Chicken just got a MAJOR upgrade. One of the newest restaurants to call Downtown St. Petersburg home, Social Roost recently opened its doors inviting locals and visitors to dine in style at 150 1st Ave North.
Tucked below the ONE building downtown, Social Roost offers a beautifully curated menu in addition to a glamorous bar ready to impress you with beautiful craft cocktails.
When I saw a glimpse of the inside, I immediately knew I wanted to feature them on Rooftop Collective. So, I did what every professional does these days when they want to reach out to a new business, I sent them a DM and hoped for the best.
I received a response almost instantly and the next week, I was set to shoot with my friend Kristina Holman.
From the moment I walked in, I was taken with the aesthetic – it’s pretty much the exact vibe I want to create in my apartment. Green velvet accents, rich hues, and a beyond glam gold glitter wall – do you need to know about the food or are you already ready to make reservations with your friends?
The day of our shoot, we were warmly welcomed by Social Roost’s owners, Rob Bowen and Jason Teabout – both natives of St. Pete. Immediately, I loved them.
It quickly became clear that this new restaurant was a result of their passion for the community and that they’re incredibly proud to be a new part of the local restaurant scene.
“We absolutely love downtown. We actually live two blocks from the restaurant and our other business, Rob Bowen Design Group has been downtown for 15 years. You can always find us walking from one business to another, or from home, or riding bikes, downtown. It’s our home and our life! We live and breathe downtown St. Pete.”
Owners, Rob Bowen and Jason Teabout
Social Roost, a scratch kitchen cleverly brings together Rob and Jason’s shared love for the community and travels around the world. As the name suggests, the menu offers a variety of dishes – many of which are poultry-based.
But guys – this is NOT your average “chicken joint.”
Each dish has been painstakingly curated by New York City’s Executive Chef Susan Burdian and impresses with upscale presentation and undeniable flavor.
Together, Kristina and I tried their Baby Kale Cesar Salad (BEST Cesar I have had downtown by the way), Chicken Cuban (it was amazing), 8 oz Filet (cooked to perfection) and finished with tasting their Gooey Chocolate Brownie.
(Ok…I did more than taste the brownie, Kristina and I devoured it with no regard for table manners – it was amazing and I have no regrets.)
Social Roost’s 8 oz Filet
Smashed New Potatoes, Rapini, Shiitakes, Dijon Black Pepper Cream Sauce, Red Wine Beef Demi-Glace
Baby Kale Cesar
Torn Ciabatta Croutons, Shaved Parmesan
Chicken Cuban
Mojo Chicken, Honey-Maple Ham, Swiss Cheese, Pickles, Mustard, Cuban Bread
Gooey Chocolate Brownie
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Spiced Chocolate Ganache
Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Rooftop Collective feature if I didn’t touch on the cocktail list.
Crafted by their lead mixologist, Max Blowers, another St. Petersburg native, Social Roost’s cocktails are sure to make their way onto your Instagram story.
Max let his attention to detail and love for cocktails shine as he presented us with a few of Social Roost’s lavish cocktails.
Together, Kristina and I tried The Jetsetter, (Coconut Cartel Aged Rum, Spiced Pineapple Shrub, Nonino Amaro, Cinnamon, Lime), The Social Butterfly (Empress Gin, Chinola Passion Fruit, Lemon, Orange Blossom), and the Diplomat (Vago Elote Mezcal, Campari, Punt Y Mes, St. George Nola Coffee, Mole Bitters, Smoke) each cocktail more beautiful than the last.
SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Empress Gin, Chinola Passion Fruit, Lemon, Orange Blossom
JET SETTER
Coconut Cartel Aged Rum, Spiced Pineapple Shrub, Nonino Amaro, Cinnamon, Lime
THE DIPLOMAT
Vago Elote Mezcal, Campari, Punt Y Mes, St. George Nola Coffee, Mole Bitters, Smoke
Though I don’t consider myself to be a “food blogger”, I feel confident I will not be alone in my stellar impression of the quality and concept behind each dish and cocktail at Social Roost.
After visiting once, I could tell that everything from the extravagant interior design (the work of owner Rob Bowen himself), to the menu of elevated dishes, has been meticulously thought through. View their full menu and hours here.
I am excited to welcome this new glamorous eatery to my backyard. I will definitely be coming back with friends soon – the gold glitter wall and the rest of the menu items I have yet to try are calling my name.
