St. Pete Beach’s premier waterfront boutique hotel, The Hotel Zamora, welcomes new Executive Chef Alex Rodriguez to lead the culinary team at the Castile Restaurant, just in time for the grand opening of its 360° Rooftop Lounge.
A Puerto Rican native with a passion for supporting local, organic and sustainable products and growers, Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked under the likes of celebrity chefs Geoffrey Zakarian, Bobby Flay, Jose Andres and Douglas Rodriguez. Most recently, Rodriguez helmed the kitchen at Constitution Café at the Federal Courthouse in Miami, and before that, Pondicherry and Restaurant 44 in New York City, The Savannah and The Spa at Grand Lake in Connecticut, and Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio. Rodriguez earned four stars while at the Bar of Modern Art in Ohio and was chef/owner of Luce Enoteca in Ohio, where he also earned four stars.
With extensive knowledge of Italian, Mediterranean, Caribbean and South American cuisines, Rodriguez is positioned to add a dash of international flair to Castile’s Spanish-inspired menus, from the restaurant to event catering, room service and the soon-to-open 360° Rooftop Lounge, where fresh Gulf-inspired cuisine will be paired with panoramic views of the Intracoastal waterway, Gulf of Mexico and downtown St. Pete.
“I’m really looking forward to infusing the Spanish-influenced cuisine with my own new twist, including techniques like molecular gastronomy,” said Chef Rodriguez. “I plan to draw inspiration from the people and places in my past while continuing to highlight our amazingly fresh, local seafood.”
Additional plans include designing food and wine pairing menus in conjunction with newly appointed Food & Beverage Manager Angela Meeker, and even offering cooking classes for locals and guests alike. Named one of Tampa Bay Times’ “Top 50 Restaurants” for 2015, Castile has become a favorite for its locally sourced, internationally inspired and seafood-driven menu and a creative selection of craft cocktails. With Rodriguez at the helm, the restaurant’s bold flavors are positioned to rise to the next level.
The Hotel Zamora is managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
