The knead to know 🍕

Where to get the best pizza in Tampa Bay 🍕

We’ll never say no to Gianni’s NY Pizza. | Photo by TBAYtoday

Ooh za, za. Pizza is the subject of frequent debate (Just check out our comment section for proof). Opinions swirl about how to munch it + what to call it, but we’re here to say it doesn’t matter.

If you think bread, tomato sauce, and mozz cheese are a supreme combo — you’re in for a treat. It’s National Pizza Week, and in honor of the holiday, here’s our guide to where to grab a slice or a whole perfect pie around Tampa Bay.

Gianni’s New York Pizza, 936 58th St. N., St. Petersburg

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Gianni’s keeps it old school, so you can’t go wrong with the classic taste of their plain slice or their grandma’s pizza. But did you know that the spot is also known for its sub shop? We love the signature Italian Philly Steak sub.

Santoro’s, 1329 W. Cass St., Tampa

Leaning away from New York, this neon green-painted brick pizzeria hails from the Garden State, New Jersey. Pizza, salads, subs — you name it, Santoro’s has it, but if you tend to want something sweet after your slice, try their Nutella Pizza or their Lemon Italian Ices. Every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., one plain slice, one specialty slice, and a fountain drink will run you $6.50.

Lee’s Grocery, 2210 N. Central Ave., Tampa

Looking to get groovy in a 32-year-old pizzeria-turned-grocery store? Lee’s Grocery is a cornerstone of Tampa Height’s community, and it offers an eclectic range of specialty pies. While trying their “Deadman’s Party” to the “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” take a dive into their always-cold craft beer selection. Fun fact: the original location was built in 1884 before they moved to the new one.

6 MORE PIZZA PARTIES

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Today, Jan. 12

St. Pete Beach Drive Dine & Wine Tour | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Vinoy Hotel, 501 5th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | $75 | Tour the Birchwood Inn, The Canopy, Bella Brava, and Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro for food and adult beverages.
Natural History Speaker Series | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 7-8 p.m. | Hammock Hall Banquet Room, 3010 31st St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Discover humans’ complex relationship with mushrooms and fungi.
Corsage (2022) | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $10-$12 | Austrian filmmaker Marie Kreutzer tells the story of a woman in rebellion.
Thursday = Dollar Beers | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 8 p.m.-3 a.m. | MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S Howard Ave, Tampa | Free | All you need is a dollar to get a cold brew.

Friday, Jan. 13

Friday Art Market | Friday, Jan. 13 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Creative Clay, 1846 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg | Free | Eat British food and enjoy musical performances while shopping from local art students.
Winter Jam 2023 | Friday, Jan. 13 | 4:30 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Free | Jam out to performances by Anne Wilson, Andi Mineo, and We the Kingdom.

Saturday, Jan. 14

Sensory Saturdays | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Tampa | Free | The museum turns down loud music for families with children with sensory sensitivities.
St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 9-2 p.m. | Al Lang Stadium, 230 First St. SE, St. Petersburg | Free | A weekly outdoor market with local farmers who offer organic and sustainably raised fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats, as well as a wide variety of artisan food vendors, and more.

Sunday, Jan. 15

HOWL | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 3-9 p.m. | Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $12 | This event is a film fundraiser for Friends of Jack Kerouac and a celebration of the late novelist.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

68º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF reaches its closest point to the sun today, Jan. 12. For your best odds of catching this once-in-600-lifetimes spectacle, watch northwestern dark skies during the Saturday, Jan. 21 new moon or on the night of Wednesday, Feb. 1, when it’s closest to Earth. (Space.com)
The National Weather Service predicts a frigid weekend. Saturday night is expected to be Tampa Bay’s coldest of the year thus far. The chilly weather is due to southward sweeping dry cold fronts. Officials predict Tampa Bay to get as low as 37º. ❄️ (Tampa Bay Times)

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:23 a.m.
Set: 5:54 p.m.

Tides
Old Tampa Bay

High: 5:37 a.m. + 7:05 p.m.
Low: 12:54 a.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 1:43 p.m. + 3:15 p.m.
Low: 8:42 a.m. + 8:46 p.m.

State

Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed $3.5 billion in protection funds for the Sunshine State’s most valuable natural resources — its waterways. This deal could positively impact Pinellas’ red tide problem + help protect our sea cows. Lawmakers must sign off on the plan before the money can be dispersed.

Development

West St. Pete’s former Raytheon Technologies site (1501 72 St. N.) will become a new $200 million-unit residential complex with 1,000+ units. 300 would be dedicated to affordable workforce housing. Initially, developers imagined the plot would be home to a sports center concept with a lagoon. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Plan Ahead

The Year of the Rabbit is upon us. The Multicultural Chinese New Year celebration is heading to Tampa Heights’ Water Works park next Sun., Jan 22. This Chinese New Year marks the end of the Year of the Tiger. The celebration will feature the traditional Lion dance street performance. 🐇 (Creative Loafing Tampa)
It’s almost time to get down + dirty at Raymond James Stadium (4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa). On Sat., Feb. 11th. The Monster Energy Supercross Championship transforms the BucS’home field into a giant mud pit complete with ramps, bumps, and groves for motocrossers to race around on. 🏍 (Tampa Bay Sports Commission)

Outdoors

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill) has always been Florida’s one-stop shop for mermaids, riverboat cruises, and pristine waters. At 10 a.m. today, the park will mark its 75th birthday by unveiling 28 new mermaid statues honoring its underwater performers. 🧜‍♀️ (WUSF News)

Wellness

Oh hey, January. The key to keeping your spirits up and avoiding seasonal affective disorder this time of year? Sunlight. Magic up more sunshine indoors with a light therapy lamp. This glare-free mood light is height and angle adjustable, while this subtly designed lamp lets you adjust light warmth and brightness. ☀️*

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Blend the rules at these new art shows 🎨

New art exhibits around Tampa Bay

Yolanda Sánchez’s OUT OF EDEN takes you on a creative meditation of natural beauty. | Photo via Creative Pinellas

Six new exhibitions are opening up around Tampa Bay this month. Let’s take a look.

🧵 Yolanda Sánchez’s “OUT OF EDEN”

📍 Creative Pinellas Gallery | ⏳ Jan. 19 through April 16
Sánchez’s creates her textiles using the Korean Bojagi — a traditional wrapping technique — but her vibrant colors are anything but.

🤖 McArthur Freeman II + Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman’s “IMAGINE BLACKNESS”

📍 Creative Pinellas Gallery | ⏳ Jan. 19 through April 16
Experience everything from a botanical paradise to the cosmos in this AI-generated exhibit.

🏉 Carrollwood Cultural Center’s “Champa Bay”

📍 Carrollwood Cultural Center | ⏳ Jan. 12-28
This art exhibit focuses on The Buccaneers, Lightning, Rays, Rowdies, little league, and club sports.

📸 Curtis Anderson, Jr. + Stefan Jennings Batista’s “Wonder in the Wild”

📍 Morean Arts Center | ⏳ Jan. 14
This collection of photos documents one man’s conversion to a new religion and the spirituality found in nature.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brad.

Editor’s pick: We’re gathering the unwritten rules of Tampa Bay for a future story. Pretend we’re an out-of-towner — what are the dos and don’ts of TBAY? Let us know here + we may put them in the newsletter. 📝

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We were on building watch. We wrote up eight new Tampa Bay developments to watch out for in 2023, here. 👷

Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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