Calida Kitchen & Wine

Calida has earned its 5 reviews. Wow. I had such a great experience here. When you get there your GPS will probably take you to a shoe repair place (go around to the front and it's right next door). The restaurant is cozy and small so as it fills up it gets very crowded and noisy but that doesn't take away from the experience. For starters we had the board, tuna crudo and a special of the night which was fried smelt. The smelt was so good I wish it was always on their menu. The crudo had amazing flavor and came with these wonderful sauces. The board was fine (we like to have things to nosh on but I don't think this is necessarily something I'd recommend. I think it could have used some condiments like a jelly or mustard but the selection was good and the crostini bread was flavorful)For our mains we tried the duck, the flank steak, and there was a lamb special. Everything was out of this world. Presented beautifully, and so flavorful. We paired our dinner with a bottle of Pinot noir from Austria and it was so good. For dessert we had the dessert board and cheesecake and we each got an affogato. I know I keep saying it but everything was freaking amazing. So so so good. I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant or our experience.

Another amazing dinner with a great wine. What I find amazing about the food are the spices and preparation that create great flavors. We also like the specials that are always a pleasant surprise. We love their shared plates and had 3 and shared the grilled Branzino, which was the market fish on the menu. We started with outstanding oysters. 3 came with simply pepper and lemon and the other 3 with caviar. Simple and decadent at the same time. As simple as the ones with lemon juice and pepper were, it was the proportions that made them my favorite. The crudo is a unique presentation and almost a meal. Fantastic with tuna, Asian pears, persimmon, sesame ponzu, and others. We saw shrimp was new on the menu, shatta shrimp. Was it ever delicious and we soaked up all the sauce with the crostini. For dessert the banana filled won tons are decedent. Chef Ian and Dayna have created something special and it's just them working hard to make our dinners so enjoyable!

California and Florida = Calida! I call it California chic yet the food is better than that. Probably one of the best restaurants in the area. Do call or email to make a reservation for they have e 3 tables of 4 and two tables for 2. The bar can fit 8 comfortably. We started with the ribs as the appetizer, Wow! We were told they were cooked for 16 hours- yea they were, fall off the bone, flavors were amazing, the broth was divine. So glad we were given a spoon to pour the broth over our ribs. Main course- i had the duck perfectly cooked over wild rice and on top of a Penang curry broth, flavors were excellent. My date got the skirt steak that was perfectly cooked over root vegetables (he loved it). Grand finale- dessert: ice cream with an underlaid hint of lemon with dollop of fresh whipped cream & caviar on top. Service was outstanding, professional and friendly. There is only 3 of them - husband in the Kitchen, wife and friend work the floor. Very friendly & accommodating. I am gluten-free and they had many GF options on the menu. One of the best dinners in the area. 9th Street is turning into great restaurant row with this exquisite establishment joining the ranks.

Very kind and friendly owners. I would expect an evening of dinner and talk as there is no rush, meal comes out after about an hour, which was ok as we were with friends. I wouldn't come if I was rushed. The food was unique and flavorful. Husband got a scallop apps for $24, didn't realize it was one scallop with some caviar on it. That was a big oops! Dinner was about 2.5 hours in total. We weren't not ready for the longish dinner. Loved the place, the hostess/wife and chef/husband. Very cool concept!

Finally got to try this place! Started our meal with charcuterie board. That had two meats, two cheese options. Came with toasted baguette, charred tomatoes and grapes, and a lovely apricot with pepitas and walnuts. It was delicious! Main dish was the duck for me and my boyfriend got the steak. Both were excellent! We shared the roasted potatoes. They were so good but we didn't finish those. Ended up taking them home. Wish we would have been able to try dessert but we're were so full! Will be back for sure! It's pricier but it's worth it. Do need reservations so email them to get table.

Calida is the marriage of California and Florida, found in Dana and Chef Ian. Calida also means warm in Spanish and that's exactly how I felt throughout my evening here.... Warm, happy, and take care of.The space is so nice and inviting, the service superb and let's talk about the food:Oysters- out of this world. Local supplier elevated by 2 different toppings from Chef IanWatermelon salad- simply delicious Squash with chorizo- best combo i have had in a while Ribs- tender, flavorfulNoodles with sous vide chicken- beautiful flavor combinationsDessert- tried both the dumplings and the strawberries with chocolate and was pleasantly surprised. Dana introduced us to wines from Germany, France and Spain for the pairings.... All approachable and affordable.Food was creative, sophisticated and perfectly executed. Beyond happy to have found this gem in the Tampa Bay area and cannot wait to go back! Email Dana today to make your reservation!

I've heard a good thing about Calida, so we decided to check it out. It was all true :-)Super cute restaurant, it is small but they did a good job with the space. It feels intimate and cozy. Our server and one of the owners took care of use, and they both were a delight. The owner gave us the story of how Calida started, and our server was a hoot, very personable and entertaining.They both checked on us, kept our drinks replenished, and made sure everything was great. Everything was great, really good wine selection. The food came out in a timely manner, and it was delicious. We ordered a bunch of small plates, the potatoes, the baked Chevre with tomatoes, the zucchini topped with chorizo and feta, the beef empanda and the pork tenderloin served on corn. The pork tenderloin was cooked to perfection, so tender and the corn was creamy with a nice kick of heat. Everything was well seasoned, full of flavor and fresh ingredients. It's been a while since I've had a dining experience that everything was on point ! I will definitely be back, and Calida is a great addition to St. Pete.

Small, quaint restaurant on MLK that you must make reservations for. It is a perfect spot for a date night. The food was outstanding and so flavorful! We started with the empanadas and tried multiple entrees; the Ribeye and Baked Polenta were our favorites. Only wine is served here but it pairs great with their food.

It was our first time at Calida after reading the rave reviews. We were very eager to try it and it did not disappoint! The Chef and his Wife were absolutely amazing hosts. The ambiance was so warm and welcoming, very intimate. We had the duck, the mushrooms, the lamb chop lollipops, and the cheesecake. Every dish we had amazed us! Will definitely be going back!

5 stars aren't enough!! Clearly the finest in St. Petersberg. Dana greats you with a smile and the warmth of someone entering her house. The food is simply amazing! It'sca small place so make reservations well in advance. If it takes a while to get in, be assured the wait is worth it.