DOWNTOWN CONCIERGE By Nanette Wiser
We welcome the Grand Prix and return of the Rays in April on our side of Champa Bay. We also are looking forward to the pet and family friendly Outdoor Night Market 4/29 from 6-9pm at the St. Pete Side Lot (2133 2nd Avenue South) next to 3 Daughters Brewing. If you haven’t been to a live weekend concert at The Side Lot, check their FB page for an awesome evening.
Karma Juice Bar & Eatery now serves iconic craft cocktails made with fresh juices inside their Baum Avenue Market location in the EDGE. Fresh juices, veggie delights and the Pink Dragon non-alcoholic smoothie (pitaya, mango, orange, pineapple, strawberry, banana) are swoon-worthy. Intermezzo is also introducing a new menu and cocktail list, and we love the Midnight Cowboy (vida mezcal, cognac, rich rosemary syrup, cardamom bitters, peychaud’s bitters, and flamed orange peel).
Roger and Suzanne Perry, co-owners of Datz Restaurant Group, are opening Burnt Ends Tiki Bar at Dr. BBQ. Burndt Ends will introduce a menu of classic tiki cocktails such as Mai Tais with Jamaican rum, dry curacao, fresh lime juice and house-made orgeat; Mr. Bali Hai offering big, bold rum flavors matched with coffee and pineapple notes; Three Dots and a Dash, an ode to the famed Chicago tiki bar, which stands out for its use of Rhum Agricole, Martinique and Demerara rums, pimento, falernum, orange and lime juices, honey mix and angostura. Can’t wait to try the menu, including the spam sliders and pupu platter.
We can’t get enough of Beans & Barlour’s boozy desserts. But there’s more. You can get NY bagels baked fresh each morning from dough shipped from The Big Apple. Order ahead or bring your pup and friends Thursdays and Fridays at their Airstream Barlour from 10am-4pm with their full menu. Continue your spirited adventure with The Library’s bourbon Thursdays.
Sauvignon Wine Locker and Bar is now open at 214 Central, serving American trattoria fare. Plan a charcuterie picnic by stocking up on meats, cheeses and more at Italy Bottega or indulge in a pint at Shaded Keg Pub.
Moving from the EDGE District to 170 4th Ave. NE, Pinoy St. Pete’s fabulous fare and pitaya bowls joins Match Point Grille, known for burgers, pulled pork, patio seating and open bar. If you love Dr. BBQ, you will adore LaSalle’s BBQ serving Tex cuisine to 3128 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N.
Crumb Factory owners Pablo Mardones and Felipe Zavala will bring Chile’s breads, pastries, sandwiches, breakfast dishes and more to the former Rae Rae’s Café on West Central, not far from the highly anticipated Two Graces restaurant near freeFall Theater.
Waterfront views from The Pier restaurants and bars are in huge demand, but don’t forget about Fresco’s and The Big Catch at Salt Creek, the paw-fect place to eat, drink and listen to live music with your fur baby. Come by boat or car.
See the city like a local with a St. Pete Biking Tour to DTSP’s breweries, explore history and heritage or ogle the amazing art murals. Electric scooters and rental bikes around downtown make Sunday funday.
Hip hip hooray! Whole Foods will replace Suncoast Fitness this year at 203 38th Ave. N, keeping two Publix stores company and adding its fresh and organic fare to the menu served by Rollin’ Oats and Fresh Market downtown.
Also new to downtown is DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go, the first U.S. franchise of this pasta concept that started in Venice, Italy. Take home fresh pasta and homemade sauces, tiramisu and more; wine and beer will be served.
CULTURE: After celebrating Women’s History Month in March with some spectacular speakers including Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, April at Tombolo Books features two virtual events. April 8th @ 7pm is poetry with Julia Koets, Anne Barngrover and Natalie Scenters-Zapico. April 15th is a double feature book launch with Gale Massy and Tyler Gillespie. In addition to Green Light Cinema, film buffs will be able to enjoy a new drive-in movie theater in DTSP at Rooftop Cinema Club at 2100 3rd Ave. S in the Warehouse District. With room for 179 cars, you can tune into your FM radio and hopefully enjoy local food vendor trucks.
BURB BIZ: A new park under I-375 along Dr. M.L.K. Jr St. N is breaking ground this spring near the Historic Uptown and MLK Business District neighborhoods, thanks to a little help from Realtor John Barkett, City Councilwoman Gina Driscoll, Transportation Director Evan Morey, Parks and Recreation Supervisor Mike Jeffries, and other city officials.