Posher Palate

On the ground floor of the Ponce de Leon Hotel, in downtown St. Petersburg, is a cozy little restaurant space that previously was home to Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant, for 25 years.  It was a popular spot for celebratory dinners, including a pre-prom dinner circa 2001, for yours truly.  Ceviche moved to a new location,

In the vibrant tapestry of St. Petersburg’s culinary scene, a new symphony resonates at the Mahaffey Theater with the grand opening of Sonata Restaurant. Sonata is the combined vision of Bill Edwards and Chef Ted Dorsey, creating a multi-sensory experience where the culinary arts dance in harmony with the visual and performing arts.  Bill Edwards,

Nestled between the bustling cities of Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland, a quaint town in Polk County, might not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of fine dining. Traditionally, Lakeland’s culinary reputation has been more closely associated with hearty BBQ joints and comfort food diners than upscale gastronomy. However, the emergence

While the Tampa Designated Market Area encompasses eleven counties, Hillsborough County stands out in the culinary scene with three Michelin One Star restaurants – Koya, Lilac and Rocca – all located in Tampa. This trend seems to be propelled by the substantial growth in Hillsborough, where distinct urban pockets like the Channel District, Midtown Tampa,

The culinary experiences available for distinguished palates, in the Tampa market, are flourishing, especially with the welcome addition of three recipients of a Michelin One-Star rating in the region. What is the significance of a Michelin star and how does it impact the evolving dining landscape? According to the Institute of Culinary Education, a Michelin

Alter Ego, a music-focused cocktail lounge, plans to open in Water Street Tampa, in early 2024. Located in Asher, at 1050 Water St., Alter Ego is locally owned, and operated, by the Proper House Group and Chef Ferrell Alvarez, with partners Chon Nguyen and Ty Rodriguez. Alter Ego will be Proper House Group and Alvarez’s

Beacon, Tampa’s newest rooftop lounge at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, opened on Friday, October 6. Beacon has several lounge areas, including an outdoor terrace, a signature bar and a variety of intimate seating spaces. The signature bar space was conceived as the heart of the Beacon experience, with a canopy feature, while the

Three Oaks Hospitality plans to open Ro, a modern Asian dining restaurant, in Hyde Park Village, in Tampa, in October. The restaurant says it will receive daily deliveries from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, which will ensure fresh and authentic fish. The concept, led by Chef Kiichi Okabe, a multi-Michelin starred Japanese chef, will offer tableside presentations

As Tampa Bay’s dining scene explodes, there are new restaurants opening weekly. With increased competition, the culinary stakes have been taken up a notch. Earlier this year, three of Tampa’s best – Koya, Lilac and Rocca – were honored with Michelin stars. With presence on this esteemed list, elevated dining is truly a reality for

Rococo Steak, in Downtown St. Petersburg, has named David Blackmon as its new executive chef. Blackmon, most recently, spent seven years at Bacchanalia, in Atlanta, where he started as a line cook. Rococo Steak has been recognized 10 years, in a row, by Wine Spectator with its annual Best of Award of Excellence. Its wine

Cru Hospitality Group, based in Tampa, is opening a new concept, Vela, in the former Cru Cellars Westshore Marina location, on October 2. Vela, which means “Sail” in Italian, will provide menu items inspired from the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on Italian cuisine such as pastas and pizzas, small plates and entrees. Vela is located

Beard by the Bay, an event created to celebrate the culinary greatness of the Tampa Bay region’s finest chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, is returning to Tampa, in October, for the first time since 2019. The official James Beard Foundation Event, organized by RSBP Events+PR, will be a multi-course tasting event on Sunday, October 29, at