OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

The southside restaurant was known for its variety of flavorpacked dishes like jambalaya, fluffy beignets, crawfish fritters, gumbo and red beans and rice alongside many other Creole entrees. Just late last year, the southern restaurant expanded its dinner hours and added a wide spread of vegan dishes to its menu.

Elihu and Carolyn Brayboy opened Chief’s Creole Cafe in South St. Pete in the fall of 2013, in honor of Elihu’s late mother, Mary Brayboy. In addition to their pink building on 22nd St. S, the Brayboys own a variety of other parcels throughout St. Pete’s Deuces district. The Brayboys are of course known for their delicious southern dishes, but even more so for being active in St. Pete’s Black community over the decades.

Further detailed in St. Pete publication the Weekly Challenger, the Brayboys have worked towards restoring the historic Deuces neighborhood, which was once the “epicenter of the Black community during the days of segregation.”

According to a February article from St. Pete Catalyst, the Brayboys recently announced plans for a “uniquely affordable housing project” in the Deuces district.

After a decade, Safety Harbor’s beloved Pizzeria Gregario has closed

After years of teasing its closure, owner and one-man-show Greg Seymour decided to shutter his esteemed Safety Harbor pizzeria last month. Pizzeria Gregario—located at 400 2nd St. N—served its very last customers on Saturday, March 11.

Seymour opened Pizzeria Gregario in May 2013, and his dedication to high quality ingredients and from-scratch dough helped build a reputation for some of the best za’ in Tampa Bay. While the last iteration of his menu was a bit scaled down, favorites like the “Fungus Among Us”—loaded with toasty mushrooms and artisan cheese—still garnered busy weekends at the

Although Seymour closed his Safety Harbor storefront last month, he’ll strive to live the life of an “ethical snowbird,” like he told CL in 2022. “I really just want a space where I can practice my craft and continue learning,” Seymour explained. “I’m interested in learning how to farm and grow my own food—but I’m really just trying to find some sort of balance in my life.”

He plans to return to Tampa Bay before the winter, stating on Facebook that he’ll “be back to practice my craft in November—location to be determined.”

Only time will tell if he’ll continue popping up at Tampa’s Sweetwater Organic Farm with his portable pizza oven. The 52 year-old finally took a step away from the restaurant industry that’s taken over his life for the past 40 or so years—although we can expect him to return to Tampa Bay’s foodie scene one of these days. And when he does, you’ll probably hear about it on Pizzeria Gregario’s Facebook page.

Elmer’s Sports Cafe, one of Tampa’s last smoking bars, is selling its Ybor City location

A few months after its South Tampa sister location had its last day of service, Elmer’s Sports Cafe in Ybor City is once again for sale. Real estate listings indicate the current owner is looking to unload the 7th Avenue location as well, for a cool $3.5 million.

Elmer’s has been a staple in Ybor City for over 25 years and is one of the few spots where you can still get a strong pour and a basket of wings while never putting out your cigarette. People from all walks of life have enjoyed coming here to watch the game, shoot pool and bullshit with regulars and bartenders alike. The sale includes the attached package store business and just over 4,100-square-feet of property that is located at 2003 E 7th Ave. in between The Dirty Shame and Columbia.

While the future of Elmer’s Sports Cafe remains uncertain, here’s hoping the new owners will keep the infamous “Bad Tippers” bulletin board so cheap patrons can get their payback.

Jourdan Ducat

The Wine House is now open out of Gulfport’s former Backfin Blue Cafe

A new spot perfect for sipping wine and snacking on decadent charcuterie boards just opened its doors in downtown Gulfport. Open at 2913 Beach Blvd. S out of the former Backfin Blue Cafe, The Wine House celebrated its soft opening on Tuesday, April 4.

The cottage-turned-restaurant which was once adorned in blue paint and nautical-themed art, is now a sleek pink and white wine bar with a welcoming patio space. In addition to a slew of natural and organic wines, The Wine House also dishes out charcuterie. After its soft opening phase, it will offer customers build-your-own charcuterie boards with a variety of housesmoked meats and artisan cheeses, alongside a few barbecue dishes.

After 25 years of dishing out its highlyregarded crab cakes, Backfin Blue Cafe closed its Gulfport restaurant last summer. “At the end of the day, a well-deserved offer was made on the building and property that couldn’t have been refused,” Carly Russell—daughter of Backfin continued on page 42 owner Harold Russell—told CL last year.

The well-deserved offer was made by The Wine House’s owners Gaston Gonzalez and Chi Sharrak, who purchased its neighbor, the historic Peninsula Inn, for almost $3 million last summer.

St. Pete Rising says that Gonzales and Sharrak plan to create a strong connection between the new Peninsula Inn and their newly-opened wine bar via a shared pathway and “a communal patio with outdoor games.”

The Tampa Bay Times says that The Wine House also teamed up with Matt Acree, who owns and operates Gulfport Brewery + Eatery right down the road.

For the latest information on this new Gulfport hotspot, head to its Facebook or Instagram at @thewinehouse_gulfport.

The Wine House is now open in quaint Gulfport from noon-8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Calida, an intimate restaurant and wine bar, is now open in St. Pete Lovers of fine wine and globally-inspired cuisine now have a hub in St. Pete’s Crescent Heights neighborhood. Located at 2909 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, “chef-driven wine bar” Calida is now open for dinner Thursday-Saturday.

Although Calida is a ways away from the bustle of downtown St. Pete, its eclectic menu and curated wine selection certainly make it a destination for foodies across The ‘Burg. One of its more popular dishes is chow noodles, loaded with ginger, garlic, fresh vegetables, tamari, sesame and lime. Calida also offers a rotating charcuterie board, empanadas, baked polenta and decadent weekend specials—like its spiced ahi tuna with sesame ponzu, radish, and garlic chips.

St. Pete restaurants like Il Ritorno and Z Grille. Bennett named her concept Calida, since it’s the combination of the words “California” and “Florida.”

Executive Chef Ian Florence helms Calida’s seasonally-influenced kitchen, and patrons can expect a steady stream of weekend specials and new additions to his menu. To accompany its intimate menu, Bennett also offers exclusive wines that are hard to find elsewhere in Tampa Bay.