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NEWS: Savor St. Pete festival coming November 2nd and 3rd

Savor St. Pete is bringing their food and wine festival to Downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd at North Straub Park.

The event was previously known as Clearwater Beach Uncorked. It will be a showcase of Tampa Bay chefs, restaurants, breweries, and a wide variety of wines.

Savor St. Pete is sponsored by City of St. Petersburg, Publix, and Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater. The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club is the official hotel partner for the event.

“We look forward to creating an extraordinary level of excitement in the ‘Burg,’” said Tammy Gail, festival founder and producer. “We are bringing elements that will ramp-up the cool factor that SAVOR ST. PETE will feature.”

Tickets are now available for general admission on both Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3. General Admission guests are welcome on-site from 1PM to 4PM. GA tickets are $75 per person per day.

All event guests receive a limited-edition wine glass, custom tote bag, and exclusive access to the Grand Tasting Village that is located within a 30,000-square-foot tent. 

Restaurant Partners:

  • Bavaro’s
  • BJ’s
  • Brio Italian
  • Bulla Gastrobar
  • The Library
  • Red Mesa Restaurant Group
  • Marchand’s Bar & Grill
  • Paul’s Landing
  • Roy’s
  • Sweet Charlie’s
  • The Birch & Vine
  • Watercolour Grill & House
  • Teak St. Pete

Wine, Brew, and Spirit Partners:

  • 3 Daughters Brewing
  • 19 Crimes
  • Bacardi
  • Big Storm Brewing Co.
  • Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
  • Bonanza California
  • Casamigos Tequila
  • Cayman Jack
  • Conundrum
  • Chateau St. Jean
  • Days of Youth Wines
  • Des Amis Napa Valley
  • Deutsch Family
  • District 7
  • Don Ramon Tequila
  • FitVine
  • Fleurs de Prarie
  • Florida Beer Co.
  • Folktale Winery & Vineyard
  • Four Roses Bourbon
  • Francis Ford Coppola Winery
  • Golden Winery
  • Islamorada Beer Company
  • Josh Cellar
  • Justin Vineyards & Winery
  • Keel & Curley Winery
  • Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
  • Landmark Vineyards
  • Matua
  • Mer Soleil
  • Metz Road
  • Ole Smoky
  • Pusser’s Rum
  • Ranch 32
  • Ron Barcelo
  • Ryder Estates
  • San Sebastian Winery
  • Scheid Family Wines
  • Sea Sun
  • Shaw
  • Stella Artois
  • Stella Rosa Wines
  • Stephen Ross Wine Cellars
  • Sterling Vineyards
  • Stokes’ Ghost
  • Tito’s Vodka
  • Two Henry’s Brewing Co.
  • Two Henry’s Hard Cider
  • VDR
  • White Claw
  • Ziami
  • Ferrari Carano
  • Vida de Louie Tequila
  • Manifest Distilling
  • Island Grove Wine Company
  • St. Petersburg Distillery
  • Banyan Reserve Vodka
  • Tippler’s
  • Old. St. Pete
  • Tanqueray
  • Washington State Wine
  • Redemption Rye
  • Swamp Head Brewery

Follow Savor St. Pete on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The event hashtag is #SavorStPete. 

Event Name: Savor St. Pete

Venue: North Straub Park

Address: 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Cost: $75+

Ages: 21+

Buy tickets: http://www.freshtix.com/events/savor-st-pete

Website: http://savortheburg.com/

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Articles Restaurant News

NEWS: Yum Yum Hot Pot AYCE opening soon in Temple Terrace

It would seem that interest in hot pot in Tampa right now is on fire! Yum Yum Hot Pot AYCE is opening soon in Temple Terrace just minutes from USF and Tampa’s Uptown. Jennifer Will shared the news with that I can now confirm after a post about Nine Spices Hot Pot potentially coming to Fowler Avenue.

Yum Yum’s application for a license is still in progress.

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The business hasn’t posted anything yet on the social media channels it has up but their Facebook description reads: “All you can eat Hot Pot Restaurant. You cook all the fresh foods to your own liking with no grease. New dining experience await(s) you.”

