South Tampa Front Desk – January/February 2019

SALT SHACK ON THE BAY is under construction south of the Gandy Bridge on Tampa’s Rattlesnake Point. The waterfront restaurant will feature a walkway and floating dock and will serve fresh seafood. Salt Shack is expected to open in early 2019.

Southern Living Magazine named GOODY GOODY as the best breakfast spot in Florida. The Hyde Park Village restaurant’s Hangover and Slinger dishes were specifically mentioned in the magazine’s Guide to the South’s Best Breakfasts. The Hangover features a biscuit topped with home fries, cheddar, green onion, sausage gravy and two over-easy eggs. The Slinger is two burger patties with home fries, cheddar, jalapeño and over-easy eggs.

The first residential phase of the larger WESTSHORE MARINA DISTRICT project will be called The Inlet, developer WCI announced. Inlet Park is now selling three-story townhomes starting in the $400s, and the community will sit near 1.5 miles of accessible waterfront and green space. Phase two, Inlet Shore, will feature three- and four-story waterfront townhomes with rooftop decks.

Carmel Kitchen on Henderson Boulevard will be replaced by OLIVIA, a restaurant by executive chef Chris Ponte and his family that serves a combination of northern and southern Italian cuisine. Currently under renovation, the dining room will feature a glass window to the kitchen so that guests can watch the food being prepared. The restaurant will serve pizza and pastas with house-made mozzarella. Ponte is currently a partner at On Swann and is the owner of Clearwater’s Cafe Ponte.

HEALTHY DOSE ORGANICS, formerly Tasty Roots, reopened in 3415 Bay to Bay Boulevard, Unit C. The eatery expanded its non-GMO and organic menu and market in its new location. The new menu now includes Asian-style turkey and chicken cauliflower, among other additions. The business has partnered with all female, locally owned businesses to feature in the larger market space.

THEE TREE HOUSE moved into the space previously occupied by Platt Street Borough. The jungle-themed restaurant is decorated with art by local artists, exposed wood and overgrown foliage. Thee Tree House’s menu includes shareable appetizers and entrees such as lobster paella and sous vide chicken breast. It will also serve CBD-infused cocktails and dishes and an all-day brunch on Sundays.

A dual-branded ALOFT and ELEMENT property is coming to Midtown Tampa, according to hotel developer Concord Hospitality. The seven-story, 226-key hotel will be located on the corner of West Cypress Street and have 24,000 square feet of street-level storefronts. Midtown Tampa is a $500 million, 22-acre project near the intersection of I-275 and Dale Mabry that will ultimately have a mix of residential, office, retail and hotel space.

FLAVOR OF TAMPA BAY opened its first location in South Tampa. The business was founded by former NFL defensive lineman and current radio host Ian Beckles and is located at 4817 S. Westshore Blvd. It has a food truck and a marketplace showcasing local businesses. Businesses can rent the space behind the food truck for parties, classes and other events.

THE MILL is expected to open its new South Tampa location in the first week of February. The St. Petersburg restaurant is known for its creative cocktails. The new location has a patio and will seat 250 people. The entire interior is set to display a mural by Istvan Torok.

Changes are coming to the PUBLIX GREENWISE MARKET in Hyde Park. Building permits were issued by the city for exterior and interior renovations at the location. The new GreenWise concept continues the original theme of organic and all-natural options, but incorporates more prepared foods and grab-and-go items.