Openings
Tiff’s Treats If you love sweet treats like fresh warm cookies and brownies, then get ready for the newest location of Tiff's Treats. Tiff's Treats, a cookie delivery company, will open its first Florida location in Tampa this month. The Texas-based chain celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. within The Pearl in Tampa Heights. During the grand opening, guests can purchase up to two tickets ($2 each), each good for a dozen cookies. Locals can sign up for a coupon that gets them a dozen cookies for free until Jan. 27.Tiff’s is also delivering the cookies at now charge until Jan. 27. If fresh baked cookies aren't your thing, Tiff's Treats also has cookie truffles, ice cream and frosting cups. Their menu features 11 different cookie flavors while also offering a limited-time flavor every month. 2121 N Massachusetts Ave., Tampa. Cookiedelivery.com
Red’s BBQ Truck reopens in St. Pete A popular St. Pete food truck is finally ready to once again serve its prized barbecue and Southern comfort food. Red's BBQ Truck reopened yesterday, Jan. 12 at 3405 34th St. N from 11a.m.-6 p.m.—and will operate with those same hours every Thursday-Saturday. Brothers Joshua and Christian Jackson started their food truck and catering business back in 2018, but its been out of commission since April 2022 so the restaurateurs could focus on their newly-opened Roam Steakhouse and Bar. The menu changes often, but Red’s BBQ Truck is known for slow-smoked meats and loaded dinner platters. Other popular menu items include candied fried chicken, smoked lamb chops, St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork and Cajun grilled shrimp. Common side dishes like mac and cheese, collard greens and dirty rice round out its Southern and Creole-themed menu. For the latest information on this popular St. Pete food truck and its whereabouts, follow its Instagram at @redsbbqfoodtruck. 3405 34th St. N, St. Petersburg
Coming Soon
Voodoo Brewing Co. It's already pretty hard deciding on which St. Pete brewery to frequent, and the addition of this new Pennsylvania-based brewpub certainly won't make it any easier. Opening at 220 4th St. N out of the space formerly occupied by Orange Blossom Catering, Voodoo Brewing Co. expects to debut sometime next month. ILovetheBurg says this new brewery is tentatively scheduled to open during the second week of February, but an exact opening date isn't yet set in stone. The brewery and taproom was originally slated to open in spring of last year. The Pennsylvania-based company offers a variety of craft beers, barrel-aged cocktails, ciders, seltzers and seltzer slushies, and a “distinct elevated pub food menu." Burgers, sandwiches and loaded mac and cheese bowls round out this brewpub's food offerings. All of Voodoo's beer will arrive fresh from its manufacturing facility in Meadville, Pennsylvania and won't be brewed on-site. 220 4th St. N , St. Petersburg. voodoobrewery.com
Events
Bacon & BBQ Festival A very meaty celebration is coming to St. Petersburg this weekend. Hosted by Brewed Life Festivals, the St. Pete Bacon & BBQ Festival heads to Vinoy Park, located at 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, on Saturday, Jan. 14 from noon-7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan.15 from 1 p.m.-7 pm. The event centers on some savory favorites with over 30 local food vendors serving up everything from bacon burgers, brisket and ribs, as well as beer and cocktails. Tickets start at $9, and kids 10 and under get in for free. If you're a true barbecue fanatic, you can purchase the Boss Hog Admission (ranging from $39-$50), which will provide special access to the Boss Hog Area with exclusive bars and vendors, as well as a private lounge, front row and high-top seating, and cocktail samples. Guests can also expect plenty of live music to keep the party going, featuring Kash'd Out, Seranation, Drifting Roots, and DJ Badda Skat on Saturday, and Resinated, Neverless, Ichronq and DJ Badda Skat on Sunday.—Min Craig
Chinese New Year celebration Although most people rang 2023 a few weeks ago, a local nonprofit gets ready for its annual Chinese New Year celebration with a full slate of cultural performances, a wide range of Asian food and tasty waterfront views. The Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans hosts this free event on Sunday, Jan. 22 from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Tampa Heights' Water Works park. A variety of both traditional and modern dances, martial arts demonstrations and live music will take over the Water Works bandshell next weekend—including the iconic Lion dance and a Peking opera performance. There will be up to a dozen food vendors specializing in different East and Southeast Asian cuisines. Guests can expect stuffed buns, fresh rice noodles, grilled lamb kabobs, Japanese grilled fish, Thai desserts, a variety of milk teas and more. Other non-food vendors will sling Chinese arts, crafts, and typical New Year's souvenirs. 3402 W. Columbus Dr., Tampa. Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans on Facebook
ICYMI
Hello Kitty truck returns to Tampa Bay this weekend Kicking off its 2023 east coast tour, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will be rolling back into Tampa this week. The truck will be in town this Saturday from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. inside of the Westshore Plaza near H&M. Fans of Hello Kitty can look forward to exclusive goodies and limited-edition collectibles and super cute treats, like macaroons, mini cakes and cookies. The truck also carries merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, lunchboxes, keychains and tote bags. The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck accepts only credit/debit card payments – no cash. The bright pink truck, which is hard to miss and great for picture opportunities, has been traveling throughout the U.S. since 2014, participating in pop-up shops. 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa.
