The Loft Closes in Ybor City, The Salty Donut Heads to Seminole Heights, and More in Tampa Bay Foodie News | Openings & Closings | tampa

openings

Good Fortune Hunger Thirst’s newest concept, Good Fortune is now open in the basement of the Station House where Ichicoro Ane last occupied. It offers an Asian-inspired fusion menu featuring dishes such as Korean disco fries, drunken noodles, signature sushi rolls, bao buns and dan dan noodles – in addition to an exclusive selection of sake, Japanese whiskey and signature cocktails. Good Fortune also runs a private karaoke room that costs between $150 and $225 per two-hour session. St Pete’s newest fusion restaurant and late night lounge is now open daily from 5pm, reservations are accepted on the website. 260 1st Ave. S, St Petersburg. goodfortunestpete.com

Bolay’s very first drive through

Beginning Thursday, September 1, South Tampa will host Bolay’s first-ever drive-through location (which will also have all expected indoor seating). Lemon chicken and kale, Havana pulled pork, and Thai shrimp and noodles — in addition to a variety of gluten-free and vegan offerings. According to Bolay’s website, the newest Tampa Bay location will be hosting various grand opening events from September 1-5, as the first 100 customers who line up on grand opening day will receive one free Bolay bowl per month for a full year be able. This is the 24th Bolay site in the country as RSVP links and more details can be found on his website. 402 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. bolay.com

closures

The Loft The closure of The Loft in Ybor City, formerly known as the Cerealholic Cafe and Bar, comes just months after host Jon Taffer “closed it”. “Our time in this community has been the most honorable feeling for all of us…this is a very difficult decision that we have been considering and reviewing for some time. It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to give up our wonderful, amazing business,” wrote a post by The Loft on Facebook. Owners Lisa and Darrell Lawson go on to explain that they need to focus on family matters that require their full attention. The Loft’s final event is a nod to a program that’s been around since the days before Taffer—an extravagant drag brunch on Sundays. The final Born This Way brunch will be on Sunday, August 21 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., featuring a cast of popular Tampa Bay drag queens. Hosted by Joey Brooks, the “First Lady of Ybor City,” it features performances from Hazel E. Genevieve, Kory Stevens, Crystal Chambers, Kylie Augusta, and more, as well as performances from Hazel E. Genevieve, Kory Stevens, Crystal Chambers and Kylie Augusta Bottomless Mimosas for $30, BOGO Bloody Mary’s and access to The Loft’s full menu. 1909 N 15th St., Tampa. @TheLoftYborCity on Facebook

Soon

The Salty Donut Tampeños can now look forward to the opening of not one, but two Salty Donut locations, taking place in both Seminole Heights and Hyde Park Village early next year. Salty Donut’s Hyde Park Village location will be located at 1519 W Swann Ave. are located, while the Seminole Heights Brick and Mortar is located at 5808 N Florida Ave. near restaurants like 3 Dot Dash and King of the Coop. A representative for The Salty Donut states that its Seminole Heights location — a cozy, historic bungalow painted bright pink — will serve as the production space for both Tampa storefronts and even give customers the opportunity to see the production process and artistry behind their favorite shop to see donuts. Salty Donut is known for its rotating selection of sweet and savory donuts, with popular flavors like Chocolate Cookie Crumb and Caramel Toffee Crumb. Florida-exclusive flavors (which we can probably expect to find in Tampa as well) include donuts like guava and cheese, toasted coquito, and Key lime meringue. Salty Donut also offers a full coffee and espresso menu with specialty lattes, cold brews with brown maple sugar, cortados, cappuccinos and more. saltydonut.com

Cena’s chef opens a casual pizzeria One of Tampa’s top chefs has more to offer. According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ), Michael Buttacavoli, executive chef at upscale Italian restaurant Cena, will open a casual pizza restaurant concept next door. The pizzeria, Butta’s second restaurant, doesn’t yet have a name but is set to open its doors to hungry eaters in the coming months. The casual eatery’s menu will feature classics like “all-encompassing” pizzas, subs, pastas, salads, beer, spirits, and wine, while also taking on a modern, Cena-like flair and “not just being a pizzeria,” says Buttacavoli. Cena’s outdoor pizza bar and eight televisions became a popular spot for locals during the Bucs and Lightning playoff runs, popularizing Cena’s all-outdoors menu, such as see the new concept menu. The top chef says the pizzeria will have its own identity and shouldn’t be thought of as a sister restaurant to modern-day Cena, but their dishes will be prepared with similar quality ingredients and flavors. – Max Steele

events

Bandit x La Setima Club Popup While we patiently wait for La Sétima Club, Ybor City’s newest wine bar, to receive wet-zone approval, we can at least get a taste of plant-based dining at St. Pete’s Bandit Coffee Co. this weekend. The Po-bois & Pèt-Nats pop-up will offer vegan food and natural wines, letting its prospective customers know what to expect when La Setima debuts sometime this fall. The pop-up menu’s menu consists of Southern-inspired po’boys like hot Nashville shrimp in Sétima sauce, coffee-infused buffalo chicken with homemade pickles and blue cheese and chorizo, and Impossible beef with chimichurri — in addition to a variety of natural ones Wines from Florida-based distributors DF Rosati and Arash Selects. Renovations to the Jug & Bottle-affiliated wine bar began last fall, transforming the historic space into an elegant yet cozy concept. 2662 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. lasetimaclub.com

Bibimbap & Hip Hop Brunch On Sunday, August 21st, St. Pete’s Green Bench Brewing will host a special installation of their popular brunch event, Eggs & Keggs, which brings together two beautiful things – hip-hop and the popular Korean dish, bibimbap. Tampa-based catering company LOKO Cuisine will offer an endless bibimbap bar with seared bulgogi beef, gochujang buffalo tofu, rice, kimchi, wilted garlic spinach, sesame bean sprouts, marinated mushrooms, fried eggs and a LOKO bibimbap sauce. There will also be a vegan green tea pancake filled with peanuts, brown sugar, honey and cinnamon for the brunch dessert. Tickets cost $43 each and of course include your choice of beer, cider, wine, tea or coffee in addition to the endless food. 1133 Baum Avenue N, St. Petersburg. www.greenbenchbrewing.com

ICYMI

Exclusive Viennese lagers available at BarrieHaus this weekend Ybor City is home to some extremely good beers, and there’s one brewery that’s literally the best in the world when it comes to Viennese lager. The Barriehaus is a stock-centric stronghold at the west end of the entertainment district. At this year’s World Beer Cup – more or less the Beer Olympiad, where almost 60 countries submitted more than 10,000 entries in more than 100 styles – the company took home the gold medal for its Family Tradition Vienna Lager. To celebrate, BarrieHaus is hosting an all day party on Saturday, August 20th. Jim Barrie, Head Brewer and BarrieHaus co-founder, and brewer Tana Meredith, who has been with the company since opening day, welcome the silver and bronze medal winners in the category (respectively Ex Novo Brewing of New Mexico and Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company of Orlando) to fans of the Styles, known for their reddish-copper hue and delicate malt character. 1403 E 5th Ave., Ybor City. barriehaus.com – Ray Roa

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