OPENINGS/CLOSINGS
Outback founder and Chef Chris Ponte plan waterfront restaurant in Tampa
Two prominent Tampa restaurateurs have teamed up for a second time to create a brand new concept waterfront restaurant. According to Tampa Bay Business Journal, The still-unnamed concept will open right next to Rattlesnake Point’s Salt Shack on the Bay, which appeared on the New York Times’ 2023 list of “America’s Best Restaurants.” Bob Bashman, known for founding Outback Steakhouse and PDQ chicken tender shacks across the Bay area, has teamed up with Chris Ponte, who created the Michelin Guide-recommended Ponte in Tampa. The duo previously teamed up in 2022 to open Bare Naked Kitchen, a fast-casual-style restaurant, in South Tampa, The 8,000-square-foot project—which sits near the site of a forthcoming nearly-500 unit apartment complex—will seat more than 300 people, and serve “coastal fare” cuisine, including fresh seafood, TBBJ reported.—Riley Benson
New Gulfport beach bar Stormrunners Tavern will officially open September 25
A new two-story waterfront bar and restaurant is about to set sail in Gulfport at the end of the month. Located at 3128 Beach Blvd. S, Stormrunners Tavern will celebrate its grand opening on Sept. 25 out of the former Caddy's space, which abruptly closed last summer. Stormrunners features a casual bar and restaurant on the ground floor, with an open-air bar and patio called the "Crow's Nest" occupying the second floor, which should have some pretty decent views of Boca Ciega Bay. The space also features an outdoor dog bar called Bark Gulfport, complete with a tiki-style thatched roof and a turfed area for pups to play on. The new concept is the brainchild of a few familiar faces in the Tampa Bay hospitality business. As previously reported, Stormrunners is helmed by Dave Burton of Tampa's Soho Sushi and GenX Tavern, plus Dog Bar owner Fred Metzler and Ian Taylor and Joey Frasco of downtown St. Pete’s The Galley.
New St. Pete bar The Ball will open in former Saint location this November
Last month, The Saint announced plans to close and be resurrected as something new, and well, now we know. According to parent company Pour Behavior, "The Ball: At The Base of Cocktail" will open around Nov. 9 at 49 24th St. N in St. Pete. Led by the interior design team at ZaZoo'd, The Ball will feature "pop-art inspired" decor centered around a massive custom designed disco ball DJ booth. As for The Saint, the speakeasy will exist in its original form until Sunday, Oct. 22 and will then be transformed into "Club Saint" until Nov. 2, which will operate with no dress code or reservations. Club Saint, will be "a divine dance club experience that will give as many sinners as possible the chance to experience The Saint one last time," says Pour Behavior. "Our goal is to take just one week to completely transform the space into 'The Ball,'" says the press release.
TikTok-famous dirty soda chain, Swig, is coming to Tampa Bay
Known for viral “Dirty Sodas,” Swig is coming to the Tampa Bay area, reports Tampa Bay Business Journal. The first location will be at Cypress Creek Town Center in Pasco County, but another is expected to come to St. Petersburg. Lease negotiations are also underway to find more locations in the area. The chain specializes in making unconventional beverages, like mixing Dr. Pepper with half & half, calling them “dirty sodas.” These fizzy-creamy drinks exploded overnight in late 2021 when Olivia Rodrigo posted a photo holding the cup. The chain began in Utah and has been popular in the state since 2010, but it wasn’t until recently that it gained popularity nationwide. - Riley Benson
Texas-based chicken chain Clutch City Cluckers opening first Florida location in Tampa this month
A Texas chain that specializes in, you guessed it, Nashville hot chicken will debut its first Florida location in Tampa later this month. Clutch City Cluckers, named after the Houston Rockets' 1994 and 1995 NBA Championship runs, will open its permanent food truck spot on Sept. 27 at 2315 E Fletcher Ave., which is across the street from Bagels Plus. To celebrate the grand-opening, the 100% percent halal concept will be giving away any one tender sandwich (one per customer) from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., and then 50% off the entire menu from 8 p.m.-3 a.m. There will also be a raffle to win a iPhone 15 and Clutch City gift cards. The chain will also sport a 50% off menu all weekend long. Known for Nashville-inspired hot chicken, Cluck City's menu also spans cheese topped hot chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, wings, shrimp tacos, salads, loaded fries, shakes, root beer floats, and more.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar's new flagship location opened this week
A new, highly-anticipated Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar flagship location made its debut in Tampa's Westshore area on Monday. Located at 4342 West Boy Scout Blvd., the new outpost opened Monday, Sept. 9, in the former Roy's location, right next to parent company Bloomin' Brands' corporate headquarters. The 13,000-square foot space seats 350 guests, and features a new daily lunch service, live music, a glass wine vault holding over 2,500 bottles, 16-foot tall floor-to-ceiling windows, a six-course tasting menu, private rooms for parties, and a daily happy hour from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Besides Flemings, Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands Inc. also owns Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill and Bonefish Grill.
