While Best of the Bay 2020 has been our main focus for the last week, we couldn’t help but notice these new foodie happenings around Tampa Bay. Who knows, these places could be in the running for BOTB 2021? Looks like you have a lot of taste testing to do. Both Seminole Heights’ Harvest Bowl, Armature Works’ Zukku and Tampa’s OG restaurant group Datz are expanding with new concepts. The Bucs even got their own brew at 3 Daughters in St. Pete. There are plenty of other honorable mentions, but it seems like this week, the upcoming food events have stolen the spotlight - so be sure to mark your calendars.
Openings
H2 Chicken + Pizzeria Seminole Heights’ Harvest Bowl is expanding with a new pizzeria concept. Scheduled to officially debut October 10 next door in the former Domino’s Pizza space, the joint is now open with a limited menu. H2 is features baked goods, Mediterranean twists like halloumi pizza, plus gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. 6113 N. Florida Ave., Seminole Heights. @harvestbowl on Instagram.
Mumu Kitchen The new Filipino restaurant is a ghost kitchen concept operating out of Armature Works. The service will function solely as curbside and delivery only, serving Filipino foods rich in tradition. The only catch is that, for now, the concept is only open Tuesday and Thursday from noon-9 p.m. 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa. mumukitchen-tampa.com
Whiskey Exchange A stock market-themed bar has launched in the ‘Burg. The stock market element means some drinks will be priced based on supply and demand. If a certain drink is popular that night, the price will go up, while if another drink isn’t getting too much love from customers the drink price will drop. Will you be able to keep up? 540 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. whiskeyexchangedtsp.com
Coming soon
Donovan’s Modern American Meatery Datz Restaurant Group is launching a steakhouse this month. The menu is loaded with array of steaks, chops, duck, wild game and also hosts space for vegetable-forward dishes. The massive space offers seating for 150 guests alongside covered outdoor patio options. Diners are invited to watch their meals be prepared in the exhibition kitchen while they sip and socialize. 11206 Sullivan St., Riverview. donovansmeatery.com
Rockhouse Florida’s first Rockhouse Live International locations will soon be coming to Central Florida (locations in Tampa and Orlando). According to RockHouse Live’s website, the venue offers “nightly entertainment featuring local, regional and national talent, combined with state-of-the-art streaming and content development capabilities, great food, and amazing service.” More details to come when a projected opening date is announced. rockhouselive.com
The Chicken Spot Miami-based restaurant The Chicken Spot is opening alongside Bacon Bitch in St. Pete's Edge District in the former Bodega space. Both restos are under the umbrella of Queens Hospitality. Eats include loaded sandwiches, wraps, wings and sides like loaded waffle fries and mac, and an insane lineup of colorful dipping sauces. Scheduled to open by this December. 1124 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. winninchicken.com
Zukku-San Armature Works’ Zukku is expanding to Lutz this month. Zukku-San will operate as a fast-casual concept for lunch service and transition into a full-service restaurant for dinner. Zukku-San will operate as a fast-casual concept for lunch service and transition into a full-service restaurant for dinner. 25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz. zukkusushi.com
ICYMI
3 Daughters St. Petersburg's 3 Daughters has created a New England-themed IPA in honor of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ newest stars from the area. Soon you’ll be able six-packs by select retailers in Tampa Bay including Publix, Total Wine & More and ABC Fine Wine and Spirits. Until then, it’ll be on draft at the brewery. 222 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. 3dbrewing.com
Curious Cat Bakery Natalia Lima, owner of St. Pete’s Curious Cat Bakery, is back at it veganizing challenges from Season 11 of the Great British Bake Off. This year, you’ll be able to follow along on her YouTube series, get the recipes and even share your feedback. curiouscatbakery.com
Free Tacos In celebration of National Taco Day, Tampa residents can score some free tacos this Sunday, Oct. 4. Just download the Chronic Tacos app and create an account by Oct. 2. You’ll then be sent a voucher for the gratis taco, which is only valid for Sunday. 10420 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. chronictacos.com
Heights Fall Festival The Heights is hosting its annual two-day fall festival next weekend. Expect live music, a pumpkin patch, craft brews (with Oktoberfest options), sno-cones, kettle corn and access to all of the Armature Works’ food stalls. If you bring five non-perishable food items to donate to Metropolitan Ministries, you’ll receive a voucher for a free brew from 81Bay. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both October 10 and 11. 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa.
Seltzerland On Oct. 10, the Westchase Golf Club will transform into Seltzerland, a hard seltzer festival spread out over nine holes for golf-less and contactless day drinking. Each “drinking crew” will sign up for a time slot, and walk the fairways for hard seltzer tasting, food, photo opps, live music and games. Groups can be up to 10 people, and “tee times” are every 10 minutes. In total, Seltzerland lasts about two-and-a-half hours for each group. Tickets start at $29. seltzerland.com/tampa-2020
Spiritsfest Tampa Theatre’s latest virtual fundraiser, SpiritsFest, allows guests to sip on to-go boxes, which come with four ready-to-pour cocktails, a family-sized portion of Tampa Theatre popcorn, souvenir glasses plus some ghoulish goodies. Proceeds from the occasion benefit the Tampa Theatre. SpiritsFest is Sampling boxes are $95 plus fees (Tampa Theatre members pay $90 plus fees). October 24 at 7 p.m. INFO
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