Restaurant News: Sea Critters, La Diperie, The Yard, Mazzaro’s Market

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

La Diperie Ice Cream Chain Opening Central Avenue Shop

The Canadian ice cream chain La Diperie is opening a shop in St. Petersburg.

Signage at 425 Central Ave. indicates that the ice cream shop is coming soon.

According to the La Diperie U.S. Facebook page, “We dip everything… almost! Choose your favorite dippable dessert like ice cream, cheesecake and cookies. Then select from a choice of 100 (percent) real exquisite chocolates, and pair it with a variety of toppings.”

The La Diperie website shows that it serves soft serve and hard ice cream, mini donuts, cheesecake, ice cream cake, various cakes and pies, cookies and cookie dough, milkshakes, cupcake cafes, smoothies, bubble tea, coffee and more.

It also offers vegan options.

There are more than 50 Canadian locations of the chain, the website shows. The St. Petersburg shop will be the first in the United States.

Sea Critters Café Sold, Rebranded

Sea Critters Café in Pass-a-Grille was recently sold and rebranded as Red, White & Booze, according to a news release from new owners, Charles and Helen Collom.

Prior to this, the restaurant was in business for more than two decades and the Colloms said they want “to carry on that legacy,” keeping “locals and regulars in mind.”

Charles Collom, a regular at Sea Critters, said, “I’ve always wanted to own a restaurant/bar and with this only being three blocks away from my home, I decided this was the time to do it. So, we’re going for it and we’re going to make it a fantastic place for people to come and enjoy.”

Red, White & Booze’s menu will include old favorites and new items. Many of Sea Critters’ staff will continue working for the new owners, according to the news release.

The Colloms have renovated and expanded the restaurant’s dock space and added more outdoor seating with newer tables.

New Country Bar to Open in Former MacDinton’s Space

Welcome to the Farm, a country-themed bar, will open in MacDinton’s former space at 242 1st Ave. N. soon. The Irish pub closed in April.

No exact opening date has been announced for Welcome to the Farm and the bar shared on its Facebook page that it was “a bit behind on (its) plans to open” following Hurricane Ian.

The project is a partnership between country music artist Chase Rice and Forward Hospitality Group.

The first Welcome to the Farm location opened in Cleveland, Ohio in December 2021. St. Petersburg is the brand’s second bar.

“It was incredible to see the response to Welcome to The Farm up in Ohio,” Rice told Music Row. “I learned so much through that process and I’m excited to keep growing this project together with the great people at FHG. I’m a North Carolina guy through and through, but I was born in Florida and spent a lot of my childhood there. It’s one of my favorite places to visit and to find inspiration for my music–so it seemed only fitting to bring Welcome to The Farm there, too.”

Mazzaro’s Introduces Online Ordering

Earlier this month, Mazzaro’s Italian Market launched a new online ordering system.

Shoppers can place and pay for their sandwich order online and pick it up on the patio, which is located between 22nd and 23rd avenues on 29th street, about 30 minutes later, according to a Facebook post from the market.

To pick up your order, you must enter through the patio doors.

Orders can be placed here.

Downtown Gentlemen's Club Owners Opening Bar in Grand Central District

The owners of a downtown St. Petersburg gentlemen’s club are opening a new bar in the Grand Central District, taking over the space formerly occupied by Punky’s Bar & Grill, city and state records show.

Deltwaine and Jermaine Holmes, who own Omnia Blue Gentlemen’s Club at 3401 1st Ave. N. under the name The Holmes Group LLC, are behind the project.

Registered under the name The Holmes Project LLC, they’ll open the bar, 31 Grand, at 3063 Central Ave., according to the Florida Division of Corporation records.

New Rooftop Bar Opening Next Year

The rooftop bar at a downtown St. Petersburg hotel will open next year, according to St. Pete Rising.

Cane & Barrell will be part of the 172-room AC Hotel, which is part of the Ascent St. Pete apartment tower at 110 2nd Street N.

The 36-story hotel is a $117 million project from Greystar Real Estate Partners.

Cane & Barrel is a Cuban-inspired bar.

Taqueria Opens in South Pasadena

A new taqueria from Nitally’s Thai-Mex restaurant has opened in South Pasadena.

Taqueria Moss, which opened at 6800 Gulfport Blvd. S., Suite #111, is focusing on Mexican street and comfort food, according to I Love the Burg.

Its parent restaurant, Nitally’s focuses on a Thai-Mexican fusion menu.

Yard Milkshake Bar Celebrates Grand Opening

The Yard Milkshake Bar celebrated its grand opening Friday. The specialty milkshake and ice cream shop is located at 111 2nd Ave. NE, Suite 103.

The brand, which was featured on the TV show “Shark Tank,” has 23 locations across the U.S. Other Florida locations include Destin, Jacksonville, Panama City Beach and Tampa.

It’s known for its over-the-top milkshakes and edible cookie dough.