Tampa's well-reviewed Thai Gourmet Market has new SoHo sibling on the way: Noodle Kitchen and Market.
From Thai Gourmet Market owner Pet (Petta) Brown, Noodle Kitchen and Market is moving into the space vacated by Trend Setters Ink tattoo shop (and before that, Frostings etc.) at 500 S. Howard Ave. It will share a plaza with food and drink spots like SoHo Juice Co., Pita Pit and D.P. Dough.
According to Brown, who says she's done some proof-of-concept work at various markets, Noodle Kitchen and Market will serve gourmet food, but with a faster approach. As noodles are prepared on the spot, customers will assemble what they want on theirs using a lineup of available sauces.
She'll take the neighborhood's party atmosphere into consideration, too, by preparing a couple weekend specials. On Saturday evenings, the restaurant will offer a "hangover prevention" bowl made up of garden greens (primarily kale) and rice in a soup base. A "hangover remedy" bowl, based on noodles and more garden greens, will then be featured on Sundays.
The 10-seat Noodle Kitchen and Market will mainly function as a takeout spot, and its decor will be fairly modern with finished concrete and recycled wood accents. Like Thai Gourmet Market, the restaurant will sell what it cooks up at retail, including sauces that Brown is branding under the Noodle Kitchen ("NK") name.
She hopes to open by Oct. 20.
