Brick & Mortar, located at 539 Central Avenue, is one of the most celebrated restaurants in St. Pete, and it’s served the city for 9 years. They also own and operate Seaworthy Fish + Bar at 1110 Pinellas Bayway S in Tierra Verde, and are opening a new restaurant, Pulpo Kitchen and Lounge, at 2147 Central Avenue.

“I’ve been cooking since I was a kid,” says co-owner and chef Jason Ruhe of Brick and Mortar. “Watching cooking shows over cartoons.”

Jason’s grandmother had a pantry in her house when he was a kid, and Jason pretended the pantry was his restaurant.

“What did you serve at your grandmother’s pantry?” I ask.

“Since my grandmother was Cuban and Spanish, she kept Cuban crackers and lard in the pantry,” says Jason. “I’d spread lard on the crackers, and everyone pretended to enjoy them.”

“Like they are dining at a friend’s house”

In 2015, Jason Ruhe and his wife Hope Montgomery opened Brick and Mortar, and they just celebrated 9 successful years in the ‘Burg. Before opening the restaurant, Jason and Hope worked for 20 years in the catering business.

“We’ve always had a dream of having our own little dining room,” says Hope, hence the restaurant’s name: Brick and Mortar. “People convey that they feel they’re coming to eat at our home,” says Hope. “Like they are dining at a friend’s house.”

How are Jason and Hope celebrating 9 years in the ‘Burg? By opening another restaurant, Pulpo Kitchen and Lounge, this June. Pulpo (Spanish for octopus) will be their third restaurant (four if you count Jason’s grandma’s pantry) and will serve delights from the sea and much more. Small plates. Ceviche. Paella. Anticucho. Whole grilled octopus. Pulpo is an ode to Jason’s mother’s side—rooted in Latin culture, and inspired by Peruvian, Cuban, and Spanish dishes.

New restaurant, Pulpo, bears heavy Latin influence

The drink and cocktail program at Pulpo will bear a heavy, Latin influence, too. “Peruvian-style cocktails,” says Jason. “My cousin Dylan is a bad@$$” with the drink program.” Pulpo has been in the works for 2.5 years since Jason signed the lease and will feature two bars and indoor-outdoor seating with live music on the reg. 

Though diners at Pulpo will have to bear one minor disappointment: Jason has no intention to bring back his six-year-old attempt at cuisine: lard spread on Cuban crackers. Not even for pairing with wines or cocktails. I should know. I asked.

Pulpo Kitchen and Lounge will debut this June and is located at 2147 Central Ave., St. Pete in the Grand Central District.