Juno & The Peacock, P.F. Changs, Samurai Cat: St. Pete Restaurant News

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Check out the latest bar and restaurant news in St. Petersburg:

Allelo Owners Opening New Beach Drive Restaurant

The team behind Allelo has a new downtown St. Petersburg restaurant in the works.

Juno & the Peacock, featuring new American coastal cuisine, will open by early summer at 400 Beach Drive, which previously housed 400 Beach, according to a news release.

Drawing from the timeless cautionary tale of Aesop's fable, Juno & the Peacock will feature locally sourced ingredients prepared in-house and will be open daily for lunch and dinner, as well as weekend brunch.

“Having lived here all my life, I am incredibly proud to contribute to the growth of St. Pete and bring new dining experiences to my hometown,” co-owner Jeanna Damkoehler said. “It has been a labor of love, bringing together experts in every field, from the design firm to the culinary and beverage teams, to create an entirely new culinary destination in the Tampa Bay area. We can’t wait to unveil the concepts in a few short months and are confident our vision and attention to detail will impress.”

Juno & the Peacock will also feature a cocktail lounge, Pluma, that will introduce guests to new drinking traditions, spirited cocktails from Lima to Tulum, select wines by the glass, and light bites that explore South and Central American influences and innovations.

Fo’Cheezy Owner Introduces New Concept

Fo’Cheezy owner chef Robert Hesse is launching a new food truck concept, Grillaking, which he’s dubbed as “Korean Mexican confusion” cuisine.

“I understand that we’re doing fusion, but it may be confusing, too. But I think we’re paying tribute to the techniques, traditions and chefsthat came before us in order to get the flavors right,” Hesse told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “This new concept is all about having fun and creating food that we love to eat. With all of the health issues I had last year, I really want to focus on creativity and doing what I enjoy."

He’s slated to launch his new 31-foot-long food truck in May.

Fo’Cheezy recently closed the doors of its downtown St. Petersburg eatery, though its St. Pete Beach location remains open.

Samurai Cat Opens

A Japanese cafe and bakery, Samurai Cat, has opened at 407 Central Ave., which previously housed Beans & Barlour, according to I Love the Burg.

The cafe’s Instagram page features videos of a chef wearing a cat mask.

It will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

New P.F. Changs Concept Coming to West St. Pete

P.F. Changs is opening its new to-go concept, Pagoda Asian Grill, at 1550 66th Street N., in the Shoppes at the Royale Plaza, according to St. Pete Rising.

Previously, in 2022, the chain said it was opening another takeout-only concept, P.F. Changs to Go, at this location,

Pagoda will offer create-your-own bowls.