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Michelin-starred chef opening new restaurant at St. Pete's Vinoy hotel

Elliott Aster aims to make its debut in early 2025.

By Colin Wolf on Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 3:14 pm

Rendering via The Vinoy

Elliott Aster

A Chicago-based Michelin-starred chef is headed to St.Petersburg.

Today, Chef Lee Wolen, along with the Boka Restaurant Group, announced plans to open their latest concept "Elliott Aster" early next year at the historic Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, located at 501 5th Ave. NE.

Wolen has worked at a number of renowned restaurants around the globe, including El Bulli in Spain, Eleven Madison Park in New York City, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxford and the Four Seasons in Palm Beach, Florida.

However, he earned his Michelin star while at his Italian eatery, Alla Vita, in Chicago. He was also behind the popular Chi-town neighborhood spot GG’s Chicken Shop.

"I am truly honored to be opening a restaurant in St. Pete, a place that holds a special place in my heart," said Chef Lee Wolen in a statement. "Having stayed at The Vinoy with my family and experiencing its rich history and charm, it feels like the perfect setting to create something truly special. I can't wait to bring our culinary vision to life in such an iconic destination."

Named after the Florida native wildflower and as a nod to Vinoy developer Gene Elliott, Elliott Aster will offer guests upscale entrees like 45-day dry-aged prime bone-in ribeye, 48-oz. bistecca fiorentina, king crab tagliatelle, rigatoni alla vodka, whole roasted blue prawns fra diavolo, grilled sea bream with lemon, fennel, and artichoke salad, to name a few.

Lighter bites include appetizers like prime tenderloin beef carpaccio and grilled octopus, a variety of salads, and more.

As for the dining space, Elliott Aster feature a waterfront patio, a bar, and a main dining room with an antipasti bar. The overall design will be helmed by the Rockwell Group, which also oversaw the recent facelift at the The Vinoy, and has worked with other culinary concepts like Jaleo by José Andrés, and Gordon Ramsay at The St. Regis.

No exact opening date has been announced, but Elliott Aster aims to make its debut in early 2025.

Slideshow

All the Tampa restaurants featured in the 2023 Florida Michelin Guide

Yummy House2620 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-237-3838Michelin ranking: Recommended"Crowds still clamber to fill the seats at this spacious, no-frills eatery, whose sizable menu presents ample options for a range of tastes. Diners can find contentment with familiar American-Chinese staples, like orange chicken and salt-and-pepper fried calamari (or tofu). However, dishes like clay pot-braised fish have their own unique, earthy appeal. During lunch hours you’d be well-advised to select from the separate dim sum menu, which features typical bites like dumplings and turnip cakes, as well as sweet regional specialties like pineapple buns and Hong Kong-style egg tarts.Thanks to the popularity of the original, a number of offshoots can be found throughout southern Florida, including a more upscale one in South Tampa."Photo via Yummy House

Lilac500 Channelside Dr, Tampa, 813- 771-8022Michelin ranking: 1 Star"Peruse the contemporary four-course prix-fixe with Mediterranean influences, Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques. A meal might include luxe bites like a Diver scallop infused with rosemary smoke and dramatically served under a cloche to well-executed and flavorful lobster feuillantine."Photo via Google Maps

Rocca323 W Palm Ave., Tampa. 813-906-5445Michelin ranking: 1 Star"Chef Bryce Bonsack blends his New York know-how with Italian training to great effect in this of-the-moment eatery. Naturally, there's an assortment of pastas, skillfully made in house and showcasing classic flavors and scrupulous technique, as in spaghetti al limone, tossed with knobs of blue crab and lemon, shaved garlic and zucchini."Photo by Google Street

Gorkhali Kitchen10044 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa, 813-388-6404Michelin ranking: Bib GourmandMichelin praised the breadth of the menu at New Tampa strip mall spot, Gorkhali Kitchen and noted its focus on Nepalese cuisine with a touch of Indian influence. "Of course, there must be momo, those iconic Nepalese dumplings that are seared, pan-fried or even in jhol (soup). Chicken is a popular protein that appears often on the menu, but don't shy away from the goat specialties. They're falling-off-the-bone tender and savory," inspectors wrote.Photo by Melissa Santell

Ichicoro5229 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 813-517-9989Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand Without a doubt, Ichicoro ushered in a new era for Tampa’s dining scene, but the concept closed last April. Records at the City of Tampa show that an "Ichicoro 2.0" was underway across the street at 5246 N Florida Ave, but the last update for that concept happened in December 2022. It's unclear what is happening with that property.Photo by Melissa Santell

Psomi701 N Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-841-5555Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand"Owned and run by second-generation Greek-American, Christina Theofilos, this daytime eatery and bakery epitomizes warmth and comfort. Strangers become friends in no time, noshing on breakfast and lunch during the week and brunch on weekends. The menu is laced with Greek items ranging from flavorful and tender octopus ceviche to house-made dolmades that display an added level of care. The farm to your table sandwich is layered with avocado, pickled green tomato, shaved jicama, sprouts and whipped feta. Of course, with a name that translates to bread, there must be baked goods and you'll find it all here. Don't skimp on dessert and order bougatsa, baklava or baklava coffee cake (an impressive marriage of the two)."Photo via Psomi/Instagram

Rooster & The Till6500 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-374-8940Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand"It's a low-key spot with a contemporary feel. The bar is central and wraps around an open kitchen, so grab a seat at the counter for the best view. Between the lively tunes and buzzy staff, the aura is anything but stuffy. The plates follow suit—freewheeling, frequently changing and shareable with elements from SE Asia, Latin America and the Levant. Yet, nothing seems out of place, as in sumac-flecked cauliflower with whipped goat's milk feta and falafel-spiced dukkah. Fried cobia collar with nuoc cham boasts a cultish following. Such seductive textures and explosive flavors continue in full force in a dessert of black sesame ice cream with pineapple-cashew jam and Thai tea caramel. The tasting menu, though pricier, is a worthy splurge."Photo via Rooster & The Till/Facebook

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About The Author

Colin Wolf

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Colin Wolf has been working with weekly newspapers since 2007 and has been the Digital Editor for Creative Loafing Tampa since 2019. He is also the Director of Digital Content Strategy for CL's parent company, Chava Communications.

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