Lona ($35/person). 505 Water St., Tampa Credit: c/o Lona

Another day, another new concept heading to Tampa’s ever-booming Water Street neighborhood.

Its newest Mexican restaurant Lona—located at 505 Water St. inside of Tampa Marriott Water Street—celebrates a grand opening on Tuesday, July 18.

A press release describes the new eatery’s menu as an “elevated but approachable expression of Mexican fare.”

You can soon take your Taco Tuesday to the next level with Lona’s spread of expected favorites like guacamole, street corn, tuna tostadas, quesadillas and fish tacos, in addition to entrees like roasted red pepper fajitas and grilled skirt steak with refried beans, corn enmolada (tortillas smothered in mole), and sautéed poblano peppers.

Lona’s extended weekend brunch menu is expected to launch within the next few months as well.

Its bar program will also offer a selection of over 200 mezcal and tequila options, and lucky guests might be able to take a visit to Lona’s private spirits lockers, too.

This new restaurant offers a menu full of high-end Mexican dishes from Chef Richard Sandoval in collaboration with fellow South Florida chef Pablo Salas. The only other location of Lona resides in Fort Lauderdale and offers a food and drink menu similar to Tampa’s upcoming location.

Sandoval’s hospitality group owns and operates 60 restaurants across 11 different countries—including Anchor and Brine, Tampa Marriott Water Street’s waterfront restaurant and Lona’s more casual sibling.

His hospitality group also owned the concept that previously occupied the restaurant space that Lona will open out of, an American restaurant called Garrison’s Tavern. It opened back in 2019, but has remained closed since the beginning of June in preparation for Lona’s grand opening.

Lona’s interior matches its approachable Mexican cuisine, and its dining room is covered in various tapestries, intricately-weaved patterns, and colorful pottery.

From Monday-Friday, the new restaurant will serve lunch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and dinner from 4 p.m.-11 p.m, and will be open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Lona will host happy hour every day from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., and offer up to three hours of complimentary valet service for all of its patrons.

For the latest information on Water Street’s newest restaurant, head to its Instagram at @lonatampa.

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