Upcoming bakery Elevenses announces online ordering As a part of its “pre-soft opening phase,” Elevenses Co. now accepts weekly online orders at its upcoming V.M. Ybor bakery. Folks can now pre-order its sweet treats online, and pick them up every Thursday from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. at 1001 E Columbus Dr.—the location of her soon-to-open specialty bakery. Orders can be placed up to two days in advance (which is preferred,) or on Thursday mornings.This week’s menu includes owner Jade Yevlington’s take on a stoner favorite—the Cosmic brownie— a variety of macaron flavors like ube vanilla, Thai tea, chocolate chip cookie dough, lemon meringue and Fruity Pebbles, in addition to stuffed cakes, savory galletes and a lemon raspberry pavlova. Although the new V.M. Ybor bakery doesn’t have a grand opening date just yet, Yelvington says she wants her customers to see the progress that her and her partner are making on the space.
St. Pete artist Two needs help revitalizing historic Atwaters Cafeteria Last spring, Creative Loafing reported that south St. Pete’s iconic Atwaters restaurant was looking for someone to continue its legacy, and 8 months later that massive question has been answered. St. Pete rapper and artist Two (stylized as ONLYONETWO) is the grandson of the building’s original owners—Elzo & Mattie Awater—and the nephew of its most recent tenant, Eric Atwater aka “Cook-E-Man.” Following a recent car accident and the tragic loss of a loved one, Two will revitalize his family’s historic space—but he can’t do it alone. On Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 21-22 from 10 a.m - 5 p.m., Two welcomes volunteers to help him clean the Atwaters space at 895 22nd Ave. S in St. Pete. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, closed-toe shoes and bring any protective gear you may have. As of now, Two doesn’t have a clear vision of what he wants his now-closed family restaurant to become. Before he sits down with his family members to discuss the future of the building, a massive amount of cleaning and renovations must take place.
Forbici announces Gasparilla menu This modern Italian restaurant has loads of pirate fare during 2023's Gasparilla season— including cocktails like the "Pirate's Revenge" with rum, sweet vermouth, cognac and spiced syrup and the "The Blizzard," complete with vodka, white chocolate liqueur and cream.It will be open on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., slinging its prized pizzas and pastas.1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa.
Tiff’s Treats If you love sweet treats like fresh warm cookies and brownies, then get ready for the newest location of Tiff's Treats. Tiff's Treats, a cookie delivery company, will open its first Florida location in Tampa this month. The Texas-based chain celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. within The Pearl in Tampa Heights. During the grand opening, guests can purchase up to two tickets ($2 each), each good for a dozen cookies. Locals can sign up for a coupon that gets them a dozen cookies for free until Jan. 27.Tiff’s is also delivering the cookies at now charge until Jan. 27. If fresh baked cookies aren't your thing, Tiff's Treats also has cookie truffles, ice cream and frosting cups. Their menu features 11 different cookie flavors while also offering a limited-time flavor every month. 2121 N Massachusetts Ave., Tampa. Cookiedelivery.com
Red’s BBQ Truck reopens in St. Pete A popular St. Pete food truck is finally ready to once again serve its prized barbecue and Southern comfort food. Red's BBQ Truck reopened yesterday, Jan. 12 at 3405 34th St. N from 11a.m.-6 p.m.—and will operate with those same hours every Thursday-Saturday. Brothers Joshua and Christian Jackson started their food truck and catering business back in 2018, but its been out of commission since April 2022 so the restaurateurs could focus on their newly-opened Roam Steakhouse and Bar. The menu changes often, but Red’s BBQ Truck is known for slow-smoked meats and loaded dinner platters. Other popular menu items include candied fried chicken, smoked lamb chops, St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork and Cajun grilled shrimp. Common side dishes like mac and cheese, collard greens and dirty rice round out its Southern and Creole-themed menu. For the latest information on this popular St. Pete food truck and its whereabouts, follow its Instagram at @redsbbqfoodtruck. 3405 34th St. N, St. Petersburg
Coming Soon
Voodoo Brewing Co. It's already pretty hard deciding on which St. Pete brewery to frequent, and the addition of this new Pennsylvania-based brewpub certainly won't make it any easier. Opening at 220 4th St. N out of the space formerly occupied by Orange Blossom Catering, Voodoo Brewing Co. expects to debut sometime next month. ILovetheBurg says this new brewery is tentatively scheduled to open during the second week of February, but an exact opening date isn't yet set in stone. The brewery and taproom was originally slated to open in spring of last year. The Pennsylvania-based company offers a variety of craft beers, barrel-aged cocktails, ciders, seltzers and seltzer slushies, and a “distinct elevated pub food menu." Burgers, sandwiches and loaded mac and cheese bowls round out this brewpub's food offerings. All of Voodoo's beer will arrive fresh from its manufacturing facility in Meadville, Pennsylvania and won't be brewed on-site. 220 4th St. N , St. Petersburg. voodoobrewery.com
Events
