TAMPA, FL – National Bubble Tea Day is April 30. Wondering where to enjoy a delicious tea in the Tampa Bay area? The holiday was apparently created by Kung Fu Tea in 2018, according to National Day Calendar. My favorite shop today is actually in Orlando at Royal Tea. Here are some places that I personally enjoy in town.
One Zo Handcrafted Boba: One Zo is newer to the Tampa Bay area than some other shops. The tea shop has a number of green teas as well as some classics. Personally my favorite thing to get there is the Thai Tea or the Brown Sugar Milk Tea. It reminds me of popular spots in New York. Prices are pretty expensive, I can only afford to visit every once in awhile but One Zo is a treat. 10268 Causeway Blvd. Brandon, FL 33619
Green Island: The OG for people who live in the Brandon area. Green Island has withstood the test of time and although it might be more artificial like older bubble tea concepts, it does satisfy the sweet tooth. I like a number of their smoothies and am partial to their Thai Tea as well. It was originally a fun hangout spot with friends when I was in high school, but today is more of a spot where I take things to go and enjoy at home. 10047 E Adamo Dr. Tampa, FL 33619
Naga Tea: Naga Tea was once the new kid on the block, but is also now over 10 years old. The menu has also grown quite significantly since it opened, away from its original tea and fruit focused menu and more into a number of trends. I am still partial to Lemon Black Tea there though. It is just as refreshing as always. Multiple locations.
Annie Tea House: There really is no shortage of boba shops in the Brandon area and Annie Tea is one of my favorite places to go and hangout with a friend and enjoy some tea while catching up. The owner recently sold the concept, so I can’t say exactly how it is today but I like what they were doing. 1924 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
Where do you like to drink boba? I know that there are so many places now that I have not tried.
TAMPA, FL – Minano Ramen located at 11909 Sheldon Rd. near Citrus Park is celebrating its grand opening on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The restaurant has been in soft opening for about a month. The ramen shop is also rolling out a happy hour and lunch menu.
Guests who attend the grand opening will enjoy free sake or Minano original bubble tea when spending $50 or more. The offer will run from April 24 to April 30 while supplies last.
The menu includes appetizers such as gyoza, takoyaki, mentaiko fries, haru maki, yakitori, bao buns, and more izakaya-style food. Ramen choices include Shoyu, Miso, Curry Chicken, Spicy Tonkotsu, Tonkotsu, and more. The ramen shop joins a vacuum after the closing of other ramen shops in town such as Ichicoro Ramen. The interior looks sleek.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL: Lingr restaurant in St. Petersburg is shutting down on Saturday, April 27 so that Chef Jeffrey Jew can care for his mother, according to an announcement posted to Instagram and to the website of the restaurant. Chef Jeffrey Jew carries plenty of recognition from television and is one of the most acclaimed chefs in St. Petersburg. The restaurant originally opened in the summer of 2020. The statement reads:
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the upcoming closure of Lingr, our beloved Norwegian/Asian fusion restaurant in St. Petersburg. Our final service will be April 27, 2024. Chef Jeffrey Jew, an alumnus of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and winner of Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games,” has decided to prioritize family as they navigate the challenges of his mother’s Lewy body dementia.
In his words: “After almost 3 years of serving our community, it’s time for me to follow the advice I’ve always given my team—put family and health first.”
We invite you to join us in celebrating the wonderful journey and the memories we’ve created together until our doors close. If you’ve enjoyed Lingr’s unique blend of culinary traditions, we also encourage supporting a cause close to our hearts by donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org.
Thank you to everyone—our amazing staff and fabulous customers who have made this journey possible. While we prepare to say goodbye to our space on 6th Street South, we look forward to keeping the spirit of Lingr alive through our continued connection with all of you in the community. Here’s to making the most of the time we have left together and cherishing every moment.”
