On Monday, Taps Restaurant Bar & Lounge in downtown Tampa announced that its newest location and concept, an upscale yet laid-back American brasserie, will open in July at International Plaza. Next to The Capital Grille along Bay Street, the new brasserie-style restaurant and bar will serve classic cuisine with contemporary influence.
With executive chef Jason Dame heading the kitchen, Taps signatures such as the tuna crudo will be offered alongside entrees, a first for the brand. Short rib ragu, cauliflower and portobello tacos, steak frites, burgers and octopus will be among the dishes cooked up by Dame, who's crafted grub at local spots like Café Dufrain and Datz, as well as consulted New York's Sip City.
"Our downtown location has always been good to us, but we have been restricted by what we can do due to its size and limited kitchen," said Taps owner James DeVito in a statement. "I am so excited to have a full kitchen."
Mixologist Vicente Lavayen — who's worked in bars and eateries throughout the state, including Delray Beach's Hudson at Waterway East — will serve as general manager while leading the restaurant's beverage program and craft cocktail lineup.
Taps, launched in Tampa more than seven years ago, has three additional locations in Fort Lauderdale, Naples and Winter Park. The International Plaza locale will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Later in the evenings, live DJs will blend throwback tunes with modern hits.
