There have been far too many restaurant openings to keep track of lately in Tampa Bay. But we’re doing our best to keep you tastefully informed.
Cheeky’s Fish & Raw Bar, the latest offering from Willa’s co-founder Nate Siegel, opened on Central Avenue a little under two months ago. The neighborhood joint’s vibe draws inspiration from “New England oyster bars and Southern fish shacks” with Americana hues, nautical tchotchkes, and a horseshoe bar.
City Editor Bailey stopped by to try some of the most-enticing options while an afternoon thunderstorm rolled in — cocooning in the white-shuttered restaurant with the orchestra of a Florida summer.
Oyster burger
I was admittedly a little nervous (get a grip) to try this one. But the burger was interesting — in a good way, not an “I wish I ordered something else” way.
First off, it’s not just oysters encased with a bun. The cheddar smashburger is topped with fried oysters and pickled onions on a sesame bun. So you get the best of both worlds: Some salty, briny flair + thin, crispy burger.
Frozen espresso martini
Cheeky’s prides itself on fresh cocktails and on running out of their standout tapped cocktails — because they’re so popular. I was most amped to try their variation on an espresso martini.
The blend of vodka, St. George Coffee Liqueur, local Look Alive Espresso, and condensed milk is spun to perfection in an old school frozen drink machine (swoon). I was amply impressed by the freshness and mudslide-esque feel.
Grouper cheeks
This was a last-minute add, but ended up being a complete sleeper hit. For those who are also wondering: Grouper Cheeks are tender fillets of meat found on the underside of the fish’s head. Because they’re a delicacy, they’re hard to find on menus.
The grouper was some of the freshest this Florida native has ever tried, and the light, crispy breading paired so well with the Bang Bang sauce and citrus cabbage slaw. 10/10.
Oysters
Cheeky’s is a raw bar, so obviously we had to try the main event. My group of transplanted Marylanders was dubious, but these lived up to the hype.
We were obsessed with the Indian River Oyster Company oysters. Their texture was so clean and they went down easy + without that bite you sometimes get. As an aspiring grill master, I must say I’m eager to try the char-grilled Gulf oysters next time.
