Here are some new restaurant openings for Tampa Bay. Thankfully, your ugly Christmas sweater will hide your forthcoming doughy middle.
Openings
Hot Pot BBQ This restaurant offers up hot pot dining and a grill on the table to take part in some Korean BBQ. Heads up, there’s a $13.99 fee for every pound of wasted food.1120 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa.
Main Course Brandon The veteran-owned concept hosts a rotating menu with fat plates ranging from fat seafood plates (shrimp, lobster, snow crab) to pasta dishes stacked with shrimp or chicken (or both for a $3 upcharge). 1608 E. FL-60, Valrico.
Old-School Bar and Grill The new concept hosts live music, a full bar and a loaded menu with typical bar bites as well as eats like Kimchi Bacon Bulgogi. Old-School is open 11 a.m.-3 a.m. seven days a week. 2202 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. oldschoolbars.com
Parlor House Bistro The French-American cuisine restaurant is serving up dinner and late-night small plates beginning Tuesday, November 19. Hours for the concept are 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, closed on Sunday. 1757 Main St., Dunedin. facebook.com/parlorhousebistro
Coming Soon
BarrieHaus Beer Co. In the final stages of its build-out, the lager-specific microbrewery is hosting its grand opening weekend on December 14-15. 1403 E. 5th Ave., Ybor City. barriehaus.com
Black Radish Grocery The forthcoming 100% vegan grocery store offering up "humane & affordable options we feel our city needs” is located in the V.M. Ybor neighborhood and planning to open the first quarter of 2020.
Bright Ice The fast-casual retail shop is set to offer ice cream scoops, sandwiches, pints to go, espresso-based drinks, and pastries. 3701 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. brighticeisnice.com
Floribbean The fast-casual joint is set to offer up build-your-own-bowl dishes, tropical juices and craft brews. Doors are set to open before the end of 2019. 2410 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
Sugar Factory Next month the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino is debuting the latest location of the over-the-top full-service restaurant and candy store. There will even be a floor-to-ceiling candy wall loaded with over 500 types of treats. 5223 N. Orient Rd., Tampa. sugarfactory.com
Xochitl Stationed on the ground floor of the Pearl apartment complex, the Mexican kitchen is set to open this fall and serve up handcrafted modern "carefully curated dishes to pair with an impressive roster of drinks and style." 307 W. Palm Ave., Tampa Heights. ilovexochitl.com
Other concepts we are patiently waiting for include Olivia, Counter Culture, and Poke Burri.
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This article appears in Nov 14-21, 2019.