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Outback founder and Chef Chris Ponte plan waterfront restaurant in Tampa
Two prominent Tampa restaurateurs have teamed up for a second time to create a brand new concept waterfront restaurant. According to Tampa Bay Business Journal, The still-unnamed concept will open right next to Rattlesnake Point’s Salt Shack on the Bay, which appeared on the New York Times’ 2023 list of “America’s Best Restaurants.” Bob Bashman, known for founding Outback Steakhouse and PDQ chicken tender shacks across the Bay area, has teamed up with Chris Ponte, who created the Michelin Guide-recommended Ponte in Tampa. The duo previously teamed up in 2022 to open Bare Naked Kitchen, a fast-casual-style restaurant, in South Tampa, The 8,000-square-foot project—which sits near the site of a forthcoming nearly-500 unit apartment complex—will seat more than 300 people, and serve “coastal fare” cuisine, including fresh seafood, TBBJ reported.—Riley Benson
New Gulfport beach bar Stormrunners Tavern will officially open September 25
A new two-story waterfront bar and restaurant is about to set sail in Gulfport at the end of the month. Located at 3128 Beach Blvd. S, Stormrunners Tavern will celebrate its grand opening on Sept. 25 out of the former Caddy's space, which abruptly closed last summer. Stormrunners features a casual bar and restaurant on the ground floor, with an open-air bar and patio called the "Crow's Nest" occupying the second floor, which should have some pretty decent views of Boca Ciega Bay. The space also features an outdoor dog bar called Bark Gulfport, complete with a tiki-style thatched roof and a turfed area for pups to play on. The new concept is the brainchild of a few familiar faces in the Tampa Bay hospitality business. As previously reported, Stormrunners is helmed by Dave Burton of Tampa's Soho Sushi and GenX Tavern, plus Dog Bar owner Fred Metzler and Ian Taylor and Joey Frasco of downtown St. Pete’s The Galley.
New St. Pete bar The Ball will open in former Saint location this November
Last month, The Saint announced plans to close and be resurrected as something new, and well, now we know. According to parent company Pour Behavior, "The Ball: At The Base of Cocktail" will open around Nov. 9 at 49 24th St. N in St. Pete. Led by the interior design team at ZaZoo'd, The Ball will feature "pop-art inspired" decor centered around a massive custom designed disco ball DJ booth. As for The Saint, the speakeasy will exist in its original form until Sunday, Oct. 22 and will then be transformed into "Club Saint" until Nov. 2, which will operate with no dress code or reservations. Club Saint, will be "a divine dance club experience that will give as many sinners as possible the chance to experience The Saint one last time," says Pour Behavior. "Our goal is to take just one week to completely transform the space into 'The Ball,'" says the press release.
TikTok-famous dirty soda chain, Swig, is coming to Tampa Bay
Known for viral “Dirty Sodas,” Swig is coming to the Tampa Bay area, reports Tampa Bay Business Journal. The first location will be at Cypress Creek Town Center in Pasco County, but another is expected to come to St. Petersburg. Lease negotiations are also underway to find more locations in the area. The chain specializes in making unconventional beverages, like mixing Dr. Pepper with half & half, calling them “dirty sodas.” These fizzy-creamy drinks exploded overnight in late 2021 when Olivia Rodrigo posted a photo holding the cup. The chain began in Utah and has been popular in the state since 2010, but it wasn’t until recently that it gained popularity nationwide. - Riley Benson
Texas-based chicken chain Clutch City Cluckers opening first Florida location in Tampa this month
A Texas chain that specializes in, you guessed it, Nashville hot chicken will debut its first Florida location in Tampa later this month. Clutch City Cluckers, named after the Houston Rockets' 1994 and 1995 NBA Championship runs, will open its permanent food truck spot on Sept. 27 at 2315 E Fletcher Ave., which is across the street from Bagels Plus. To celebrate the grand-opening, the 100% percent halal concept will be giving away any one tender sandwich (one per customer) from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., and then 50% off the entire menu from 8 p.m.-3 a.m. There will also be a raffle to win a iPhone 15 and Clutch City gift cards. The chain will also sport a 50% off menu all weekend long. Known for Nashville-inspired hot chicken, Cluck City's menu also spans cheese topped hot chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, wings, shrimp tacos, salads, loaded fries, shakes, root beer floats, and more.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar's new flagship location opened this week
A new, highly-anticipated Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar flagship location made its debut in Tampa's Westshore area on Monday. Located at 4342 West Boy Scout Blvd., the new outpost opened Monday, Sept. 9, in the former Roy's location, right next to parent company Bloomin' Brands' corporate headquarters. The 13,000-square foot space seats 350 guests, and features a new daily lunch service, live music, a glass wine vault holding over 2,500 bottles, 16-foot tall floor-to-ceiling windows, a six-course tasting menu, private rooms for parties, and a daily happy hour from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Besides Flemings, Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands Inc. also owns Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill and Bonefish Grill.
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