600 Block in Renaissance: New Restaurant Opens
St. Pete residents have long been anticipating the opening of The Lure on the 600 Block. The 3,500 square foot facility, featuring chic exposed brick walls covered in murals by local artist David Boyd, can comfortably seat about 150 customer. On the inside you'll find billiard tables, a roughly 50-foot wrap around bar (full liquor) and a sushi station, of course. The bar also features charging docks for your phone and hooks for your bag/purse.
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The Lure boasts far more than just aesthetics, owners Richard Alday and Tom Golden have meticulously crafted a menu that caters to all palates and appetites. Their Fig and Pig flatbread is divine. The sandwich is made with prosciutto, fresh black Mission figs, fig jam, a four cheese blend and coated in a white truffle oil. The restaurant/bar also serves duck tacos, Cuban sandwiches, and specialty items prepared by local chefs for charity. Each day, every dollar from select items ordered will be given to the charity of the local chef's choice. When you order the Fig and Pig a dollar is donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
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The Hanger flatbread, created by Chef Masson of 717 South, is made with marinated and grilled hanger steak, with fresh arugula and gorgonzola. Every time you order this sandwich, a dollar is donated to The Ronald McDonald House. Other charities include Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA), Second Harvest Food Bank and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
We mentioned their Duck Tacos, but The Lure will also go a bit beyond the norm as far as that fare goes. The restaurant will be serving seasoned chapulines aka grasshoppers.
Both Alday and Golden have been in the restaurant business since they were in their mid-teens. They're no strangers to the Tampa Bay foodie scene. The renaissance on the 600 Block (i.e. Hyppo, Cider Press Cafe, Two Fold, Local Longboards, Crislip Arcade) parallels the vibe they experienced in Hyde Park in Tampa years ago when they opened The Rack, a high-end sushi concept.
*Photo by Meg Sitterson – Review in Tampa Bay Restaurant Group
They have roughly 40 people on staff and Alday assures that, in his time working in the restaurant industry, this is the best opening crew he has ever worked with. The restaurant is already receiving a lot of positive buzz. Meg Sitterson wrote after visiting, "The Veggie Delight roll was outstanding. It had avocado, cucumber, carrots, asparagus, and red pepper. Most veggie rolls have 2 or 3 veggies, but this one was packed full of flavorful veggies." Their server also brought her and her friend a free sample of their "Lava Rolls appetizer (rolled nori and rice balls stuffed with spicy crab and cream cheese, tempura battered and fried, then topped with eel sauce and spicy mayo). Oh my! Crabby cream cheese heaven in your mouth."
Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am-11pm
Fri: 11am-1am
Sat: 10am-1am
Sun: 10am-11pm
The Lure, 661 Central Avenue.
Pinellas Ale Works Soft Opening
The beer scene in St. Pete is beyond compare. Soon another brewery will enter the conversation, Pinellas Ale Works. This 15 barrel brewery and tasting room announced on Facebook that they would be hosting their soft opening Saturday, January 16, and Sunday, January 17. They'll be open from 7-10pm on Saturday and 12-6pm on Sunday.
The brewers have been ubiquitous, making their presence felt at a variety of beer festivals and tasting events around the Burg and Tampa. Now they finally have a home base so you can enjoy their brews whenever you like.
Pinellas Ale Works, 1962 1st Avenue South.
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