Takara Sushi & Sake Lounge has officially relocated its Japanese fusion cuisine from Tampa to Brandon. Opened in 2012, the popular Japanese fusion eatery served its final meals along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard on Oct. 22 before moving to 795 W. Lumsden Road, where Poblanos Mexican Grill & Bar previously operated.
Takara’s new standalone building is more spacious, features a wraparound patio with outdoor seating and offers more parking because of its location inside the Oak Park Plaza. The menu spotlights everything from nigiri and sashimi to grilled seafood and steaks.
“Without all of your support, we would not be where we are today, doing what we love,” the restaurant posted to its Facebook page Oct. 19.
• Mickey Quinn's Crafthouse & Eatery has launched in Largo. At 9057 Ulmerton Road, the bar and grill — which held its soft opening back in October — showcases 22 taps dedicated to local craft beer and a food menu, with items like Guinness bratwurst, offered until 2 a.m. daily. Craft cocktail creations are served from the full liquor bar, too.
• In Clearwater, another bar and grill recently started specializing in gourmet tacos. The fast-casual Breakroom Bar & Grill, located at 13575 58th St. N., cooks up seven taco varieties — pork shoulder, buffalo chicken and vegetarian among them. Black bean and corn salsa, spicy cilantro sour cream and blue cheese are just a few of the ingredients that top these Mexican favorites.
A Philly cheesesteak, zucchini Parm hoagie and more sandwich combos make up the bill of fare’s other “handhelds” alongside entrees, salads and starters. But diners can also get in on The Breakroom’s weekday happy hour of half-price bottles of wine, $2 signature cocktails and $2 craft beer bottles and cans.
• St. Petersburg has a new destination for kava in Bryan Peacock and Kevin Eckelkamp’s Muddy Water Kava & Tea. Inside cozy digs at 6111 10th St. N., the owners and friends’ cafe debuted two months or so ago with a selection of kava drinks, coffee and tea. Daily specials include $20 all-you-can-drink kava on Mondays and $3 loose-leaf tea and coffee for Therapeutic Thursday.
• Patio 6, which brought its first location to Westchase, has introduced its unconventional chicken wing mashups (you remember those salted caramel cheesecake wings, right?) to St. Petersburg. Patio 6 Prime Smokehouse Wing Bar & Grill celebrated with a soft opening in November at 10400 Roosevelt Blvd. N. (where Steel City Brewhouse used to be), dishing a similar menu to what was offered at its flagship, but with the addition of slow-cooked meats. Smoked specialties include PB&J ribs, St. Louis-style ribs, brisket, a smokehouse Cuban and all the staple sides.
This article appears in Jan 5-12, 2017.