By Nanette Wiser
SIP & SUP In addition to the best burgers in the Burg, why not have a high holiday tea at The Chattaway? If you loved The Symposium in Indian Shores, visit The Study lounge where you can pour your own wine and beer, enjoy live music, art gallery shows, bottomless mimosas on Sunday, Thursday trivia night and meet new friends. Located in Kenwood at 3100 Third Ave. N, Hogg Breath debuts what is sure to be a holiday fave, Decaf Spiced Rum blended with the rich, organic, mountain water processed decaf coffee from Honduras Maya Royal Select and the unmistakable essence of St Pete Distillery Rum & Spice. Check out Tasty Thai, now open for dining on Mon., Wed.-Sun. for lunch and dinner and Tues. for dinner from owner Ken Bell of Pasghetti and his wife, who is a Thai chef. Welcome Pan-Asian restaurant and steakhouse Fortu to the Ponce de Leon Hotel and aloha to our fave, Beans & Barlour a boozy bakery with some new delights in the horizon according to the owners.
In addition to a fabulous new happy hour with marvelous mussels and boutique wines, Sea Salt St. Pete is hosting a first Sunday buffet brunch 11am-3pm. Enjoy an elaborate smoked fish display, a house-crafted pastry station, hot brunch items, cold salads, charcuterie, fruits, and cheeses and all the accompaniments! A la carte brunch cocktail menu also available; reservations are encouraged; 727-873-7964.
The Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater’s magnificent waterfront view and world class entertainment venue will have a fabulous fine dining restaurant to boast about in 2024. Bill Edwards will open Sonata, helmed by head chef Ted Dorsey, formerly of The Mill, featuring “coastal cuisine presented with Southern hospitality in an elegant atmosphere.” Enhancing the experience, The Imagine Museum exhibits contemporary glass art in the theater’s second floor lobby space. The restaurant will be open to the public as well as patrons of The Mahaffey’s concerts.
SHOP Looking for artisan cocktails from Italy to Spain, craft coffee sips and one of the best indie markets in town? Visit Saturday’s Mezzo Market at Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails for boutique shops, vintage goods, handmade products, plants, food, drinks, and live music, then grab a beer at Green Bench and tasty tacos at Red Mesa. Next markets are 12/16, 1/20, 2/17, 3/9, 3/30, 4/20 and 5/11 from 11am-4pm.
On Jan. 7, Tampa Bay Markets launches a new Sunday Market St. Pete at St. Pete High School (2501 5th Ave. N). Each Sunday, 75+ vendors, including local growers, artists, makers, culinary artisans, and community partners will showcase farm-fresh produce, multi-cultural foods, innovative arts, hand-made crafts, sustainable, eco-friendly products, and wellness services. Founded in 2010 as a local grass-roots start-up, Tampa Bay Markets now develops vibrant “Buy Local” events and operates world-class, open-air Fresh Markets throughout Tampa Bay. Owned and operated by Tiffany A. Ferrecchia and Greg Barnhill, Tampa Bay Markets serves over 600 vendors and brings together residents, visitors, and small businesses on a weekly and monthly basis with 13 markets across 11 Tampa Bay communities and feature special events throughout the year including Dunedin on Friday and starting Dec. 6, Madeira Beach Wednesday 10am-3pm.
HOLIDAZE For festive gifts, gather friends and family for the Zubrick Magic Theatre’s holiday-themed magic and grand illusion show as well as a virtual magic shop unique stocking stuffers. A new Christmas-themed pop-up bar, Xmas Bar is now open at 260 First Ave. N, where you can dance to Christmas songs, enjoy holiday-themed cocktails (Jingle Juice, Naughty & Nice), delicious dishes and more. Open 4pm-3am Fri. and 1pm-3am Sat.-Sun. www.xmasbar.com
The immersive, larger-than-life light installations and multi-sensory experiences at Enchant St. Petersburg will delight all ages. Tickets for the Enchant Dinner Experience are now available, where you can enjoy up-close-and-personal entertainment, tasty dessert, comfortable seating, a cash bar with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Located in The Trop. www.enchantchristmas.com/dinner-ticket-experience/
It’s a special holiday-season book event featuring five very Florida-centric authors from St. Petersburg Press. Join Paul Wilborn (“Florida Hustle”), Bill DeYoung (“Vintage St. Pete & Pinellas, Volume 3”), Kerry Kriseman (“Accidental First Lady”), Shana Smith (“Islands of Cedars”) and Tom Gribbin (“The Last Florida Boy”) for readings, signings, and all-around holiday cheer at The Studio@620 on 12/14@7pm. Books will be available for purchase. Admission is free!
DO GOOD Plan to be a sponsor or attend the annual Queen of Hearts Ball on Feb. 17 at the St. Petersburg Hilton. This fabulous event supports local charities and in 2024, Wheelchairs 4 Kids and Inspire Equine Assisted Center will be the recipients. In 2023, SPCA Tampa Bay and Suncoast Voices for Children each received a check for $46,750. The Queen’s Court Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to honoring Pinellas County’s leading women volunteers and raising money for two deserving local charities each year at the Queen of Hearts Ball, honoring their motto One Heart, One Mind, One Spirit. Contact SapphireBall2024@gmail.com or visit www.queenofheartsball.org.
DTSP TIDBITS In November, St. Petersburg City Council approved additional $7.4 million funding for affordable and workforce apartments to be built at the site of the former Tibbetts Lumber Company on Fairfield Avenue. Members originally approved $2.2 million last year, but a delayed HUD loan combined with rising construction costs and interest rates caused the project’s budget to balloon. Construction will start between Jan.-Feb. 2024.
New this fall is Oak Street Exchange, a fully renovated property featuring a first-floor multi-purpose great room for events and parties, a studio perfect for conducting yoga and wellness classes and a fully furnished hair salon. The second floor unveils a large gathering space, full kitchen, four furnished bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Guests step out the back doors into a stunningly landscaped two-acre private oasis. Oak Street Exchange also offers top-notch amenities and services to make any event run smoothly, including audio/visual equipment, catering, and event planning services. Located at 10787 Oak St NE. For a tour or reservation contact events@oakstreetexchange.com.