UPDATED 01/22/20 3:30 p.m.
Tampa Heights' The Hall on Franklin is spicing things up with a new stall that opens Monday, January 27.
The concept, named Top 10, is under the purvey of former 7th + Grove executive chef, Rudy Clark. Jamal Wilson, who owns Hall on Franklin, told CL that Clark's menu will be comprised of what Clark considers to be the top 10 dishes of his culinary career. Wilson says that means Clark's spins on the Cuban sandwich, a fat steak dinner, grouper cheeks plus a handful of other dishes that promise to wow diners.
When CL got ahold of Clark on the phone, the chef was bursting with excitement for his first solo restaurant venture.
“I've been asked when I'm going to put something out myself, and I think it’s the time for me to use my over 20 years of experience and bring something new to Tampa Bay,” Clark said.
After spending years cooking and consulting for restaurants around Tampa Bay, Clark is looking forward to putting his stamp on the city by making classic dishes with his spin. Expect menu items like a grouper cheeks Tampa Roll, a play on the lobster roll concept made with what Clark considers the “filet mignon” of the fish, the cheeks.
“I’m taking the most tender, flavorful part of the fish and putting my spin on it,” he added.
Clark has also created a Tampa Poutine dish, a version of the Canadian favorite that swaps the typical base of frites for yuca frites, and adds both mojo pork and pickled veg before topping the creation off with mojo gravy and manchego cheese curds.
Top 10 moves into the space last occupied by Fork & Gallina, which opened in August and received at 2.5 out of 5-star rating from Creative Loafing Tampa Bay food critic Jon Palmer Claridge in October.
Clark, who was part of the 7th+Grove team that earned a four-star rating from Claridge in September, also helped open Seminole Heights' C House in 2018. The chef told CL that he and 7th+Grove parted ways just before the holidays, and he “is stoked for the business and wishes them nothing but success.” He reiterated that it was time for him to make his mark with his own concept.
But Hall on Franklin wasn’t in Clark’s original plan.
Initially, he and Wilson were in talks of the chef opening a concept inside Wilson’s forthcoming, still-unnamed, food hall in Orlando, but when space opened up at Hall on Franklin, Clark didn’t want to pass up the opportunity. Clark is still set to launch a second concept in Orlando when that food hall is officially up and running.
We know what you're thinking. Didn't 7th + Grove just land on CL's Top 50 Restaurant List of 2019? Yes, yes it did. But it seems that Clark is ready to spread his wings and put decades worth of experience to the test on his own.
Top 10 joins Hall on Franklin favorites like Poké Rose, Bake'n Babes, Xilo, North Star, Fork & Hen and espresso joint Kofe.
In the meantime, get a taste of the new kid at the Hall this Monday. Top 10's hours are 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. The Hall on Franklin is located at 1701 N. Franklin St. in Tampa.
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