Those who can’t get enough of chef-curated cheese selections, clean eating and craft beer are in luck. While Tampa Bay experienced a series of stunner restaurant openings in the fall last year, a medley of casual and upscale dining destinations are set to tantalize palates further.
CLEMENTINE CAFÉ
Owners Misty and Brian Sommers will use organic ingredients, along with grass-fed beef and poultry, in the gluten-free items at their Ybor City eatery. Within Clementine Café’s open-air dining room at Ybor Daily Market, chef Brian will cook up dishes inside a retro-fitted Airstream trailer. Although 30 seats will accommodate eaters, there will be a walk-up counter for take-away orders. 1920 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-382-5575, clementinechef.com.
THE HARBOR DISH COMMUNITY CAFE
A downtown Safety Harbor joint that plans to rethink traditional restaurant models. At the nonprofit Harbor Dish, founded by Christina Sauger, diners will pay for their meals through suggested donations or a volunteer program, which will involve busing tables, washing dishes and the like. The menu will change daily and integrate organic ingredients when possible. 123 Fourth Ave. S., Safety Harbor, 727-796-8286, harbordish.org.
HAVEN
SideBern’s is slowly morphing into Haven, the new wine bar concept from the Bern’s Steak House crew. With a menu led by cheese and charcuterie, Executive Chef Chad Johnson will also showcase smaller dishes on his seasonal, little-bit-of-everything lineup. Laid-back yet still high-end, the Hyde Park spot will offer wines ranging from the lesser-known to the Bern’s-wine-list-worthy. 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-258-2233, havenwinebar.com.
POW
A downtown St. Pete pizzeria concept that replaces Wood Fired Pizza. Owned by Philippe Theodore, franchisee of POW’s World of Beer neighbor, the restaurant will serve artisanal pies and wings (made in the former occupant’s wood-burning oven), along with craft cocktails. World of Beer brews will be available to POW diners, and vice versa. 344 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-282-1888.
STILLWATERS TAVERN
Modern pub-like eats influenced by the culinary travels of Executive Chef Jeffrey Jew, a Top Chef alum, will be among the American tavern’s highlights, as well as 20 beers on tap and draft wines. Located in the old Bruce Watters Jewelers space, with decor elements like reclaimed wood and large front windows, the indoor-outdoor Stillwaters will seat 260. 224 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg, 727-895-5515, stillwaterstavern.com.
URBAN COMFORT
Another resto from Urban Brew and BBQ owner Andy Salyards. Diners can expect dishes with a comfort-food focus (chicken pot pie, cracker pie) from the downtown St. Pete brewpub alongside beer brewed on-site. Urban Comfort’s cocktail menu will feature whiskeys, house-made bitters and more. Expect indoor and outdoor seating, an open kitchen and three skylights. 2601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-8919.
YEOMAN’S ROAD PUB
The longtime Davis Islands British pub will move to the former home of Gilligan’s in downtown Tampa. Owners Richard and Connie Bond took over Yeoman’s, which opened in 1987, around 10 years ago, slinging a crowd-pleasing style of comfort cuisine, including shepherd’s pie and Reuben sandwiches. 202 N. Morgan St., Tampa, yeomansroadpub.com.
This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2015.