Nauti Duchess, Courigan’s, Rumba Island, Spinners: Restaurant News

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

Nautical-Themed Restaurant Opening Downtown

A nautical-themed restaurant, Nauti Duchess, is taking over the downtown space previously occupied by Caddy’s at 217 Central Ave.

The new concept was created by the Sarasota-based Serengeti Hospitality Group, according to the restaurant’s website. Serengeti also owns 260 First and Yard of Ale.

The 7,000-square-foot restaurant will open in mid-April, St. Pete Rising reported.

In the meantime, the Nauti Duchess courtyard will be open during First Friday events, the restaurant shared in a Facebook post.

Its menu will be released this summer, the venue added.

“Nauti Duchess will feature tapas style seafood, light eats and exquisitely crafted cocktails curated with aromatics from our indoor herb garden,” according to a description on its Facebook page.

In a post, the restaurant said, “Our menu won’t just be for the seafood-ies but lovers of classic rustic small dishes as well.”

Courigan’s Irish Pub Sold to New Owners

A Beach Drive Irish pub has closed after nearly two decades in business.

Courigan’s Irish Pub at 1 Beach Drive has sold to new owners, who plan to re-open the space as a high-end sports bar.

Piotr Czajkowski, who owns Localz Sports Bar and Grill in Largo and Jamminz Beach Bar on Clearwater Beach, bought the business and plans to turn it into another Localz, according to St. Pete Rising.

The Localz in Largo offers a scratch kitchen, weekly events including live music and trivia, multiple screens for watching sports, and a menu known for its wings and deep-fried brussels sprouts, according to its website.

“It’s the end of an era. Courigan’s has been sold,” the restaurant posted on its Facebook page. We want to thank everyone for your 18 years of patronage and loyalty. It has been an absolute blast … There have been countless memories and a lifetime of friendships made at this pub, and in the end, that is what matters! We love you all so very much, Slainte.”

Rumba Island Bar & Grill Opens on 4th Street N.

Rumba Island Bar & Grill has opened the doors of its new St. Pete location at 6445 4th Street N., once home to a Winghouse Bar & Grill.

The original restaurant is in Clearwater at 1800 Gulf to Bay Blvd.

The 5,300 square-foot restaurant has been more than three years in the making, according to St. Pete Rising.

The Rumba Island concept is part of the Baystar Restaurant Group portfolio, which also includes Salt Rock Grill, Bar Tiki and Island Way Grill.

St. Pete Beach Eatery on Top 10 List of U.S. Restaurants with Beautiful Views

A St. Pete Beach restaurant has landed on the top 10 list of U.S. Restaurants with the Most Beautiful Views, according to the travel website HawaiianIslands.com.

Spinners Rooftop Grille came in at No. 7 on the list. Located at the top of the 12-story Bellwether Beach Resort and overlooking the shoreline, the restaurant boasts a rotating dining room offering guests 360-degree views, according to its website.

Another Florida restaurant, Latitudes in Key West, also made the list, earnin the No. 5 spot.

The website compiled the list by looking at data from TripAdvisor, including the number of mentions of “beautiful views” in reviews.

Here’s the full list from HawaiianIslands.com:

1. Mama’s Fish House in Paia, Hawaii
2. Beach House Restaurant in Poipu, Hawaii
3. The Oasis on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas
4. Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill in Sedona, Arizona
5. Latitudes in Key West, Florida
6. Duke’s Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii
7. Spinners Rooftop Grill in St. Pete Beach, Florida
8. Kimo’s in Lahaina, Hawaii
9. Nepenthe in Big Sur, California
10. Sea Captain’s House in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Check out the full lists of restaurants with beautiful views worldwide here.

John’s Pass Grille Revamps Menu

At the start of the year, John’s Pass Grille at 111 Boardwalk Place W. in Madeira Beach introduced a new Build-a-Burger menu, allowing diners to customize their burger toppings and sauces.

“We wanted guests visiting John’s Pass to have something different than the typical fare served at many area restaurants,” owner Mark Glover told the Gabber.

The Build-a-Burger options starts at $12.90.

Forbici Eyes St. Pete Expansion

The Tampa-based Forbici Modern Italian restaurant is eyeing a move across the bay, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

The eatery’s owner, restaurateur Jeff Gigante, told the media outlet that he’s scouting downtown St. Petersburg for locations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 square feet with a patio.

“I think St. Pete is ready for Forbici — live music seven nights a week, casual Italian and a big, fun convivial neighborhood restaurant,” Andrew Wright with Next Level Brands, which partnered on the original Forbici, and part-owner of the Sundial told the Business Journal.

King State Lagerfest Returns to St. Pete

King State Lagerfest returns March 9, 4 to 8 p.m.., to The Brutalist in St. Pete, according to I Love the Burg.

The beer festival, which is presented by King State Brewing, celebrates creativity and collaboration in the brewing industry.

Attendees can enjoy unlimited pours from the more than 35 participating breweries.