Open:
The new Bella Brava in Downtown St. Pete is officially open for business in its Beach Drive location, sporting a revamped menu and cocktail list. According to their website, they've given the whole place a 'green' makeover: locally-sourced food (whenever possible), CFL lighting, low-flow bathroom fixtures and dishwashers, low-VOC and non-toxic paint on the walls and floor stains, and recyclable to-go containers.
204 Beach Drive NE, Saint Pete. 727-895-5515. bellabrava.com
Last week, we reported on the St. Pete Brasserie's second location, La Petite Brasserie, opening in Clearwater. This week, Wilko brings us even more good news with the opening of their new lounge at their Central Avenue spot. 539 Lounge (pictured) is now open in the formerly unused, detached dining room of the Brasserie. The lounge will be open for lunch Monday through Friday at 11 a.m., serve a late night menu and will have live music on Wednesday through Saturday nights starting at 9 p.m.
539 Central Ave., St. Pete. 727-823-3700. stpetebrasserie.com
Alright, it's not a restaurant, but I still thought that the new Spice & Tea Exchange in International Plaza Mall was worth adding to this list because of all the culinary delights they have to offer. Smell and sample over 160 exotic spices and herbs from around the globe, over 60 custom spice blends, two dozen different mineral and sea salts (I recommend the Alder wood smoked salt), naturally flavored sugars and an array of loose teas. Everything can be purchased in sample or full size portions.
2223 N. West Shore Blvd. #104, Tampa. 813-443-0684. spiceandtea.com
