Food & Drink

Restaurants are a lot more than just food these days: Dining options have become destinations, and Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf is the latest hot spot in this trend.

Grand Hacienda’s new location on 4th Street North in St. Petersburg has opened in the renovated North Ward school, offering another option for Mexican food near downtown. The restaurant has both indoor seating and an inviting patio.

Poke bowls, made with raw fish, rice and vegetables, are the hottest new food trend. For good reason: The bowls are a flavorful meal that won’t derail your summer bod goals.

From ciders to stouts, sours to IPAs, Pour Taproom in downtown St. Pete is a craft beer lover’s dream. Here, patrons can help themselves to dozens of taps lining the walls.

Paul’s Landing, the new marina-front restaurant at The Vinoy Renaissance in downtown St. Petersburg, is set to open Feb. 19. The Tampa Bay 100 got a sneak peek last week, sampling a menu inspired by historic settler William Paul’s staples of seafood and citrus.

Michelle Faedo, a well-known part of the Tampa food scene, has moved from a food truck to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant, Michelle Faedo’s Tampeño Cuisine.

When it comes to giving gifts, you always hear it’s the thought that counts. But, we think it’s the taste that counts!

American Social opened in November on Tampa’s Harbour Island, bolstering the city’s surprisingly low number of waterfront restaurants. And it offers more than a killer view.

Frog Pond, which has been serving the masses in Redington Beach and St. Pete Beach for years, is known for its hearty portions. And the newest location in downtown St. Petersburg is no different.

Cheese boards are a delicious, Instagram-worthy appetizer for holiday parties, and you don’t need to be a cheesemonger to make a great plate:

Ingredients:

Not everyone enjoys channeling their inner Martha Stewart on Thanksgiving Day. If cooking and entertaining aren’t your bag, here are some alternative ways to celebrate Turkey Day.

Bulla Gastrobar on South Howard Avenue brings the famous gastrobars of Spain right here to Tampa. This shareable plate restaurant has a contemporary atmosphere with Spanish Mediterranean food and hand-crafted cocktails.

Despite the 90-plus degree temperatures in Tampa Bay, fall is officially here and so are our favorite pumpkin-themed foods.

The start of the holiday season means it’s time to imbibe with seasonally appropriate adult beverages. But don’t spike your eggnog just yet— it’s only October. Let’s start slow with some delicious fall-themed beers available at a Tampa Bay area brewery near you.

Ford’s Garage, a family restaurant decorated with replicas of classic Fords, is expanding in the Tampa Bay area. The burger joint recently opened in Westchase, with future locations coming to downtown St. Petersburg and Clearwater’s Countryside early next year.

Planning to grab brunch this weekend in Tampa? Some restaurants to try:

When Story Brooke Craft Coffee Bar opened on Fourth Street South recently, I was excited about having another cute coffee spot in St. Pete. But I wasn’t prepared for their waffles.

Following the trends of cupcakes and mini donuts, Thai rolled ice cream is the latest sweet sensation taking over Tampa Bay.

In St. Pete’s historic Old Southeast neighborhood, just south of downtown, a building that was once a run-down convenience mart has transformed into a unique local market, offering everything from breakfast sandwiches to mix and match craft beer to kombucha on tap.

St. Pete is overflowing with beer, and new craft beer joints must stand out to succeed, whether it’s with an innovative concept, super cool atmosphere or unparalleled inventory.

During the summer months, barbecues are happening all the time. Everyone wants to be outside enjoying the weather with friends and family. Below are some tips I have for making nutritious choices at BBQs without missing out on the fun:

Nothing screams summer cocktail like an infusion of fresh fruit. The mixologists at Marlow’s Tavern in Carrollwood created a summer cocktail that’s a refreshing play on a tried-and-true classic.

Summer is officially here. As the invites come rolling in for backyard barbecues and pool days, consider upping the ante with Frosé – frozen rosé.

Food lovers can dig into the best of Tampa Bay cuisine during Creative Loafing’s 10th annual Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, June 15-25.

Take a trip around the world without leaving downtown Tampa. Hotel Bar, 200 N. Tampa St., puts a fresh twist on signature cocktails that were made famous at notable hotel bars.

The idea for The Dog Bar came to J.P. Brewer while watching her dogs at the park, and she thought, “Wouldn’t this be great with a beer?”

Carrollwood boasts an array of restaurants, and the Carrollwood Area Business Association’s fourth annual Taste of Carrollwood on April 2 provides a convenient (and free!) opportunity to try many at once.

Caffeine in downtown Tampa is a European-inspired coffee lab that brews unusual coffee concoctions that surprise and refresh.

St. Pete’s newest bar, Right Around the Corner, is a craft beer game room. There’s much to play – from board and arcade games to pool, foosball and darts. There is trivia every Thursday and even a Mario Kart 64 tournament on the third Wednesday of every month.