The last week in food news was one of the wildest in a while. The Corner Club in the Heights on sale for $565,000, Ybor City’s Cephas Jamaican is closing up before December, and a ton of new and forthcoming concepts made news around Tampa Bay.
Openings
A Friend Who Bakes Specializing in breakfast pastries, cookies, cakes, pies, as well as custom orders, the bakery hosts its grand opening event on Tuesday, November 12. 2901 Beach Blvd. S., Unit 105, Gulfport. afriendwhobakes.com
Flute & Dram On Friday, November 22, from 6 p.m.-midnight, the upscale bar hosts a grand opening reception to reveal the "Dram" side of Flute & Dram, which is "influenced by whiskey, cigars and live music." 234 Beach Dr. NE., St. Petersburg. fluteanddram.com
Pelican Pub After a brief closure following claims of a rash spreading to those who encountered Pelican Pub’s bench, the dive bar is back open for business after a green light from the health department; but you still might bring something home depending on the prescription of your beer goggles. 18 2nd St. N., St. Petersburg. facebook.com/thepelicanpub
Rox The newest and tallest rooftop bar in Tampa Bay is open on top of Current Hotel. Serving up signature cocktails and 360-degree views, Rox is open at 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday with flexible closing hours. 2545 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa. marriott.com
Coming Soon
Counter Culture The wait for Counter Culture, the third concept from four-time James Beard Award semifinalist chef Jeannie Pierola, may be nearing an end since a now hiring sign has been posted on the storefront. 2909 W. Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa. cc-tampa.com
Italy Bottega A new food market, wine and beer shop is coming to the ‘Burg. More details to come as construction continues. 1045 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. italybottega.com
Mita’s Kitchen & The Lion’s Den This December, the duo makes the move to the former Cephas location on Fourth Avenue. Until then, you can find the gang above Ybor City's Big Easy Bar at 1704 1/2 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City. facebook.com/MitasKitchenAndTheLionsDen
Old-School Bar and Grill This restaurant and live music joint on the SoHo-NoHo border has stayed pretty low key about updates, but “now hiring” sign has been posted on the exterior of the building. The website says the Tampa location is "opening soon." 2202 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. oldschoolbars.com
Sundial Food Hall Construction begins early 2020 as St. Petersburg’s Sundial gets reimagined into a food hall by Chas Bruck, co-owner of Armature Works. 153 Second Ave. N. St. Petersburg, sundialstpete.com
Closing
Cephas Hot Shop After nearly 40 years in service, the Ybor City Jamaican restaurant is closing its doors at the end of November. Cephas plans on opening a juice and aloe bar inside of Tequila’s Mexican restaurant at 1613 E. 7th Ave. 1701 E. 4th Ave., Ybor City. cephashotshop.com
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