Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen It's been four years in the making, but "America's oldest brewery" just opened its new massive bar and restaurant in Tampa. The Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen made its debut earlier this week at 11109 N 30th St. near Busch Gardens and the Tampa campus of University of South Florida. The 42,000 square-foot dining concept is truly huge, boasting an 800-person capacity, with both indoor and outdoor seating, five bars, an outdoor beer garden, an activity area for kids (opening later this summer), and a private event space that can hold up to 120 guests. The pub-style menu features bar classics with like creative variations on burgers, wings and fries, as well as hefty entrees like steaks, scallops, Gulf snapper and more. On tap, guests can expect a hefty array of Yuengling drafts and seasonals, like their new Bongo Fizz and Hershey's Chocolate Porter. There's also beer 'hoptails' and frozen beer slushies. “As a 6th generation brewing family, it is a highlight for us to evolve our business into this new, unique hospitality experience,” said Wendy Yuengling, Chief Administrative Officer and 6th generation family member in a statement. 11109 N 30th St., Tampa. yuengling.com—Colin Wolf
Dave’s Hot Chicken One of the West Coast's hottest chains gears up for its Tampa Bay debut. Located near the University of South Florida and Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay’s first Dave’s Hot Chicken makes its debut today, June 16. In addition to a wide spread of hot chicken tenders—which range from "no spice" to the fiery red "reaper" level—Dave's dishes out sides like french fries, kale slaw and mac and cheese. A variety of sodas are also offered alongside different flavors of loaded milkshakes. After this weekend’s grand opening, Dave’s Hot Chicken will be open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Sundays, and 11 a.m.-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. In late-2021, the L.A.-based chicken chain announced plans to open eight outposts throughout the greater Tampa area, heading to Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties. The owners of local Fuzzy Tacos franchises, Ian and Adam Lieberman, are helping Dave's Hot Chicken find its ideal locations throughout Tampa Bay. 540 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. daveshotchicken.com
Coming soon
Tequila Daisy It looks like we’ll have to update Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s “Where to get a good mezcal cocktail in Tampa Bay” dining guide, because a bar specializing in tequila (and its smokier cousin) will soon debut in St. Pete. Tequila Daisy will soon open out of a 3,000 square-foot space in the heart of downtown St. Pete, right around the corner from Jannus Live and the St. Pete Pier. With a whopping 500 mezcal and tequila options, this new hotspot is slated to celebrate its grand opening on Monday, July 24, coinciding with National Tequila Day. Tequila Daisy will offer to a dozen signature cocktails featuring spirits from both recognizable tequila and mezcal brands as well as local, Tampa Bay-based distilleries. Exclusive tequila and mezcals, in addition to hard-to-find bottles will also be available for purchase alongside a spread of other expected liquors and beers. Although its grand opening is slated for July 24, co-owners of Tequila Daisy—Monique Grespan and Melissa Powell—state that a soft opening will take place before then. 120 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @tequiladaisystpete on Instagram
Events
Plant Love Ice Cream’s grand opening party Gulfport got even sweeter this week. Plant Love Ice Cream's new Gulfport shop is now open at 2901 Beach Blvd. S, adjacent to other popular concepts like the newly-opened Wine House, Golden Dinosaurs and Stella's. The vegan ice cream parlor celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, June 17 from noon-9 p.m., complete with live music by feel-good acoustic act Enter the Sun, tarot readings, merchandise, local vendors, artists, new ice cream flavors and more. "Join us and be a part of our growing community of ice cream aficionados who believe in savoring the sweetness of life, one plant-powered scoop at a time," Plant Love owner JoAnn Matchin wrote on social media. Popular flavors of ice cream include its beloved "golden mylk" made with tumeric, espresso, cookie butter, rum raisin, pistachio, birthday cake and "fluffernutter"—an ode to a childhood favorite. Plant Love announced the opening of its second Pinellas location back in March. Its Gulfport storefront required little renovations and was able to soft open just three months after announcing the big news. 2901 Beach Blvd., Gulfport. plantloveicecream.com