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Sonata Restaurant at The Mahaffey Theater located in downtown St. Petersburg at 400 1st St S. is the newest project for Chef Ted Dorsey (previously of The Mill). The menu is focused on fine dining with dishes such as Pork Osso Bucco Bourguignon, Day Boat Gulf Fish, and Crispy House Smoked Duck. The restaurant is backed by businessman Bill Edwards, a household name well-known for taking on ambitious projects and investing in the arts and communities.
Wagyu Beef Tartare & Braised Bone Marrow.
Several of the dishes take simple restaurant food and then break down and reconstructs them into a gourmet serving, such as the Gasparilla Salad which is hardly your average taco salad but instead filled with remarkable shrimp flavors and a savory dressing. Dorsey’s mastery of cooking is evident with each bite and also in the plating and presentation of each dish. There was not one thing I tried that disappointed me or lacked a creative flair.
Char Grilled Octopus.
Chef Ted Dorsey is not new to the restaurant world and when put in a scenario where he can spread his wings, he delivers food that matches. He is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and it shows. I appreciated his prior restaurant projects, but was left with a new impression of him after this dining experience. I frequently ran into Chef Dorsey at events around Tampa as a food writer, but this was my first time meeting the chef in person.
Anyone can serve a high-quality steak or expensive seafood dish at a fine dining restaurant, but to be able to uniquely create new flavors in a way that leaves someone who has visited hundreds of restaurants across the world intrigued is not an easy feat. I have enjoyed squid ink paella in Barcelona, dined waterfront in San Francisco, and enjoyed craft cocktails in Tokyo. I would say that Sonata could have a place in any of these food cities and the menu showcases an understanding of many cultures, cuisines, and backgrounds. It makes sense with Florida being a melting pot. One of the late Anthony Bourdain’s greatest critiques of the world of fine dining is the lack of imagination in those concepts, but that is not true at all at Sonata.
Equally impressive was the dessert menu with my favorite dish on the menu being their key lime pie. I am usually not much of a dessert person, mainly because I eat so much during regular meals and tend to order more appetizers or an extra side. Each dessert, similar to dinner, also had a unique flavor to it. The espresso chocolate mousse was superb for someone like me who loves coffee and tiramisu, but maybe wants a lighter version of it. The key lime pie was tart without being too tart. My face did not wince, but was instead pleasantly surprised. Nice.
The waterfront view of the city from our table was impressive. The moon art display was also very appropriate considering it was the day of the Solar Eclipse.
The cocktails at Sonata have a wide-spectrum of flavors and profiles that one would expect for a speakeasy or upscale tiki bar and complement the food well. Visitors to The Mahaffey Theater are in for a treat, but Sonata is appealing to more than just theater attendees, but a culinary destination that should be attract diners across Tampa Bay and visitors to Florida. It is a great place for a celebration or a romantic date. The appetizers and cocktail, beer, and wine menu also make it great for corporate gatherings or meetings.
The restaurant only recently opened in the winter of 2023, but there is clearly much more being planned for the concept and brunch is already available for diners to enjoy. Sonata has award-winning potential as a restaurant and I really think if people give it a taste, they’ll be back soon. I know I will be. The artistic vibe of the building and celebration from people who love the arts is a great marriage of the two at Sonata. Don’t miss it.
About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 10 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics. Follow me on X @CarlosEats, Threads @CarlosEats, and Instagram @CarlosEats.
Full disclosure: I was invited to KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot to try their concept. I was provided with a complimentary meal for two and two beverages during my visit. The company did not dictate any of the words written below and they are my own thoughts about the experience there.
BRANDON, FL – I have asked for a proper Korean BBQ spot to open in Tampa for years. Orlando is overflowingwithKoreanBBQandHotpot locations and although Tampa has seen a fair increase in hot pot locations across town, Korean BBQ was still lacking until I saw the news that KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot was coming to Brandon. I patiently waited months for the “coming soon” sign to change on their website. A location in Pinellas County opened first in Pinellas Park, of course. Then, last week I saw a sponsored ad on Instagram for the new KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot with the words “NOW OPEN” on the advertisement. I was floored and immediately reached out to set up a visit. It was finally happening!