Bacon & BBQ Festival A very meaty celebration is coming to St. Petersburg this weekend. Hosted by Brewed Life Festivals, the St. Pete Bacon & BBQ Festival heads to Vinoy Park, located at 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, on Saturday, Jan. 14 from noon-7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan.15 from 1 p.m.-7 pm. The event centers on some savory favorites with over 30 local food vendors serving up everything from bacon burgers, brisket and ribs, as well as beer and cocktails. Tickets start at $9, and kids 10 and under get in for free. If you're a true barbecue fanatic, you can purchase the Boss Hog Admission (ranging from $39-$50), which will provide special access to the Boss Hog Area with exclusive bars and vendors, as well as a private lounge, front row and high-top seating, and cocktail samples. Guests can also expect plenty of live music to keep the party going, featuring Kash'd Out, Seranation, Drifting Roots, and DJ Badda Skat on Saturday, and Resinated, Neverless, Ichronq and DJ Badda Skat on Sunday.—Min Craig
Chinese New Year celebration Although most people rang 2023 a few weeks ago, a local nonprofit gets ready for its annual Chinese New Year celebration with a full slate of cultural performances, a wide range of Asian food and tasty waterfront views. The Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans hosts this free event on Sunday, Jan. 22 from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Tampa Heights' Water Works park. A variety of both traditional and modern dances, martial arts demonstrations and live music will take over the Water Works bandshell next weekend—including the iconic Lion dance and a Peking opera performance. There will be up to a dozen food vendors specializing in different East and Southeast Asian cuisines. Guests can expect stuffed buns, fresh rice noodles, grilled lamb kabobs, Japanese grilled fish, Thai desserts, a variety of milk teas and more. Other non-food vendors will sling Chinese arts, crafts, and typical New Year's souvenirs. 3402 W. Columbus Dr., Tampa. Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans on Facebook
ICYMI
Hello Kitty truck returns to Tampa Bay this weekend Kicking off its 2023 east coast tour, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will be rolling back into Tampa this week. The truck will be in town this Saturday from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. inside of the Westshore Plaza near H&M. Fans of Hello Kitty can look forward to exclusive goodies and limited-edition collectibles and super cute treats, like macaroons, mini cakes and cookies. The truck also carries merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, lunchboxes, keychains and tote bags. The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck accepts only credit/debit card payments – no cash. The bright pink truck, which is hard to miss and great for picture opportunities, has been traveling throughout the U.S. since 2014, participating in pop-up shops. 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa.
Common Dialect owners preview their newly-opened Tampa brewery Seminole Heights’ new family and dog friendly brewery—located right across the street from Tampa’s Independent Bar and Cafe—celebrates its grand opening from noon-10 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 13-14. In addition to fresh craft brews, its grand opening weekend will boast live music from singer-songwriter Sam Williams and Deejay Kellen and grub from food trucks Te Invito and Sous, LLC. After this weekend’s debut, the brewery will continue to host different food trucks throughout the week, but will keep live music reserved for special occasions. Adorned with a colorful and massive, floor-to-ceiling mural by Tampa artist Conrad Garner, tabletops made out of vintage bowling alley lanes, homemade decorations and tons of natural lighting, Common Dialect has a familial and welcoming feel for all walks of life. 5023 N Florida Ave., Tampa. commondialectbeer.com
St. Pete artist Two needs help revitalizing historic Atwaters Cafeteria Last spring, Creative Loafing reported that south St. Pete’s iconic Atwaters restaurant was looking for someone to continue its legacy, and 8 months later that massive question has been answered. St. Pete rapper and artist Two (stylized as ONLYONETWO) is the grandson of the building’s original owners—Elzo & Mattie Awater—and the nephew of its most recent tenant, Eric Atwater aka “Cook-E-Man.” Following a recent car accident and the tragic loss of a loved one, Two will revitalize his family’s historic space—but he can’t do it alone. On Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 21-22 from 10 a.m - 5 p.m., Two welcomes volunteers to help him clean the Atwaters space at 895 22nd Ave. S in St. Pete. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, closed-toe shoes and bring any protective gear you may have. As of now, Two doesn’t have a clear vision of what he wants his now-closed family restaurant to become. Before he sits down with his family members to discuss the future of the building, a massive amount of cleaning and renovations must take place.
Forbici announces Gasparilla menu This modern Italian restaurant has loads of pirate fare during 2023's Gasparilla season— including cocktails like the "Pirate's Revenge" with rum, sweet vermouth, cognac and spiced syrup and the "The Blizzard," complete with vodka, white chocolate liqueur and cream.It will be open on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., slinging its prized pizzas and pastas.1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa.
