A Rooftop Garden in the City!

Yesterday we were invited to a Birthday Party. When I heard it would be at Carrabas Italian Restaurant in St. Petersburg, FL my ears perked up. We ate there when it first opened and really loved the food.  At the time the rooftop garden was still new and we talked about the novelty of it all. I remembered driving by and noticing that the rooftop garden had grown up and looked awesome from the road. 

Some of our friends like to to go and hang out at the bar, to watch the chef's in the kitchen and best of all they send around plates with a mini selection to try some of their dishes. 

I arrived camera in hand. We parked off to the side so the first thing I noticed was the rather cool looking back wall of the building. It is all rock on stucco, starting way low and climbing up the wall in irregular patterns.

Leave it to the Italians to come up with a way to turn an ordinary back wall into an architectural feature. I loved the rock and the stucco color on the wall because of it's clearly mediterranean influence.

I walked around the side of the building and traversed the wrap around porch.

Below: Past the waiting guests enjoying a chat with the chef and a cool drink. No wonder this place is so popular. A cool breeze kept everyone feeling comfortable.

All the shots of the rooftop garden were taken from the front of the building facing the street above the front veranda and entrance to the restaurant.

As you can see there are plenty of lights to show off the rooftop garden in all it's glory at night.  A stunning sight when all the up-lights shine on the landscaped rooftop.

Image below: See the palms to the right - lining the walkway into the building, up the steps onto the veranda? That is the front entrance to the restaurant.

I was most impressed with the Italian Cypress on the Rooftop Garden. I counted three of them. Lush, green and so mediterranean. A little bit of Italy in St. Petersburg, FL

Below: Here I have taken a step back to give you a closer look at the rooftop garden, same direction. They even have palms on-top of the roof - amazing.

Image below: If you look toward the middle - top of the picture you can see the restaurant sign and entrance.

Image below: Here is one last shot looking though the palms at the entry you can see more palms on the rooftop.

So if you are in the neighborhood looking for a some great Italian food or a little ambiance while you are on vacation, stop by for a bite.

Here's a shot of the doorknob - come on in.

I hope you have enjoyed your trip to the rooftop garden at Carrabas Restaurant in St. Petersburg, FL.

Sorry, I have to leave you now, but there is a glass of Sangria inside calling my name. Oh, and another insider's tip - the Lobster Ravioli is divine. Ciao! 

All images taken by Rose H. on April 5, 2008 with an Olympus D-540 digital camera.