It has been over three months since the initial shutdowns of restaurants and bars. While some concepts are struggling to stay open and abide by CDC regulations, others were itching to make a debut. Four Stacks Brewing on the other hand, had to shut down a location, and it could be a foreshadowing of closures to come from breweries throughout the state. Here’s what’s new, coming and leaving the Tampa Bay food scene.
OPENINGS
Doormét Gourmet Café Tampa-based Doormét (think gourmet to your door) has been specializing in home deliveries for the last 11 years. Now, the restaurant has branched out into the ‘Burg, and debuted its second location in the former Amigos Tortilla Bar space. 681 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. doormet.com
Esposito’s Italian Restaurant Tampa Bay is bumping with Italian eats. Esposito’s offers up all dishes from land and sea, while also dedicating a large portion of the menu to Grandma Esposito’s classic dishes like spaghetti and meatballs. 14306 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. espositositaliantampa.com
Fo’ Cheezy Celebrity chef and Food Network contestant, Robert Hesse, has launched his full-service brick and mortar of his specialty grilled cheese food truck. 6305 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. focheezy.com
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams The ice cream shop with a cult following opened its first Florida location at Sparkman Wharf. The walk-up window is slinging more than a dozen flavors of the best-selling flavors including Brambleberry Crisp and Brown Butter Almond Brittle. 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa. jenis.com
COMING SOON
Casa Santo Stefano The Columbia Restaurant Group is opening Casa Santo Stefano in the former space of the Ferlita Macaroni Factory. Diners can expect the menu to “celebrate Ybor City’s Sicilian flavors.” The menu is inspired by Richard Gonzmart’s memories of Sunday supper at his Sicilian best friend’s house. More details to come when an opening date approaches. 1601 N. 22nd St., Tampa. @santostefanoTPA on Facebook.
Thyme + Bloom Local private chef, Joy Haskins, is on a mission to bring a marketplace and community garden to Tampa. The chef created a GoFundMe page and raised over $10k in a month. “My mission as a chef and a Black woman is to help heal and support my people by strengthening the relationship between food and community. It is critical for us to be knowledgeable of and provide ourselves with nutritional options, form healthy habits and maintain sustainable lifestyles,” the fundraising page reads. eatandsuch.com
CLOSINGS
Four Stacks Brewing Co. Last weekend the brewery’s second location in Riverview was forced to close for good. The brewery opened the location last August and had a short run due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This closing announcement shortly follows a recent letter from the Florida Brewers Guild to Gov. Ron DeSantis stated that an internal poll found 100 of the over-300 breweries in the guild are likely to close if all current restrictions remain for the next two weeks. The Apollo Beach location is still operating and open for curbside pickup. 5469 N. U.S. Hwy. 41, Apollo Beach. fourstacksbrewingco.com
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This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2020.