This week Tampa Bay welcomes another new microbrewery, Copper Shaker’s second location, a hot chicken brick-and-mortar and another boutique grocery store. On the back burner, there’s a karaoke lounge, a rooftop bar and an Italian coffee shop. But locals are also saying goodbye to two South Tampa staples, Four Green Fields and Boca (although both joints are giving up prime retail space, the concepts live on at sister locations nearby).
If the ever-evolving Tampa Bay food scene has shown us anything, it is when one giant falls, it leaves room for a newbie to slide right in. The shake ups aren’t stopping during the ass end of 2020—stay tuned, foodies.
Openings
Copper Shaker The bar and gastropub, which specializes in craft cocktails and New American cuisine, has finally opened its Ybor location where the kitchen serves jam-smashed sliders, flatbread sandwiches, and truffle fries. No worries, the ‘Burg location is still going strong. 1502 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City. coppershaker.com —Thomas Holton
Grand Central Brewhouse This weekend the highly-anticipated microbrewery has a grand opening featuring live music and a food truck on-site. You can check out the open-air courtyard/beer garden with ample space to social distance with drinking your way through the tap list. Upon opening, hours are noon-midnight seven days a week, and 21 and up after 9 p.m. 2340 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. grandcentralbrew.com
N7 Nitro Kava Bar The kava bar celebrates its grand opening this weekend with a huge shindig. This Saturday from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. guests can delight in live music, $20 drink specials, and raffles. 10525 Park Blvd. N., Seminole.—Alexandria Jones
Nash’s Hot Chicken Formerly housed on wheels, the hot chicken food truck found a new home in St. Pete’s Edge District (stylized "EDGE"), next door to Buya Ramen. The fast-casual restaurant can seat up to 10 guests inside and has outdoor patio seating. Dishes range from $10-$12 with items like tender baskets, salads and sandos on steamed potato bread. 905 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. nashschicken.com
Pups Pub Tampa Bay’s latest indoor-outdoor dog bar opens this Saturday, Dec. 12 in between Courier City/Oscawana and North Hyde Park. Pups Pub offers a full liquor bar for two-legged visitors and a 3,700-square-foot space covered in turf for Fido to move about freely. No pup required to enter. 2202 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. pupspubtampa.com
Sprout’s Farmers Market The Phoenix-based grocer opens its latest location in Westchase on Sat., Dec. 12. The first 200 customers will receive a 20% discount on their total initial purchase, and every opening day shopper will receive a free reusable shopping bag. Store hours are 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 10619 Sheldon Rd., Tampa. sprouts.com —Thomas Holton
Coming Soon
Lala Initially scheduled to open in September, the restaurant and karaoke bar is projected to make its debut in January 2021. Lala (stylized “LALA”) is connected to Grand Central Brewhouse and is expected to host seven private karaoke rooms, and serve up American cuisine with a French influence as well as a series of cocktails. 2324 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. lalastpete.com
The Lure Ono Looking to open mid-December on St. Pete’s 600 block, the concept is set to serve sandwiches, smoothies, sweets, snacks and a selection of grab-N-go beer and wine. More details to come as the opening date approaches. @thelureono on Facebook
Sal Y Mar This rooftop bar is scheduled to debut in January 2021. Expect a casual and sophisticated vibe, and a menu filled with tapas, cocktails, as well as local craft beers and wine. Sal Y Mar boasts indoor and outdoor seating amid Mayan-inspired decor, and a 360-degree view of the Bay area through floor-to-ceiling windows. 3650 Midtown Dr., Tampa. salymarrooftop.com —Nora O’Neill
Sorrento Sweets You may have seen this Italian sweetshop tucked away in Hyde Park Village. Soon enough, the concept will expand to St. Pete, and make a home within the former Brew D Licious space. The menu boasts espresso drinks, pastries, gelato alongside a lineup of sandos. 667 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. sorrentosweets.com
Closings
Boca The latest addition to the restaurant closures of 2020 is brunch hotspot, Boca (stylized "BOCA"), located at 901 W. Platt Street in South Tampa. The restaurant's website no longer works, the Facebook page has been wiped clean of recent content, and Boca's Instagram (@boca.kitchen) only lists its Sarasota and Winter Park locations. @boca.kitchen on Instagram.
Four Green Fields Irish pub is closing its original location at 205 W. Platt St. on Sat., Dec. 12. It opened its doors in 1992 in Tampa as America’s only authentic thatched roof Irish Pub. The joint is known for its traditional Irish dishes like shepherd's pie and corn beef and cabbage, alongside a serious lineup of pints. While the OG location will be no more, FGF has a nearby location in Curtis Hixon Park and another on the way near Channelside. fourgreenfields.com
ICYMI
Miracle Market The Christmas-themed pop-up bar, Miracle at Mezzo, alongside Green Bench Brewing, is hosting a one-day outdoor holiday market with boutique shops, vintage goods, handmade wares, plants, food, drinks, and live music. Sat., Dec. 12 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Intermezzo Coffee + Cocktails, 1111 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. @intermezzocoffee on Facebook INFO
Road to Gameday Highlighting more than 40 diverse-owned restaurants in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco County, the event runs from Dec. 4-13. Each featured restaurant will feature a special pre-fixe menu from which patrons can select, in addition to its standard menu. Get the full list at roadtogamedayeats.com.
Sugar Factory The candy shop is offering three festive drinks for your Instagram feed, like the Santa’s Snowflake Goblet featuring a frosty brew of coconut rum, blue raspberry and pineapple juice, topped with sparkly gummy snowmen and candy canes. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa. sugarfactory.com
Tampa’s Signature Cocktail The Hub’s bartender, Kamran Mir, won Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s “Crafting Tampa's Cocktail” competition with a boozy cafe con leche combo. Named the “6 a.m. on 7th Ave.” as an homage to the Ybor City historic district. Served in styrofoam coffee cups you might get when you order a coffee with your Obama Cuban at the West Tampa Sandwich shop, the cocktail was a tribute to the city’s immigrants.—Ray Roa
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