Tampa gets another dining cruise, Alessi Bakery celebrates 111 years, and more local foodie news

Coming Soon

Yacht Starship’s “Craft” A massive new dining experience is about to set sail on the Hillsborough River. Earlier this week, Yacht Starship Dining Cruises released details about its newest concept – a first of its kind European-style river cruise ship called "Craft." At 130-feet in length and only 11-feet of air draft, the upscale dining ship will be the largest commercial vessel currently on the Hillsborough, all while still being able to pass under five of the river's lowest bridges. According to the company, Craft will be able to accommodate 150 passengers, and will be the first dining ship to feature diesel outboard propulsion, an open kitchen concept with a gas grill and stove, three dining options including indoor, outdoor or bar seating, and a 1914 vintage wooden cruiser that's been transformed into a bar. The menu will be helmed by Executive Chef and Tampa native Allison Beasman, and will feature brunch, dinner, and craft cocktail options. The company did not release details about an exact launch date, but did say Craft expects to start taking reservations this fall. "Craft has been a dream of ours since the first cruise in Tampa over 22-years ago," said President and CEO Troy Manthey in a statement. yachtstarship.com

Tori Bar Last March, popular Tampa cocktail staple Fly Bar closed its doors, but a new concept is about to debut in its former downtown location. Yesterday, the owners of Izakaya Tori took to social media to announce that a new Japanese-style pub called Tori Bar (one of three Tampa Bay spots on Yelp's "100 Best Places To Eat in 2023" list) will inhabit the Fly Bar space, located at 442 W Kennedy Blvd. Billed as a "late-night" Japanese tapas spot, Tori Bar will focus on Japanese whisky, high balls, craft cocktails, grill skewers, sashimi and hand rolls, according to the post. As of now there's no exact opening date for Tori Bar, but in the meantime, guests can head over to Izakaya Tori, located at 310 S Dale Mabry Hwy no. 160, for a sushi and Japanese tapas fix. 442 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. izakayatori.com

Closings

King of the Coop Soho & St. Pete King of the Coop owner Joe Dodd took to social media last Monday to address various changes happening with his local hot chicken brand. In addition to the closures of King of the Coop’s St. Pete and South Tampa outposts, its location inside of Seminole Heights' Flocale will soon be rebranded into The Coop's Den, a late-night concept with a full-service bar. “It is with a very sad and heavy heart that we share that we have made the difficult decision to close our doors in St. Pete and SoHo,” King of the Coop wrote on Instagram. “We do this in hopes of continuing to try and reach our right customers. As well as getting back to the basics and working on our quality and consistency to give you the best possible product we can produce.” In the Instagram video, Dodd mentions the halt of franchise-related expansion, although its Westchase location is wrapping up its build out and will soon be its third restaurant in Tampa Bay. “We’re getting back to what made us King of the Coop—getting back to our roots. We're going to get back to the quality and consistency that people loved," Dodd says. Kingofthecoop.com

Events

Alessi Bakery’s 111th anniversary One of the Bay area's oldest establishments celebrates yet another birthday in Tampa this weekend. Alessi Bakery, located in West Tampa, celebrates its 111th birthday this weekend— Saturday, Sept. 23 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.—with a variety of specials and throwback prices. A few of this weekend’s specials include: $6.99 Cuban sandwiches, $8.99 Boston creme cakes, 59¢ brownies and coconut macaroons and 69¢ eclairs and guava pasties. For all items under one dollar, there's a limit of four per person. The popular Tampa bakery will also host a raffle for one of its custom cakes and a gift basket, in addition to anniversary t-shirt giveaways. Alessi Bakery debuted in Tampa back in 1912 and the same family has owned it since. According to its website, its founder Nicolo Alessi “used to deliver the freshest Italian and Cuban bread on horse and wagon to his customers.” 4th generation owner Phil Jr. Alessi renovated the historic bakery in 2011, and added a wider variety of products that its loyal customers enjoy till this day. 2909 W Cypress St., Tampa alessibakery.com