Owner Cuong Chau says Yum Yum Hot Pot is still a few weeks away from completion.

yum yum hot pot tampa - Google Search.png

The owners have also already been added to Google Maps. The location is next to Shapes Gym at 11301 North 56th street Unit #6  Temple Terrace, Florida 33617

The official site is yumyumhotpotayce.com.

Exciting times in Tampa. More information as it comes in.

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RUMOR: Nine Spices Hot Pot expanding to Tampa’s Uptown near USF (UPDATED)

Update: The owners from Nine Spices Hot Pot in St. Petersburg have reached out to say they are not affiliated with the new HotPot BBQ on Fowler Avenue.

The license for the business says 9 Spices Hot Pot, but the location in St. Petersburg is actually “Nine Spices Hot Pot“. It is a very bizarre coincidence. 

A new hot pot place has appeared on Fowler Avenue near USF and Tampa’s Uptown called HotPot BBQ.

There isn’t much online for it yet, but the license for the location points to Nine Spices Hot Pot in St. Petersburg as the owners of the location and this spot is in the old Hong Kong House spot in front of M.D. Oriental Market at 1120 East Fowler Avenue Tampa, Florida 33612.

Licenses:

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Articles Events News Restaurant News

NEWS: Tampa chefs competing on ‘Beat Bobby Flay’ (POSTPONED)

Update from Chef Rosana and Ricardo (10/23):

“The Food Network has decided to postpone our episode “It Must’ve Been Love” that was originally scheduled to air tomorrow, October 24th, 2019. We are surprised but do understand the Food Network’s scheduling decision.”

“We cannot wait for the new air date and we look forward to sharing it with our community as soon as possible. Without a doubt, we are very grateful for all your support and enthusiasm. Stay tuned for our updates through our social media platforms and the announcement of the new air date and rescheduling of our official watch party.”
“Although we will not be watching the episode live tomorrow we would still love to meet everyone who has RSVP’D or planned on attending the watch party. Join us tomorrow at The Hall on Franklin from 8:30pm – 11:00pm to celebrate with Chef Rosana and Chef Ricardo on announcing their exciting news.” – Chef Rosana + Chef Ricardo 

Tampa Chefs Rosana and Ricardo Rivera will compete on the Food Network show “Beat Bobby Flay” on Thursday, October 24th at 10PM EST. The story was first reported by Creative Loafing Tampa.

The chefs currently own Xilo Mexican food stand inside of Hall on Franklin food hall in Tampa. Xilo has a focus on fresh, traditional Mexican cooking with a focus on high-end plating and presentation. They previously owned Piquant Bakery.

They will compete against each for a chance to beat Bobby Flay and I hope they do because it is so frustrating when he wins!

There will be a watch party at The Hall on Franklin in Tampa Heights at 8:30PM on the day of the premiere and free tickets are now available.

Tickets: http://bit.ly/2ByNGQx

Facebook RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/events/985217015176304/

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Articles Restaurant News

NEWS: Michelle Faedo opening a 2nd location in Downtown Tampa

International Cuban Sandwich Festival winner Michelle Faedo is planning a second location of her concept, Michelle Faedo’s Tampeño Cuisine inside the Hillsborough County Building at 601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602. No opening date has been announced yet.

Faedo’s first restaurant concept after her popular “Michelle Faedo’s On-The-Go” food truck was launched at the ENCORE! building in 2018 between Downtown Tampa and Ybor City. The ENCORE! restaurant will remain open.

Her award-winning food has been popular in Tampa for years with her Faedo’s Famous Traditional Cuban Sandwich as her signature dish. Faedo also pays homage to Tampa classics like deviled crab, cafe con leche, stuffed potatoes, among other things.

Michelle Faedo has always been active in the local government and has been popular over the years with city council members, journalists, and the current City of Tampa Mayor, Jane Castor, who gave Michelle Faedo a shoutout at her election victory party earlier this year and a plug on The Zest! Podcast. Castor said Michelle helped keep her hungry campaign fed during the race.

I have watched Michelle knock out hundreds of orders on her food truck and am confidant the new location will be a success.

Here is a video I shot with her earlier this year at the Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta.

