Kimberly Platt has street cred.
The chef and restaurateur, who one could call a Tampa Bay food scene pioneer of sorts based on her community involvements, has developed a pretty good following since her food truck, Charlie Tulum’s Dos Tacos, opened in 2013. So much so that her admirers, aware of her latest restaurant project planned for downtown Dunedin, have demanded she put the mobile kitchen’s staple on the menu.
Across from Dunedin City Hall, Platt’s been working to fulfill their taco fantasies and more since last month. She’s converting the bungalow-style structure at 516 Grant St. that once served as a residential unit (and, before that, a daycare center) into her new restaurant, The Honu.
The concept, whose name is the Hawaiian term for turtle, is billed as “a lei’d back cafe.” In addition to the ever-changing lineup’s taco selection, Platt will cook up cuisine influenced by Hawaii and several fresh veggie-based dishes. Potato mac salad and musabi, a popular Hawaiian snack with Spam, are among the items The Honu’s teased on Facebook.
“I’ve always wanted to be in Dunedin,” Platt says, adding that Charlie Tulum’s, which will go on a break when the full-service spot opens, sets up at downtown’s Friday and Saturday morning market weekly. “I love it here, love the community, love how supportive they are.”
She lived in the dog-devoted city for eight years before moving to Palm Harbor, and, like its older sibling, The Honu will highlight three pooch-friendly menu offerings. Eats for keiki, or kids, will be available, and patrons can expect local craft beer. Platt says she and her team are fans of Barley Mow Brewing Company and Dunedin House of Beer.
Inside, the restaurant will feature 50 seats, a private dining room and a bar that allows diners to see into its open kitchen. Tables with umbrellas will be offered on the patio out front, a white vinyl fence will surround the perimeter and the large columns holding up the building will showcase an artistic turtle shell design to match The Honu’s theme.
“I want to serve out of the truck here someday,” Platt says while showing CL the restaurant’s large space around back. It’s one of the reasons she was attracted to the building.
Though the indoor-outdoor restaurant will only be open for lunch, it plans to host specialty Hawaiian-themed dinners, including luaus, in the evenings. Platt says she hopes her wife Lisa, who she married two years ago and has two dogs with, will help her with the front-of-house operations — The Honu’s aiming to open its doors in January.
“I tell everybody,” Platt says, “I say January with my fingers crossed.”
This article appears in Nov 12-18, 2015.