After three years in Seminole Heights, Fodder & Shine — the homage-to-Florida-Cracker-cuisine-turned-Southern-public-house from Tampa Bay food scene pioneers Michelle and Greg Baker — served up final rounds of meals and drinks on Saturday.
Don't freak out, though. There is a silver lining.
The Refinery will take its place. Yup, the Tampa neighborhood's quintessential restaurant is in the process of relocating from its current location to the much larger F&S space a few blocks north at 5901 N. Florida Ave.
Opened by the Bakers eight years ago, The Refinery is the culinary stage where chef Greg earned his many James Beard Foundation semifinalist nods. It's been a prime dining destination ever since it debuted in a tiny carriage house with a nine-item menu driven by area farms and house-made ingredients.
The move is being presented as a merger of the two restaurants.
"We are very excited to announce that next week, we will merge with our big sister restaurant: The Refinery!" read the sign posted to Fodder's doors on Sunday.
And here's what The Refinery wrote on its Facebook page:
The existing, extensive full-liquor bar at F&S is a plus for The Refinery, which could offer only beer and wine at its original location. Diners should also expect a weekly changing chef's menu that spotlights sustainable farmers, a number of which are local, as well as a few F&S favorites and a fresh look from Kreher Barna Design Studio.
According to a news release, the merger was a necessary change for the couple and their partner group. Greg will no longer be pulled between two operations, acting as chef, owner, handyman and IT support; he'll be able to oversee production in its entirety; and The Refinery — whose lease was coming to an end at the carriage house — will occupy a property that the group owns.
For updates on the restaurant's grand reopening and sneak peeks, diners are encouraged to follow The Refinery on social media.
