By Nanette Wiser
DRINK & DINE The Grand Central District will soon have its very own dedicated charcuterie shop courtesy of Graze Craze. Tampa’s King State craft beer and coffee roaster is opening in the historic Harlan Hotel building at 15 Eighth St. N. A nautical-themed restaurant, Nauti Duchess, is taking over the downtown space previously occupied by Caddy’s at 217 Central Ave. Baystar Restaurant Group’s popular Caribbean-themed restaurant Rumba Island & Grill is now open on Fourth St. in the old WInghouse Bar & Grill location. Cane & Barrel is the rooftop of the new AC Hotel, Ascent St. Pete.
The Temple at The Brutalist
On March 9, enjoy King State Brewing’s Lagerfest at The Brutalist in St. Pete that will feature 35 craft breweries. The Brutalist is a collaborative contract brewing facility headed by Aric Parker of King State Beer and Vinny Giusto, former head brewer of Hidden Springs Ale. Visit The Brutalist’s Temple of Beer for music and food, featuring 20 rotating taps of Florida’s best breweries, showcasing what’s brewed in-house for them and their partners. We are looking forward to March’s Rum Barrel Aged Pecan French Toast Imperial Sweet Stout!
Looking for an event or wedding space? The Mahaffey’s waterfront view can’t be beat, and The James Museum’s ballroom is fabulous. New to the party is Savant on Second serving up indoor and outdoor spaces for as many as 350 guests with skylights hand-painted by Ya Ya La’ford on the 20-foot-high ceilings. Don’t forget about The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, ranked the No. 1 hotel and resort in St. Pete by U.S. News & World Report.
FUN St. Peterburg Museum of History has a new exhibit based on a book in the Little Cooperstown Gallery, “Black Baseball in Living Color.” This collection of 72 portraits showcases the stars of the Negro Baseball Leagues and is on loan from author Jay Caldwell. Caldwell commissioned artist Graig Kreindler to paint over 200 5×7 portraits of the players who could only play in a league of their own when Major League Baseball remained segregated. The St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club hosts an open house 3/25 @9am-noon, providing lawn bowls, training lessons and an overview of the game’s rules. www.st.petersburglawnbowling.org
Are you ready for the Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon 3/11 at Vinoy Park? Visit www.guidedogswalkathon.org to sign up, fundraise, or create a team. Now’s the time to raise funds and support our marvelous dogs in their mission to help people with visual impairments, veterans with disabilities, and kids facing tough challenges.
On 4/14-4/16, Tampa Bay Blues Festival returns to Vinoy Waterfront Park, kicking off with Tommy Castro & The Pain Killers at the Palladium Theater 4/13; 4/14 Robert Cray, Tommy Castro, Ana Popovic, Larry McCray and Colin James; 4/15 Tower of Power, Tab Benoit, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Chris Cain, Dawn Tyler Watson; 4/16 The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Mr. Sipp, Vannessa Colier, Jimmy Carpenter, J. T. Lauritsen accompanied by delicious food, drinks and view. Ticket available for each day, VIP and three-day passes. www.tampabaybluesfest.com
SHOP On 3/14 @7-8pm, Tombolo Books welcomes local author Marie Still to the bookstore to celebrate the launch of her debut novel that explores dark family secrets in its intricate twist that will keep you spellbound. From fantasy to mysteries, biographies to non-fiction, browsing books with a coffee next door at Black Crow Coffee Co. is my favorite pastime.
