This week’s roundup of local foodie news has it all from bougie wine and art pairings in the Heights to volunteer opportunities benefiting kids stuck at home distance learning across Tampa Bay. Cinnamon Toast Crunch ice cream topped with apple pie filling? We’ve got that, too.
Open
Oh Yeah Creamery If you dream of Cinnamon Toast Crunch ice cream topped with apple pie filling, you’ll want to check out this new Hyde Park spot. If you’re not a fan of cereal-flavored treats, you can reach for classics like vanilla and chocolate. With over 100 different mix-ins to choose from, you won’t get bored anytime soon. You’ll also find Matt’s Fat Cookies, and you’ll even be able to get them every day of the week (except Monday). For fans of the mountainous cookie, that’s huge. Last June, customers could only find them online for delivery or pickup at any of The Rev’s locations about twice a month. 224 S Boulevard, Tampa. @ ohyeah creamery on Instagram—Katlynn Mullins
Sammy + Paco’s Residents over in the Historic Kenwood neighborhood now have a cute breakfast cafe and bakery within walking distance of their bungalows. It’s the latest concept from Lolita’s Wine Market owners Kelly Rodriguez-Laureano and her husband Chef Alex Rodriguez. Their other restaurant Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca closed a couple months ago after less than two years open. Hours are Wednesday-Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and weekend brunch Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 2735 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @sammyandpacos on Instagram
Coming soon
Duckweed Urban Grocery The downtown Tampa-based grocer is on the heels of opening its newest location—an approximately 3,000-square-foot space in the Westshore Marina District close to the corner of Gandy and Westshore Boulevards. The health-conscious grocery store has grown exponentially in the nine years since opening. The first incarnation of the store won a Best of the Bay for Best Little Grocery Store for its itty-bitty space next to The Hub, at 305 E Polk St., current home to Supernatural Food and Wine. In 2016, Duckweed opened its second location in the Channel District and then in 2018–after a change of owners–the original location moved to the much bigger space at the bottom of the Element apartments, 803 N Tampa St. That same year Farmacy Vegan Kitchen + Bakery opened within the grocer and has since provided the public with plant-based comfort food (cheesesteaks, BLTs) and baked goods. Farmacy is now also in the Channel district location and will be in the Westshore store as well—both shops also have liquor store additions. Though the opening date is unknown other than “soon” the company is hiring for cashiers–send your resume to duckweedurbanmarket@gmail.com. 5212 Bridge St., Tampa. duckweedgrocery.com
Haunted Tavern Ybor City’s Cuban Club is turning into a “Haunted Tavern” for a two night event in June, thanks to national event promoters Rock Star Beer Festivals. The “interactive cocktail journey” is in four parts and tells “the stories of the deaths that haunt the venue and their ghost that never left.” Most Tampa residents know that the Cuban Club doesn’t need much help getting scary–being called one of the country’s “Top Ten Haunted Places” by The Travel Channel. Rock Star is the same company who brought Tampa Bay the Harry Potter-themed “Wizards of Beer” and “Be Afraid of the Dark Pop-Up Bar” that sold out multiple dates–so you best get on it. Friday-Saturday, June 4-5, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $40. Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City. eventbrite.com
Sip and Sights Cru Cellars and Stella Gallerie are teaming up for a Sip and Sights night at Tampa Heights' Armature Works. Admission ain’t cheap, and it includes five wines each paired with a piece of art—consultant Victor Llaguano gives a short talk with sommeliers Jen Bingham and Kirsten Lee discussing the poured varietals. Charcuterie and cheese are also included which pair with anything, really. The pieces of art on hand are pretty major–Roy Lichtenstein’s “As I Opened Fire,” “ Kaleidoscopic-02” by Daniel Stroomer, aka NasePop, Miami’s Ariel Cruz "Only Have Eyes For You,” a Salvador Dali drawing titled "My Wife Gala Contemplating Her Own Flesh Becoming Stairs” and a Spongebob Squarepants piece from current art giant Brian Donnelly aka Kaws (stylized KAWS). Thursday, May 20, 6 p.m. $150. Theatre at Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa. armatureworks.com
ICYMI
The 15th annual Tampa Bay Restaurant Week returns June 17 Creative Loafing Tampa Bay teams up with Feeding Tampa Bay and local restaurants for the 15th annual Tampa Bay Restaurant Week with 10 days of special multiple-course prix fixe menus. This year’s restaurants range from the new (The Nest at Caracara) to the established (Mise En Place), casual (Xochitl Cocina Mexicana) to high-end (Rooster & the Till) and from barbecue (The Brisket Shoppe) to tapas (Bulla Gastrobar). Drink specials from Funky Buddha and Corona beers, Prescription Wines, and Garrison Brothers Distillery whiskey are also available at participating restaurants. A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit Feeding Tampa Bay, a nonprofit fighting food insecurity that provides approximately 2 million meals a week to local people in need. June 17-June 27. cltampa.com
Meals on Wheels for Kids needs volunteers to deliver food to Tampa Bay families in need Kids distance-learning or at home from school for the summer are the beneficiaries of the work by Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger (TBNEH) volunteers who “help pack and deliver Meals On Wheels for Kids (MOW4Kids) in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties each week.” Prospects need a vehicle and be able to pass a background check. Deliveries happen Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting at 10 a.m. and take about an hour per route bringing shelf stable food and cold meal packs to food insecure families around Tampa Bay. If you have a school-aged child, are home-bound or have lack of transportation, and would like food delivered go to MOW4Kids or call 813-344-5837. networktoendhunger.org/volunteer
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This article appears in May 20-26, 2021.