Intermezzo, Chief’s Creole Café, Sesh: St. Pete Restaurant News

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

Intermezzo Moving into Former Independent Space

By the end of the year, Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails will move less than a block away into the former Independent Bar space at 1049 Central Ave., St. Pete Rising reported.

Intermezzo would have been forced to leave its location at 1111 Central Ave. to make way for a proposed hotel on the property.

"I always knew my time at 1111 Central Avenue was limited,” owner Jarrett Sabatini said. “We started as a pop-up to begin with, I didn't expect to stay for more than three months, so I'm grateful I was able to stay for six years."

The Wine House Opens

Gulfport’s new Wine House opened its doors for the first time on April 4 in the space previously occupied by Backfin Blue Café, which closed last summer.

“Thank you, Gulfport, for all the love on our first day! We are truly honored to open our doors in this beautiful community,” the wine bar’s owners wrote in a Facebook post at the end of their first day in business.

In addition to wine, Wine House also serves charcuterie boards and some barbecue items.

Munch’s Teases Reopening on Social Media

Many in the St. Petersburg area were devastated when the family-owned Munch’s Restaurant & Sundries closed its doors for good at the end of December after 70 years in business.

The restaurant, most recently owned by Larry Munch, who took it over in the early 1990s, first opened at 3920 6th Street S. in 1952. It was put on the market for $2.7 million in June.

Though it closed last year, there might be more to come for Munch’s, which teased a possible reopening or some kind of future plans on its Facebook page.

“Who's ready for some Munchs. (sic) Who would love to see the gang together again? Exciting things to come your way,” the restaurant wrote.

Sesh Restaurant, Brewery Opens on 4th Street N.

St. Pete residents have another brewery to check out; Sesh brewery and restaurant opened its doors on April 5.

The new brand from those behind the Mad Beach Brewing Company calls the former Melting Pot property at 2221 Fourth Street N. home.

“We’re herrrree! Open starting tomorrow, Wednesday April 5th. For real this time!” Sesh’s owners wrote in a Facebook post. “Come see for yourself what we’ve been up to in this old house on 4th Street. … Welcome to your new neighborhood haunt!”

Reservations are available on OpenTable. Sesh is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and for Sunday brunch, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Chief’s Creole Café Closes

Chief’s Creole Café on 22nd Street S. has closed its doors for good.

“Thank you for 10 years of support. Chief’s Creole Café is now closed. Mr. & Mrs. B are moving to their next chapter,” a Friday morning Facebook post from the restaurant read. “We wish to thank our staff for their dedication, loyalty, and commitment. We will retain the facility and it will be available to any entrepreneur who would like or need a venue. Thank you to each and every one who supported us over the years. It was a great adventure!”

The restaurant was owned by Elihu and Carolyn Brayboy, which served dishes inspired by his childhood, such as spicy jambalaya, he told The Weekly Challenger in 2014.

“I was raised on that cooking,” Elihu said. “When my mother passed away, I didn’t realize that everybody didn’t eat like that.”

Other menu items included beignets, crawfish fritters, Louisiana-style gumbo, shrimp and grits, and etouffee. They recently even added vegan options to the menu.

The Brayboys own the restaurant’s iconic pink building in the Deuces corridor, as well as other properties in the historic St. Pete district, once an epicenter for the Black community during segregation, the Weekly Challenger said. Elihu and Carolyn grew up in the Midtown area in the 1950s and 1960s.

The couple announced plans in February for an affordable housing project in the district, St. Pete Catalyst reported. They hope to build the project on a vacant lot between Lorene’s Fish House and the Boys and Girls Club.