Photo via adnoraf/Instagram
The Adnoraf, a members-only supper and social club, officially opens early next month in South Tampa.
Small Giant and Wine on Water Shortly following the debut of its Hyde Park Village bubbly-centric lounge Bouzy, comes two more brand new concepts from Cru Hospitality, the parent company of the popular wine bar Cru Cellars. New bar and restaurant Small Giant plus wine and modern spirits shop Wine on Water are both opening at Water Street Tampa this weekend. Small Giant celebrates its grand opening on Friday, Feb. 17 at 1011 E Cumberland Ave., while its retail sibling opens around the corner at 1057 Water St. on Wednesday, Feb. 15. While Small Giant boasts a large dining room with approachable food and drink options—like Columbus-style pizza and popular cocktails—Wine on Water will provide a more intimate sipping experience on its outdoor patio or nine-person tasting table. In addition to its selection of hundreds of local and international bottles, Wine on Water will also offer rotating by-the-list glasses of wine, different educational programs and tasting events. waterstreettampa.com -Kyla Fields
Brandon’s first drive-thru Chipotle Because it's a known fact that residents of Brandon are conditioned to be in their cars for long periods of time, it only makes sense that they're getting one of Tampa Bay's first Chipotle drive-thrus. On Thursday, Feb. 16, Brandon’s first "Chipotlane" debuted at the 11137 Causeway Blvd. location. The drive-thru is not your standard drive-thru where you can place orders directly at the window, instead it is a drive-thru pickup lane that allows guests to conveniently pick up digital orders without leaving their cars.Guests who enroll in Chipotle Rewards by March 6 will earn a free side of guac dropped into their rewards account, as part of the company's new “Freepotle” perk. Florida got its very first taste of a “Chipotlane” back in 2019 when it first debuted in Orlando. The Sunshine State is now home to over 25 “Chipotlanes” with more planned to open this year. 11137 Causeway Blvd., Brandon. chipotle.com -Tyana Rodgers
Detroit Wing Co. Feeling saucy? The Michigan-based wing chain Detroit Wing Company will debut its first Florida location in Tampa this weekend. Located at 5006 E Fowler Ave., the grand-opening is Saturday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. The first 25 people in line get a chance to enter to win free chicken wings for a year, and the first 300 people in line earn a free six-piece chicken wing and fry combo.The spot has 20 wing sauces and six variations of dry rubs. If wings aren't your thing, the menu also has various types of mac ‘n cheese, cornbread bites, poutine and seasoned fries. The big thing here is beer and sauce pairings. An interactive menu on the company's website shows what beers taste best with each sauce. For example, the company's spiciest flavor, Hot Garlic, pairs best with a hoppy/bitter brew, like a Bell's Two Hearted, says the site. The chain first opened in Eastpointe, Michigan in 2015 and currently has over 30 restaurants, mostly in Michigan and Ohio, and now its first outpost in Florida. 5006 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. detroitwingco.com -Tyana Rodgers
Coming soon
The Adnoraf Hyde Park's newest concept might be one of the most exclusive dining experiences in all of Tampa Bay. The Adnoraf, a members-only supper and social club, officially opens early next month in South Tampa. Grander than your typical white tablecloths and upscale spots, The Adnoraf is all about offering an exclusive experience for its members—and it comes at a high price, of course. In total, The Adnoraf will allow 150 members— but only 25 platinum memberships. All members of The Adnoraf will have access to its monthly dinners, which will be hosted by a rotating selection of chefs that specialize in different techniques—from omakase sushi to avante-garde presentations and fusion cuisines. In addition to unique dining experiences and events that The Adnoraf will host throughout the month, the South Tampa club will also offer its members different wellness rooms that specialize in reiki, yoga, meditation and IV therapy. The most expensive membership tier costs $5,000 upfront and an additional $175 in monthly dues. 119 S Dakota Ave.,Tampa. adnoraf.com -Kyla Fields
Events
St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival This annual festival is back for another year of good eats, live entertainment and family-friendly fun. Co-hosted by the City of St. Petersburg, 2023's rendition runs from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26. Although the festival itself is free to attend, its local food vendors will be peddling their specialty dishes at a cost, of course. Alongside a variety of seafood stands, The St. Petersburg Seafood and Music Festival will also offer different alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, desserts, sides and vegetarian options. Although children are welcome to attend next weekend's festival, only service dogs will be permitted. The festival's music lineup includes local bands like K-Luv and United Funk Foundation, Dr. Dave, 22N, Paisley Craze, Gas House Gorilla, Mixed Signal Band, The Black Honkeys, Stormbringer, Sarasota Steel Pan Band, YaYa Diamond Band and No Filter. 400 Bayshore Dr NE, St. Petersburg. paragonfestivals.com -Kyla Fields
Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival This community-centered festival is making its annual comeback, complete with vendors, prizes and plenty of collard-based dishes. Located at the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in St. Pete, this event kicks off at 9 a.m. on Feb. 18. The festival is free to attend, and will feature plenty of food, activities for kids, an African drum circle and a collard green cook-off competition with a $500 prize. A 9 a.m. yoga session is on the agenda alongside educational demos (live cooking, accessible agriculture, physical fitness), smoothie samples and the 2022 high school collard green recipe winning dish. There will also be a family-friendly block party celebrating Black History Month. The festival’s KidsZone features face painting, tree climbing and games—so no one is missing out on the festivities. 2240 9th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. tbcgf.org—Min Craig
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ According to its organizers, the annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ event celebrates "living life in a Southern state of mind." While we're not exactly sure what that means, the popular festival makes its return to Tampa Bay this weekend. This multifaceted foodie fest takes place at downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park on Saturday, Feb. 18. In addition to unlimited sips of craft beer and bourbon, attendees can expect a wide range of barbecued meats and live blues and rock music, too. Although the festival will feature a variety of different barbecue styles, it's known for its "Swine of Shrine" aka whole smoked hogs. Unfortunately, VIP tickets for this foodie festival are already sold out, but there’s still time to grab general admission passes for $45. VIP ticket holders can enter the festival early, but GA folks still get unlimited samples of beer and bourbon from 2 p.m.-6 p.m., a souvenir tasting glass, and access to the event’s live entertainment. 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. tampa.beerandbourbon.com -Kyla Fields
ICYMI
Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine hosts a charity event this weekend To celebrate the one year anniversary of celebrity chef Alton Brown declaring its bacon, egg and cheese the “best breakfast sandwich ever,” Supernatural Food & Wine will release a special edition t-shirt featuring a logo of Brown in Tampa, designed by former Supernatural cook (and Now & Then coffee founder Davy Ball). “If I had not made that mental switch, and he had come in, it could have been a whole different picture,” Roderick added. Since that day, business at Supernatural has quadrupled and its kitchen staff has doubled. Proceeds from this weekend’s event—happening on Sunday, Feb. 18—will go to Metropolitan Ministries. “At this point all I can say is 'thank you' to everyone who has been a part of the past year,” Roderick wrote on social media. “I couldn’t do it without you all and wouldn’t want to anyways.”—Ray Roa
Over 20 Mardi Gras specials, parties and events happening throughout Tampa Bay Once again, New Orleans’ annual Mardi Gras celebration makes its journey across the Gulf Coast all the way to Tampa Bay. From crawfish boils and indulgent Fat Tuesday dinners to brass bands and Creole-inspired food and drink specials—here are over 20 Mardi Gras specials, events and block parties happening in every corner of Tampa Bay. Some of our favorite parties happen at Bayboro Brewing, Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen, Zydeco Brew Werks and the Dunedin Smokehouse. -Kyla Fields
KFC is currently testing two new chicken sandwiches in Tampa KFC is curious if its latest chicken concoctions are suitable for mass human consumption, and so the company has turned to Tampa residents to test out two new menu items for the foreseeable future. This week, the company announced that Tampa will be exposed to the new $6.99 Ultimate BBQ Sandwich, as well as the $5.99 Spicy Slaw Sandwich. According to a press release, The Ultimate BBQ KFC Chicken Sandwich features a crispy white meat filet, along with KFC's Honey BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions, hickory-smoked bacon, cheese and pickles on a brioche bun. The Spicy Slaw Sandwich has a similar chicken and bun setup, but instead comes with the company's standard coleslaw, spicy mayonnaise and pickles.—Colin Wolf
