Crypto Craze Spotlighted In Decor, Menu Of New Clearwater Bistro

CLEARWATER, FL — Capitalizing on the blockchain and bitcoin craze, Clearwater's newest bistro features cryptocurrency-themed decor and a menu with such offerings as the Crypto Cuban, The Blockchain Club and the Bitcoinana Split.

The Crypto Street Restaurant, 309 Coronado Drive, is located on the ground level of the Residence Inn by Marriott on Clearwater Beach, formerly occupied by the Cousins Maine Lobster.

Ricardo Varona said he decided to base his new restaurant on his own growing interest in blockchain technology and digital currency.

"Before, I used to trade stocks," he said. "Then, about a year ago, I started getting into crypto."

The restaurant's interior pays homage to crypto kings Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The bar is laminated with metal coins representing bitcoin, ethereum, dogecoin and shiba inu. And one wall is painted with a mural of a rocket ship heading to the moon.

"I kept thinking I want to do something different, something fresh, and I kept thinking about crypto," he said.

Of course, customers have the option to pay for their meals with cryptocurrency as well as traditional payment.

He hopes his restaurant, with common crypto and blockchain terms on the walls, will get people comfortable using digital currency and dispel some misconceptions surrounding it, especially among older patrons.

At the age of 52, if he can make the transition to cryptocurrency, he said anyone can.

While the restaurant's theme stresses the currency of the future, his menu is more traditional, offering the American and Cuban dishes he grew up eating in his native Puerto Rico.

"I was born in Puerto Rico with a lot of Cuban, Mexican and Spanish influence, so I wanted to reflect that in the menu," he said.

Among the menu items is the "Network" Grilled Cheese with gouda, cheddar and Havarti cheeses grilled on three pieces of fresh bread (white, wheat or marbled rye) with butter and mayo; the DeFi Caesar Salad with imported Asiago and dried Havarti cheeses, homemade dressing and croutons; the Maximilist, a charcuterie with meats, cheeses, assorted fruits and crackers; and the Blockchain Club with deluxe ham, premium-roasted turkey, smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a choice of freshly baked bread.

Desserts include the Bitcoinana Split with five scoops of ice cream topped with green, blue, purple, yellow and red cherries; and the To The MOOOONNN!, featuring a brownie with a scoop of ice cream and toppings.

But it's in his specials that Varona displays his wizardry in the kitchen. His specials are based on the freshest meats, fish and vegetables he can find.

They include Beef Cabernet and Chicken Sauvignon Empanadas with tomatoes, twin Filet Mignon with grilled Havarti cheese, apricots and cucumber tomato salad, XMeta Chicken grilled with Virginia ham and Havarti cheese and blackened or teriyaki salmon with sweet potato fries, and pan-seared rainbow trout with cabernet mushrooms and cilantro ginger lime sauce.

Additionally, Varona offers an assortment of fine wines and a variety of hand-dipped ice cream flavors.

While Varona hopes to expand his hours, Crypto Street Restaurant is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

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