Sal Rosa Kitchen + Bar 601 N Florida Ave, Tampa Replacing the historic hotel’s former restaurant Bizou Brasserie is a brand new, Caribbean-inspired concept called Sal Rosa Kitchen + Bar, which will be the signature restaurant of the historic Le Méridien boutique hotel after its grand opening sometime this fall. The hotel says its new restaurant will “feature a mix of Island Latin cuisine and Caribbean themed cocktails.” According to Le Méridien’s website, the restaurant will also have an on-site cafe and dessert shop that will serve a variety of specialty drinks from Illy Coffee, gelatos and pastries. Photo via SalRosaTampa/Facebook Credit: SalRosaTampa / Facebook
It’s common to see people posing for photos on Le Méridien’s massive steps, but a brand new restaurant might have those same folks wandering inside for dinner, too.

Replacing the historic hotel’s former restaurant Bizou Brasserie is a brand new, Caribbean-inspired concept called Sal Rosa Kitchen + Bar.

Sal Rosa Kitchen + Bar—located at 601 N Florida Ave. in the heart of downtown Tampa—will be the signature restaurant of the historic Le Méridien boutique hotel, also known as “The Courthouse,” after its grand opening sometime this fall.

The hotel says its new restaurant will “feature a mix of Island Latin cuisine and Caribbean themed cocktails.” According to Le Méridien’s website, the restaurant will also have an on-site cafe and dessert shop that will serve a variety of specialty drinks from Illy Coffee, gelatos and pastries.

Sal Rosa’s social media states that it will make its debut sometime in September, although an exact grand opening date is unknown. Renderings shared on its Instagram depict the new bar and restaurant as a bright and open space covered in foliage and modern decor.

It is unsure exactly when Bizou Brasserie closed its doors, but it seems like the hotel has been quietly renovating its restaurant space for the last few weeks.

Bizou Brasserie’s website has already been taken down, its social media pages converted and is now listed as “permanently closed” on Google. The now-closed new American restaurant boasted a high end, French-inspired menu, but diners often criticized its steep prices and small portions.

Alongside its new signature restaurant Sal Rosa, the 100 year-old federal courthouse-turned-hotel also offers 130 boutique rooms, an outdoor pool and a variety of meeting spaces that have been converted from former courtrooms.

For the latest information on downtown Tampa’s newest restaurant, head to its Instagram or Facebook page, both at @SalRosaTampa.

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This article appears in Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2023.

Kyla Fields is the food critic and former managing editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay who started their journey at CL as summer 2019 intern. They are the proud owner of a charming, sausage-shaped, eight-year-old...