Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, Calida Kitchen & Wine is a small restaurant delivering unforgettable, deeply personal dining experiences. Nestled into an intimate, warmly welcoming space, Calida doesn’t feel like a traditional restaurant. Instead, guests often remark that dining there feels like attending an elegant dinner party at a friend’s home. Since 2024, Calida has partnered with Winston, helping their team focus even more on what matters most: their guests.
A Dining Experience Unlike Any Other
Calida offers more than just a meal—it offers a sense of home. This small, thoughtfully designed restaurant feels like stepping into a cozy living room, with a welcoming atmosphere that puts guests immediately at ease. Much of that warmth comes from Dayna Bennett, Calida’s owner and host, whose bright smile and genuine hospitality make every guest feel like a friend.
“Our chef Ian is involved in every aspect of our dishes,” says Dayna. “From creating the recipes to personally selecting ingredients, preparing, and plating every dish. It gives our food an incredible consistency and quality that guests notice.”
Another hallmark of Calida’s uniqueness is its exceptional wine program. The team constantly sources rare and intriguing wines from around the world — often ones guests have never encountered. “We love introducing guests to wines they’ve never heard of and helping them discover new favorites,” Dayna adds.
Simplifying Operations with Winston
Before partnering with Winston, Calida struggled with a large POS provider whose customer support was frustratingly slow and impersonal. “We were working with a big name brand, but getting help during business hours was nearly impossible,” recalls Dayna. “Any issues or questions would take days to resolve — something we simply couldn’t afford during service.”
In 2024 Calida switched to Winston POS. “The difference was night and day,” Dayna shares. “Winston offers exactly what we needed: a user-friendly, intuitive system paired with truly outstanding customer service. Whenever we have a question or need support, the support team is quick to respond — which is critical in the middle of service.”
In addition, Dayna and her team can always rely on a local dealer, carefully selected to be part of Winston’s dealer network. This ensures that on-site service can always be provided when needed.
Streamlining the Kitchen with Display Technology
Beyond the easy-to-use POS, Calida’s team also leverages Winston’s kitchen display system (KDS) — a key tool in their operation. By combining printed tickets with digital displays, the team is able to expedite service efficiently and keep better track of inventory, helping maintain the high standards their guests have come to expect.
A Partnership Built on Responsiveness and Innovation
Perhaps most importantly, Dayna sees their relationship with Winston as a true collaboration. “Winston has been incredibly responsive to any issues, questions, or suggestions. The system is always evolving to become even more streamlined and effective.”
Would Dayna recommend Winston? “Absolutely! Whether you’re running a small, intimate spot like ours or a large, high-volume restaurant, Winston can make a real difference.”
At Calida, every detail matters — and with Winston’s support, they’re able to keep the focus where it belongs: on creating unforgettable dining experiences that keep guests coming back for more.
Winston offers exactly what we needed: a user-friendly, intuitive system paired with truly outstanding customer service. Whenever we have a question or need support, the support team is quick to respond — which is critical in the middle of service.
Dayna Bennett
Owner Calida
