Through the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurant news, including openings and closings, never toned down one tic. The energy is a testament to restaurant workers’ seemingly unbreakable spirit, which is on display at a new photography exhibition in downtown Tampa. Look below for details on “Chef’s Special” at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, plus your latest round of restaurant news.
Now open
The Nest Nina Hospitality (stylized “NINA”) is adding another concept to its belt, with the Nest. Set to open March 12, the Nest is attached to Caracara, Nina’s Dunedin Asian tacos and tapas spot. The 30-35 seat space is super intimate and attached to Caracara through the bathroom hallway, co-owner and Executive Chef Traci Bryant told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, adding, it will be more French focused, informed by my time living and working in western France (Marçay).” 720 Broadway, Dunedin. @caracaranest on Instagram
Reopened
Mr. B’s An Ybor Heights favorite reopened on March 11 after getting a visit from celebrity chef and Food Network personality Richard Irvine who revamped Mr. B’s Restaurant for an episode on his show “Restaurant Impossible.” It’s regular business hours are Sundays-Thursdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. It’s open for takeout, dine-in, and delivery via Grubhub, Yelp and UberEats. 3401 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. eatatmrbs.com
Closed
Sweet Mama’s Akwi Njoh and business partner Jahkeal Samuel—both Alonso High grans—opened their ice cream truck last weekend across from Tampa Heights’ Hidden Springs Ale Works. Focusing on soft-serve, the menu had options to pair ice cream with warm cookies, a WTF bowl (waffle, topping, fudge), classic cones and a “Shake What Ya Mama Gave Ya” create-your-own milkshake. But on Sunday, the duo wrote that it would be closed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances. @sweetmamastampa on Instagram
Coming soon
Gaia Donut Last weekend, the vegan donut company soft opened its storefront—across from Gangchu in Seminole Heights—with first day turnout leading to desserts selling out and Gaia taking a moment to close again with hopes to open this week. “Yesterday was a whirlwind. We are taking in everything we learned from the soft opening so we can be better prepared to keep you all stocked,” they wrote on social media. Official business hours aren’t finalized yet but Gaia is currently taking custom orders. 6617 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. gaiadonut.com
Junmai Station A new concept spearheaded by the owners of Seminole Heights’ Ebisu Sushi Shack, is opening in downtown Tampa at the new Hyatt House and Hyatt Place across from city hall. The spot will feature onigiri—aka stuffed rice balls—as its signature dish and hopes to be open by May 1. Onigiri is a staple food in Japan, and Junmai’s versions will lean on more western-style stuffings like tuna mayo or Spam, and Ron expects the menu to evolve over time. 325. N Florida Ave., Tampa (although Junmai will open on the Kennedy Boulevard side of the hotel)
King Of The Coop Tampa’s Nashville hot chicken joint is expanding again and spicing up the suburbs by opening its third location in Westchase. Founder Joe Dodd told CL that his Seminole Heights-based restaurant is opening in the Sprouts plaza near the intersection of Sheldon Road and Linebaugh Avenue. kingofthecoop.com
ICYMI
“Be Afraid of the Dark Pop-Up Bar” The haunted speakeasy is at The Underground at Old Historic Church, and promises a four-part interactive cocktail journey where guests can hear dark and hair-raising stories. The scariest part, however, is that the events, which had their first run in February, keep selling out. The latest batch of March dates is also sold out, but organizers Rock Star Beer Festivals (also in charge of the upcoming Tampa Beer Festival) told CL that more, still unannounced, dates are in the works for May. 1909 N 15th St., Ybor City. rockstarbeer.com
From diners to fine dining, FMoPA showcases Tampa Bay’s essential restaurant workers Late last year, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) put out a call asking local photographers to take pictures of chefs, owners and other behind-the-scenes essential workers who are the foundation of local restaurants. Photographers answered, and those shots will be shown in the “Chef’s Special” exhibit on display until April 11. f you go to FMoPA—located in downtown Tampa’s “cube”—reservations are required to allow for limited capacity. 400 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. fmopa.org
St. Pete’s Old Key West Bar and Grill is auctioning off its collectibles 1960s bird and naked lady paint by numbers art and other amazing collectibles are on the line when the Grand Central staple cleans house by auctioning off all its goods on March 20 starting at 11 a.m. If you want to check out the goods beforehand, you can go to the viewing from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, March 19. And don’t worry—OKW isn’t closing, the restaurant is just doing a full remodel and rebranding. 2451 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. oldkeywestbarandgrill.com
Tampa’s Epicurean Hotel announces new general manager and executive chef The 137-room boutique hotel has a couple “new”-ish faces, including Shawn Routten as general manager and Adam Hyatt as executive chef of the boutique hotel. Routten previously worked at the Epicurean for five years before his promotion to GM of Dunedin’s Fenway Hotel. Hyatt served as Fenway Hotel’s executive chef when the hotel first opened in 2018. Routten began his career as a front desk host at Mainsail Suites Hotel & Conference Center while working his way up through the ranks to become general manager or Fenway Hotel in 2018. 1207 S Howard, Ave., Tampa. epicureanhotel.com
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This article appears in Mar 11-17, 2021.
