OpenHouse St. Petersburg’s latest occupant, Baum Avenue Market, plays host to restaurant pop-ups every Thursday during the new Royal Palm Night Market. But within the last couple of weeks, the 2,000-square-foot event space has landed what could become a permanent addition if all goes well.
Specializing in Lebanese cuisine next door to Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, Avocado Valley has debuted in soft-opening mode as part of Baum Avenue Market at 1113 Central Ave. It’s a culinary venture that co-owner Whitney Singer and her husband — real estate investor Jonathan Daou, who owns OpenHouse in the EDGE District — have aimed to tinker with for more than a decade.
“We wanted to test this food concept for a while,” said Singer, “and being that we don’t have Lebanese sandwich options [in the area], we would like to share that experience.”
Singer, who’s originally from Tarpon Springs, and her family made the transition from snowbirds to St. Pete residents almost five years ago. Before that, however, when they’d come down from New York to visit loved ones, Daou saw how the EDGE District was developing — and the opportunity to purchase some property.
Baum Avenue Market is similar to the venue Daou founded in 2007 — NYC’s own OpenHouse, which manages multiple pop-up retail, restaurant and event projects — in that it functions as a launch pad for entrepreneurs.
“I’m the cook out of the two of us, but haven’t worked professionally as a chef. It is just something that I love to do for myself and others,” said Singer.
Taking inspiration from Daou’s Lebanese roots, Singer developed the menu for Avocado Valley. The signature items are sandwiches served on saj, a handmade lavash bread that’s kneaded super thin. One of her go-to orders is the falafel saj, which arrives filled with crispy chickpea and fava bean croquette, tomato, pickled beets and tahini. Another solid choice is the avocado and za’atar saj stuffed with avocado, cucumber, tomato and olives drizzled in za’atar (Middle Eastern spice mix) and olive oil.
Salads and meze are also offered at the restaurant, and a majority of its grub is vegan-friendly and gluten-free.
OpenHouse’s nearly 50 seating options range from tables to barstools, with additional spots on the covered patio in the works. Avocado Valley shares the space with Serene, a wellness bar owned by Jen Miranda offering smoothies, fresh-pressed juices and smoothie bowls. The Glow-Getter — a vegan blend of turmeric and coconut milk, peanut butter, banana and almond milk topped with coconut flakes, chia seeds, goji berries and edible flowers — is one of the cleverly named selections.
This week, Baum Avenue Market plans to welcome another pop-up: Valhalla Bakery. Owner Celine Duvoisin’s sweets shop is an Orlando favorite known for churning out vegan doughnuts, cupcakes and other desserts.
The duration of Avocado Valley’s stay is ultimately unknown. But Singer hopes the communal restaurant is embraced as a Baum Avenue Market staple.
“We have had really great feedback and many returning customers,” she said. “Quality and consistent food has been our biggest focus.”
Avocado Valley will soon expand its hours for dinner service. For now, though, the restaurant operates between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday — with the exception of Thursday evenings, when it stays open late for the Royal Palm Night Market crowd.
This article appears in Nov 15-22, 2018.