Food From the Soul Festival The first rendition of what is hopefully an annual foodie festival heads to downtown Tampa this weekend. Perry Harvey Sr. Park is the host of the first annual Food From the Soul festival, happening from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23. Food From the Soul promises “entertainment and ethnic cuisine from people of color,” in the form of dozens of Florida-based businesses, restaurants and pop-ups, a foodie competition, a spread of local vendors and live entertainment. In addition to dishing eats to festival goers, vendors can also enter an overarching, yet friendly, “food fight” competition to see which dishes rank supreme in each category. General admission tickets run for $25 each, but attendees will pay anywhere from $1-$3 for a sample plate of food from any vendor that piques their appetite. Just a few of the local businesses that will pop up at this weekend’s festival—whether they’re just vending, competing or both— include Orlando-based Juanitos Pastelillos Y Mas, Asher Amen African Cafe, Steaming Pots, Take A Bao, Two Grandma’s Soul Food, Trini Guy Grilling, Saffron’s Gourmet Sauces and South Carolina-based Country Boy Cooking. 1000 E Harrison St., Tampa. foodfromthesoulfestival.com Uncorked Wine Fest Each year, a popular wine festival takes over a unique venue in Tampa and transforms it into a chic background to sip wine in. 2023's rendition of Uncorked happens at ZooTampa this weekend, amidst tigers, monkeys, elephants and manatees. This event features over 150 different wines and bubblies from across the world; attendees also have the ability to interact with representatives and industry professionals. VIP ticket holders can enjoy music from a DJ, light bites and exclusive access to particular wines, in addition to the rest of the event. Folks with general admission can sample as many wines as their heart desires, but will have to purchase food for an additional price. Uncorked Wine Fest also offers a heavily-discounted designated driver ticket, if you want to bring your animal-loving sober friend along, too. 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. uncorkedwinefestivals.com ICYMI

Tampa’s Salt Shack on the Bay listed among New York Times' 50 best restaurants in the nation Beachy, waterfront restaurants are a dime a dozen in Tampa Bay, but one concept in particular recently received an accolade that sets it apart from the rest. Tampa’s Salt Shack on the Bay—located right below the Gandy bridge in Rattlesnake Point—is the only local restaurant to make the New York Times’ nationwide “best restaurants” list. “It wasn’t easy to narrow it down, but here are the 50 restaurants that excite us most right now,” the newspaper writes in its introduction. Self-described as a “rustic-refined beach getaway” The New York Times writers were captivated by Salt Shack on the Bay’s “sprawling menu with a Caribbean bent,” sunset views of Old Tampa Bay and its completely-outdoor ambience. "Jimmy Buffet [sic] would have liked this place, where there is no problem a platter of fresh Gulf shrimp and a drink with a pineapple slice couldn’t solve,” the Times added. “But the real gold is anything that lets all that great Gulf seafood shine.” 5415 W Tyson Ave., Tampa. Salt-shack.com

Tapper Pub, one of Tampa's oldest bars, has officially changed owners South Tampa's Tapper Pub has changed hands. The sale of one of Tampa's oldest bars has officially been finalized, giving former owner Guido Caggiano and longtime bartender Kay some much needed time off. According to a Facebook post yesterday by Lynn Love of Tomlin Commercial Real Estate Services, the new owners, who were not named, intend to make only minor changes and continue the legacy Guido and his staff created."Guido Caggiano and his family have worked long and hard, and the new owners will continue the legacy they have built. Planning only thought out minor adjustments," wrote Lynn. "It is of course with some mixed emotions for all. But Guido will get some time to relax and retire . But has a noted and standing reserved seat at the bar forever." Located at 3832 Britton Plaza, Tapper Pub first debuted back in 1967 and has been an anchor of the Britton Plaza strip mall ever since. 3832 Britton Plaza, Tampa. @Tapper-Pub on Facebook—Jourdan Ducat

Mickey’s Subs in Tampa ranked No.1 restaurant in nation for cheap eats by USA Today Tampa Bay has quite a few great spots for "cheap eats," but one local sandwich joint is being recognized as the literal best in the country, according to USA Today. The publication recently released its "Best Cheap Places to Eat in the U.S." list and locally-owned Mickey's Subs over in Westshore took the overall top spot, with Tampa Bay Empanadas coming in at No. 4. According to its findings, Tampa as a whole is the 10th best in the country for cheap eats, and is the only city with two 5-star budget restaurants. "We considered everything from major fast food chains to mom-and-pop joints slinging American comfort food, from coast to coast," said USA TODAY. Located inside Duckweed Grocery at 5230 Bridge St., Mickey's Subs opened in 2020 and uses locally baked bread, house-made sauces, and Boars Head meats. Sandwich prices run between $7.75-$14.95, and the menu span all the classics like Cubans, turkey clubs, Italians, and London Broils, all served on either a six-inch or foot-long roll. 5230 Bridge St., Tampa. mickeyssubs.com

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