Dharma Southern Kitchen / Facebook
Closings
Dharma Southern Kitchen A sad day for local plant-based folks is nigh after Dharma Southern Kitchen recently announced the upcoming closure of its Armature Works location in Tampa Heights. The popular vegan eatery took to social media this week to break the news to its customers. Its Facebook and Instagram state that Sanford’s Dharma Southern Kitchen has already closed, and that Tampa’s last day of service will take place on Monday, Aug. 1. 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa. dharmasouthernkitchen.comComing soon
Amendment XXI Earlier this week, Tampa Bay Business Journal announced that Amendment XXI—celebrity chef Fabio Viviani’s latest concept—is a 7,950-square-foot bar and grill that will soon open at Westshore Plaza. The new restaurant will most likely boast a prohibition theme, hinted at by its name. The restaurant’s name is probably an homage to the 1933 amendment that re-legalized the sale and consumption of alcohol, ending 13 years of prohibition in the U.S. TBBJ states that Tampa’s Amendment XXI will boast a menu similar to Viviani’s other concept Taverna Costale, which is loaded with hearty pastas, pizzas, and other Italian fare. The restaurant’s space was previously home to Kingsford Fire Grille, which shuttered its doors last March, just 5 months after celebrating its grand opening. 204 WestShore Plaza, Wesley Chapel. fabioviviani.com
Events
Jug & Bottle’s 7th Anniversary Jug & Bottle has been holding it down as Seminole Heights’ go-to spot for beer and wine for seven years now, and the bottle shop is throwing a party this Sunday, July 24 to celebrate. The party features samples of the shop’s favorite pours, in addition to happy hours and special treats from its resident vegan eatery, 3 Dot Dash. Jug & Bottle is also releasing its collaboration with Magnanimous Brewing this Sunday, a light lager brewed with German malt and Hallertau Blanc. 3 Dot Dash just dropped a brand new menu that includes vegan hot chicken and an Impossible patty melt, but we’re most excited for Sunday’s exclusive return of the “The Kernel”— the vegan eatery’s take on a KFC bowl with mashed potatoes, corn, chicken and gravy. 6203 N Florida Ave., Tampa. jugandbottledept.com
Bandit’s new “Guest Chef Series” The St. Pete coffee shop had a successful pop-up with Lost Coast Oysters earlier this week, and is already back with the first installment of its Guest Chef Series. The inaugural event takes place on Sunday, July 24 and features two-times James Beard semifinalist Chef Brittanny Anderson—who has been featured on “Top Chef” and “Iron Chef,” plus owns restaurants in both Washington DC. and Virginia. Although we’re not sure what her a la carte menu will look like, her cooking style focuses on regional flavors from Germany, Austria, and the French and Italian Alps, with a little bit of Virginia inspiration sprinkled in as well. This Sunday night event runs from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. and doesn’t require a door fee. Bandit’s folks will also sling a selection of natural wines hand-picked to pair with Anderson’s special menu. 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. banditcoffee.co
ICYMI
St. Petersburg diner Kissin’ Cuzzins is for sale Beloved family-owned restaurant Kissin’ Cuzzins is on the market for nearly $2.5 million. But the current owner and listing agent say fans of the place shouldn’t be too worried about losing the historic eatery. The diner-style restaurant in St. Petersburg was listed through Coldwell Banker Realty earlier this week. Kissin’ Cuzzins was built and held its grand opening in 1961—it’s been owned and operated by the Rice family ever since. According to the listing, current owner Gerry Rice is set to retire after having worked at his family’s business for the last 50 years. Listing agent Bill Tourtelot said the restaurant has only been listed online for a few days, but he’s already fielding a bunch of calls from potential buyers and from locals who are worried about losing a longtime favorite breakfast spot. 951 34th St. N, St. Petersburg. —Chelsea Zukowski
Publix heiress donated $50,000 to anti-LGBTQ group Moms For Liberty Publix heiresses and donating to ultra-conservative organizations go together like a Pub Sub and a black & white cookie. Once again, Julie Fancelli is donating big bucks to support radical wings of the Republican party. The heiress of the Lakeland chain donated $50,000 to Moms for Liberty in June, the first major contribution to this political action committee. Moms for Liberty is a Florida-based parental advocacy group, that pushes to make public schooling less welcoming for LGBTQ children. Playing into recent GOP talking points, the group pushes against accurate accounts of history and discussions of queer issues. Its ideology of ‘not co-parenting with government’ gained momentum during the height of the pandemic, as they disagreed with mask mandates in schools.— Patricia Tolley
Lingr’s new Sunday dim sum menu St. Pete’s critically-acclaimed Asian and Nordic restaurant recently debuted a Sunday dim sum menu. Small plates like xiao long bao (aka soup dumplings), shrimp toast, wagyu beef and black garlic dumplings, cardamom rolls and pork belly bao occupy the exclusive menu running from noon-2:30 p.m. on Sundays. A la carte sweets include peach bao and creamy Norwegian sponge cake, among many other options. St. Pete’s Ha Long Bay and Tampa’s Yummy House serve dim sum most mornings, but Lingr’s fine dining atmosphere and unique approach to Nordic and Asian food definitely set it apart from others. Jew’s popular restaurant serves its regular dinner menu Tuesday-Saturday. 400 6th St. S, St. Petersburg. lingrrestaurant.com