By Nanette Wiser
Stone crab season kicks off October, so mark your calendars to stop in at Frenchy’s restos and on 10/27-29, the 1st Annual Stone Crab Fest at Coco Crush IRB. Start exploring what’s new on local menus. In St. Pete Beach, Taverna on the Bay will open end of September and the new space is beautiful, and the menu sure to be a hit. Habit Burger Grill in Largo serves up hand spun shakes, burgers, and a Santa Barbara Cobb salad. The Mill and Company shares expanded space with The Emporium and is opening a pub serving beer, wine, Seltzer, and tapas. Bavaro’s is expanding to Clearwater Beach. The fate of downtown’s Fresco is uncertain as the marina development plan goes forward. The Blend Coffee & Cocktails will open in Magnolia Heights. Five Bucks Drinkery opened its Seminole location in September and in IRB, Coco’s Crush & Bar is the new local hotspot. We’re rated one of the top pet-friendly cities in America, and Yelp toasted two dog-friendly restaurants here, Stella’s and Grand Central Brewhouse. The Club at Treasure Island has sold and Central Avenue’s Oyster Bar will relocate to the Grand Central district, while their parent company Crafty Hospitality Group hosts seasonal pop-up bars.
SENSATIONAL SAMMIES Although we’re known for our Cuban and grouper sandwiches, and the occasional Williams’ roast beef sub, unique sandwiches are all the rage We asked foodie friends for their faves. “Soooo many! But one of my new-to-me favorites is the Fantasy Wrap at Frida’s Bakery in Largo. One of my longtime favorites is the Sunny Bird at Lonni’s in downtown St Pete,” says Ester Venouziou. The Roman Sub at Paisano’s is Gerald Notaro’s favorite, with Italian sub items rolled up in pizza dough, popped in the oven and served with house dressing. You’ll need a nap after Proper Meats’ overstuffed sandwiches on brioche buns (Ybor Hot Byrd, Sticky Pig, Tex Reubenstein) and the new Kelly’s Roast Beef in Pasadena. In Redington, Happy Place Café’s chicken salad made with cranberries and pecans on a croissant is delish. Fo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz wild concoctions include Mac n’ Rib, Chuck Norris Melt (pictured below) and Everyday I’m Trufflin’ (three cheese, wild mushrooms, arugula, truffle parmesan aioli) make me swoon.
Fiona Frensch loves the Croque Monsieur at Marquis Café, while Lee Zumpe says: “I don’t eat meat often these days, but if I’m going to fall off the wagon, it would probably be for El Barracuda (ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onions and mayo) at Barracuda Deli Café in Seminole (or their Cuban).” Other best-of-show sammies are Big Jim’s Philly Cheesesteak, The Amish Store’s Triple Decker Club or Lebanese Bologna, V’s Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken, Banh Mi Saigon Baguette, Chill’s Blackened Chicken Avocado Wrap, Three Birds BLT with Siracha mayo, The Island Grille and Raw Bar’s Grouper Reuben or Lobster Sliders, Uncle Funz Provisions’ smoked lamb and Brooklyn South’s Rosemary Chicken.
BJ’s BREWHOUSE From the dessert Pizookies to the handcrafted Orange Cream Float, the casual, global menu caters to a sophisticated palate. You can enjoy your favorite team and share delicious appetizers (fried couscous mac n’ cheese, bacon jam wings, avocado egg rolls).
They have one of the best happy hours in town Mon.-Fri. 3-7pm and Sun.-Thurs. 9pm-close. Domestic bottles and chips with dip $4, BJ handcrafted signature beers and Dark Horse wines $5, Brewhouse margarita and call drinks $6 and $7 on select appetizers and mini deep-dish pizza plus $1 off BJ’s seasonal and guest draft beers.