Frank’s Franks pop-up Behind the counter on any given day at downtown Tampa’s Supernatural food and wine shop, you’ll get a little help from Frank Johnson, a line cook and chef who'll also confess to the ridiculous menus he pumps out at his own home not too far away. This weekend, Johnson’s laying it all out and hot doggin’ it—literally—by slinging his take on the frankfurter for a weekend pop-up that’s part of the mini-tour for Tampa rapper Notsew (yes, the home of what Alton Brown called the “best breakfast sandwich ever” also hosts concerts!). Also in action in the kitchen for the gig is Carolyn Kowalski, a chef who came to prominence during her stint leading the kitchen at Tampa Heights staple King State. There's no cover to check out the first stop of the Sidetracked in Tampa tour from Notsew, featuring hot dogs from Franks Franks. 305 E Polk St, Tampa. @supernaturalfoodandwine on Instagram—Ray Roa ICYMI
At V.M. Ybor bakery Elevenses, Jade Yelvington creates a whimsical world of specialty coffee and confections Yelvington's brick and mortar Elevenses has been in a soft opening phase in V.M. Ybor for a few months, a decision that she described as a “leap of faith.” While the newly-acquired building has mainly served as a space for her wholesale baking and custom cake orders, she recently announced expanded hours and is now open four days a week as a full-service cafe and bakery. The cozy neighborhood bakery and cafe is now open from noon-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays, slinging artisan lattes, cakes by the slice and other exciting bakes. Just a few of the creations that Yelvington has dished out of her new V.M. Ybor bakery include mango rice pudding pavlovas, cardamom-chocolate chip cookies, spiced sweet potato cakes with coconut cream cheese icing, and her beloved “cakies”—a pillowy, cookie-cake crossover that she created to utilize leftover cake scraps. While she specializes in a variety of baking techniques, she’s perhaps most known for her colorful, uniquely-flavored macarons. 1001 E Columbus Dr., Tampa. elevensesco.com
St. Pete's Il Ritorno launches new summer tasting menu School's out once again, and that means Il Ritorno (stylized "IL Ritorno") is gearing up for another rendition of its exclusive tasting menu. For its new summer tasting menu, the Italian restaurant offers six courses for $105, "incorporating the freshest ingredients possible." This season's menu includes exciting offerings like caviar amuse, a lofty fish dish, two seasonal pasta courses, a Waygu beef entree and a rhubarb-themed dessert—although the specifics of each dish might change depending on that day's ingredients. In addition to its exclusive summer offerings, the St. Pete restaurant's everyday menu features decadent pastas, salads, seafood-focused appetizers and modern twists on Mediterranean classics. Il Ritorno has been dishing out seasonal Italian fare on Central Avenue for the last 4 years alongside its vast wine list, special tasting menus every season and a cozy, brick-laden atmosphere. 449 Central Ave. N No. 101, St. Petersburg. ilritornodowntown.com
Tampa Bay Restaurant Week returns with local eateries offering specials until Sunday, June 25 The best way to discover your new favorite restaurant returns to Tampa Bay once again. Tampa Bay Restaurant Week kicked off earlier this week and runs through June 25, featuring more than 50 local restaurants offering multiple-course prix fixe menus and exclusive pricing on drink specials and more. To take advantage of the limited time menus, just stop in at any participating location and ask for the Tampa Bay Restaurant Week menu. As usual, a portion of proceeds benefits Feeding Tampa Bay! Plus, when you eat local, you can win local during Restaurant Week by entering the social media contest. Share a photo of your Restaurant Week experience on Instagram under #TampaBayRestaurantWeek to be automatically entered to win more than $1k in prizes. Just a few of the restaurants participating in 2023's Restaurant Week include Cru Cellars, Allelo, The Living Room, Bouzy, Caracara, Teak St. Pete, Cider Press Vegan Gastropub, Azure and Willa’s.
Slideshow
All of the Tampa Bay restaurants offering exclusive menus during Restaurant Week (6/15-6/25)
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