Construction is set to begin on a new luxury bowling alley and movie theater complex at International Plaza. PINSTRIPES and CMX CINEMAS are slated to open in the spring of 2021. The bowling alley Pinstripes will feature a wine cellar, Italian-American bistro and indoor-outdoor bocce courts, plus a large event space and outdoor patio. CMX Cinemas is a chain of upscale movie theaters that recently acquired Cinébistro.
Tampa’s tallest rooftop bar, ROX, recently opened above the Current Hotel. Rox offers indoor and outdoor seating and 360-degree views. Beverage offerings include a smoky Old Fashioned, a Mexican Coffee cocktail made with freshly brewed coffee (in an homage to Tampa’s Cuban history), and a deconstructed piña colada. An expanded food menu is in the works.
GRAZE 1910, a breakfast and lunch-focused spot inside Armature Works’ Heights Public Market, will soon open its second location. The restaurant, which will be known simply as Graze, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the former home of The Nest, across from Plant High School on South Dale Mabry. Opening is expected in early 2020.
KING CORONA CIGARS is opening a second location at International Plaza’s Bay Street. The Ybor City staple will take over the former Zen Bistro location, with indoor and outdoor seating and a focus on liquor, coffee and a variety of cigars. King Corona is expected to open in early 2020.
NoHo’s new Greek bakery and eatery PSOMI is officially open. The new spot offers two ways to order — at the counter or in the full-service dining room. Both options feature the same menu of freshly baked breads, pastries, salads, stuffed pitas, and Greek specialties like saganaki and dolmades. Psomi is open for breakfast and lunch, with plans to launch a dinner service in the future.
Food Network ranked OXFORD EXCHANGE as one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in America. The list was made up of one restaurant from each state, and Oxford Exchange was Florida’s representative. From the artistic food and drinks in the restaurant and Champagne bar to the elegant interior design in the coffee shop and tea bar, there are plenty of photo ops throughout the space.
OLD SCHOOL BAR AND GRILL has taken over the old Bungalow restaurant on Kennedy Boulevard. The newly redesigned blue and pink building will showcase daily live performances and a full bar. Diners can expect typical bar food with options like wings, sliders and sandwiches. The music-focused joint is open daily 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
The first Tampa location of SUGAR FACTORY is slated to open in December at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Sugar Factory is known for its over-the-top burgers, milkshakes, pizzas, steaks and salads, plus candy-adorned goblet cocktails. The restaurant-slash-candy store is also known for its floor-to-ceiling candy wall, with more than 500 types of bulk and candy novelty candy.
The Seminole Heights favorite SPADDY’S COFFEE has opened a South Tampa location in collaboration with RAW SMOOTHIE CO. Spaddy’s is known for its espresso drinks, cold brew and seasonal specialty drinks, while Raw Smoothie Co. specializes in fruit bowls and smoothies. The new spot is on the corner of MacDill Avenue and Interbay Boulevard.
The new globally inspired bistro ROME + FIG is slated to open in North Hyde Park in early January. Taking his influence from “Napa Valley bistros and Coastal Florida chic,” chef Rob Scott will be whipping up seasonal dishes like chai-spiced butternut squash soup, brisket poutine, seafood risotto and pan-seared duck breast. The restaurant also has a selection of signature cocktails, along with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
