Forbici 153 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg Forbici’s second location is slated to open sometime in 2024 within downtown St. Pete’s Sundial mall, marking the beginning of the local brand’s possible nationwide expansion. Co-owner Jeff Gigante—who operates Forbici with partner Joseph Guggino under the Next Level Brands umbrella—estimates that 30-40 locations of the Italian restaurant could eventually open throughout the country. St. Pete’s upcoming Forbici will take up 7,000 square-feet, and will include an indoor-outdoor bar, as well as a 3,000 square-foot shaded patio. The concept will open out of Locale Market’s former parcel, which closed in early 2020 after now-defunct plans for Sundial’s food hall were announced. Photo via eatforbici/Facebook Credit: eatforbici / Facebook

For the first time in several years, a new hospitality concept is headed to downtown St. Pete’s Sundial mall at 153 2nd Ave. N.

According to Tampa Bay Business Journal, Forbici’s second location is slated to open sometime next year, marking the beginning of the local brand’s possible nationwide expansion.

Co-owner Jeff Gigante—who operates Forbici with partner Joseph Guggino under the Next Level Brands umbrella—estimates that 30-40 locations of the Italian restaurant could eventually open throughout the country.

St. Pete’s upcoming Forbici will take up 7,000 square-feet, and will include an indoor-outdoor bar, as well as a 3,000 square-foot shaded patio. The concept will open out of Locale Market’s former parcel, which closed in early 2020 after now-defunct plans for Sundial’s food hall were announced.

Forbici arriving at Sundial makes sense. Sundial’s new owner Andrew Wright, who purchased the 85,357 square-foot development in partnership with Paradise Ventures for $21.13 million last year, is also affiliated with Gigante’s hospitality group Next Level Brands.

In addition to Forbici, Next Level Brands also owns and operates Water Street’s Boulon Brasserie and the newly-opened restaurant Union New American.

The South Tampa restaurant is known for its menu of hearty pastas, main plates of seafood, chicken, veal and steak, and a variety of both square and round Roman-style pizzas. Its menu of modern Italian fare is joined by a spread of expected cocktails, imported and local craft beer and a variety of wines.

Forbici’s flagship location has been an anchor restaurant in South Tampa’s Hyde Park Village since 2019.

Currently, the only other hospitality concepts in St. Pete’s Sundial include a Ruth’s Chris Steak House and seafood-centric restaurant Sea Salt.

The announcement of the Sundial’s upcoming Forbici can be considered part of the development’s recently-announced multi-million dollar renovations. Renderings from earlier this year via St. Pete Catalyst depict a new outdoor courtyard and open-air bar, which are slated to be completed by the end of 2023.

For the latest news on Forbici’s new St. Pete location, head to its Facebook or Instagram, both at @eatforbici.

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