Crislip Café, Trophy Fish, Calida, Rose’s Coffee: Restaurant News

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Here's the latest restaurant and bar news in the St. Petersburg area:

Crislip Café Closes

The Crislip Café announced its immediate closure at The Merchant gift shop in St. Petersburg’s 600 block.

“Due to rising prices, staffing shortages, and other myriad reasons, we have had to make this difficult decision,” the owners wrote in a Monday Facebook post.

They said they’ll be “going back to (their) roots” as they expand the gift shop and art gallery into the café space in the coming months.

“We are so appreciative of our customers - who have been amazing - and to the staff we’ve had over the years as we grew,” they wrote.

BBQ and Blue Event Planned at Tropicana Field

The Saturday Morning Shoppe at Tropicana Field presents its first-ever BBQ and Blues event Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., in Parking Lot 4, according to a news release.

In addition to award-winning barbeque chefs and blues artists, this free, family-friendly event will feature 100-plus entrepreneurs selling various items, including African attire, jewelry, hair accessories, snow cones, soul food, gourmet cheesecakes, fresh fruit, boiled peanuts and more.

Families can also enjoy face painters, balloon artists, bounce houses, and live entertainment.

Tampa Bay musician Brian Leneschmidt will be one of the headliners. He has recorded six full-length albums, played across the country, and has received radio support here and outside the U.S.

The Benny Harp Blues Band, a favorite on the Tampa Bay beaches circuit, will also be performing live.

WUSF Presents “Longest Table” Event in St. Pete

WUSF public media hosts its “Longest Table” epicurean gala the evening of March 30 along St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront.

Guests can select from a range of Tampa Bay-area restaurants. During the gala, Bayshore Drive will close to traffic as a table stretches from the Vinoy hotel to the Museum of Fine Arts.

Chefs from each restaurant will serve a gourmet four-course meal paired with fine wines to their segment of the table, according to a news release.

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event regularly sells out to capacity with more than 1,000 people attending.

All funds raised from the event benefit WUSF, the local NPR station.

Calida Opens in St. Pete

Calida Kitchen & Wine opened earlier this month in the Crescent Heights neighborhood at 2909 Dr. MLK Jr. Street N, the restaurant shared on its Facebook page.

The wine bar and eatery offers a globally inspired menu. Its opening menu starters range from empanadas to Shatta shrimp and beef back ribs. A chef’s choice charcuterie board is a fun option and entrees include chow noodles, chicken thighs, ribeye steak and baked polenta.

Trophy Fish Expands into Tampa

St. Petersburg’s Trophy Fish brand, which focuses on fresh seafood and craft cocktails, has expanded across the bridge into Tampa.

The Grand Central District eatery and bar concept from Seed & Feed Hospitality Group recently opened the doors to its second location in Seminole Heights.

Rose’s Coffee Bar to Open to Moxy Hotel

A new coffee shop will open in the Edge District in early 2024.

Rose’s Coffee Shop will call the new boutique Moxy Hotel by Marriott under construction at 1234 Central Ave., according to St. Pete Rising.