Alesia Restaurant is a unique find with a menu focused on a special combination of Parisian style Vietnamese-French influence cuisine. The owners are two sisters, Sandra Ly-Flores and Erika Ly, and another co-owner, Paul Hsu. It is amazing to learn that they had never been in the restaurant business prior to opening Alesia. It turns out that Alesia is the name of the street they grew up on.
This delightful restaurant is worth the trip for both for its fabulous food and contemporary atmosphere, including a great, pet-friendly outdoor patio and a large beautiful outdoor dining room. It’s one of the prettiest and simple hangouts around town, and it’s the perfect place to linger over a latte or share a Cheese platter, which includes a selection of European cheeses served with fresh grapes and toast points.
An enticing soup du jour is made daily from regional and seasonally prepared ingredients. Make sure to ask your server about the day’s selection. My personal favorite lunch dish is the Baby bok choy–a wonderful light dish of baby bok choy lightly sautéed with garlic, onions and mushrooms topped with fresh cilantro. You can add tofu (as pictured above) or shrimp for a protein served with a side of rice.
Many items on the menu are lighter fare and quite healthy–all with fresh vegetables and herbs that can be complemented with breads and pastries. Alesia also serves yummy sandwiches like the Mozzarella, basil and tomato sandwich served on a French baguette drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette with a touch of olive oil and sea salt. Or you something different like the Croque Madame, which features a unique blend of Jambon de Paris (ham), sautéed onions, gruyere, mushrooms and mornay sauce, topped with an egg sunny side up!
You may want to sample one of the other house favorites: Pho soup served with your choice of meat and fresh herbs. If you’re interested in a salad you can choose from Couscous or the traditional Vietnamese salad. Alisia also offers a delicious Brunch on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you like wine with your lunch, brunch or dinner, Alesia recommends a nice selection of wine to choose from to accompany your meal.
Alesia Restaurant
Open Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Closed Sundays and Mondays
7204 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
727-345-9701 | alesiarestaurant.com
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