The Library Restaurant: Food, Atmosphere & Epiphanies

Where have you been all my life? I don’t know who originally said it, but we’ve all had a moment where we’ve thought it. That iconic question rolled through my brain as I wandered around our Saturday brunch spot. My husband had been holding out on me. Ages ago, a friend of his from the Tampa/St. Petersburg area introduced him to a particular restaurant experience. He wanted to take me there every time we cycled through the area, but something always got in the way. Finally, here we were. He covered my eyes and led me blind, from the car to the front door. Without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce you to The Library restaurant.

The Library Restaurant Concept

George Peabody believed in the power of education. In 1857, he built a library in Baltimore and dedicated it to the people of the city. His dear friend Johns Hopkins was inspired to use his money for the greater good too. From his mission for social consciousness, a world-renowned hospital was born. A branch of Johns Hopkins hospital (Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital) is now located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The joint vision of these two luminaries is what inspires the restaurant today.

Located on the ground floor of one of the hospital’s sleek downtown buildings, there is nothing outside to prepare you for the interior. Perhaps not everyone has the reaction I had. For me, though, the light, airy interior whispers of class and elegance. I felt as though my attire should have included a floral sundress and wide-brimmed hat (think Kentucky Derby). I half expected to see a garden party in full swing out the window, rather than downtown St. Pete. In fact, all the diners were dressed casually, so I was not out of place in my jeans and blouse.

Perfect Pairings

Blue is a theme in the décor, and therefore, many book covers are blue or brown. Bookshelves with consistently colored spines tower two stories overhead. Coffered ceilings, wall sconces with petite lampshades, and parquet floors all draw inspiration from America’s great reading rooms. Between the atmosphere and the creative, gourmet menu, this place was me. It just fit me. . .and my husband knew that the minute he stepped inside the first time.

For a perfect downtown day, may I suggest a morning at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art and then lunch at The Library? The two institutions are 5 minutes apart by car and 17 minutes apart if you’re walking.

The Art of the Breakfast Cocktail

While I am not usually one to drink at 11:00am, I treated myself and splurged on an expensive (to me) breakfast cocktail. Mimosas and Bellinis were the extent of my breakfast cocktail knowledge. The Philanthropist that I ordered ($13.25) is comprised of vodka, blackberry, lemon and sparkling wine. When it arrived and it was purple (my favorite color), I knew we would get along swimmingly. I am ruined for mimosas for the rest of my life. I am not sure they will ever be able to compete with my memories of The Philanthropist.

Our Menu Selections

Forgive the repetitive nature of this, but my husband ordered a fried chicken sandwich ($18) again because, well, he loves them. They make him happy. It was served on a potato roll with garlic aioli, pickle chips and slaw on the side. The chicken was bountiful and covered the entire bun. Most importantly, the chef toasted the bun without being asked. His slaw appeared ordinary at first. However, it was way beyond the ordinary with apples, cucumbers, pumpkin seeds and feta hidden inside. It was finished with a lightly sweet dressing that didn’t overpower.

Always the adventurous eater, I tried The Library’s twist on eggs benedict ($20), which I usually avoid like the plague because I hate hollandaise sauce. The menu described the dish this way: “pork belly, poached eggs, fried green tomato, creole fondue, house biscuit.” I asked our server, Shannon, for an explanation of the creole fondue and she said it was a light sauce, tomato-based, and had a tiny kick. I was concerned it would be too spicy but decided to give it a go.

For the 999^th time on this site, I will remind you that my happy place is anywhere that food is treated like art. Happy place achieved. As I reviewed the photos from our experience while writing this piece, my mouth watered again.

The creole fondue was delicate and not too spicy at all. In fact, it was very mild. I requested that my eggs be cooked more thoroughly than poached and they were perfect. The house biscuit was a bit crumbly on its own, but paired with the moisture from the other items, it held up well. It was served with crispy, salted breakfast potatoes. Honestly, two people could share what I ordered as the portion was beyond generous.

Lastly, I found six vegetarian items on the breakfast menu, five salads (which could be made vegetarian if they weren’t already), a three-bean burger on the sandwich menu and several items appropriate for pescatarians.

Atmosphere & Music at The Library Restaurant

As I said, The Library makes liberal use of high ceilings, massive windows and Florida sunlight. Medium-toned woods all help the space feel airy and relaxing, not like a man cave. It also avoids crossing into “stuffiness” by piping in unexpected music. The conventional music choice would be classical, of course. I love that they didn’t go that route. The music was eclectic with selections like: “Losing the Light” by Night Flowers, “Make It Better” by Anderson Paak & Smokey Robinson, and “Highway” by Panther. I don’t know anything about music and struggle to remember the lyrics to even my favorite songs. However, I have learned that a well-curated playlist can enhance a dining experience immeasurably. For another example of a restaurant that had me clicking the Shazam app on my phone consistently, you can read about Fuel Charleston here. Music is also an integral part of the dining experience at The Yard House in Greenville, SC. There, most diners can sing along with every line. Fuel, Yard House and The Library all taught me something and introduced me to new artists.

A Final Message

In keeping with the theme, our check arrived inside a blue, well used, hard back book. It was entitled Yesterday and Today by Louis Untermeyer. This is of no special significance. I had never heard of the book or the author. I was curious, though, so I opened it and flipped randomly to a page. Miraculously, my eyes landed on the poem, “Invictus” by William Earnest Henley. This has always been one of my favorites. I loved it long before Robin Williams gave it new life in the film Dead Poet’s Society. Even if you know little about poetry, you will likely still recognize the final lines:

“I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.”

The Library sent me a final message. If we are the captains of our own fates, then take time to enjoy brunch with the ones you love from time to time. Order the expensive breakfast cocktail sometimes. We are in charge and that means we can always experience something new and valuable, even if it is just the music with your breakfast. We only get one go-around on this big, blue marble in the sky, so captain your ship in a way that makes your soul happy. . . whatever that means to you.

Thanks to Shannon and The Library staff for the meal and for the lesson.