Lolita’s has a new home, a Michelin-starred chef brings a new concept to downtown Tampa, and more local foodie news

Openings

Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne A popular late-night eatery in Ybor City is opening its higher end sibling this weekend. Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne kicks off its grand opening weekend on Friday, May 19 in the heart of Ybor City. Soon folks can indulge in pizza and pasta at parent restaurant Due Amici before heading next door to its champagne and wine-focused sibling. "With limited space available, make sure to reserve your spot now and be a part of the celebration," Geo's told its future customers on Instagram. In addition to a wide variety of wine and bubbly, this new concept also dishes out loaded charcuterie boards. Geo's website promises that the new Ybor City hotspot will boast live music "every single night," as well as host various DJs, private parties and events.1730 E 7th Ave.,Ybor City. @geosfwc on Instagram

Melting Pot Social Local foodies will soon have a new place to dip into. Fans of the classic fondue experience the Melting Pot have something to look forward to end of the month. On Monday, May 22, Melting Pot Social, or MeltSo, opens its new location in downtown Tampa. Located at the up-and-coming Ashley Drive and the I-275 offramp just one block east of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the location will be positioned on the northern border of downtown at 105 W Tyler St. Open for brunch through late night after work cocktails, the new take on the Melting Pot will be a bar-centric dining experience, featuring a new menu with modern fondue classics, and a variety of American classics and shareables for any meal. A spokesperson told CL that MeltSo is a fresh take on the Melting Pot concept. "Other than fondue—it's completely different," they said. 105 W Tyler St., Tampa. meltingpotsocial.com—Gracey Davis

Foxtail Coffee Co. There are about a bazillion Foxtail Coffee Co. shops in Orlando, and Tampa Bay is about to get two more of its own over the next few weeks. The chain, which first opened in Orlando’s Winter Park in 2016, has more than 50 locations across the U.S., and plans to open its Carrollwood (10907 N Dale Mabry Hwy.) and Temple Terrace (7021 E Fletcher Ave.) locations on May 27 and June 17, respectively. Both shops will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, and the Temple Terrace spot has a drive-thru. A press release says the first 50 guests at each location will get seven free coffees redeemable through the Foxtail Coffee app. Foxtail’s menu is centered around the brand’s own “Farmhouse Blend,” cold brew, French press, pour overs, teas and more. The Carrollwood and Temple Terrace locations, however, will also offer Kelly's Ice Cream, according to the press release. foxtailcoffee.com—Ray Roa

Coming soon

Ebbe A hot new concept is headed to downtown Tampa—but you might have to save a few paychecks to dine there. Opening out of Mole y Abuela’s former space on the northern end of downtown, fine dining concept Ebbe (stylized as "EBBE") describes itself as “an incredible multi-course tasting experience.” Helming the kitchen is internationally-acclaimed Chef Ebbe Vollmer, who has two Michelin stars under his belt. “Our menu. Our choices…a fixed menu that features all the best seasonal produce,” Ebbe's website reads. Currently, its only reservations available are for its “Chef’s Counter” pre-fixe menu, which cost $285 per person. The earliest reservations that can be made are for May 24—but it’s unsure if next Wednesday is the restaurant’s first official day open. Reservations can be made via exploretock.com from Tuesdays-Saturdays starting next week. 1202 N Franklin St., Tampa. chefebbe.com

Mastry’s Brewing Co. A St. Pete Beach favorite will soon move its headquarters, but don’t worry, because its waterfront beer garden isn’t going anywhere. TBBJ reports that Mastry’s Brewing Co.—along with Robert Czysczon of Plaza Beach Resorts—were recently selected by Pinellas Park to take over a 1.49-acre property at 5805 Park Blvd., a slot of land that was previously owned by the city. Mastry's will keep its popular St Pete Beach outpost as a satellite location. In addition to opening a new brewing facility and taproom, its upcoming Pinellas Park parcel will soon become a mixed-use development with retail spaces, art studios and a stage for live entertainment—with Mastry's as its anchor business. Mastry’s Brewing Co. debuted in 2014 and has occupied its waterfront location since 2016, boasting itself as "the first craft brewery and tasting room on St. Pete Beach." 5805 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. mastrysbrewingco.com

