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Openings! On the Rocks, Portofino, Pearl, Bailey’s, Burger 21
by admin ·
On the Rocks (213 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach; 727-286-6224) has opened in the spot that used to be My Place. It calls its menu “casual upscale.” The people behind Bamboo Beach Bar in Madeira Beach are here.
Portofino Mediterranean (18825 U.S. Hwy 19 N., Clearwater; 727-286-6234) has opened in the spot that was recently Dogwater Café and before that, Hops. Hearing reports of a significant renovation inside, and the menu looks pretty classic Italian.
Pearl in the Grove (31936 St. Joe Rd., Dade City; 352-588-0008) is a pretty exciting opening this week in Pasco. Curtis Beebe has been looking for the next thing to come along since the economy bit his career about 18 months ago. He liked to cook, so to test the waters, started doing underground dinners around Dade City. They proved popular, so he’s going to jump in with both feet, opening a slow-food restaurant that will unfurl white tablecloths Wednesdays through Sundays. The menus for the underground dinners seemed to have a New Orleans flavor to them, and the first Pearl menu has a little of that and a little Italian. Should be interesting.
Bailey’s Restaurant (238 East Davis Boulevard, Tampa; 813-254-8018) recently relocated from Old Hyde Park into the space on Davis Islands previously held by Chez Bryce. It serves dinner Wednesday through Saturdays, and the menu looks mostly East Coast comfort food. (When I posted this, the link was to a website that doesn’t seem to acknowledge the move. But you can get a feel for the menus and such.)
Burger 21 (9664 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa), the fledgling burger and shakes concept from chef Chris Ponte and the Melting Pot folks, will open its initial location on Nov. 16. The help wanted call went out a couple weeks ago.
Tags: food
