If GTB is the Oyster…
Then The Pearl is the pearl? The new restaurant just opened their doors on Water Street. Part restaurant, part tavern, part oyster room, The Pearl serves unique and made-from-scratch cuisine. The Water Street location is the third opening in the restaurant chain.
The Pearl will have an extensive beverage menu available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, fresh seafood and, of course, seasonal oysters. It is headed by Executive Chef Olivia Gleiser, a talented chef experienced with Cameron Mitchell restaurants.
Sun, Sand and Sculptures
The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is back. The world-renowned sand sculpting festival returns to Clearwater Beach, bringing back the best decades in history. Artists entered to win best in show will display their crazy coastal creations.
During the three-week festival, visitors have the option to enjoy free live music, sand sculpting classes, fireworks and more. Under the 21,000 square foot tent, glimpse the main attraction of endless, larger-than-life art sculptures. Outside, enjoy the world-famous sunsets.
Ray Charles Said it Best
For its 27th year, the Tampa Bay Blues Festival is back in St. Petersburg. Performers like Robert Cray, Dirty Dozen Band, Tab Benoit, Vanessa Collier and more will share the stage at Vinoy Waterfront Park. The three-day festival will be paired with great food, full bars and craft beer and wine.
Immediately after the festival, head to the Ringside Café for an after-show. See Chris Cain, JT Lauritsen and the Buckshot Hunters at midnight. It’s time to enjoy those St. Pete Florida Blues again.
Get Schooled
At the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Florida high school students from 46 schools came together to compete in the annual statewide hospitality competitions. There were 340 students participating in the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation, Hospitality and Tourism Management Program and ProStart Culinary events.
Of the 46 schools, Greater Tampa Bay is home to three of them. Strawberry Crest High School, Dixie Hollins and Steinbrenner High all walked away with at least one win. Strawberry Crest placed third and Dixie Hollins tied for fifth in the overall winners of the 22nd Annual Florida ProStart Competitions.
Easy as PIE
The St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport earned the top spot for the third quarter in 2022 for lowest domestic airfare of the top 100 busiest airports. Even setting its all-time passenger record with 2.45 million passengers the same year, PIE managed to keep their prices down.
With 63 non-stop domestic flights and one to the neighbors to the north, PIE’s three main airlines Allegiant, Sun Country and Swoop, customers are flying in style.
Meet Me at Midnight
One of the most iconic pop stars of all time is making a stop in GTB. Taylor Swift is performing at Ray Jay for her upcoming Eras Tours. After her final encore, head to Ybor City for the largest after party event.
Die-hard Swifties who missed out can enjoy as DJs progress through each era every hour, highlighting and mixing her most famous tracks. With plenty of Taylor inspired mocktails, cocktails and easter eggs, the Eras After Party will give guests the full Swifty experience.
You’re Bun in a Billion!
The third annual Pasco Burger and Beer Festival will be serving up delicious meats and treats in Heritage Park. With three live music performances, 10 artisan burger chefs and more than 12 craft brewers, this festival is full of fun.
Adult guests over 21 have the opportunity to sample 20-40 unique beers from brewers like Wiregrass Brewing Company, Hoppy Rooster Brewing and more and vote on their favorites. As for the burgers, guests will sample burgers from some of GTB’s best food trucks and vote on who will win the 2023 People’s Choice Favorite Burger Chef Award.
Having a Pickle-Ball!
The Tampa Pickleball Crew is hosting their inaugural Pickleball tournament April 1. The friendly style series offers a guaranteed minimum of three games. The tournament also offers teams the chance to sign up for men’s, women’s or mixed games.
The Crew also announced the opening of Tampa’s first indoor Pickleball facility. The facility will open sometime this Spring or Summer in Ybor City. A Founding Membership program gives users access to reduced pricing, VIP (Very Important Pickleballer) Events, prebooking courts and open play through their app.
Book Lovers, Unite!
Barnes and Noble just opened their new location in the Town Square Shopping Center in Westshore. Moving from its Dale Mabry location, the book seller is almost halving its size. The new 10,000 square feet spot is replacing the Peir1 Imports store. Barnes and Nobles officially opened March 1, with a newly updated look.
O-Olivia, You’ve Been on My Mind
Chef Chris Ponte, of Café Ponte and Ponte New American fame, is bringing his new Italian restaurant Olivia to downtown St. Petersburg. Located on the ground floor of the Ascent St. Petersburg apartment and hotel tower, the new restaurant will 5,600 square feet of Italian deliciousness.
Olivia will serve traditional Italian fare, with a special focus on pizza and pasta. Ponte debuted his new modern eatery named for his stepdaughter in 2019. Ponte This will be Ponte’s second venture into the Pinellas County restaurant scene. The first was Café Ponte in Largo.
By Harper Warner.
