St. Pete has a new star in the Grand Central District. Crispy Avenue made its debut at the end of January at 2040 Central Avenue, and it only took one visit for us to get hooked on the fantastic eatery, bakery and cafe. Inspired by European flavors and artistry, the cafe offers breakfast, lunch and coffee service, with cozy indoor seating and a sunny back patio.
Led by chef and owner Dragan Pelevic, Crispy Avenue specializes in pastries, desserts and coffee. However, don’t skip the savory sandwiches if you’re feeling a bit more peckish, especially the jaw-dropping burgers. Pelevic’s Hybrid Burger combines lamb and Angus beef into one big juicy patty, topped mixed greens, sundried tomatoes, caramelized onions, goat cheese, and a tangy Harissa aioli. You may need a nap after.
That said, yes, the pastries and sweets are absolutely the stars here. Thanks to those housemade delights and their truly top-tier coffee, Crispy Avenue has already become our go-to when we need a little treat or pick-me-up to get through the day. From croissants, cinnamon buns and eclairs, to creme brulee cheesecakes and strawberry banana mousse, they have something for every variation of sweet tooth craving you go through. The pastries are made in the French style with premium European butter, while the fillings are all housemade. Oh, and they have ice cream, too.
The quality is no surprise, given Pelevic’s background. The Montenegro-raised chef has been cooking for nearly his entire life, and the focus on pastries and fresh bread (sourdough, in particular) has been an emphasis throughout. He’s cooked, worked, and studied everywhere from Malta and Martha’s Vineyard to Austin and San Francisco. The latter is where he trained at the San Francisco Baking Institute, a world-renowned leader in artisan bread and pastry education, and the only school in the United States dedicated exclusively to artisan baking…