Openings
Caddy’s A second St. Pete Beach Caddy’s location offers tasty views of Boca Ciega Bay and a stacked seafood-driven menu. 5501 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. caddys.com
Conservative Grounds Tampa Bay will soon be home to a coffee shop dedicated to Trump, guns, and conservative values, when Conservative Grounds opens this weekend in Largo. It has a replica of the White House’s Oval Office (complete with cardboard cutouts of the Trumps), FOX News looped on the TVs, and welcoming signs for concealed carry weapons. No snowflakes allowed. 13344 66th St., Largo. conservativegrounds.com
El Trailer de Tampa Bay Tampa Bay’s newest food trailer (like a food truck, but towed by a truck instead) El Trailer de Tampa Bay is celebrating its grand opening on March 1 in a big way—with whole roasted pigs accompanied by rice and beans. 6900 Hanley Rd., 813-436-6408
Cur(ate) Now Lightning fans, along with those who frequent the stadiums for concerts and events can cash in on the latest project, Cur(ate) TPA, a culinary experience showcasing new local food and beverage options. 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa, amaliearena.com
Kahwa The 16th location of the coffee joint is open at the Tampa Airport Marriott. Now travelers can get a buzz from a local chain. 4200 George J. Bean Pkwy. kahwacoffee.com
Mary Margaret’s Ole Irish Tavern St. Petersburg’s newest pub and restaurant offers a stacked menu, dark beers, Irish-inspired cocktails, and live music. 29 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg. marymargarets.com
Pete’s Sushi & Poke A self-explanatory name, Pete’s offers an extensive raw fish-driven menu of both made-to-order sashimi and speciality sushi rolls alongside build-your-own poke bowls. 14995 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach. petersushi.com
Taco Bus Taco Bus announced that the USF location is back up and running after renovations and even offered 99-cent tacos the entire first week of its re-opening to celebrate. 2320 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. taco-bus.com
Seminole Heights Dog Park and Bar The long-awaited Seminole Heights Dog Park and Bar is finally open, and it’s a must-visit spot for both booze and dog lovers. It takes the phrase “hair of the dog” to the next level. 4211 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-850-4038
Tarpon Springs Distillery The new distillery hosts tours, tastings and North Carolina songwriter Nikki Talley as part of the Gramling Woods Moonshine Concert series on Feb. 29. 605 N. Pinellas Ave.,Tarpon Springs. tarponspringsdistillery.net
Uptown Snoballs St. Pete’s newest frozen dessert eatery also offers gourmet popsicles, ice cream, sundaes, floats and wine pops for the moms. 1003 4th St. N, St. Petersburg. uptownsno.com
Coming Soon
Central Park The three-story food hall will be a layered multi-concept concept. The first floor is set to host a bar and the flagship food hall, the second floor will be taken over by Speaks Clam Bar, while the third floor is a rooftop dining concept run by chef Natalia Levey. 561 Central Ave. N., St. Petersburg. centralparkstpete.com
Cheesecake Factory Clearwater's Westfield Countryside will be home to a new Cheesecake Factory—in between JCPenney and Macy’s—by this fall. 27001 U.S. Highway 19 N. Suite 1039, Clearwater. thecheesecakefactory.com
Dissent Brewing Dissent owner Chris Price is in the process of opening a second location in downtown Lakeland, less than a mile away from a new food hall The Joinery. More craft brews for foodies. 125 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland. dissentcraftbrewing.com
My Favorite Muffin Within two years, Tampa Bay will become home to three new bakeries from the My Favorite Muffin franchise in Temple Terrace, Pinellas Park and Land O' Lakes. More details to come once leases are signed. myfavoritemuffin.com
Closings
Roy’s Roy's, which has been around since 1999, served its final meal last weekend at 4342 W Boy Scout Blvd. across from Tampa's International Mall.
Events
PDQ breakfast The chain launched breakfast at the Carrollwood location. Snag biscuits, bowls, wraps and espresso drinks in the drive-thru, takeout, dine-in or as a fat catering order. 6:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. daily. 12650 Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. eatpdq.com
Florida Gulf Coast’s Eggfest Barbecue enthusiasts from all over Tampa Bay come together next weekend to participate in a cooking competition on Big Green Egg grills only. Sat. Feb. 29. 10 a.m. $25 & up. Tabellas, 5818 Causeway Blvd., Tampa. flgulfcoasteggfest.com
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s To celebrate the location’s grand opening, the chain is hosting "Five Days of Festivities" beginning Tuesday, March 10, including food specials, prizes and giveaways. 889 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon. beefobradys.com
Apple Smash Attendees can sip Sailor Jerry Savage Apple (the 70-proof apple-flavored spiced rum) and participate in the interactive batting experience. Sat. March 14. 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Yard of Ale, 406 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. sailorjerry.com
Bloody Mary Festival Tickets include unlimited bloody mary samples and one free drink from the bar, which also serves mimosas and beer. Sun. April 26. $35 & up. Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. eventbrite.com
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This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 5, 2020.