Last week, CL wrote about the new restaurant project called On Swann from Cafe Ponte's Chris Ponte, his wife Michelle Ponte, former Outback Steakhouse senior vice president Trudy Cooper and former Bonefish Grill president John Cooper.
Chris dished details about their "community kitchen and bar," tentatively opening around October or November at Hyde Park Village, Tuesday afternoon. He said he and the other founders have been working on the concept at 1501 W. Swann Ave. for more than a year, describing the food as American cuisine inspired by the East and West coasts.
"We didn't want to just put it anywhere," Chris said. "Hyde Park is a great opportunity for us."
With a thoughtfully sourced, seasonal menu that carries local character, he said the trio wants to take advantage of the Village's farmers' market.
The craft cocktails and the food — including grub like New England scallops, house-made charcuterie boards and a wide vegetarian selection — will be the focus, but California wines and some craft beer will be offered.
Chris also mentioned fresh pasta, short ribs and lots of vegetables. The restaurant's high-temperature oven, a Josper by Wood Stone, will roast its chicken, veggies, mussels and more.
"No one has that in the area," he said.
On Swann will feature about 150 seats, an outdoor patio and an open kitchen. Chris is working on the menu at his flagship in Clearwater, and said he plans to engage the community in some of the decision making by posting photos of potential dishes on Facebook. This way, the food reflects what locals desire.
"We want the community to be a part of it," Chris said. "I would love to get feedback on the vegetable sides especially."
"Tacos" and "not tacos"
Construction on another Hyde Park Village dining spot, bartaco (yes, lowercase and one word) began. With five bartaco locations in other states like New York and Connecticut, the Hyde Park site at 1601 W. Snow Ave. will be the first in Florida.
The sit-down Mexican restaurant's snazzy street-food offerings will be a mix of "tacos" and "not tacos," according to its website, where a cover of Peter Bjorn and John's "Young Folks" plays when menu-seekers enter.
Incorporating intercontinental flavors with classic Mexican roots, items such as $7 rice bowls (sesame ribeye, curry shrimp), $2.50 to $3.50 tacos (portobello with queso fresco, falafel, wild boar), $7 churros, $4 gorditas and a $5 spiced chocolate pudding (hello!) will be served in a laid-back beachy setting.
The drink menu will highlight wines, a long list of tequilas, four sparkling sodas, sangria with diners' choice of wine and nine cocktails, including the Port Chester Reviver with gin, cucumber, mint, mango nectar and lime juice.
Around-the-world tastes
In the former home of Fire Bar & Grill at 3023 W. Kennedy Blvd., Global A'Fare debuted last month with its savory global cuisine.
The menu's anchored by small plates like mojo pork shank, basmati rice balls, flatbreads and a vegan naked taco (lettuce filled with walnut-almond "meat," black beans and corn pico de gallo). Vietnamese pho, seafood cioppino, an Italian-Portuguese fish stew, and pastitsio, Greek lasagna, are among the South Tampa restaurant's other highlights.
Global A'Fare also showcases an indoor and outdoor bar and dining area, as well as a daily happy hour and fresh raw bar that diners may indulge in starting at 3 p.m.
A sweets sanctuary
The Fresh Baked Asian Bakery & Cafe's building in Pinellas Park is coming along, too.
At 4687 Park Blvd., the shop will create custom cakes, cupcakes, croissants and breads, as well as Vietnamese sandwiches, boba tea and coffee.
This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2015.