Food

A varied menu and vibrant atmosphere at Mole y Abuela make this new restaurant a must-try spot in Tampa’s North Franklin Historic District. On a recent Friday night, the restaurant and rooftop bar were still humming past midnight.

“Woo-hoo!” or, “Wepa!” as someone in the Puerto Rican community might say, there’s a new restaurant in St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District. Owner Jean Totti named his first restaurant “Wepa” after this word of jubilation from his homeland of Puerto Rico.

Aguas frescas have been popping into restaurants all over lately, leaving some wondering, what exactly is a fresca?

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg returns March 8-10, and The Racers Group will have its Aston Martin V12 Vantage GTW on the St. Petersburg track. But its off-track activities caught our eye.

The Argentine asado is a centuries-old South American gathering centered around grilling every part of a cow over a fire pit in the ground. A more refined version is now offered at Renzo’s.

St. Petersburg’s Left Bank Bistro, a 1920s bungalow restaurant at 1225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., conjures up feelings of 1920s Paris.

The holidays came, conquered and caused everyone to overeat. Just move on. Try five tips for getting on track.

Even if you aren’t up for ribs, brisket, sausage or pork belly, St. Petersburg’s newest barbecue joint, Dr. BBQ, has plenty of small plate offerings and refreshing drinks. Cornbread comes shaped like French madelines with pear butter. Caulilini, a cauliflower hybrid, is lightly coated in garlic oil. Purple cabbage is yummy with agave and rice wine vinegar.

‘Tis the season for holiday parties, and a festive beverage always livens up a gathering. This slow cooker winter sangria from The Foodie Affair is one of my all-time favorites – it’s incredibly easy, and the warm cinnamon scent that fills your home is an added bonus.

Even if you aren’t up for ribs, brisket, sausage or pork belly, St. Petersburg’s newest barbecue joint, Dr. BBQ, has plenty of small plate offerings and refreshing drinks. Cornbread comes shaped like French madelines with pear butter. Caulilini, a cauliflower hybrid, is lightly coated in garlic oil. Purple cabbage is yummy with agave and rice wine vinegar.

Rooftops bars are gaining popularity, especially in the Tampa Bay area, where we can enjoy the outdoors (almost) year-round.

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a good spot for happy hour. My new favorite? Lolita’s Wine Market on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg.

Don’t let the name fool you: Nebraska Mini-Mart is anything but ordinary.

Buzz is building around one of St. Petersburg’s newest restaurants – The Peabody, nestled in the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital campus. Created by the family behind Tampa’s Oxford Exchange, The Peabody offers a variety of sit-down and takeaway options.

There’s nothing like stocking your refrigerator with fresh, local produce from a farmers market.

Cities from Seattle to St. Petersburg are banning single-use plastics like plastic straws, utensils and stirrers to limit the amount of plastic waste in the oceans.

With a James Beard-nominated chef, the Reading Room in St. Pete is certainly one to try. It’s been open for nearly two years, but the changing menu makes each visit a new experience.

Foodies rejoice! The ninth annual Clearwater Beach Restaurant Week arrives Sept. 14-23 and allows you to try the area’s restaurants at special prices.

Lavender is popular in candles, laundry detergent and perfume. And now, it’s also taking root in coffee.

More places offer sushi around town than you may realize, making it easier than ever to get your omega 3s. Here are three spots you might not have thought of that have great sushi:

The name Dough Nation initially brings to mind the trendy, sweet scoops of edible raw cookie dough. But Dough Nation in downtown Tampa offers more than just the cookie dough.

The acai bowl has become a trendy way to make your morning breakfast a fresh colorful treat packed with antioxidants and vitamins.

Don’t order a cup of coffee from Craft Kafe in downtown St. Petersburg if you’re in a hurry.

Immigrants to Ybor City made their mark on Tampa in many ways, but one of my favorites is the devil crab (jaibita in Spanish). It’s blue crab cooked in an en chilau sauce of onions, peppers, and hot sauce. The cooked crab is rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fried, so the devil crabs fit in the palm of your hand.

People decide to stop eating meat for many reasons, whether motivated by health and diet, or concerns about the environment or animals. Products like Beyond Meat can make the transition easier for people giving up meat for the first time.

It’s the first jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby. And, while the on- and off-field stars change from year to year, the starring beverage remains the same: the mint julep. If you’re making them at home:

For fresh tastes you won’t find elsewhere, Heights Public Market at Armature Works is a foodie’s dream. Three items to look for:

When my dad said he found “the best wing spot” in Florida, I was skeptical.

It’s no surprise that St. Pete has great happy hours, but here are four places offering different experiences:

Calling all doughnut devotees: Mini Doughnut Factory is open on Fourth Street North in St. Petersburg, serving a variety of doughnuts that are one-third the size of a regular doughnut. It (almost) feels like a guilt-free experience.