This week, we’re celebrating the fact that there are no restaurants in our closings round-up, and that the Tampa Bay area is one step closer to getting highly-anticipated restaurants like Poke Burri, K Club Bar & Bistro (pictured) and Mahana Fresh. There are also tons of eateries on the way, like McArthur’s Irish Pub (opening in Babalu’s old space on 4th St. N. in St. Petersburg), and Graze’s second location in Tampa. Eat up, Tampa Bay foodies.
OPENINGS
Blessed Cup The shop, which started as an online-only coffee bean distributor, has been slinging coffee, snacks, merch and locally roasted coffee beans out of its brick-and-mortar since quietly opening in late December. It offers a few light bites alongside an extensive drink menu; imagine waffles, sandwiches, salads, and light breakfast options. 483 Mandalay Ave. no. 200, Clearwater Beach. blessedcup.com
Don CeSar Hotel Even the most elegant of places needs a facelift once and awhile, and that reigns true for St. Pete Beach’s Don CeSar. Various eateries inside of the hunkering pink landmark—including the Don Lobby Bar, Uncle Andy’s Ice Cream Parlor and Maritana Grille—just finished an aesthetic and culinary revamp. The Don Lobby Bar has been relocated to the back of the lobby, while a floor-to-ceiling candy wall has been added to the new Uncle Andy’s Ice Cream Parlor. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. doncesar.com
K Club Bar & Bistro The Karol Hotel welcomed its new eatery The K Club Bar & Bistro, but a rep of the Karol Hotel confirmed that its sister-concept, Vantage Rooftop Bar, won’t debut until the end of February. Until then, locals can check out New American cuisine loaded on the Bistro menu curated by executive chef Jon Atanacio. 2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. thekarolhotel.com
Poke Burri Atlanta hotspot, Poke Burri, finally opens on Monday, Feb. 3. The restaurant gives Tampa a taste of its signature bowls (like Spicy Tuna Kimchee), burrito rolls, and finger foods. Build-your-own bowls, salads, dumplings, and jalapeño poppers are also up for grabs. Secret menus—randomly announced on social media—offer niche dishes like sushi donuts, sushi pizza, tempura fried bacon, and fried ramen. 4038 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. pokeburri.com
The Honu The Honu’s new tiki bar, which quietly opened in December, is about as state of the art as a tiki bar can get. It’s partially covered to deal with infamous Florida sun showers and fully-equipped with lanterns, bamboo-lined walls, eclectic bar stools, and a performance space for The Honu’s regular acoustic entertainers. This Dunedin gem created the ideal space to sip its specialty cocktails like Honu Punch or Maui Breeze. 516 Grant St., Dunedin. thehonurestaurant.com
Mahana Fresh New Tampa’s newest health-focused and gluten-free concept focuses on a build-your-own bowl model, where you can choose a base, protein, sides and sauces. Bases include carbs like rice and sweet potato noodles, while proteins span from meat options like Asian BBQ chicken and marinated steak, to vegetarian offerings like miso-roasted tofu. The menu also offers a few dessert items like zucchini brownies and chocolate chip cookies—all gluten-free of course. 17512 Dona Michelle Dr., Tampa. mahanafresh.com
Twisted Turtle Tampa’s newest neighborhood bar is now open in the space formerly occupied by Caveman Cove (a joint featured on the fourth season of the Food Network show "Bar Rescue.") Although there’s no menu online yet, its website boasts of both chicken and duck wings, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, flatbreads, and salads. 11742 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. twistedturtlebar.com
COMING SOON
DeVito’s Italian Specialties Utilizing his 12 years of experience in the bar and restaurant industry, James DeVito has created DeVito's Italian Specialties, stationed at a former Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs space in downtown Tampa. DeVito told Tampa Bay Business Journal that he’s shooting to host soft opening events in February, followed by a full-scale opening in March. The menu will be full of Italian classics like pastas, Roman-style pizzas, and bread. 200 N. Tampa St., Tampa.
Graze Armature Works’ Graze 1910 opens a second location in early February. The original concept in Armature works will remain Graze 1910, but the new South Tampa location will just be called Graze. This new spot features a much larger menu than its predecessor at Armature Works—chock full of its acclaimed egg dishes, chicken and waffles, tartines and burgers. 2217 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. graze1910.com
Oronzo Honest Italian Another Italian joint is hitting the streets this spring called Oronzo Honest Italian. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria founder Dan Bavaro and Front Burner Brands restaurant group (Melting Pot) are joining forces to bring Oronzo to life—which means made-from-scratch Italian soups and salads, pasta (of course), and fat dishes featuring steak, chicken, and hand-rolled meatballs. 18027 Highwood Preserve Pkwy., Tampa. oronzo.com
Sunshine Kitty Catfe The Sunshine Kitty Catfe, a coffee shop with a feline twist, is getting closer to its debut. Caffeinated guests can admire adoptable cats through a glass divider that separates the cat lounge from the coffee shop. The catfe will also offer lounge reservations on an hourly basis and accept donations in lieu of entrance fees. 1669 1st Ave., St,. Petersburg. sunshinekittycatfe.com
McArthur’s Irish Pub Seasoned restaurant industry professional Arthur Paula steps up to the plate to give St. Pete new eats and a refreshed vibe when he launches McArthur’s Irish Pub, out of the old Babalu space late next month. Paying homage to his Irish roots, McArthur's menu is loaded with Irish fare including corned beef and cabbage, curry chips, Guinness stew and Irish soda bread. 9246 4th St. N., St. Petersburg.
EVENTS
Cake sale at Doc B’s If you haven't been to International Plaza's Bay Street in while, now would be a good time to check out one of its banger concepts, Doc B's Restaurant + Bar. This month, Doc B's founder Craig Bernstein pays homage to his late father, Dr. Robert Bernstein by donating $5 from every slice of the Rob's Double Decker Chocolate Cake to the American Brain Tumor Association. 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, docbsrestaurant.com.
Florida Vegan Gourmet Food Festival The biggest celebration of vegan food is headed to USF’s Botanical Gardens once again when the annual Florida Vegan Gourmet Food Festival takes place on Feb.1, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.This festival isn't just about eating—you can also have discussions with Tampa Bay area vegan chefs, learn a thing or two from live cooking and food preparation demos, and browse countless stalls of vegan vendors. 12210 USF Pine Dr.,Tampa. cityfestivals.org
Tampa Bay Collard Greens Festival The 3rd Annual Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival—featuring cooking demonstrations, and vendors showcasing a number of ways to cook collard greens—happens Feb. 15 at Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This year, attendees can expect several presentations from local chefs Anne White and Javon Holmes plus one from Ray Wunderlich, owner of St. Petersburg’s Wunder Farms. 2240 9th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. tampabaycollardgreenfestival.org
Tampa Bay Margarita & Music Festival The Tampa Bay Margarita and Music Festival is back on Sat., May 23 at downtown Tampa's Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. From noon-11 p.m., food vendors slinging mostly tacos will lace the park, which is also set to host a 2,400-square-foot taco restaurant. Just a heads up, this isn't a family-friendly event, attendees must be 21 and up. 1001 North Blvd., Tampa. tampamargaritafest.com
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