Nhick Ramiro Pacis
There will be a variety of Filipino fare at Philfest this weekend, from BBQ skewers to lumpia.
Cava Seminole is getting a new spot to get bowled over. Last weekend Cava opened its newest Florida location in Seminole City Center next door to Pieology Pizzeria. The national fast-casual chain's menu features Mediterranean-inspired chow like grain bowls, salads and pita wraps. Guests can choose from pre-set combinations of each menu item or build their own.This is the company's sixth Tampa Bay location. 11165 Park Blvd., Seminole. cava.com—Suzanne Townsend
Coming soon
Grillaking Local restaurateur, chef, and St. Pete native Robert Hesse just announced his newest culinary venture, and it's unique menu features way more than grilled cheeses. Hesse’s latest food truck dubbed Grillaking will offer “Korean-Mexican confusion” food with a rock and roll-themed twist, with tongue-in cheek-dishes like the “Judas Beef Gogi Hoagie” and “Deadhead Dawg.” Hesse had two concepts in mind for his next business: a Korean-Mexican fusion spot or a rock and metal-themed burger joint that looked more like a traveling venue than a food truck. Unable to choose between the two, he decided to merge both ideas into one, eclectic business with fare that may be a bit “confusing” for some. A quick scroll through Grillaking’s new social media pages teases dishes like bulgogi-filled burritos, Korean fried chicken sandwiches, bacon-wrapped hot dogs with Kewpie slaw and queso blanco and homemade kimchi, plus a variety of tacos, quesadillas and sandwiches. Since the new 31 foot-long food truck is still getting its finishing touches, Hesse says that Grillaking is slated to serve its first customers sometime in May. grillaking.com
Events
Philfest 2024 For many Filipinos in the greater Tampa Bay area, attending Philfest with their family, or even participating in its many festivities, can be as integral to their cultural experience as religious celebrations, family parties or long treks back to the motherland. While the three-day Philfest now boasts a reputation as one of Tampa Bay’s biggest cultural festivals—perhaps only on par with the Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival, St. Stefanos’ Greek Festival or Oktoberfest—there’s a generational shift happening behind the scenes that may affect Philfests to come. The 2024 rendition of Philfest returns to the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex from Friday-Sunday, April 5-7 with entry fees of $8-$10. With festivities happening from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, the massive Filipino celebration is known for its nonstop schedule of parades, modern and traditional dancing, pageants, cultural activities, talent competitions, singing, a wide range of food stalls, arts and crafts and more. 14301 Nine Eagles Dr., Tampa. pcfitampa.org Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival The second annual Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival arrives this week at various local venues in neighborhoods like Water Street Tampa, Hyde Park Village and downtown Tampa. As previously reported, the five-day run of “unforgettable foodie events” features a variety of programming from live music, interactive sponsor experiences and culinary demonstrations to its “Grand Tasting” event with samples from dozens of Tampa Bay restaurants and a “Chef Showdown” competition featuring celebrity chef Robert Irvine. Irvine, most known for his roles on reality shows like “Restaurant: Impossible” and “Worst Cooks in America,” will host the festival’s Chef Showdown event where 14 participants will “battle head-to-head in seven unique showdowns.” TBWFF 2024 kicks off on Tuesday, April 9 with a private, invite-only ticketed experience and continues with Wednesday’s inaugural “Experience Water Street” and Thursday’s “Experience Hyde Park,” where diners can indulge in exclusive, coursed meals and celebrity chef collaborations from participating restaurants in those neighborhoods. tampabaywff.com 3 Dot’s 5th Anniversary Vegan burger slingers 3 Dot (formerly known as 3 Dot Dash) celebrates its fifth anniversary in Seminole Heights this weekend with a party filled with live music from Bad, Bad Things , punk rock karaoke and a McDonald’s-themed “Arch Enemies” menu (think vegan fish filets, “Slick Ribs” sammies and smashburgers.) 3 Dot’s specials will be available starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6 until they sell out, with music and karaoke kicking off at 6 p.m. 3 Dot made its permanent debut inside of Florida Avenue’s Jug +Bottle in 2018, and is known for ] plant-based comfort food like cheeseburgers, loaded fries and other veganized versions of classic fast food dishes. 6203 N Florida Ave, Tampa. 3dotdashvegan.com Slutty Vegan x 7th + Grove pop-up A popular Atlanta-based restaurant has one question for Tampa: Are you ready to get slutty? Vegan burger slingers Slutty Vegan takes over Ybor City's 7th + Grove (1930 E 7th Ave.) from noon-6 p.m. on Monday, April 8. The pop-up is all ages and attendees can enjoy their food inside of the restaurant’s dining room, while folks who’d like to drink can do so in its lounge area. 7th + Grove has informed its customers that there will definitely be a line for Monday’s Slutty Vegan food truck pop-up. Slutty Vegan is known for its innuendo-themed causal fare, from the “Sloppy Toppy” cheeseburger with jalapeños, onions, lettuce and tomato or the “Fussy Hussy" burger stopped with caramelized onions and its beloved "Slut Sauce." Both of these items, plus the "One Night Stand" with vegan bacon and a chipotle-lime mayo, will be on the menu at Tampa's pop-up on Monday. Other popular Slutty Vegan items include its chick'n sandwich, slutty fries with a side of slut sauce, of course, and its “Dancehall Queen” burger topped with sweet plantains, plus desserts like milkshakes and sweet potato pie. 1930 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. sluttyveganatl.com ICYMI
Seminole Heights restaurant Gangchu is on the market for $1.9 million Roughly three years after its Seminole Heights debut, Korean fried chicken concept Gangchu Chicken and Beer is now for sale. Located at 6618 N Nebraska Ave., the 1,792-square-foot, full-service restaurant is being sold turnkey, according to the recent listing. The completely renovated space comes with a 14-car parking lot, a bar, patio, and a large walk-in freezer. The current asking price is $1.9 million, and the listing agent is Scott Hileman of Goal Commercial Inc. Built out of a former service station, then-owner and chef Noel Cruz first opened the concept back in 2021 with a focus on twice-fried chicken, shareable platters, and a robust cocktail menu, along with late-night eats and karaoke room. The sale also comes about a year after the closure of Cruz's other Seminole Heights ramen restaurant Ichicoro, which was a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner. SunBiz connects Gangchu to Chris Clamp, who told CL that while the property is for sale, he's basically looking for a buyer to invest in the property and let the Gangchu team keep doing its thing.—Colin Wolf & Ray Roa
If you’re a Robert Irvine fan but don’t have the dough to see him at the Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival this week, the popular chef and entrepreneur—known for appearances on Food Network’s “Dinner: Impossible” and “Worst Cooks in America”—will be at local liquor store Luekens Midtown (236 N Dale Mabry Hwy, ) on Friday, April 12 at 4 p.m. for a meet and greet. But if you want an autograph, you may have to purchase a bottle of his brand’s Dry American Gin or Precision Distilled Vodka for him to sign.
Ybor City’s Hotel Haya just launched the 2024 rendition of its Haya Swim Club, which welcomes guests into its outdoor area for themed parties and DJs without having to book a room. Starting at $25, its Swim Club includes a day pass to Hotel Haya’s pool, a complimentary drink and admission to that night’s party. Head to hotelhaya.com for more information on the hotel’s spring and summer event calendar.
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