Queen of Sheeba, The Table, Pelagia Trattoria Top Poll

IN THE NEWS: Highlights of Creative Loafing’s Best of 2008 poll includes: Best New Restaurant (critics), Queen of Sheba, and The Table & Mesa Lounge (readers); Best Restaurant, Pelagia Trattoria (critics); … Creative Loafing’s Brian Ries reviews Chappy’s Louisiana Kitchen (247 Central Ave., St. Petersburg). www.tampa.creativeloafing.com … The St. Pete Times’s Asjylyn Loder reports, “After […]

Area Openings Include Curriez, The Bungalow

IN THE NEWS: The St. Pete Times’s Laura Reiley reviews Leafy Greens Cafe (17001 Gulf Blvd., North Redington Beach, leafygreenscafe.com) and details the openings of Curriez (8556 Park Blvd. in Seminole) and The Bungalow (2202 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa). www.tampabay.com … The Tampa Trib’s Jamie Pilarczyk reviews Ploy Thai (10022 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa).
Compiled by […]

‘Tribune’ Critic Reviews Jasmine Thai in Tampa

IN THE NEWS: The Tampa Tribune’s Mary Patrick reviews Jasmine Thai (13248 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa). www.tampatribune.com
Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Shells Seafood Files Bankruptcy, Closes St. Pete Outpost

IN THE NEWS:  The St. Petersburg Times reports, “Once a darling among Tampa Bay’s budget-seafood fans, Shells Seafood Restaurants Inc. has parked its two-year struggle for a return to profitability in bankruptcy court. The Tampa-based chain used the Chapter 11 filing as an occasion to close eight of the 22 remaining Shells stores [Sept. 3], […]

Critics Consider Chappy’s Louisiana Kitchen, El Puerto

IN THE NEWS: The St. Pete Times’s Laura Reiley reviews Chappy’s Louisiana Kitchen (247 Central Ave., St. Petersburg). www.tampabay.com … Creative Loafing’s Brian Ries reviews Taps Wine & Beer Merchants (777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, www.tapswineandbeer.com) and Wild Shrimp Company (2005 Central Ave., St. Petersburg). www.tampa.creativeloafing.com … The Tampa Tribune’s Michele Sager reviews El Puerto […]

Reviewers Rate Bubba Gump, Twisted Bamboo Bistro

IN THE NEWS: The St. Pete Times’s Laura Reiley reviews Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. (185 Boardwalk Place, Madeira Beach, John’s Pass Village). www.tampabay.com … The Tampa Trib’s Nick Bergus reviews Twisted Bamboo Bar & Bistro (3687 Tampa Road, Oldsmar). www.tampatribune.com … Creative Loafing’s Brian Ries reviews Wild Shrimp Company (2005 Central Ave., St. Petersburg). www.tampa.creativeloafing.com
Compiled […]

Openings Include Wow Wings, Greek-Town Grille

IN THE NEWS: The St. Pete Times’s Laura Reiley reviews Ha Long Bay (5944 34th St. N, Suite 38-41, St. Petersburg) and reports on the openings of Wow Wings (4195 34th St S., St. Petersburg), Quick Q BBQ (4900 Park Blvd. N in Pinellas Park), Greek-Town Grille (1230 Cleveland St., Clearwater). www.tampabay.com … Creative Loafing’s […]

Bern’s Steak House Piano Man Furia Dies at Age 77

IN THE NEWS: The St. Pete Times’s Marty Clear reports on the death of Manny Furia. For 41 years, dinner and dessert at Tampa’s legendary Bern’s Steak House, Furia made the music on the piano and accordion. Furia, 77, died of cancer Aug. 4. … Laura Reiley reviews Grill 131 (13079 Park Blvd., Seminole) and […]

Critics Consider La Nueva Cabana, Dominic’s Grille

IN THE NEWS: The St. Pete Times’s Laura Reiley reviews La Nueva Cabana (48 31st St. N, St. Petersburg), while Jessica Brady visits The Lime (915 S Howard Ave, Tampa). www.tampabay.com … The Tampa Tribune’s John Allman reviews Dominic’s Italian Grille and Pizzeria (3163 Curlew Road, Oldsmar). www.tampatribune.com
Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Opening of MJ’s Martini Jazz & Tapas Set for Sept. 3

IN THE NEWS: The St. Pete Times’s Laura Reiley gives three stars to Tampa’s acclaimed Bern’s Steakhouse (1208 S Howard Ave., Tampa, www.bernssteakhouse.com) and also reviews Wild Shrimp Company (2005 Central Ave., St. Petersburg). … Reiley also reports, “After many construction delays, Domenica Macchia, former chef at Redwoods, has announced the opening date for her […]