Wagamama + Michelin Update + Mermaid Tavern Closes
Welcome to the second issue of Carlos Eats - Tampa Edition.
Welcome to the second issue of Carlos Eats - Tampa Edition! Carlos Hernandez here, back in your inbox for an update. I hope you enjoyed delicious Mexican food and drinks this weekend. I sure did. I spent the evening across I-4 in Orlando at Proper in downtown Orlando and at Tori Tori for Japanese skewers and margaritas.
I was also hosted for the weekend at Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek. I’m looking forward to sharing more about that soon. Now, let me catch you guys up on some news.
News:
Mermaid Tavern has shut down in Seminole Heights amid a landlord and leasing dispute. The news of the closure was first reported by Creative Loafing. The Mermaid Tavern was one of the longest running dive bars and a hipster hangout in the Heights. It came to prominence in the beginning of the renaissance in the Seminole Heights area along with The Refinery and other local concepts that have now shut down or been sold to other investors in the area. (Creative Loafing Tampa, Tampa Bay Times)
The Michelin Guide is adding two new restaurants to the Bib Gourmand award in Tampa. Gorkhali Kitchen and Psomi are joining the line-up. Tampa still has yet to win a Michelin star from the company. Psomi is one of my favorite places to brunch in Tampa, but a challenge to grab a table at. The awards should be announced this week at a ceremony in Miami. (WTSP)
Flippers Pizza, a popular concept across I-4 in Orlando, has opened a new location in Tampa at 201 North Dale Mabry Hwy near Kennedy Blvd. in South Tampa. Menu items include a Pesto Chicken Sandwich, Quattro Formaggio pizza, Hawaiian pizza (gasp pineapple!), bianca pizza, and more. (Fox 13 Tampa)
It’s not too often that we see a local brewery shut down in Florida, but Bay Cannon Beer Co. has officially closed in West Tampa. They announced the news on social media and Creative Loafing was first to report the news. Bay Cannon was temporarily closed for a long time after a woman was killed outside its doors. (Creative Loafing Tampa, Fox 13 Tampa)
The Lab Coffee Company has expanded to Seminole Heights at long last. The owners are originally from Seminole Heights and their clientele (including myself) also has long been from the area. It’s great news for locals. They are making fresh bagels for breakfast and also serving some snacks. Hours are limited as they go through their soft opening, but I visited it the other day and was impressed with what they offered. Don’t miss the sproda which is espresso with sparkling water (essentially an espresso tonic). Superb! (That’s So Tampa)
Feature: Wagamama - Water Street Tampa
I had the pleasure of visiting Wagamama at Water Street Tampa a few weeks ago after missing their grand opening. Wagamama is originally from London and they are one of Tampa’s newest Asian-inspired concepts. During my visit I tried their chili calamari, pork belly bao, Tokyo fries, and the chicken katsu sando. The chicken katsu sando was incredible and came with Japanese curry on the sandwich. It had a great crunch. It’s honestly one of the best new restaurants I have recently tried. Truly recommend giving Wagamama a try if you haven’t been yet.
Read my full review: https://carloseats.com/2023/05/07/wagamama-water-street-brings-a-fresh-take-on-asian-cuisine-to-tampa/
Are you interested in sponsoring Carlos Eats - Tampa Edition and promoting your business, events, or products? Reach out at carloseats@gmail.com and I will happy to discuss working together.
Events:
Horizon3.ai SOF Week Happy Hour at Six Terrace at JW Marriott Tampa. (4 p.m.)
Happy Hour at Ocean Prime Tampa. (4 p.m.)
Memorial Day Celebration Dishes at Publix Aprons Cooking School - Citrus Park. (6 p.m.)
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) at Tampa Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
That’s all for now. Let me know what topics you would like to see me cover in a comment or contact me on my blog. Invite your friends to subscribe and as always let me know what you’re eating and what I might be missing out on.
-Carlos