It was another busy week for the CL’s food section. This go-round, we’ve got a Sicilian-inspired restaurant in Ybor City, a mostly vegan fast-food joint in downtown Tampa, and a sushi spot in Lutz. A couple of reopenings also snuck in along with and a handful of concepts on the way. like Bake’n Babes second location, another Cheesecake Factory and even a Yuengling campus. Don’t forget to mark your calendar with food happenings around town, too.
Openings
Casa Santo Stefano On Thursday, Nov. 19, the Sicilian-inspired restaurant from the Columbia Restaurant Group made its debut. The menu features maccheroni (pasta), steaks, seafood, scacciata, salads, soups, desserts and hundreds of Sicilian wines. Sounds prime for a date night out. Just a heads up, upon opening, Casa will solely offer dinner service from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. daily. 1601 N. 22nd St., Ybor City. @santostefanoTPA on Facebook.
Eggs Up Grill The all day breakfast joint serves up family bundle meals that feed up to six people, the usual breakfast, lunch, and brunch suspects like sandwiches, omelettes, and waffles. Guests can find online ordering and catering options, too. Eggs Up Grill is open daily 6:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Masks are required and the restaurant operates at 50% capacity. 3920 U.S. 301, Riverview. eggsupgrill.com —Alexandria Jones
Jack Pallino’s Napoletano Pizza and Pub The pizzeria is now slinging salads, antipasti and pies. Jack’s also hosts a full liquor bar with a lineup of seasonal cocktails, as well as craft brews on pour. 718 Broadway, Dunedin. pallinospizza.com
Kahwa The locally-based coffee shop has expanded its reach to Osprey. The new location offers specialty drinks, coffee by the pound and a selection of French pastries, organic and vegan cookies and muffins as well as indoor and outdoor seating and free WiFi. Kahwa Casey Key is open seven days a week from 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. 1308 Tamiami Trail South, Osprey. kahwacoffee.com
Nojaks The upscale fast food restaurant stands for No jackshit. That means housemade buns baked daily, that are preservative-free and vegan. Sandwiches on the menu include the Classic Nojak with a veg patty and special sauce. If you’re a meat lover, you can grab the All-American Nojak with beef and cheddar cheese. 305 N. Polk St., Downtown Tampa. nojakstastyfood.com
Slap Yo Mama The popular food truck opened its first brick-and-mortar with menu that includes a small selection of dishes like Bang, Bang, Bang Shrimp, Mama’s Wings, and cheesesteak egg rolls. For larger parties, catering and delivery are available. 3007 W. Cypress St., Tampa. @slapyomamafoodtruck on Instagram. —Alexandria Jones
Zukku San The sushi bar and grill comes from Ferdian Jap, the restaurateur behind both Zukku Sushi stationed at Armature Works in Tampa Heights and Ato Poke at The Joinery food hall in Lakeland. Zukku-San will operate as a fast-casual concept for lunch service and transition into a full-service restaurant for dinner. 25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz. zukkusushi.com
Reopenings
Hooch and Hive After temporarily closing due to the pandemic, the live music venue and restaurant is looking forward to welcoming guests back on Thursday, Nov. 19. Before you begin to flood the joint, Hooch and Hive asks customers social distance, and to wear masks when they’re moving to and from tables. Oh, and be sure to stay your ass at home if you have a cough or fever. —Ray Roa
Maritana The Don Cesar’s award-winning restaurant is back open serving dinner from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Wed.-Sun. The upscale restaurant was completely renovated over the summer and hosts a menu featuring New American seafood dishes. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach. doncesar.com
Coming soon
Bake’n Babes The bakery known for its trendy treats is coming back to Tampa Heights thanks to a second location just a few blocks away from its first home at Hall on Franklin. Bake'n Babes' Armature Works location is focused on creating special items not available at its current home (downtown Tampa’s GenX Tavern, which remains open) and dishes patrons can eat on the go like the photogenic taiyaki cone. 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa. bakenbabes.com
Cheesecake Factory Westfield Countryside shopping center is adding The Cheesecake Factory to its lineup of food offerings on Dec. 8, just in time for the holidays. Prep yourself to flip through pages of more than 250 dishes alongside a lineup of over 50 cheesecakes. This location will also host a full bar and weekend brunch service. 27001 U.S. Hwy 19 N. Ste 1039, Clearwater. thecheesecakefactory.com
Mad Cow Donuts A former cop is launching a virtual doughnut shop. You do all of your ordering through the forthcoming Mad Cow Donuts website and can have your sweets delivered as soon as the next day throughout the St. Petersburg area. The shop’s slogan is “made fresh daily with love.” Until the official launch goes down, you can have Mad Cow Donuts delivered by ordering via email at [email protected]. @madcowdonuts on Instagram.
Shell Shack The Westfield Countryside shopping center also welcomes seafood concept Shell Shack's first Florida location.The Texas-based Shell Shack specializes in infused seasoned crab and seafood from starters to platters to massive boils. Bring a bib. 27001 U.S. Hwy 19 N. Ste 1039, Clearwater. shellshack.com
Yuengling Campus Tampa's new Yuengling-themed hotel is on hold, but construction of the new campus ceremonially started Monday, Nov. 16. The 43-acre property is slated to open in early 2022 and will be home to a state-of-the-art pilot brewing system, a restaurant, private dining, conference rooms, an outdoor recreation center, coffee bar, gift shop, a beer garden, as well as multi-use concert and entertainment pavilion. There will also be a digital interactive history, artifacts, and advertising memorabilia from Yuengling’s 191-year history as an American owned and family operated brewery. 11111 N. 30th, Tampa. yuengling.com
ICYMI
Florida Black Restaurant Week Originating in Houston, TX, the event’s mission is to celebrate flavors of the African diaspora. The Black Restaurant Week takes place from Nov. 27.-Dec. 6. —Alexandria Jones
Santa Social Club Dunedin’s Sonder Social Club is getting in the holiday spirit by transforming into an immersive Santa and Christmas bar with themed drinks and decor. It opens on Black Friday, Nov. 27, and runs through Dec. 26. 966 Douglas Ave. Unit 101, Dunedin. sondersocial.club
Saturday Morning Market returns New safety measures are in place for in-person shopping (read: masks, limited entrance ways and no live music). For the list of new procedures in place, check out the market’s website. You can opt for contactless shopping if you're not ready to shop in-person. 101 1st Ave. SE in St. Pete near Al Lang Stadium. saturdaymorningmarket.com
Sugar Factory This holiday season, the concept is serving up the Gobble Gobble Milkshake made with pumpkin spice ice cream milkshake, pumpkin mellowcreme, a milk chocolate turkey, Autumn mix sprinkles, and salted caramelized pepitas seeds. Oh, and a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top, served in a milk chocolate covered mug. The massive shake is available from Nov. 9 - Dec. 9. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Rd. Tampa. sugarfactory.com
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