Food in Tampa Bay

Chef Chris Ponte’s new concept, Ponte Tampa, is under construction and is on track to be open in Midtown Tampa later in 2021. Ponte also owns On Swann, in Hyde Park Village, and Olivia, which opened in 2019. Ponte Tampa will be the fine dining option, among several other food concepts at Midtown Tampa, says

► Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been selected as a correspondent academician to the Royal European Academy of Doctors. (Pictured above)  ► Florida Southern College will move its graduate nursing program into the former campus of St. Joseph Academy, a private K-8 school that the Catholic Church’s Diocese of Orlando shuttered

Fine dining on Siesta Key is defined at The Summer House. Quality ingredients—thoughtfully sourced and expertly prepared—offer exceptional flavor. Here you will find classic soups and salads, certified Angus steaks and chops, seafood entrees and updated sides. There are no surprises on the menu. You will recognize everything. The big surprise is not on the

Casa Santo Stefano, Richard Gonzmart’s newest restaurant, is a soaring complex filled with artwork, and antiques, that pay homage to the little island of Sicily, off the Italian coast, and Ybor City’s rich Sicilian heritage.  The open kitchen, complete with a wood-fired grill, sits in full view of the downstairs dining room. Upstairs is Santo’s

Westfield Brandon is launching Dining For A Cause, a charitable rewards program for those dining in, or ordering takeout, at participating restaurants at Westfield Brandon. Beginning on April 1, and throughout the month, guests can upload receipts from The Cheesecake Factory, Red Robin, Panera Bread, P.F. Chang’s and Bahama Breeze to have 10 percent of

► Board-certified rheumatologist Lilliam E. Ayala Garcia joined Watson Clinic Main at 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland. ► Dream Finders Homes is selling five different floor plans at pre-construction prices in Haines City’s Hammock Reserve, being developed off Prado Grande Street near the intersection of Old Haines City/Lake Alfred Road and U.S. Highway 27. ►

Restaurants took a major hit in 2020 when local shutdowns, because of the coronavirus, forced closures. Some establishments were able to slowly get into the home delivery and takeout game, but others, like Tampa-based Fitlife Foods, were ready and waiting. The healthy, premade food business—while it has 12 brick-and-mortar locations—was primed to continue business as

Palazzo Pizza, a new concept, is preparing to open its doors on January 28 at 1818 W. Platt St., Tampa. The concept was developed by Volpe Hospitality Group after being inspired by the travels, and network, of Jason Fox over the last 20 years. Fox’s hospitality career started in Tampa under the guidance of nightlife

It all started as a hobby in her own, small, apartment kitchen. Jordann Amatea had started the Paleo diet and needed to find something to sate her sweet tooth cravings. At age 30 she is CEO of Base Culture, based in Clearwater, a massive healthy baked goods empire that stretches to 10,000 retail stores with

Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar, a rooftop lounge, is coming to the dual-branded Aloft and Element Hotel opening in Midtown Tampa January 2021. The bar, which will have 360-degree views of the Tampa, Westshore and St. Petersburg skylines, was inspired by the Riviera Maya town of Tulum. Sal Y Mar will be accessible from a

Thanksgiving will look a little different for many people this year. If your typical large gathering has been nixed due to COVID, maybe take the day off and do takeout instead. You can socially distance, do less work and support your local restaurants, all in one shot. It’s a win all around! Here are five

► Evolve & Co., an advertising agency in St. Petersburg, was commissioned to rebrand Blue Head Ranch, 31,000 acres of South Florida rangeland in what was known in pioneer times as “The 90 Mile Prairie.” (Pictured above) ►The American Heart Association awarded $2,000 to Plato Academy, in Largo, for the replacement of physical education equipment.