On the Menu: Restaurants rise at museum, Central Avenue

New restaurant concepts from a dog bar to higher-end dining experiences are popping out of the ground along St. Pete’s streets. Here’s the most recent foodie news to digest: 

Dog park and bar coming to Central Avenue 

Dog lovers will be able to sip on cocktails while watching their four-legged friends splash around at a new dog waterpark.

A rendering of Mutts and Martinis from Oasis Pavers and Pools. Facebook image.

Mutts and Martinis is a new concept opening at 2900 Central Ave. that will combine a dog park and a full-service bar into one location.  

Active construction can be seen at the building, which has a banner advertising a spring opening date. 

Construction as of January 2023 for Mutts and Martinis. Photo by Veronica Brezina.

The Mutts and Martinis concept is the brainchild of the operator behind the Love My Dog Resorts and the Love My Dog Grooming and Boutique businesses in St. Petersburg. 

Oasis Pavers and Pools is constructing the waterpark. 

New restaurant coming to history museum 

Perry’s Porch, a new restaurant concept from the Seed and Feed Hospitality Group, will open at 335 2nd Avenue NE, adjacent to the St. Petersburg Museum of History in the St. Pete Pier District.  

The new restaurant is one piece of the museum’s planned expansion.

Rendering of Perry’s Porch. Image: St. Petersburg Museum of History.

The name is a nod to Perry Snell, a 1900s St. Pete developer notably remembered for establishing the Snell Isle neighborhood. 

The space Perry’s Porch will occupy was formerly the home of the brewery Hops and Props. 

Perry’s Porch will have open-air seating and a coffee bar to the west of the museum’s main building.

Museum administrators said Perry’s Porch is the vision of St. Pete natives Ryan Griffin, Bill Griffin and Blake Whitney Thompson. 

The group is working with the local WJ Architects firm on the design. 

Perry’s Porch is expected to open in early summer.

“The menu will focus on fresh and local flavors, like what Seed and Feed Hospitality Group has done with its fresh-fish concept Trophy Fish on Central Avenue,” according to the museum’s news release. 

The Glass Noodle opens 

The new Asian restaurant The Glass Noodle has opened on Central Avenue’s 600 Block. 

The restaurant concept was created by Sean Thongsiri, the owner of Mangosteen and The Green Pagoda.

The Glass Noodle. Photo by Veronica Brezina.

Construction is still active for renovations at the 681 Central Ave. restaurant site, which has a “we are open” sign on the windows. 

Gourmet delivery restaurant Doormét operated at the site and closed its doors in November. 

The Glass Noodle is described as a noodle bar, and its menu items include duck noodle soup and other traditional Asian dishes, as well as Thai tea and sake cocktails. 

The Crane progresses toward opening 

Thongsiri, who is opening The Glass Noodle, is also opening The Crane, a steak and seafood restaurant concept at 575 Central Ave. 

The Crane at 575 Central Ave. Photo by Veronica Brezina.

An exact opening date has not been revealed, but the interior buildout appears to be nearing completion. 

It will also feature a cocktail bar. 

The corner space formerly housed Wig Villa.

Kissin’ Cuzzins’ future is saved 

The longstanding St. Petersburg Kissin’ Cuzzins restaurant at 951 34th St. N. will continue to operate pending a sale, according to multiple reports. 

The Kissin’ Cuzzins restaurant in St. Petersburg. GoogleMaps.

Restaurant owner Gerry Rice, the son of Kissin’ Cuzzins’ founder, has agreed to sell the business to Rick Campbell, the eatery’s longtime manager. 

Through the sale, Rice will maintain ownership of the property, acting as the landlord. Multiple developers have approached Rice about acquiring the site; however, they were solely interested in the land and not continuing the restaurant business, known for its hearty breakfast dishes, according to St. Pete Rising. 

The St. Pete Catalyst previously reported the owner was seeking $2.49 million for the 34,000-square-foot restaurant, including the kitchen equipment, furnishings and land.