Wow, this week’s lineup is mostly a hankering for what’s to come. Foundation Coffee plans on breathing new life into the former Bunker space and Sparkman Wharf is soon to welcome a Michelin star chef. The Midtown Tampa development added two new concepts to its restaurant lineup—but you’ll have to wait until next year to get a taste. In other news, Tampa Bay Burger Week returns in a few weeks offering up deals from your favorite joints around town. Let’s eat.
Opening
Anani Bistro The smoothie and juice bar also offers sandos, salads and wraps. Organic cold-pressed juices are made in-house and will cost you anywhere from $3.50-$7. Each juice has been dubbed a creative name like "Fire Melon" with watermelon, coconut water, apple, blue spirulina, and jalapeño. 3062 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. ananibistro.com
Burger-ish Bar & Grill This July, aka smack-dab in the middle of coronavirus madness, the concept made its debut. Not super new to the scene, but noteworthy nonetheless since it opened mid-pandemic. The menu not only consists of loaded burgers, but also Latin-Caribbean fusion dishes like flautas, tostones, coconut shrimp, tacos and nachos. You can even snag specialty sandos and salads. 4755 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. en.burger-ish.com
Flan Factory The artisan dessert shop and sandwich stand serves Latin-inspired dessert made with Joseph Palau’s abuela’s recipes. Flan Factory serves about 30 flavors of flan including original Cuban style, guava, and cinnamon espresso Thai tea. Also on the menu are an assortment of small bites, sandwiches, coffees, and cold drinks. 1718 N. Nebraska Ave., Ybor City. flanfactorytampa.com
Magnanimous Brewing Tampa Heights has a new brewery on the block. The tap list includes nearly 20 pours, some of which are available to-go in either cans or bottles. No matter what your beer-drinking style, Magnanimous has carefully brewed everything from double IPAs to porters to sour ales. The brewery is also home to the second location of Ginger Beard Coffee. Come Saturday, Oct. 24 you can get your pre-booze buzz on from 7 a.m.-noon daily. 1420 N. Florida Ave., Tampa Heights. magnanimousbrewing.com
Peterbrooke Chocolatier The concept is now slinging all things to satisfy your sweet tooth. From chocolate-covered strawberries and pretzels to scoops of ice cream, there’s something for everyone to nibble on. This weekend the chocolate spot is hosting a grand opening event. Oct. 23-24. Noon-5 p.m. both days. 777 N. Ashley Dr. Skypoint Suite D2, Tampa. peterbrooketampabay.com
Coming Soon
Foundation Coffee Co. The coffee shop is moving into the old Bunker location in Ybor City (which closed its doors after 14 years in July). Windows at the shop are now adorned with the logo of Foundation Coffee Co., along with “Coming Soon” messaging, and in an interview, reps told CL it should be open by mid-November. 1907 N. 19th St., Ybor City. foundationcoffee.co
JoToro Come Nov. 4, Sparkman Wharf will host a concept run by Michelin star chef Joe Isidori (who was once 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
Kale Me Crazy The soon-to-be resident of Midtown Tampa is also the second Florida location of the superfood cafe with a mission to support a healthy lifestyle through the use of fresh, organic, and raw foods. The menu features juices, smoothies, salads and wraps. Kale Me Crazy will occupy 1,200-square-feet on the north side of The Commons. 3725 W. Grace St., Tampa. kalemecrazy.net
Mandola’s Italian Kitchen On Monday, Oct. 26, the restaurant is making its debut in Riverview’s Summerfield Commons Shopping Center. The 5,500-square-foot fast-casual restaurant, decked out in stylish Italian decor, is set to host spacious indoor seating as well as a 1,000-square-foot patio space, a dessert station, and even a wine area. The concept prides itself on utilizing authentic recipes that have been in the Mandola family for decades using made-from-scratch ingredients. 12926 U.S. Hwy 301, Riverview. mandolas.com
Midtown Boba Another future resident of Midtown Tampa, Midtown Boba’s offerings include specialty curated teas by in-house mixologists delivering bubble tea with a twist. Future sippers can choose from an array of classic milk teas to more creative combos like strawberries and cream boba. 3725 W. Grace St., Tampa. @midtownboba on Instagram.
Next Level Brands Holdings Tampa restaurateur Jeff Gigante has teamed up with real estate guru Andrew Wright to launch Next Level Brands Holdings. The duo already has its sights on opening a New American restaurant at Westshore City Center, with more on the way. 1111 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. nxtlevelbrands.com
ICYMI
Olivia brunch The Italian eatery has reopened for brunch service. If your memory is a little hazy, Olivia’s weekend brunch offerings are stacked with sweet and savory eats like orange blossom pancakes, Maine lobster omelets and Calabrian chicken and waffle made with speck ham, fried eggs, soppressata gravy and rosemary honey maple. Brunch service is from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 3601 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. oliviatampa.com
Tampa Bay Burger Week 2020 Next month, burger enthusiasts will have access to 10 straight days of deals thanks to the return of Tampa Bay Burger Week. From Nov. 5- 15, locals can work their way around a slew of participating restaurants serving up beefy deals. Stay tuned, the entire line-up of participating restaurants is in the works. tampabayburgerweek.com
Tampa Bay Food Fight 2020 For the third year in a row, a team of chefs from St. Petersburg defeated a competing Tampa squad to win Metropolitan Ministries' Food Fight charity cooking competition. Due to COVID-19 regulations and to ensure the safety of participants, the event was streamed from Seminole Hard Rock and Casino. To make a much-needed donation to the Metropolitan Ministries’ culinary program, visit the nonprofit’s website. metromin.org
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