*thanks to the relationship with Hype Group, I was able to experience IL Ritorno for their full course meal in exchange for a blog post & social media love. All opinions are my own.

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Over the last year, St. Petersburg, FL has become the new hub for restaurants, new hot spots & events. And with the scent of a slight sea breeze and a water view at every turn, St Pete is always buzzing with locals, visitors, and the frequent visit from Flipper.

I did a little research on IL Ritorno and was very excited to visit — since attending, I can share more details about their cozy spot with delicious Italian. David Benstock, executive chef, opened IL Ritorno just three years ago in 2013. He is no stranger to the area — after an adventure across the USA, a pit stop in Colorado for Culinary School, he brought his family back to his roots of St. Pete.

One aspect I loved about IL Ritorno is Chef David’s and their dedication to using local goods and working with local companies. Their brews are local, they serve Kahwa coffee (which I still need to try), and Hooker Tea. I think they have a pretty good thing going, and so does the Tampa Bay Times! IL Ritorno was named one of the top 50 restaurants in 2015 and 2016.

As I said, my experience was superb — some of the best food I have tasted. It is very obvious that Chef David puts the taste of the food, composition of the menu, and the experience of your visit at his best interest. My tasting included a delicious five course shared below:

torched cobia. The Cobia is seared on one side with a finely grated pepper mix and crisped brussel leaf on top. Honestly, I am not the biggest fan of the texture of raw sushi, but this was seared perfectly; enough to chew but still appreciate its delicacy.

caprese. A beautiful display of a traditional Italian plate; burrata, heirloom tomatoes, aged balsamic, and basil oil.

campanelle nero. All of the noodles at IL Ritorno are made in house, and these squid infused noodles were [almost] my favorite aspect of my meal. They were light & airy — full of taste. Zesty shrimp accompanied the pasta with a mix of lemongrass and lime zest. They shared that this is one of their best sellers — I was planning on bringing some of this dish home and couldn’t stop myself from finishing off my share.

cobia. Cooked to perfection and full of taste. The farro was made in clam broth to accompany the cobia. A bean puree, pancetta (an Italian bacon — yes please!), broccolini, and stinging nettles made this dish a masterpiece. Although there were so many tastes in this meal, the flavors blended perfectly.

apple fritter. I mean, look at this picture, do I need to explain this dessert? Maple cinnamon gelato atop a warm apple fritter, salted caramel dollops & candied pecans — cue all the Mmmm’s and all the feels. Just the right amount of sweet and the perfect way to end a delectable meal with IL Ritorno.

*A few extras: IL Ritorno does take reservations and can even be rented out for personal or company parties. They do have a happy hour — so make sure to head over and enjoy! You can find them on Central Avenue in downtown St Pete for dinner Monday thru Saturday.

Caitlyn

Hey, I’m glad you’re here! I’m Caitlyn, a Tampa native with a love for all things social media, travel & tattoos. It’s no secret that I have a passion for social media - I’ve been at it for 11+ years! When I am not too busy supporting local companies as an SMM, I love to share foodie spots in Tampa and tips for your next Disney trip.