Servers showed guests the ropes and were available as needed
This KPOT location is a little different from the location in Orlando. The concept has all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, but this location is self-serve for everything from meats to hot pot ingredients. This allows diners to eat without waiting for their server to constantly run them food and allows the server to be a normal server, bringing beverages, helping cook food if needed, or recommending food items. It seems less stressful for the server and a better deal for diners at the same time.
Our waiter Jojo, was friendly and showed us the whole setup along with his recommendations on what to order. The manager, Peter, was also showing guests around and I thought this was a nice touch for people who may have never had Korean BBQ before. Jojo still offered to cook our food if needed, but my guest and I decided to do it ourselves like they do in Korea.
Tons of choices for Korean BBQ meats, seafood, appetizers, veggies, and desserts
I was impressed with the wide-range of meat options including plenty of spicy and garlic dishes and the usual suspects including galbi short ribs, bulgogi marinated beef, plenty of Korean pork belly (samgyapsal), and even some less seen items such as spicy salmon, oysters, and crab legs. This KPOT location really has it all. There was a noticeable quality in each bite of the meat dishes and the manager said they plan to keep it that way.
The appetizers, fruits, and dessert sections were loaded with items and everything I tried was hot and ready for consumption. I liked the salad and greens section that was filled with spinach, lettuce, broccoli, bok choy, and other greens. There were plenty of vegetable to get your daily fix and I use quite a bit of lettuce with my meat so this was a welcome addition. The sauce bar was loaded with plenty of sauces and dips to make your food more interesting. My favorite was the KPOT Sweet and Spicy sauce. Pretty much the only thing I did not locate during my visit the pink salt for pork belly and I could’ve asked my server, but it slipped my mind.
I was impressed with the banchan choices which had plenty of kimchi and pickled radishes as well as seaweed salad. The kimchi was flavorful and enjoyable. Definitely what I expect for any Korean restaurant.
There are plenty of beverage options including bubble tea, Japanese beers, soju, and cocktails. We tried two drinks during our visit. I loved my Seoul L.IT. which is actually a Long Island Iced Tea. It was great and reminded me of fruity Japanese steakhouse cocktails. My guest enjoyed the Pineapple Painkiller with Don Q Rum, Coconut Puree, Pineapple Juice, and Orange Juice. Drinks range from $11-15.
For dessert we tried this coconut drink that was refreshing and they also had ice cream with strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate as choices. They also had those little cakes and cookies you will frequently see at Chinese buffets.
Accessible location off I-75 and plenty of deals including Happy Hour and lunch specials
The location of KPOT BBQ & Hot Pot in Brandon was previously known as Sa Ri One and The Rack Brandon before that. Sa Ri One had a makeshift Korean BBQ concept, but the owners of KPOT have spent money upgrading the entire interior of the building and modernizing it. KPOT is located in the Publix plaza near Burlington Coat Factory and is easily accessible from I-75 at the Brandon exit just near Kings. That means anyone from Tampa to Sarasota could make a trip if they want to.
The price from Monday to Friday is $20.99 for lunch for adults from noon to 4 p.m. $30.99 for dinner from 4 p.m. to close. Kids prices vary. Saturday and Sunday the rate is rate at $30.99 for adults. I am happy with this pricing especially because so many Korean BBQ places in St. Pete and Tampa are overpriced and inaccessible to working class people. The prices is $5 extra to enjoy both Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, which is the same as other locations for this concept.
Happy Hour was just launched and ranges from Monday to Friday from noon to 5 p.m. They have plenty of televisions at the bar for sports fans who might want to stop in for a drink and watch the game. The current deal for happy hour is draft beers for $3.50, bottled beer for $3.50, classic margaritas for $5, Korean Sunrise for $5, Long Island Iced Tea for $5, and House Sake for $6. For the month of April if guests order Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, they can also enjoy a free soda or draft beer as well.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is located at 1025 W Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511. The restaurant can be reached at (813) 381-3377. Hours are currently from noon to 10:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and noon to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant was not too busy when I went, but I expect it is going to be quite busy once words gets out since there was a decent crowd of people walking in even on a Tuesday night.
