{"id":133297,"date":"2026-01-27T09:36:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T09:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/133297\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T09:36:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T09:36:07","slug":"skybeach-resort-unveils-luma-a-mediterranean-inspired-waterfront-restaurant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/133297\/","title":{"rendered":"Skybeach Resort Unveils Luma, A Mediterranean-Inspired Waterfront Restaurant"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (January 26, 2026)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0SkyBeach Resort<\/a>,\u00a0the recently reimagined Gulf-front retreat located on the southern tip of St. Petersburg, Florida, proudly unveils its newest culinary concept,\u00a0LUMA<\/a>, which officially opened on January 22. Overlooking the resort\u2019s newly renovated marina, LUMA delivers a\u00a0Mediterranean-inspired dining experience\u00a0rooted in local ingredients, bold flavors, and a refined yet welcoming atmosphere. Designed as a place to gather, share and celebrate, LUMA invites guests to connect over thoughtfully prepared dishes in a sophisticated setting.<\/p>\n

The name LUMA, derived from\u00a0lumen\u2014Latin for light\u2014captures the sun-drenched spirit of the Mediterranean and SkyBeach\u2019s picturesque St. Pete surroundings. The restaurant\u2019s design blends midcentury-modern influences with a soft palette of gold and blue and coastal decor elements, including rattan accents woven into the light fixtures and chairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to continue elevating the guest experience at SkyBeach Resort with the addition of LUMA,\u201d said Allie Singer, VP of commercial strategy and asset management at Willner Realty & Development Co. (WRDC), the resort\u2019s ownership group. \u201cThis concept completes our food and beverage vision in a meaningful way\u2014one that resonates with both our guests and the local community. LUMA is meant to be a place you return to, where the food leaves a lasting impression, the service feels personal, and the setting makes every visit feel a little extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n

LUMA is helmed by Executive Chef Ryan VanDusen,\u00a0a Michigan native with over two decades of experience in top culinary markets, including Chicago and Florida. His r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes leadership roles at acclaimed properties such as Soho House Chicago and the iconic Don CeSar hotel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis concept reflects a deep commitment to craft and place,\u201d said VanDusen. \u201cThe menu honors Mediterranean classics while embracing Gulf Coast influences, resulting in a seasonal approach that captures the flavors and energy of Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n

The menu opens with an expansive\u00a0mezze program, including the signature\u00a0Tear + Share, where diners can choose from house-made lavash, grilled naan, market crudit\u00e9 and pita, paired with spreads like \u2018seriously-good\u2019 garlic hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, muhammara sweet heat pepper spread and golden whipped feta. Small plates include\u00a0Gambas al Ajillo, made with Key West pink shrimp and garlic;\u00a0Florida Gulf Ceviche, a traditional preparation featuring local fish with serrano pepper, passion fruit and sesame; and the showstopping\u00a0Halloumi Esh, a dramatic tableside presentation of flaming Halloumi cheese finished with Arak and served alongside grilled naan.<\/p>\n

From the menu\u2019s\u00a0\u201cGarden & Grove\u201d\u00a0section, guests can enjoy vegetable-forward dishes like\u00a0Charred Baby Carrots\u00a0with grapefruit, hazelnuts and tahini vinaigrette and the refreshing\u00a0Watermelon + Feta, topped with arugula, Aleppo pepper and a bright citrus vinaigrette. A personal favorite of Chef VanDusen, this section celebrates produce in its purest form\u2014where seasonal vegetables and greens are treated as star ingredients, each dish thoughtfully composed to stand on its own.<\/p>\n

Entr\u00e9es featured in the \u201cFeast\u201d\u00a0section showcase bold, fire-driven flavors and Mediterranean comfort dishes. Standouts include the\u00a0Mediterranean Roasted Whole Fish\u00a0served with new potatoes and olive-artichoke salad;\u00a0Four-Hour Slow-Braised Short Rib Kebab\u00a0with guava barbecue sauce, spiced carrot pur\u00e9e and sunflower seed crumble; and\u00a0Lamb \u2018Over Fire\u2019 Skewers\u00a0topped with zhoug, cipollini agrodolce and whipped goat cheese.<\/p>\n

LUMA\u2019s craft cocktail program draws inspiration from the same Mediterranean herbs, spices and fresh ingredients that define the food menu, creating a seamless pairing between the kitchen and the bar. Inventive libations include the\u00a0Golden Empress, made with Empress 1908 Gin, Moroccan mint tea, lemon and honey;\u00a0Santa Sol, crafted with Santa Familia Cristalino tequila, Ancho Reyes, hibiscus syrup and lime, finished with a Tajin rim and an edible flower; and\u00a0Thyme and Tide, a bright blend of prosecco, Aperol, mastika, orange and thyme. For something more adventurous, the\u00a0Sundrift\u00a0is a THC-infused cocktail made with Black Market THC (5 mL), strawberry, lemon and lavender syrup.<\/p>\n

LUMA will host a DJ in the lounge every Friday from 9-11 p.m., spinning upbeat tracks to carry guests into the weekend. For those arriving by water, LUMA offers a true dock-and-dine experience\u2014visitors are welcome to dock their boats at the\u00a0SkyBeach Marina<\/a>\u00a0while they dine, making it an effortless and scenic option for a night out on the Gulf.<\/p>\n

LUMA marks the third culinary concept to open at SkyBeach Resort since its July 2024 relaunch (joining\u00a0SkyBar + Grille<\/a>, the two-story open-air restaurant and bar, and\u00a0Paradeco Coffee Roasters<\/a>, the second location of the beloved downtown St. Pete caf\u00e9), following a full-scale transformation by WRDC. The 113-room resort now features redesigned guest rooms, a reimagined lobby and a 6,260-square-foot\u00a0event center<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ST. PETERSBURG, FL (January 26, 2026)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0SkyBeach Resort,\u00a0the recently reimagined Gulf-front retreat located on the southern tip of St.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":133298,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[202,204,203,199,201,200],"class_list":{"0":"post-133297","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-st-petersburg","8":"tag-st-pete","9":"tag-st-pete-headlines","10":"tag-st-pete-news","11":"tag-st-petersburg","12":"tag-st-petersburg-headlines","13":"tag-st-petersburg-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133297"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133297\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/133298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=133297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=133297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}