For the working person, going out to lunch is a chance to escape the desk for at least a little while. But it's easy to get stuck in a rut, hitting the same places every time. If you're looking for a change, Tampa Bay's lunchtime market is booming with new options. Here are a few just-opened places to check out this week.
Burrito Bros. arrive in Tampa
Tampa's first Burrito Brothers Taco Co. opened Mon., April 10 at 11417 N. Dale Mabry in Carrollwood. Owners Janet and Randy Akerson took over the original Burrito Bros. in Gainesville in the late 1970s, and have built up a loyal following among University of Florida students and alumni.
This is the first franchise of the beloved Gainesville institution that opened 30 years ago. The Akersons also have plans for a second location in South Tampa.
In addition to its freshly made burritos, the restaurant serves tacos, enchiladas, and, of course, guac and chips. You can even get frozen burritos FedExed to you anywhere.
Burrito Bros. is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week. For information, check out www.burritobros.com or call 813-963-2282.
Earl of Sandwich at International Plaza
The 11th Earl of Sandwich is bringing his expertise to Tampa Bay. John Montagu, a direct descendant of the fourth earl, who is credited with inventing the sandwich in 1762, has partnered with restaurateur Robert Earl, who also co-founded Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Café, and CEO Gary Davis.
The team opened the first Earl of Sandwich location in London in 2001 and the first U.S. location in Downtown Disney in 2004.
The first Tampa location, which was originally slated to open in January, is now scheduled to open April 24 at Bay Street at International Plaza. The new restaurant offers a variety of hot and cold sandwiches on fresh artisan bread, as well as salads, desserts and homemade ice cream.
The Earl of Sandwich is located at 2223 West Shore Blvd. Call 813-879-1762 or go to www.earlofsandwichusa.com.
Doc Green's hits South Tampa
Doc Green's Gourmet Salads held its grand opening Fri., April 7. From the same team that created the popular burrito chain Moe's Southwest Grill based in Atlanta, Doc Green's offers a range of options for both low-carbohydrate dieters and those in search of something more substantial. The concept, "Be as healthy as you wanna be," lets diners chose from a menu that includes salads, soups, flatbread sandwiches, casseroles and entrees, and a number of sides.
Located at the former site of Mama Fu's Asian House (which is also owned by Doc Green's parent company, Raving Brands), this is the first Doc Green's in the Tampa Bay area. The franchisers plan to open a location in Brandon this summer and several others in southwest Florida as well.
Dine-in, takeout and catering is available. Doc Green's, located at 3838 W. Neptune St. in Tampa, is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Call 813-251-0303 or visit www.docgreens.com.
Chateau Prive opens at St. Bart's
The new owners of St. Bart's Island House, Philip Glassman and Scott Freyre, have announced the coming of Prive at St. Bart's — an upscale members-only club at the restaurant. Construction on the former banquet room of St. Bart's has begun and memberships are available.
For those who can't afford the hefty $5,000 membership fee or who can't wait to see what the new owners have cooked up, the restaurant is offering a new Sunday brunch and jazz series, which began Sun., April 9.
The all-you-can-eat "Beyond Brunch" ($37) is served from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday and features live jazz and all-you-can-drink Cristal champagne.
The previous owner Gordon Davis, who still owns Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant with locations in Tampa and St. Pete, sold St. Bart's in January. The new owners, who renamed the place Chateau Prive at St. Bart's Island House, have made minor modifications to the French Caribbean fusion menu and plan on renovating and redecorating the restaurant and lounge space.
Chateau Prive at St. Bart's is located at 1502 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. Reservations are recommended. Call 813-251-0637 or check out www.chateauprive.tv.
Cities Café coming to St. Pete
Construction is ongoing at 3238 Fourth St. N. in preparation for the new Cities Café and Marketplace. Located at the former site of the Hungry Bear restaurant, Cities Café has been compared to popular Fancy's Specialty Market, which closed down a couple of years ago.
The upscale market will offer prepared gourmet foods and have ample seating. Crews are currently working to expand the location, and the Cities Café is expected to open sometime in late summer.
Know of restaurants opening or closing? Have news of new chefs, new dishes or other culinary gossip? E-mail anne.arsenault@weeklyplanet.com.
This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2006.