Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani has tapped St. Petersburg to be the home of his forthcoming Taverna Costale Italian restaurant.
Taverna Costale—located at 200 Central Ave. at ground level of a St. Pete office tower—has plans to open its 5,900-square-foot space this winter, and Viviani has described his newest venture as a coastal Italian restaurant and bar that emphasizes local seafood. St. Pete Rising said that to keep in line with the city’s locally-owned mentality, the concept will purchase its catch and produce from nearby farms.
Viviani told the development blog that diners can expect both inexpensive and high-end eats from the concept, perfect to “take a date out for a nice steak dinner and an expensive bottle of wine or meet a group of friends for pizza and a beer.” Made-from-scratch pasta and (of course) seafood entrees are also on the menu, and while the exact menu and opening date are TBA, Taverna Costale is currently looking for an executive chef.
Last summer Viviani canceled the opening of his La Pergola Italian restaurant when a co-owner of Nocturnal Group—which was partnering with the chef on the concept—got caught making racist comments amid last summer’s Black Lives Matter protest.
Instead of Nocturnal, Viviani has partnered with Brian Henry and Anthony Sandstrom for the opening of Costale. The trio was also behind Vivani concept Chuck Lager’s American Tavern in Wesley Chapel.
If you’re looking for espresso and dessert after you finish inhaling ‘za and beer, you can walk next door to Kraft Cafe, which will share a patio with Taverna Costale. Don’t worry about rain, either—the courtyard for both spaces is covered. An indoor-outdoor bar will have enough seating for 230 guests.
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