Green ceviche (fish, poblano pepper, tomatillo and more), Brussels sprouts with sofrito and mofongo de camarones (plantain mash and Creole shrimp) are among the items on the tapas-driven menu at Patanegra, the latest downtown St. Pete dining spot serving up Spanish cuisine.
At 200 Central Ave., the 25,000-square-foot restaurant is nestled on the first floor of One Progress Plaza where Vue Sushi closed last year. Patanegra quietly debuted during a private grand opening Thursday evening, giving guests a taste of its sangria, wine and food offerings.
Owner Karim Benmansour, who also runs Tampa's Cafe Don Jose, said he's been back in the region for about a year and half. Before returning to Tampa, he headed restaurants overseas for 10 years.
Alongside the grub and wine, Patanegra offers craft beer and signature cocktails — including coquito (be still my heart) and the Local Gin and Jam that incorporates area-made fruit jam — from its 30-foot bar created with reclaimed wine boxes. Diners may order drinks inside, or at walk-up counters accessible from the outdoor terrace.
While the space can accommodate 140 diners, 20 more seats will be added to the building's lobby area.
Benmansour said the restaurant will operate Friday night and into the weekend, and that full service (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will begin Monday. The staff's in training mode for three more weeks.
This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2015.