On the Menu: New bars, upscale chophouse will debut

New bars, a cafe concept and an Italian chophouse are set to open in St. Petersburg. The city’s culinary scene is continually growing as new and local chefs are scooping up spaces and flipping them into new restaurants.

These are some of the latest restaurants that are debuting in the Sunshine City and have recently opened. 

Tequila Daisy

An upscale cocktail bar is coming to downtown St. Petersburg. 

Tequila Daisy, a business concept from Monique Grespan and Melissa Powell, will offer more than 500 tequilas and mezcals when it debuts at 120 1st Ave. N. 

The 3,000-square-foot space is in The Shoppes at The One building, which is where the Sundial parking garage and several other restaurants and bars are also located. 

The bar is expected to open by the end of this month. 

Taylor Sam’s

New Jersey-based cafe Taylor Sam’s opened last month at 312 3rd St. S. in the Camden Pier District apartment building. 

The “made from scratch” breakfast cafe concept was created by Executive Chef Scott Spivak and his wife Dawn, in 2013 in Brick, New Jersey. 

The new Taylor Sam’s St. Pete location. 

The St. Pete space formerly housed The Simple Greek restaurant. 

Taylor Sam’s is known for its breakfast sandwiches and tacos, large lattes and pastries. 

Frankie’s Italian Chophouse 

A fine dining Italian chophouse will be debuting this month at 8901 4th St. N. 

Frankie’s Italian Chophouse is a new concept created by Frank Schittino, the owner and operator of the local Café Cibo, alongside his business partner, Chad Davis.

Perico’s Mexican Restaurant previously operated in the space. 

The chophouse team hasn’t announced an official opening date on social media, but they did post a video showing the new restaurant crew and menu items. 

Five Bucks Drinkery 

Five Bucks Drinkery, which has operated in St. Petersburg for over a decade, has opened its new location at 7402 49th St. N. in Pinellas Park. 

Five Bucks Drinkery’s new Pinellas Park. Photo was taken prior to the restaurant’s debut.  

The bar, which opened June 15, serves 32-ounce cocktails and beers. 

The Five Bucks Drinkery’s original location at 247 Central Ave. has been featured on the Travel Channel and MTV’s Floribama Shore reality show. 

New brewery 

A new brewery is opening in the Magnolia Heights neighborhood. 

Golden Isles Brewing Co. is turning the old gas station at 3000 Dr. MLK St. N., across from the Sunset Grill restaurant, into its new brewery. 

Golden Isles Brewing Co. is converting the old gas station at 3000 Dr. MLK St. N., St. Petersburg. 

Earlier this year, the company shared on social media it was repurposing and retrofitting the original gas station lighting. The team also rebuilt the restrooms and finished the floors. 

Business owners Jonathan and Angie Bryan have not announced an opening date.

Innovation Center cafe 

Point Chaud Coffee & Crepes has signed a lease for space inside the ARK Innovation Center, which is currently under construction at 1101 4th St. S. in St. Petersburg, according to an announcement earlier this month from the Tampa Bay Innovation Center.

A rendering of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center at 4th Street South and 11th Avenue South. Image provided. 

Since its inception in 2005, Point Chaud has expanded to several locations in Washington D.C. and Maryland. St. Petersburg will be its first Florida storefront.

The new cafe, which provides catering for events, will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. In addition to its coffee and crepes, it will serve salads, paninis, quiches, gelato and offer gluten-free and vegetarian options.