Copper Tap Grille

So many fun places in St. Andrews, but this relative newcomer reminds me of being in junior high when the most adorable new kid transferred to our school.  

Song That Pops In My Head When I Enter: What a Wonderful World

The Vibe.

Almost too sexy for St. Andrews and certainly too sexy for its name. What sounds like a craft and burger bar feels really more like something like on the far, far west end.

It’s the kind of place where you go in and kind of wish you owned it. Well that and the currently damaged-by-Hurricane-Ian Bubble Room in Sanibel Island.

What a Woman Should Wear: Think Megan Draper on Mad Men.

At The Table Next to Us: 50-ish attractive mom with family complaining about her son’s use of cell phone at table and stubbornly refusing to eat her shrimp that she believed to be “overcooked by at least 30 seconds.” She’s obviously a Taurus. 

Looks Like an Occasion for: Wearing good false eyelashes and drinking insta cocktails and lots of little plates with flowers on them.

The Food.

Everything that’s served is topped with a flower. No joke. This chef has a Ph.D. in garnishing. Those little bits of magical watercress too. Even the menu itself (and its graphics) is artfully crafted with cutesy takes on seafood, pastas, salads, and even an adorable ice cream nod to the building’s roots as a Tastee Freeze franchise. 

Even with all of the visuals and the shrimp and crab cakes, we think that anything with bread is the winner. Bread service comes early and can tempt you into ordering small plates and entrees. But one best bet may honestly be the sandwiches.  A grouper sandwich on a fresh kaiser roll is a popular win, but the Papa Bob’s Buffalo Chicken Melt on Naan is going to keep you coming back.

Some of the other interesting items on the menu are a small plate of meatballs (below),  boursin spread ribeye, a grilled shrimp sandwich with peaches and blue cheese, and creme brulee. 

And if you’re on the wagon, you rock the world. Seriously, I truly believe you have it all figured out and are a cut above everyone else.  But if you’re not drinking just to be a good Baptist, then this is the place to go all out and have that cocktail out in public. Try the special of the day, and tip the bartender well. She’s worth $200K in Petrone. 

Don’t Miss: Drink specials, martinis, sandwiches.

The Service.

So this is where all the cute young hip servers went and why nobody else can seem to find any. Everybody seems happy to be there and truly proud that they work at such a trendy place.

The training must be top-notch because it reminded me of my old, old days as a waitress with 90-pound girls delicately balancing five trays of perfectly plated entrees as though they were circus stars.

Level of Happiness

Really quite chipper but that’s because I was tanned and looking my best. It’s a people-watching place and you’ll feel oddly conspicuous if you’ve borrrowed you’re grandma’s sundress. You’ll automatically sit up just a little straighter in here than you will in most places in the neighborhood. Thrilled to arrive. Happy to be there. Totally good when it was time to go as well.

Suggestion Box: Don’t overcook or reheat the shrimp even one time. Those annoying Tauruses out there won’t let you forget it. 

Number of Cats Spotted: Several down the street. You gotta take an after-meal walk to see them but this may be the best walking area in all of the Panhandle. 

Location: 1316 Beck Avenue, Panama City, Florida
Hours: 11 am – 9 pm, Tuesday through Saturday
Contact: (850) 730-3333 and Copper Tap Grille Website