Saddle up, this week we have four newbies on the block, and a handful more with a debut in the near future. Look below for details on another dog park for the ‘Burg, two ice cream shops and even a food hall. In other not so great news, some of The Bricks’ staff in Ybor got the COVID funk and shutdown for a few weeks—and after a decade of slinging Thai dishes, St. Pete’s Chiang Mai Tai shutdown for good over Halloween weekend. As we enter the final months of 2020, let’s keep safely supporting local staples and newbies alike so we can keep our ever growing foodie community safe from the destructive pandemic.
Openings
Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi Initially slated for a September opening, Bento is launching its latest Tampa Bay location this Friday near the University of South Florida. The space offers indoor and covered outdoor seating, as well as its loaded menu of wok-seared dishes, sushi, build-your-own poke bowls, rice and noodle bowls, and bento boxes. 5103 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. eatatbento.com
JoToro This Thursday, Nov. 4, Sparkman Wharf debuts a Mexican concept run by Michelin star chef Joe Isidori (who previously served as executive chef for DJT, Trump's signature restaurant in The Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas). The eatery will focus on “Fine Mexican Provisions” alongside hand-shaken cocktails, craft-batched margaritas, and tequila flights. The full-service restaurant is stationed at the corner entrance of the Wharf and laced with rustic, industrial-chic decor. With 220-seats, diners can escape the unpredictable weather by opting for indoor or covered outdoor seating. 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa. sparkmanwharf.com
Lost Coast Oyster Co. Last year, St. Petersburg’s Lost Coast Oyster Company became Tampa Bay's first and only sustainable oyster farm and company. Last month founders/owners Brian and Lindsay Rosegger celebrated the formal arrival of Lost Coast bivalves with a launch party at St. Pete’s Alto Mare. If you’re hankering to slurp up some homegrown oysters, you can find Lost Coast oysters—aka “LoCo” oysters—at Bascom’s Chophouse, The Urban Stillhouse, and Ulele. lostcoastoysters.com
Thyme + Bloom Market This weekend the market and community garden concept is hosting its soft opening. Get acquainted with the affordable produce market and fresh juice bar that provides pantry items, wellness products, an indoor herb garden, an outdoor community garden, and mobile food pantry. 4202 W. Waters Ave., Suite 5, Tampa. thymeandbloom.com
Coming Soon
Buzzed Bull Creamery Next year a new boozy liquid nitrogen creamery is set to open its first Florida location in Tampa. The new concept serves up boozy as well as non-alcoholic scoops and shakes just in case your kid tags along. Offerings can be snagged as ice cream combos or nitro shakes, with flavors like Death By Chocolate made with chocolate ice cream, brownie bites, chocolate chips, chocolate sauce on top with a suggested “buzz” of chocolate vodka (a non-buzzed version pictured above). Location TBD. buzzedbullcreamery.com
Mutts and Martinis Dog owners, rejoice! St. Pete’s Grand Central District is getting a dog waterpark and full-liquor bar. The front patio will host a zero-entry splash pool, water sprays, and fountains for dogs to escape the heat. Shade and air-conditioning are available within the indoor space which also hosts a playground for pups as well as a bar for humans to mingle. 2900 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. lovemydogresort.com
Oh Yeah Creamery Within the next month or so we can expect new scoops in Hyde Park next door to Noble Market. The shop’s Facebook has been sharing construction progress and teasing possible flavors inspired by nostalgic cereal (like Trix, Lucky Charms and Cap’n Crunch) and desserts like cosmic brownie, oatmeal cream pies and Swiss rolls. 224 S. Blvd., Hyde Park. @ohyeahcreamery on Facebook.
On The Fly The food hall in St. Petersburg is set to open its doors on Nov. 16. On The Fly, which was announced by Ciccio Restaurant Group in late August, will feature local favorites Better Byrd, Sweet Soul and Fresh Kitchen, as well as new addition Taco Dirty. 4447 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. cicciorestaurantgroup.com —Thomas Holton
Temporarily closed
The Bricks In an Instagram message posted Monday, the bar said several of its staff members tested positive for coronavirus and that a temporary closure is in place until Nov. 15. “We recommend anyone who has visited the Bricks within the last 10 days to get tested and follow the CDC guidelines,” the restaurant wrote, adding that any questions may be sent to info@thebricks.com. “We appreciate the support understanding as we get through this pandemic together.” 1327 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City. thebricksybor.com
Closings
Chiang Mai Tai Last weekend, the Thai concept announced its closure with a note on its door thanking the foodie community for 10 years of service at 1100 Central Ave. in St. Pete. A Clearwater restaurant with the same name and different owner, however, is still open. Chiang Mai was known for dishes like spicy volcano chicken, panang curry, as well as an array of pad thai. We’ll see what type of concept is ready to step up and take on the competition laced along Central Ave. in the EDGE District.
ICYMI
Jeni’s Ice Creams Beginning this week on Nov. 5, Jeni’s is debuting its holiday flavors including Sugar Plum, Campfire Chocolate, spiced Cognac with Gingerbread, and White Chocolate Peppermint. You can get in the spirit with some frozen scoops or use it as a way to beat the heat. Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa. jenis.com
King State BOTB-winning Tampa Heights hipster haven King State (the eighth best coffee shop in the U.S., according to Food & Wine) now offers canned versions of its IPA 02, Pilsner, and cold brew. The beers and coffee come in four-packs for retail and to-go orders only. The four-packs cost between $14-16. 520 E. Floribraska Ave., Tampa. king-state.com
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This article appears in Nov 5-11, 2020.