O Cocina & Flights has announced an opening date for South Tampa: Thursday.
The restaurant at 4110 Henderson Blvd. will serve a sophisticated, farm-to-table menu of Mexican-inspired dishes.
With lunch and brunch items coming soon, plantain empanadas, spice-rubbed chicken in mole poblano, three ceviches and a cast-iron chocolate chip cookie are included on the food lineup. The tacos — delivered from the open kitchen in orders of two or three — are set to highlight ingredients like Yucatan-style barbecue pork, chayote squash, pineapple-habanero salsa and braised beef short rib.
O will also feature a 20-seat private party room and bar with a living wall and ceiling.
Also in Tampa, Hyde Park Village's long-awaited On Swann is now hiring. Targeting a middle or end of May debut, the new casual spot is looking to fill a range of hourly positions — line cooks, bartenders and servers among them.
As CL's covered in the past, On Swann, open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch at 1501 W. Swann Ave., will cook up regional American fare inspired by the East and West coasts. Partners John and Trudy Cooper, Chris and Michelle Ponte, and Chris Arreola have a thoughtfully sourced, seasonal bill of fare with local character planned. Plus, craft cocktails, wine and craft beer.
The Seminole storefront of Memphis Style BBQ Company held its grand opening last month at 5667 Seminole Blvd., where the London Bus Pub used to be.
Low-'n'-slow pulled pork, dry rub baby back ribs, chicken, and homemade Southern sides such as bourbon barbecue baked beans, fried green tomatoes and blue cheese mashed taters anchor the eatery's menu. Oh, and there's a selection of three scratch-made desserts of the day. Yes, please.
Oggi Italian has quietly started specializing in chicken and pasta in Tampa's Davis Islands. Using "fresh, locally sourced ingredients," the Italian joint at 236 E. Davis Blvd. also offers tastes like brûléed roasted pineapple, mozzarella made in-house daily and wine on tap.
At 6186 N. U.S. Highway 41, Apollo Beach saw the opening of Salty Shamrock Gastro Grille, whose specialty is local seafood and other signature eats. Safety Harbor's Daddy Dawgs premiered at 3101 State Road 580 with ice cream and, yep, hot dogs. The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. opened to South Tampa at 111 S. Dale Mabry Highway. And Fuzzy's Taco Shop's grand opening at 2874 Providence Lakes Blvd. in Brandon is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 6, 2016.