Tequila Daisy, Trip’s Diner, King State, Uncle Funz: Restaurant News

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

Slice of Gulfport Opens

A new family-run pizzeria, Slice of Gulfport, held its soft opening Thursday afternoon.

For now, the eatery is only serving pizza and calzones, but a full menu — including salads, subs, wings and pizza bagels — will be available starting March 1, according to Creative Loafing.

Owner John McLachlan, raised nearby in St. Pete Beach of South Pasadena and now living in Gulfport, opened his new restaurant in the former Fazio’s location at 1414 58th Street S., according to his website.

Karma Juice Bar Expands Downtown

Karma Juice Bar & Eatery is expanding with a new downtown St. Petersburg locationopening March 1.

The healthy cafe is taking over the first floor of the Times building, which formerly housed The Blend, at 490 1st Ave. S., according to I Love the Burg.

It will be open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with details about its new Karma After Hours in that space coming soon, according to the company’s website.

Tequila Daisy Will Offer More Than 150 Tequilas, Mezcals

A new craft cocktail bar, Tequila Daisy, will open this summer on ONE St. Petersburg’s ground floor at 120 1st Ave. N., according to St. Pete Rising.

The bar will offer drinkers more than 150 tequilas and mezcals.

The new concept comes from those behind other popular downtown bars, including Pour Judgment, Whiskey Exchange and One Night Stand.

“When you drink tequila, you get this bright, fun buzz,” co-owner Monique Grespan. “We’re trying to bring that into the space and evoke that feeling at Tequila Daisy. The bar will be vibrant and colorful, with murals from some of your favorite local artists.”

Trip’s Diner Closes in Seminole

Trip’s Diner in Seminole recently shut its doors. The eatery was bought by Shannon Lee, a former employee and lifelong Seminole resident, and rebranded as Apple Butter Cafe, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

“To be a Seminole native, and to be right here in Seminole with my own restaurant, it’s a dream come true for me,” she told Tampa Bay Newspapers.

The cafe serves breakfast and lunch daily.

The Trip’s Diners locations in St. Petersburg and Tampa will remain open under its original owners.

King State Coming to Downtown St. Pete

Tampa Heights coffee shop and brewer is opening a downtown St. Pete location. It will be part of the Harlan Hotel’s new COHatch co-working space at 15 8th Street, Creative Loafing reported.

“What’s gooooood?!?? Somehow we kept this somewhat on the dl for a bit. But the time is now. We couldn’t be more stoked to announce our Saint Pete location on Central and 8th right downtown,” King State recently shared on Facebook. “Side by side with our homies (at COHatch) So many rad people working on this project and we’re so thankful to be (able to) bring the Bruce to the Burg.”

The space will offer a full kitchen, full liquor bar, full coffee bar and 16 taps, King State said.

In addition to its original location in Tampa, the company also operates the Brutalist brewery and Temple of Beer taproom at 1776 11th Ave. N. in St. Pete.

Z Grille Owner Opens St. Pete Restaurant

The former owner of Z Grille, Zack Gross, and his wife, Jennifer Gross, are bringing a new eatery to St. Pete Beach — Uncle Funz Provisions.

The new restaurant will open at 6640 Gulf Blvd., according to St. Pete Rising.

Uncle Funz will serve “people’s food, which is what I love to do,” and offer a rotating menu, Zack said.

Japanese Restaurant Opens in St. Pete Beach

A new Japanese restaurant, Yaki-mono Japenese Kitchen, has opened at 4599 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach.

The eatery, open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., serves entrees, including hibachi offerings and udon noodle plates, and sushi lunch boxes, according to I Love the Burg.