I fully recommend KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot and welcome more Korean BBQ options in Tampa.
Fast food giant Burger King is bringing the heat to its popular wraps with an all-new Fiery Buffalo Royal Crispy Wrap for a limited-time. The flavor is now available for guests to try alongside the existing lineup of wraps that launched last year including Classic, Spicy and Honey Mustard.
The new Fiery Buffalo Royal Crispy Wrap features a crispy white meat chicken breast fillet coated in a spicy Buffalo glaze and a creamy Buffalo sauce with a tomato and lettuce in a soft warm tortilla. Burger King has also brought the Fiery Buffalo flavor to its nuggets. Fiery Nuggets feature bite-sized white meat chicken nuggets coated in a spicy Buffalo glaze for heat and flavor in every bite.
The flavor is available at participating restaurants nationwide while supplies last, both the Fiery Buffalo wraps and nuggets are available starting at $2.99 each.
“Since their initial launch to menus nationwide last year, our Royal Crispy Wraps quickly became the most popular limited time offering (LTO) to hit Burger King menus in the U.S. within the last four years,” said Pat O’Toole, Chief Marketing Officer, Burger King North America. “Despite being launched as an LTO, wraps are here to stay. And, we’re excited to bring a new flavor to guests with Fiery Buffalo, which brings a tangy, buttery buffalo flavor with the perfect amount of spice.”
TAMPA, FL – Wingspan Development Group and ABC Capital Corp. have announced that Tango Brew, a coffee and wine bar with an Argentinian and Italian flair, will lease approximately 1,600 square feet of ground-floor retail space at Jade at North Hyde Park, a new 192-unit luxury apartment building at 608 N. Willow Ave. in Tampa’s growing North Hyde Park neighborhood.
Tango Brew is scheduled to open in late summer 2024.
Husband-and-wife owners Christopher and Nahara Walters envision Tango Brew as a warm, inviting space where locals can meet and connect over the perfect cup of coffee or glass of wine and small bites. The pet-friendly Tango Brew will have both indoor and outdoor seating for up to 66 peoples.
The concept is designed with an old-world, “speakeasy” aesthetic and featuring Tango music, the vibe at Tango Brew will contrast with the bright lights and subway tile of many newer coffee shops in Tampa, noted Nahara Walters.
“We want Tango Brew to be a home away from home, a ‘third place’ where people who live or work in the neighborhood can gather,” she said.
“When we were looking for a location, we fell in love with the space at Jade. It has the exact indoor/outdoor flow we wanted and great foot traffic because of the university, a nearby hospital and police station, and two sizable apartment projects – Jade, as well as Wingspan’s NICHE apartment building, which is right around the corner.”
A breakfast menu will include blueberry bagels and sandwiches, croissants and muffins from a local bakery. A drink printer will let Tango Brew baristas “print” the cafe’s logo or messages , such as “Happy Birthday” on foam of drink orders. The combined lunch and dinner menu will include bar bites like chicken wings, fries and Italian flatbreads with pepperoni, plant-based and other toppings. Italian and Argentinian wine and beer will be served, including craft beer from In the Loop Brewing owned by Chris and Nahara’s Walters’ family.
“I fell in love with the idea of a restaurant based on these experiences and my Argentinian/Italian roots,” Nahara Walters said. “I wanted to do the same thing for Tampa, but with our own twist.”
“We created Tango Brew to be a catalyst for creating a community for everyone who lives or works in the neighborhood,” said Christopher Walters, adding the couple also was inspired by recent travels to Italy, especially small towns like Ravenna where cafes and public squares invite people to gather.
