Article by Nanette Wiser
What’s New & Noteworthy …
Poke is all the rage around town, from Frank Chivas’ Poke Havana, helmed by Chef Paul Daubert, to Palm Harbor’s Fish Bowl Kitchen, serving poke and acai bowls, boba milk tea and Dole whip desserts.
Salty Crab Bar & Grille opens its 4th outlet in Clearwater Beach, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also new to Clearwater is Anthem House, a healthy shake and tea shop that also hosts community events such as women empowerment seminars, fitness and dance classes.
Indian Rocks’ Aqua Prime launched a Caribbean concept this summer next door, where you can enjoy music, brews and Chef Jason Varga’s tantalizing bites al fresco under the palms.
Belleair’s brunch at Seaweed, another Frank Chivas concept, is for those who love seafood Sunday. For $10, you can enjoy unlimited mimosas (mango, blackberry, peach), Bloody Mary and sangria. Who doesn’t love a lobster brie omelet or house-made salmon and egg crostini with crème fraiche? The PEI oysters, poke, lemon ricotta pancakes and raspberry tiramisu with Grand Marnier lady fingers served with a side of the Bucs game on the bar’s flat screen TVs is my cup of tea.
Just off Indian Shores is Havana Harry’s, perhaps one of the most authentic Cuban foods in town other than our fave Pipo’s, perfect for holiday entertaining or dining in. The Cuban sandwich, pulled chicken breast, 1904 Cuban tossed salad, Cuban Shepherd’s Pie with chorizo, rice and beans and the Ropa Vieja with tangy citrus Mojo sauce or Mami sauce are out of this world as is the chicken and kale soup and New Orleans style gumbo.
Love Wine Knot in Redington Shores? You’ll love Symposium,
a wine & craft beer boutique in Indian Shores. Also in Redington Shores, Broke N Bored serves up drunken shrimp, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, pulled pork nachos while The Friendly Tavern’s Friday Night all-you-can-eat prime rib dinner is a local favorite.
In Seminole City Centre, Joelle’s Hot Chicken takes you from wings to Dixie-style and pimento cheese topped sandwiches. The Southern sides are a meal in themselves, from the collard greens with bacon to the healthy kale crunch salad; there’s even a vegan chicken sandwich.
In the Tyrone area, downtown’s Casita Taqueria features some of the best tacos and burritos in town. And if you love Café Ponte, you might have to take a ride over the bridge to his new South Tampa jewel, OLIVIA, an Italian restaurant housed in the former Carmel Kitchen Bar space in South Tampa.
Coming to Tampa Bay in 2020 is Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, a Louisiana-based full-service family sports bar chain that is bringing six franchises locations to Tampa Bay starting next year.In St. Pete Beach, Dewey’s joins Grace as one of the most elegant and delicious restaurants for brunch and dinner. And Maritana Grille is re-opened, reimagined both in décor and menu. Stay tuned for our interview with Chef in the New Year.