Lolita’s Wine Market St. Pete's Grand Central District is losing a go-to spot for wine, but it's only moving a few blocks south. Local wine bar and restaurant Lolita's Wine Market relocates to 420 22nd St. S—the same brick building that houses the Morean Center For Clay—sometime next month. “We are right off of the Pinellas Trail, with 3 Daughters Brewing just to our north, Kozuba & Sons to our east and caddy corner to the Urban Stillhouse!,” Lolita posted on Instagram earlier this week. While its Warehouse Arts District brick and mortar prepares for a grand opening, Lolita’s flagship location at 16 18th St. S will remain closed. Besides a wide variety of both natural and regular wine, Lolita’s is also known for its menu full of housemade, Latin-inspired tapas and entrees. 420 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. lolitaswinemarket.com

Events

Chewy's most ‘Dog-Friendly Brewery' Pinellas Ale Works celebrates seventh anniversary this weekend Pinellas Ale Works was recently given the title of the most "Dog-Friendly Brewery in the U.S," by chewy.com, a nationwide pet delivery service. It acknowledged PAW's many dog bowls and treats, in addition to its dog-influenced beer names. "Along with their cute paw print logo, many of the craft brews sport fun dog-inspired names like their Pomeranian Porter and Vanilla Lab Latte," chewy.com wrote. This newly-deemed title will definitely be celebrated at PAW's anniversary party, happening from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. this Saturday, May 20. The "Barkyard BBQ" event features live performances, a variety of pet-related vendors, a doggy photo booth, barbecue from Made Fresh Taqueria and several exclusive beer releases. PAW's newly-dropped watermelon shandy, pink lemonade sour and "Pooch Punch"—a strawberry, raspberry and guava IPA—will all be on tap this Saturday. A dollar from every watermelon shandy sold will be donated to Pet Pal, a Pinellas-based animal shelter and clinic. 1962 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Pawbeer.com 6th Annual Sunset Food Truck Rally and Craft Beer Fest For the sixth year in a row, the Gulf to Bay Food Truck Association hosts its annual craft beer and food festival, happening at Albert Whitted Park on Friday, May 19. Beer from Bay Cannon Brewing Co., 7venth Sun, Barriehaus Beer Co. and Cycle Brewing will be available for purchase, alongside fare from a variety of St. Pete-based food trucks, like St Pete taco lady, Casablanca Fusion, Westchase BBQ, Fo’Cheezy, Charm City Eats, Funnel Vision and Slammer Shop—just to name a few. This free, pet-friendly event also features DJs and a children’s playground area. 480 Bayshore Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. Festival’s Facebook event page.

ICYMI

New Tampa’s Gorkhali Kitchen readies itself for a post-Michelin Bib future Tampa’s only Nepalese-Himalayan restaurant was one of two local concepts which earned their first Bib Gourmand award this year—a massive feat for an eatery that’s only occupied its quaint New Tampa plaza for 10 months. Gorkhali Kitchen—located at 10044 Cross Creek Blvd.—is riding off the high of receiving a bib from one of the most (if not the most) prestigious organizations in the culinary world, but Nepal-born co-owner Rajesh Pathak isn’t letting it get to his head. His first order of business was making sure Gorkhali can handle the influx of customers reserving tables at his newly-Bib’ed restaurant, with some folks making their first foray into South Asian cuisine altogether. Gorkhali (which translates into “warrior”) dishes out Himalayan-inspired fare like hearty soups, curries, goat stews, its prized tandoori chicken wings and of course momos, the Nepalese version of dumplings.

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter