Earlier this month, Iberian Rooster revealed its updated lineup of colonial Portuguese fusion on the heels of 2018’s arrival. New items for the downtown St. Pete eatery include boar braised in red wine and chocolate (served with bacon polenta and topped with shaved fennel, celery and golden raisins), as well as at least one vegan dessert.
But what’s really neat is that the menu is now decked out with whimsical illustrations by April Dukes. Throw in a sleek black hardcover and it’s almost like you’re reading an adult children’s book while flipping through everything from small and large plates to specialty cocktails.
• Columbia Restaurant’s Richard Gonzmart has been recognized by the Distinguished Restaurants of North America as one of two Hall of Fame inductees. Ella Brennan (Commander’s Palace) and Tom Margittai (Four Seasons) are among the previous honorees.
Established in 1993, the Hall of Fame recognizes celebrated restaurateurs every year, soliciting nominees from the DiRoNA membership pool who are then selected by an executive committee.
Gonzmart — the fourth-generation “caretaker” of his family’s restaurant group — will be inducted during an awards ceremony in Chicago, scheduled for May.
• The family-owned Trang Viet Cuisine — formerly based near USF Tampa along Fowler Avenue — is in the process of relocating its popular Vietnamese dishes to 230 E. Bearss Ave. The new location shares a plaza with NY Times Square Pizza, Plato Latino and Oggi Italian.
• Unfortunately, the St. Pete outpost for Brewburgers has closed at 4195 34th St. S. The specialty burger joint made the announcement Jan. 3, but the good news is that local diners can still find its signature made-to-order patties at Brewburgers Taphouse, which remains open in Kenneth City.
• And very important announcement: Fans of the irresistible German street food that is the döner should rejoice. Next door to Subway, a place called Berlins Doener is taking over the former home of Brewburgers’ in St. Pete. There’s a coming-soon sign up, with visible work being done on the interior of the building.