“At a time when it’s easy for people to become isolated, we believe in the power of places like Tango Brew to bring them together. As the North Hyde Park neighborhood in Tampa continues to grow, that’s increasingly important.”
“Tango Brew will be a great addition to the neighborhood and a major amenity for Jade residents,” said Jason Macklin, director of development for Wingspan Development Group. “We’re excited to watch Chris and Nahara’s vision come to life here.”
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Little Fish. 1606 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.
Liu’s Cafe. 3915 1/2 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA.
Pollo a la Brasa. 764 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA.
Quarter Sheets Pizza. 1305 Portia St., Los Angeles, CA.
sawa. 111 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA.
UKA. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.
Funke. 9388 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA.
Sushi Sonagi. 1425 W. Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA.
These establishments are highlighted as “New” on guide.michelin.com to help diners enjoy new discoveries before the upcoming annual announcement of Bib Gourmands and Stars in the Golden State.
Credit: Kohada Konoshiro. Sawa.
The MICHELIN Guide reveals culinary gems throughout the year with stars given by anonymous diners. The new restaurants immediately join the selection as “Recommended”. Some of the restaurants could earn Bib Gourmand or Star awards at California’s MICHELIN Guide Ceremony in 2024. MICHELIN has increased its presence in California as the guide grows around the nation.
“By revealing some of the new additions made by our inspectors throughout the year, we enhance our digital tools to further strengthen the ties that bind us to food lovers,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides.
“We hope that these regular revelations and updates to the selection throughout the year will provide opportunities to highlight the profession and invite everyone to discover and support the restaurants around them.”
Cover Photo Credit: Wonho Frank Lee / Eric Wolfinger for Funke
TAMPA, FL – Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings, which is owned by BurgerFi International, Inc., is celebrating Pi Day on Thursday, March 14 with its 12” Cheese Pizza at a discounted price of $3.14 with any beverage purchase.
“Pi Day is “Pie Day” every day at Anthony’s so celebrating our love for our coal-fired pizza pies on 3.14 is a fun way to engage with guests and give them another reason to visit Anthony’s for a delicious meal with an unbeatable one-day offer,” said Cindy Syracuse, Chief Marketing Officer for BurgerFi International.
The deal is available all day for dine-in only, while supplies last. Toppings are available for an additional cost.
Anthony’s is known for serving high-quality ingredients since 2002, including hand-picked imported Italian tomatoes, Pecorino Romano grated in-house, fresh vegetables, herbs, and homemade dough. Anthony’s signature pizzas are made by hand and baked at 900 degrees in its coal-fired oven.
Guests are encouraged to download the ACFP App on iOS or Android devices and register for rewards, including a Free 12″ pizza, and receive coupons and incentives.
Here are Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings locations near Tampa:
1901 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33629
13020 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
1912 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
2532 McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater, FL 33761
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TAMPA, FL – Ready for a taste of South Florida in Tampa? CAO Bakery & Café, a growing Cuban cafe and bakery chain, is hosting its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 21 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 7616 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL. The Ribbon Cutting will be held promptly at 4:30 p.m.
The Tampa location is the 15th location opened by the franchise in just five years as the franchise looks to open dozens of new locations across Florida. This location is open from Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday form 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Online ordering for pickup or delivery is available using ToastTab.
CAO Bakery & Cafe
CAO Bakery & Café is named after the Cao family whose baking tradition spans three generations. The word, CAO, is also an acronym for Cuban American Original, which is reflected in their mission to provide best of Cuban baking in a warm and inviting café atmosphere. The menu includes plenty of empanadas, croquetas, and pastelitos. Desserts include cheesecake flan, arroz con dulce, bread pudding, tres leche, alfajores, and more.
CAO is one of South Florida’s fastest-growing Cuban bakery chain and has a reputation for being a community gathering place, which can be attributed to its generations-old family recipes enjoyed by loyal patrons including both neighbors and visitors alike. Owners have previously told QSR Magazine that they want to be known as the “Latin Starbucks.”
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Carlos Eats 