparrow is undeniably your destination. However, it’s worth noting that this dynamic environment might not suit those seeking a quiet, intimate dining experience.
Sparrow’s menu further solidifies its identity as a bar and lounge with exceptional food offerings, rather than a conventional restaurant. Our attentive server, Danielle, helpfully explained that the menu features small plates designed for sharing, delivered as they are ready, encouraging a leisurely and communal dining style. This insight proved invaluable for strategic ordering, especially considering the tables are on the smaller side. Ordering one or two items at a time is the recommended approach to maximize your enjoyment of this culinary bonus st pete.
The menu is thoughtfully organized into sections: Small Plates, Large Plates, Sushi Corner, Bao Buns, and Sides, all showcasing Asian-inspired cuisine. The beverage menu is equally well-structured, divided into: The Journey Begins (non-alcoholic options), Cruise Control (tropical twists on classic cocktails), Adventurous (luxurious takes on tropical-tiki drinks), Group Format (shareable cocktails), and Bubbles & Wine. This clear categorization simplifies the cocktail selection process, making it another bonus st pete experience provides for its guests.
Drawn to the Adventurous section, I opted for the Gentleman Kaiju, a unique blend of Canaima gin, green chartreuse, and nori. This savory and spirit-forward cocktail perfectly aligned with my preferences – a definite re-order. My husband explored the Cruise Control section and chose Kodama’s Groove, a refreshing mix of Ten to One rum, Wray & Nephew, Midori, Luxardo bitters, lime, pineapple, and matcha. This bright, easy-drinking cocktail is ideal for those who enjoy matcha, though it might not appeal to everyone.
Following our strategic ordering approach, we began our culinary exploration with the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos (crispy fried shrimp, tangy chili sauce, pickled slaw). These street-style tacos, served three per order, arrived promptly and were an instant hit. The light coating on the small shrimp, combined with the chili sauce and pickled slaw, created a perfectly balanced and easy-to-eat bite – a delightful bonus st pete small plate.
Next came the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna Tartare from the Small Plates section. Four bite-sized pieces of crispy rice were topped with tuna, avocado, sriracha mayo, and a thin serrano chili slice. Crispy rice is a universally loved dish, and this offering was no exception. While the presentation was appealing and the flavors harmonized well, the “crispy” rice leaned more towards chewy. Additionally, the serrano chili slice felt overpowering, overshadowing the other delicate ingredients.
As our drinks diminished, another round was in order. I selected The Edge of Central, a refreshing combination of 512 reposado, Lofi Dry, celery, lime, jalapeño, and salt – another easy-drinking and enjoyable choice. My husband opted for The Way of the Mariachi, a highball featuring Don Fulano blanco, Del Maguey chichicapa, pear, Skinos Mastiha, and fino. This cocktail stood out with its prominent smoky and pear notes, becoming his drink of the night and highlighting the adventurous cocktail bonus st pete offers.
Given Sparrow’s dedicated Sushi Corner, we felt compelled to try a roll. We chose the Hamachi Roll with cucumber, serrano pepper, and wasabi tobiko. Unfortunately, this dish proved to be the most underwhelming of the evening. The roll appeared hastily assembled, lacking attention to detail in presentation. It also tasted somewhat bland, a bit of a disappointment in an otherwise stellar culinary lineup. However, this minor misstep doesn’t detract from the overall bonus st pete experience. On our next visit, we are eager to explore the other sushi roll offerings.
In conclusion, Sparrow offers a vibrant and stylish rooftop dining and lounge experience, adding a significant bonus st pete destination to the Edge District. With its Asian-inspired small plates, inventive cocktails, and energetic atmosphere, it’s an ideal spot for a fun night out. While some dishes might be more successful than others, the overall experience, especially the rooftop setting and lively ambiance, makes Sparrow a worthwhile visit and a true bonus st pete offers to both locals and visitors alike.
