Laura Troyer, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

A bowl of colorful spicy creamy mushroom ramen

J’s Asian Kitchen opens in Seminole Heights

The Tampa spot serves Japanese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese comfort classics.

by Laura Troyer March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

J’s Asian Kitchen opened last month, adding another casual dine-in dinner spot—or late-night takeout option—along North Florida Avenue.

The exterior of a newly opened Greenlane Drive Thru restaurant, featuring a distinctive building design with vertical green and yellow panels.

Greenlane brings tight end-worthy fast food to Wesley Chapel

It’s got opening day deals and a new spring menu today.

by Laura Troyer March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

A box of twelve gourmet cinnamon rolls, each generously covered with unique frostings and varied toppings like fresh fruit, chocolate, and nuts

Cinnaholic brings vegan sweets to St. Pete

The loaded vegan cinnamon rolls got a boost from ‘Shark Tank.’

by Laura Troyer March 10, 2026March 11, 2026

Rows of colorful Girl Scout Cookie boxes lined up for sale, with orange do-si-dos boxes in the foreground.

Rapp Brewing Company pairs beer with Girl Scout Cookies this weekend

Earn your hipster badge in Seminole.

by Laura Troyer March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

A curated display of vintage furniture and home decor, including a wooden dresser, wicker chairs, and various woven baskets at an indoor antique market.

Arts & Entertainment

The Great Junk Hunt comes to Tampa this weekend

Whatcha gon’ do with all that junk?

by Laura Troyer March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

Exterior view of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, Florida, showing the blue dome building, ropes course, and dinosaur playground.

Arts & Entertainment

MOSI offers math-fueled fun and baked goods for Pi Day

It’ll be irrational and delicious in Tampa this weekend.

by Laura Troyer March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

A pink-painted vintage apartment building in downtown St. Petersburg features a large white mural reading 'Art is the ultimate luxury' with hibiscus flowers, created as a temporary installation before the 1920s-era affordable housing is demolished for the 29-story Roche Bobois luxury condo tower.

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete Razing frames downtown’s pink paint job as ceremonial humiliation [PHOTOS]

by Laura Troyer March 7, 2026March 9, 2026

An artistic underwater maternity portrait of a pregnant woman posing gracefully in a flowing lavender dress.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa photographer turns backyard spring into underwater portrait studio

At her private Seminole Heights spring, Jen Naugle captures the beauty of women in transition.

by Laura Troyer March 5, 2026March 5, 2026

Tampa Pirate Water Taxi tour cruising on the Hillsborough River past the historic University of Tampa Plant Hall.

Arts & Entertainment

Architects offer floating design lessons aboard Tampa’s Pirate Taxi

As part of AIA Tampa Bay’s Design Week, passengers will learn how the Hillsborough River has literally shaped Tampa.

by Laura Troyer February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

Jewish Food Festival brings lox of fun to Clearwater this weekend

It’s back in full, and guests will be too.

by Laura Troyer February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

Exterior view of the historic William A. Morrison House (1885) in South Tampa’s Hyde Park district, a white Italianate-style remodeled homestead located at 850 S. Newport Ave.

The Hillsborough library system has a class to help you find the history of your old house

by Laura Troyer February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

spectator stands at the Derby Lane dog track

Pinellas Farmers and Flea Market moves to St. Pete dog track

The Asian food paradise formerly in Largo now takes over the old Derby Lane every weekend.

by Laura Troyer February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

Overhead view of a toasted everything bagel sandwich filled with folded eggs, melted cheese, and pork roll at Homesick Bagels in Tampa.

Homesick joins Tampa Bay’s bagel boom

The Hyde Park spot shares ownership with Santoro’s Pizza and Giancarlo’s Cafe & Spirits,

by Laura Troyer February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

A gourmet seafood spread at Luma featuring a whole grilled fish surrounded by plates of fresh crudo, sashimi, and roasted vegetables.

Luma opens in St. Pete’s SkyBeach Resort

It’s the south St. Petersburg hotel’s third culinary concept since its 2024 relaunch.

by Laura Troyer February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

Colorful lion dancers performing for a crowd in a sunny parking lot outside Cafe Hey for its Lunar New Year celebration.

Arts & Entertainment

Café Hey’s lion dance is back on this weekend

The Tampa shop’s mane attraction was saved from extinction.

by Laura Troyer February 17, 2026February 21, 2026

Ballet dancers perform on stage in front of a backdrop depicting stone arches and a garden scene. A group of dancers in pastel costumes gather around a box at center stage, while another dancer in a blue dress balances on pointe with one leg extended gracefully to the side. A table decorated with flowers and a cake is set in the background, creating a festive atmosphere.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa City Ballet opens studio for behind-the-scenes show this week

The series will continue monthly in rotating locations around Tampa Bay.

by Laura Troyer February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

The interior of a cafe designed with a unique 2D comic book style, featuring black-and-white line art on the walls and bright green furniture.

Dads’ Kitchen and Co. taking over 2D Cafe spot in St. Pete

This isn’t your mama’s comfort food. It’s your two dads’.

by Laura Troyer February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

Three smiling staff members wearing matching 'Pete's Bagels' t-shirts standing together in front of the menu board.

Pete’s Bagels opens in Tarpon springs

The Dolphin Gift Shop now has sponges with a side of schmear.

by Laura Troyer February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

Tampa Bay’s first Whataburger opens this week in Largo

Two more Tampa Bay spots are planned for this Spring.

by Laura Troyer February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

A still from 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart gazing at each other in a field of purple and white flowers.

Arts & Entertainment

Armature Works screens another ‘Twilight’ movie for free this month

How long have you been 17?

by Laura Troyer February 3, 2026February 3, 2026