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Ebbe, a new fine dining concept by Michelin-starred Chef Ebbe Vollmer, will open in downtown Tampa

It will dish out seasonal fare from “fantastic Florida to essential Scandinavia.”

By Kyla Fields on Tue, May 16, 2023 at 4:59 pm

Ebbe, a new fine dining concept by Michelin-starred Chef Ebbe Vollmer, will open in downtown Tampa

Ebbe Vollmer / Facebook

A hot new concept is headed to downtown Tampa—but you might have to save a few paychecks to dine there.

Opening out of Mole y Abuela’s former space at 1202 N Franklin St. in the heart of downtown, fine dining concept Ebbe (stylized as "EBBE") describes itself as “an incredible multi-course tasting experience.”

Helming the kitchen is internationally-acclaimed Chef Ebbe Vollmer, who has two Michelin stars under his belt. It’s quite the timing that the Sweden-born chef decided to open his newest restaurant in the Bay area, considering Tampa snagged its very first stars last week.

“Our menu. Our choices…a fixed menu that features all the best seasonal produce,” Ebbe's newly-formed website reads.

Currently, its only reservations available are for its “Chef’s Counter” pre-fixe menu, which cost $285 per person. The earliest reservations that can be made are for May 24—but it’s unsure if next Wednesday is the restaurant’s first official day open.

Reservations can be made via exploretock.com from Tuesdays-Saturdays starting next week.

Ebbe Vollmer’s Instagram (at @vollmersfood) shows that the Swedish chef has been preparing for his fine dining concept in Tampa since the beginning of 2023, although the restaurant's LLC was created just last month.

Chef Vollmer's LinkedIn page states that he’s worked at the two Michelin-starred Vollmers restaurant in Sweden for the past 10+ years, which he co-founded with his brother in 2011. It's one of two Swedish restaurants in history that have earned two Michelin stars, as The Independent reports.

According to bestchefawards.com, Vollmer worked alongside Gordon Ramsay himself at London's iconic Harvey’s Wandsworth Commons restaurant in the 1990s, and eventually became a chef at his flagship concept, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.

When describing his own cuisine, he says “it has evolved into an environmental and philosophical ethos that permeates all levels of my kitchen, from purchasing to preparation and presentation."

There’s an Instagram for Vollmer's fine dining concept at @ebbetampa, but there's no additional information just yet. After its debut, Ebbe will be open from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Ebbe will soon debut out of the brick building on Franklin Street that most recently housed Mole y Abuela and Fly Bar’s flagship location before that. Both concepts are now closed: Fly Bar’s second space quietly shut its doors last month while Mole y Abuela never reopened after violating COVID restrictions in 2020.

Slideshow

All the Tampa restaurants featured in the 2023 Florida Michelin Guide

Yummy House2620 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-237-3838Michelin ranking: Recommended"Crowds still clamber to fill the seats at this spacious, no-frills eatery, whose sizable menu presents ample options for a range of tastes. Diners can find contentment with familiar American-Chinese staples, like orange chicken and salt-and-pepper fried calamari (or tofu). However, dishes like clay pot-braised fish have their own unique, earthy appeal. During lunch hours you’d be well-advised to select from the separate dim sum menu, which features typical bites like dumplings and turnip cakes, as well as sweet regional specialties like pineapple buns and Hong Kong-style egg tarts.Thanks to the popularity of the original, a number of offshoots can be found throughout southern Florida, including a more upscale one in South Tampa."Photo via Yummy House

Lilac500 Channelside Dr, Tampa, 813- 771-8022Michelin ranking: 1 Star"Peruse the contemporary four-course prix-fixe with Mediterranean influences, Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques. A meal might include luxe bites like a Diver scallop infused with rosemary smoke and dramatically served under a cloche to well-executed and flavorful lobster feuillantine."Photo via Google Maps

Rocca323 W Palm Ave., Tampa. 813-906-5445Michelin ranking: 1 Star"Chef Bryce Bonsack blends his New York know-how with Italian training to great effect in this of-the-moment eatery. Naturally, there's an assortment of pastas, skillfully made in house and showcasing classic flavors and scrupulous technique, as in spaghetti al limone, tossed with knobs of blue crab and lemon, shaved garlic and zucchini."Photo by Google Street

Gorkhali Kitchen10044 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa, 813-388-6404Michelin ranking: Bib GourmandMichelin praised the breadth of the menu at New Tampa strip mall spot, Gorkhali Kitchen and noted its focus on Nepalese cuisine with a touch of Indian influence. "Of course, there must be momo, those iconic Nepalese dumplings that are seared, pan-fried or even in jhol (soup). Chicken is a popular protein that appears often on the menu, but don't shy away from the goat specialties. They're falling-off-the-bone tender and savory," inspectors wrote.Photo by Melissa Santell

Ichicoro5229 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 813-517-9989Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand Without a doubt, Ichicoro ushered in a new era for Tampa’s dining scene, but the concept closed last April. Records at the City of Tampa show that an "Ichicoro 2.0" was underway across the street at 5246 N Florida Ave, but the last update for that concept happened in December 2022. It's unclear what is happening with that property.Photo by Melissa Santell

Psomi701 N Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-841-5555Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand"Owned and run by second-generation Greek-American, Christina Theofilos, this daytime eatery and bakery epitomizes warmth and comfort. Strangers become friends in no time, noshing on breakfast and lunch during the week and brunch on weekends. The menu is laced with Greek items ranging from flavorful and tender octopus ceviche to house-made dolmades that display an added level of care. The farm to your table sandwich is layered with avocado, pickled green tomato, shaved jicama, sprouts and whipped feta. Of course, with a name that translates to bread, there must be baked goods and you'll find it all here. Don't skimp on dessert and order bougatsa, baklava or baklava coffee cake (an impressive marriage of the two)."Photo via Psomi/Instagram

Rooster & The Till6500 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-374-8940Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand"It's a low-key spot with a contemporary feel. The bar is central and wraps around an open kitchen, so grab a seat at the counter for the best view. Between the lively tunes and buzzy staff, the aura is anything but stuffy. The plates follow suit—freewheeling, frequently changing and shareable with elements from SE Asia, Latin America and the Levant. Yet, nothing seems out of place, as in sumac-flecked cauliflower with whipped goat's milk feta and falafel-spiced dukkah. Fried cobia collar with nuoc cham boasts a cultish following. Such seductive textures and explosive flavors continue in full force in a dessert of black sesame ice cream with pineapple-cashew jam and Thai tea caramel. The tasting menu, though pricier, is a worthy splurge."Photo via Rooster & The Till/Facebook

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About The Author

Kyla Fields

Email Kyla Fields

Kyla Fields is the 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, four-year-old rescue mutt named Piña.

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