Parasol St. Pete’s historic Vinoy Resort & Golf Club has undergone multiple renovations over the past two years, and one of its most exciting additions recently opened its doors. Latin American restaurant Parasol—with beautiful views of both Tampa Bay and the hotel’s pool— made its debut at 501 5th Ave. NE earlier this week. A press release says the newly-opened restaurant offers an “island-like atmosphere” and a menu inspired by Latin-American flavors. Parasol’s seafood-focused menu features small plates of tuna tartare, grouper ceviche, jicama ensalada and lobster quesadillas, in addition to tropical-inspired cocktails like the Chilcano—a blend of the high-proof fermented grape juice spirit pisco, ginger, strawberry and lime. The Parasol is one of the many facets of the historic hotel’s multi-million dollar renovations, which finished its first phase a few months ago. One big change that folks can expect in the future includes an expansion of its fine dining restaurant Marchand’s Bar & Grill, which has been closed since 2020. 501 5th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Thevinoy.com
Lona This new Mexican restaurant—located at 505 Water St. inside of Tampa Marriott Water Street —celebrates its grand opening on Tuesday, July 18. A press release described this new restaurant’s menu as “elevated but approachable expression of Mexican fare.” Take your Taco Tuesday to the next level with Lona’s spread of expected favorites like guacamole, street corn, tuna tostadas, quesadillas and fish tacos, in addition to entrees like roasted red pepper fajitas and grilled skirt steak with refried beans, corn enmolada (tortillas smothered in mole), and sauteed poblano peppers. Lona’s extended weekend brunch menu is expected to launch within the next few months. Its bar program will also offer a selection of over 200 mezcal and tequila options, and lucky guests might be able to take a visit to Lona’s private spirits lockers. The Fort Lauderdale-based restaurant offers a menu full of high-end Mexican dishes from Chef Richard Sandoval in collaboration with fellow South Florida chef Pablo Salas. 505 Water St., Tampa. Lonatampa.com
Coming Soon
Rene’s Mexican Kitchen About two weeks ago, a Rene’s Mexican Kitchen sign popped up on the building at 2802 N 16th St. on the outskirts of Ybor City, and Chef Rene Valenzuela himself recently told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that his brand’s first brick and mortar is currently in the works. Although this small, North Ybor building is the food truck’s first official brick and mortar, Chef Rene tells CL that his upcoming location will be an ultra-casual pick-up window and not a full-service restaurant. “This location is a small step forward—but an important one,” Chef Rene says. “It’s going to be a bodega-style space with a walk-up window, similar to something you’d see in Miami or New York.” This new brick and mortar will offer no indoor or outdoor seating—just take-out orders and delivery via companies like Uber, DoorDash, etc. Since Chef Rene’s team is only making slight renovations to the Ybor City space, he’s confident that his upcoming location will debut later this summer—hopefully sometime in August. When Rene’s Mexican Kitchen’s second location opens, it will sling tacos loaded with proteins like al pastor, barbacoa, chorizo and cheese, picadillo-stuffed peppers and spicy shrimp, in addition to vegetarian options like oyster mushrooms and butternut squash. 2802 N 16th S, Ybor City. @renesmexicankitchenofficial on Instagram
Closings
Thailand Restaurant The owners of one beloved Tampa restaurant are finally ready to retire and close its doors for good (but we’re just happy they won’t be displaced by more condos.) After 45 years of dishing out hearty curries, egg rolls and fried rice platters out of its space at 5252 S Dale Mabry Hwy., South Tampa’s Thailand Restaurant will close next month. A few months ago, owners Amnuay and Moo Thambundit announced on Facebook that they would be retiring soon, and switched to solely take-out orders in May. “As many of you know, we will be retiring soon. We have served you all for over 44 years and are greatly appreciative of your long-time patronage to us,” the Thambundits wrote on Facebook in April. The husband and wife duo opened their restaurant in 1979 and claim to be the first restaurateurs to bring traditional Thai fare to the Tampa Bay area. The last day to order take-out from Thailand Restaurant is Friday, July 28. The Thai restaurant still offers a large menu of papaya salads, spring rolls, pad Thai, curries and a variety of stir fried proteins. Its entire menu can be browsed at thailandtampa.com. 5252 S Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. @thailandtampa on Facebook