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Articles Restaurant News

NEWS: Revolution Ice Cream coming to South Tampa

Revolution Ice Cream, arguably one of the best ice cream shop concepts in Tampa Bay, is making its way to South Tampa after opening two successful locations in Brandon and Seminole Heights.

Known for delicious ice cream often made with local ingredients and their boozy selections, The Rev has been serving the Tampa area since 2013 and won numerous awards around town for their ice cream.

The expansion is set to happen in early 2020 and was first reported by Fox 13 Tampa Bay and will be located at 4032 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33609.

People who can’t wait for the location to open can visit their food truck on the weekends at the location above. The plaza currently has Little Donut House and Chicken Salad Chick as occupants.

Visit Revolution Ice Cream online at revicecream.com.

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Articles Restaurant News

NEWS: Mata’s Philippine Cuisine opens Friday, October 25th in Tampa

After a long dry spell of Filipino food, it looks like Tampa is finally going to get some new eats with Mata’s Philippine Cuisine opening this week near Town N’ Country.

Mata’s is launching their first restaurant on Friday, October 25th, 2019 at 4350 West Waters Ave #102 just a few minutes away from Saigon Deli and Filipiniana Philippine Café.

For those of us who aren’t Filipino, it can be struggle to find places to enjoy the cuisine in the Tampa Bay area.

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The restaurant will sell a number of well-known Filipino dishes and has experience engaging with the public at the annual PhilFest in Tampa as a food vendor.

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Mata’s at PhilFest.

October happens to Filipino Heritage Month so the timing could be favorable for the restaurateurs.

I actually interviewed Mata’s during a series of videos I shot at PhilFest 2016. Watch it below:

On the food menu:

  • Pork Sisig
  • Lechon Kawali
  • Dinuguan
  • BBQ Pork Skewers
  • BBQ Chicken Skewers
  • Pinakbet
  • Fried Bangus
  • Pancit
  • Lumpia
  • Tortang Talong

Desserts:

  • Bibingka
  • Puto
  • Turon
  • Boba (Multiple Flavors)
  • Halo-Halo

Specialty drinks:

  • Sago
  • Melón
  • Calamansi
  • Tamarind

RSVP to the Grand Opening on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/1304957019674155

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Articles

What I’m Reading in Food Media – October 21st

Looking for some great food articles to read online? Here are some articles I am currently consuming and recommend:

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Articles Restaurant News

NEWS: Guthrie’s Fried Chicken opens new Tampa location

Tampeños loves their chicken and Guthrie’s Fried Chicken opens its doors to the public Monday, October 21st, 2019 at 5224 South Dale Mabry Highway just near Home Depot in South Tampa. Creative Loafing Tampa first broke the news about Guthrie’s expansion back in June 2019.

Guthrie’s was founded in 1965 in Haleyville, Alabama and has remained a family-owned business for 3 generations. The menu is simple enough with Golden Fried Chicken Fingers as the focus and a fried chicken tender sandwich and sweet tea (of course) as two other staples the brand has visible.

Most Florida locations have been up in the panhandle in Tallahassee so far, but the franchise has been expanding and has over 25 locations nationwide right now with a number of franchisees with plans for Panama City Beach location soon.

Here’s a look inside the new location:

Here’s to enjoying some delicious chicken soon at Guthrie’s.

Update 10/21: This article inaccurately stated earlier that this was the first Guthrie’s location in Tampa, there have been attempts in the past that have failed. The post has been updated to reflect that.

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Articles Food Events

WEIRD: Candy Corn Pizza further sign of societal decay

Candy corn is probably the worst “treat” to grace the Halloween season and the annual rush to create food people don’t want has led to the Candy Corn Pizza push of 2019. BuzzFeed did an in-depth exploration into the phenomenon in 2018. Just when you think you’ve forgotten, candy corn comes back into your life.

35 million pounds of candy corn are sold every year according to the National Confectioners Association in 2015. Whether all this candy ends up in a trash bin somewhere is for another day and discussion.

The reaction to the abomination is about what you expect as a person who experiences daily online torment:

https://twitter.com/BrianManzullo/status/1185274662529437696