For more than a decade, Chef David Benstock has led this fine dining Italian stalwart from the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. High ceilings, exposed red brick, and easy-going servers set a relaxed tone for a team that’s full of ideas and keen to present them in attractive ways. How often do you see duck tortellini with shaved foie gras or a salad of radishes presented as a garden bed with soil and fences? Creative pastas are at the heart of this menu, alongside serious cuts of steak and lamb sourced from their butcher shop next door. Though some dishes can feel busy, there is boldness and flavor in spades. Luxury comes in the form of caviar doughnuts, Japanese wagyu, and a special tasting menu available only at the chef’s counter.

Tampa Bay chefs might not've walked away with any 2017 James Beard Award nominations. But one, St. Petersburg native and Il Ritorno executive chef-owner David Benstock, announced Friday that he's scored an invitation to cook at New York City's celebrated James Beard House.

Il Ritorno’s David Benstock took home a big win Thursday evening when the St. Petersburg chef claimed victory over the Food Network star in an Italian-themed Beat Bobby Flay episode titled ‘Mission: Impastable.’

Visit St. Pete Clearwater comes to Il Ritorno to see Chef David in action. Follow along as he speaks about the restaurant, the city and the Michelin guide.

Tampa has lots of great restaurants and tons of history. The combination makes for some pretty incredible dining experiences. The farm to fork (also known as farm to table) movement has brought even more delicious places into the mix. Get ready to enjoy fresh local seafood, produce and so much more! The freshness of the ingredients and creativity of the chefs make all of these restaurants winners!

Pasta, like many of the other dishes offered on the contemporary Italian restaurant’s ever-changing menu, I’m sure, is a labor of love for David Benstock. According to the chef and co-owner of Il Ritorno, lots of time goes into his pasta-making process in downtown St. Pete, and it all starts with great ingredients.

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Next week, I'd suggest getting in on the Tuesday happy hour special at Il Ritorno: half-off pasta from 5 to 7 p.m.

Sizing up the triangular downcourt target, I wonder if my wife and teenage son realize what an only-in-Florida scene we make.

Not only are we playing shuffleboard. We’re doing so in downtown St. Petersburg, as card-carrying members of the seaside city’s historic shuffleboard club, the largest in the world. You really can’t get more Sunshine State than this.

City officials hope the campaign encourages greater discussion about single-use plastics, like utensils and cup lids.

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With its beautiful weather, affordable housing, and rich cultural life, St. Pete is becoming a top destination for entrepreneurs to start and grow their companies.