Events
Epic Chef This local series of “Chopped”-like culinary competitions that benefit Feeding Tampa Bay, a popular nonprofit that aims to end hunger across a 10-county span in Central Florida, returns to South Tampa this week. The first round of Epic Chef—happening on Monday, July 10 at 1207 S Howard Ave.— pits Evan Lipman of popular St. Pete restaurant Wild Child against Josue Collado of the Bib Gourmand-winning Rooster & the Till. Each dish—which consists of mystery ingredients picked by a child currently served at a Feeding Tampa Bay Summer Food Service Partner—will be assessed by presentation, creativity and flavor, and a panel of esteemed judges will decide which chef moves on to the competition’s finale. Two more culinary competitions happen at The Epicurean this summer—an all-star matchup featuring past Epic Chef winners on July 31 and the battle of executive chefs, taking place on August 3. The all-star event features local sous chefs that have won previous competitions (although the lineup has not yet been released), while August’s executive chef battle pits Cena’s Michael Buttacavoli against Wild Child’s Rob Reinsmith. epicureanhotel.com. “The Ocky Way” pop-up Even off-the-grid folks that steer clear from Tik Tok have probably heard of the viral “Ocky Way” videos, where a New York-based bodega owner creates wild sandwiches with everyday snacks that his customers request. The man behind these viral videos, Rahim Mohamed or “General Ock” is hitting the road and bringing the “Ocky Way” all the way to Tampa Bay this month. Seminole Heights’ Ology Brewing hosts its “Ocky Way” pop-up on Saturday, July 15 from noon-7 p.m., where local foodies can get a taste of this viral chopped cheese. There are no tickets for next weekend’s event, but Mohamed will dish out his beloved bodega eats on a first come, first serve basis. Mohamed— who has a loyal Tik Tok following of 4.4 million fans—will be dishing out wild sandwiches, and utilizes popular bodega snacks like Pop tarts, potato chips, mozzarella sticks and pancakes in his whacky culinary creations. We’re not exactly sure what he’ll be cooking up for his Tampa fans next weekend, but we can only hope that a bacon, egg and cheese on a Honey Bun is on the menu. Ology Brewing, located at 6401 N Florida Ave., will be teaming up with New York-based Mortalis Brewing Company to curate a special drink menu in collaboration with Mohamed’s pop-up. 6401 N Florida Ave, Tampa. @rah_money1 on Instagram. ICYMI
While Bern’s Steak House undergoes renovations this month, sibling restaurant Haven offers ‘Taste of Bern’s’ specials While Tampa’s iconic steak house undergoes renovations (for the first time in several years), its little sibling gives its loyal patrons a literal taste of Bern’s. Between July 5-8 and July 11-15, South Tampa’s Haven will offer an exclusive “A Taste of Bern’s” menu loaded with appetizers, entrees and desserts inspired by Bern’s Steak House. Both restaurants share an executive chef, Chad Johnson, who crafted this exclusive menu to help satisfy the palette of Bern’s regulars while the steakhouse remains closed for the next few weeks. Appetizers include French onion risotto, steak tartare and shrimp cocktail, while featured entrees include a variety of Bern’s signature meats like filet mignon, dry-aged porterhouses and racks of lamb. A selection of classic steakhouse sides like creamed spinach and lobster mashed potatoes joins a small menu of desserts from the Harry Waugh Room pastry team and wines from Bern’s world-famous cellar. According to its website, Bern’s has been closed since July 2. The restaurant expects the remodeling to take about two weeks, but it’s unsure exactly when it will reopen its doors. Its summer renovations include changes to its lounge, kitchen and staff break area. 2208 W Morrison Ave., Tampa. Haventampa.com
Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.
Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Related Stories
Rene’s Mexican Kitchen will open first brick and mortar location in Ybor City this summer
While Bern’s Steak House undergoes renovations this month, sibling restaurant Haven offers ‘Taste of Bern’s’ specials
New St. Pete Latin American restaurant Parasol opens at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club
Rene’s Mexican Kitchen opens next week in Ybor City
This article appears in Jul 6-12, 2023.