Plus, a $6 million dreamy waterfront property.
 
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Today’s Forecast

82º | Mostly cloudy | 8% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:19 a.m. | Sunset: 6:05 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 5:05 p.m. | Low: 10 a.m. + 8:33 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 12:55 p.m. + 11:38 p.m. | Low: 6:21 a.m. + 5:33 p.m.
 

🍷 Nothing to wine about here

Tampa Bay boasts one semifinalist in the 2024 James Beard Awards
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Have you tried a brew at Webb’s City Cellar? | Photo via @ienjoybeer
Roll out the red carpet, foodies (and watch the crumbs). On Wednesday, Jan. 24, the semifinalists were announced for the 2024 James Beard Awards — one of the culinary world’s most prestigious prizes — and one of TBAY’s own is shining bright.

The prestigious awards are based on excellence and other factors like commitment to the community. But it’s an honor just to be nominated — getting on the James Beard radar is a game changer for any bar, chef, or restaurant, no matter how long they’ve been around.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 3, when the finalists will be announced. A Saturday, June 10 ceremony in Chicago will reveal the winners. Here’s the local flavor:

🏆 TBAY’s 2024 semifinalist

Webb’s City Cellar | Nominated for Outstanding Bar | The Green Bench Brewing Co. tasting room — located just across the courtyard from the main Green Bench building — serves brews like “Mr. Mingo,” a Farmhouse Ale with Roselle Hibiscus, and the “Bramble Barrel” — a gin barrel-aged sour ale fermented with blackberry and lemon — as well as ciders + vino. Beyond serving inventive creations, the tasting room boasts cozy interior and balcony seating, with access to the fun, and hopping courtyard.

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Before you sit down for some vino, check out the wine cellar at Bern’s.

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Photo via @wine_down_naturally

🍽️ Past winner to visit

Bern’s Steak House, 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa | Opened in 1956, this South Tampa staple is a favorite for proposals, celebrations, and special life moments — and its drinks. Bern’s picked up wins under the Outstanding Wine Program category in 2016 and Outstanding Wine Service in 1992, and was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant in 2008, 2009, and 2014. And that’s not even mentioning its revered Harry Waugh Dessert Room.

🔮 Who’s going next?

Now we want to hear about your tastes. Are there restaurants or local chefs you think deserve some more love? Send us an email, and let us know about the unrecognized award-worthy meals TBAY has to offer.
 
Events
Friday, Jan. 26
  • Gasparilla Eve & Gasparilla | Friday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Jan. 28 | 5-11:59 p.m. | Grove Soho, 406 S. Howard Ave., Tampa | Free with registration | Jam out to live tunes, sip on free mimosas at the Champagne Pregame, and hang out in the Mich Ultra Party Zone.
  • Gaspy Pre-Party Open Play | Friday, Jan. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Tampa Pickleball Crew, 1701 E. Second Ave., Tampa | $25 | Get your pickleball on pre-Gasparilla with open play at the city’s first indoor p-ball club, enjoy live beats by DJ Kraze, shopping, and local eats.
  • Candlelight: A Tribute to Ed Sheeran | Friday, Jan. 26 | 9-11 p.m. | Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $51-$63 | Candles and the musical stylings of Ed Sheeran played by a string quartet make a “Perfect Duet.”
  • Rough Riders Pre-Gasparilla Invasion Party | Friday, Jan. 26 | 7-10:30 p.m. | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | $25 | Kick off the festive weekend with a party featuring music by DJ Kenny Kelly and Rubix Cubed.
Saturday, Jan. 27
  • Gasparilla Fest Parade of Pirates | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 2-5:30 p.m. | Bayshore Blvd., Tampa | Free | Don your best pirate threads to watch floats, marching bands, and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirates make their way down the 4.5-mile route + catch all the beads you can.
  • WWE Royal Rumble | Saturday, Jan. 27 | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | $85+ | Watch wrestlers faceoff under the dome for the honor of moving on to the Championship at WrestleMania 40.
Sunday, Jan. 28
  • Bowling for Soup w/ Lit | Sunday, Jan. 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $33 | Lean into nostalgia with hits like “High School Never Ends,” “1985,” and “Girl All The Bad Guys Want” from the Texas punk rock band.
Events calendar here
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Don’t be part of this 80%
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Never wait in line at a supermarket again with a Thrive Market membership. | Photo by Thrive Market
80% of Americans are anticipated to abandon their New Year’s resolutions by the end of this month due to life’s unavoidable disruptions.

Fortunately, Thrive Market simplifies the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, with:
  • Discounts: Shop food and products for up to 30% less than traditional grocers
  • Perks: Snag 30% off your order when you become a member
  • Gifts: Receive a complimentary gift, valued up to $60, upon joining
  • Free shipping: Spend $49+ and get groceries delivered for free
Join Thrive Market for 30% off
News Notes
Eat
  • Still on the hunt for Gaspy brunch plans? Downtown Tampa’s MeltSO (105 W. Tyler St.) is hosting a decadent fondue feast tomorrow — complete with pretzels, Rice Krispies treats, and other dipping options. Your $45 ticket includes brunch, a buffet, and mimosas aplenty. (That’s So Tampa)
Community
  • And after the party, we pick up the beads. Join Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful + Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk for a post-Gaspy cleanup Saturday, Feb. 3. Meet at USF Park to help pick up beads and trash along the Riverwalk, or bring your kayak to pull litter from the Hillsborough River. Register online. (That’s So Tampa)
Real Estate
  • A home by renowned architect Carl Abbott — of Sarasota School of Architecture fame — is for sale for $6 million. The nearly 4,000-sqft home looks out onto Shell Key Preserve from massive floor to ceiling windows. The modern escape also boasts three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a lap pool, dock, and rooftop hot tub. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Festival
  • Armature Works is hosting the Tampa Heights Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 24. The festival will feature Taiko Drum performances, dragon and lion dances, and eats from local spots like Ling’s Dumplings and Han Hand Roll Bar. (That’s So Tampa)
Announced
  • Do we have any HGTV fans? A new season of “Rock the Block” features Treasure Island homes. The season premieres Monday, March 4 + will capture teams as they make $250,000 worth of upgrades to waterfront homes. The winner scores a street named after them + a donation to No Kid Hungry. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Film
  • The Burg is coming to the Hallmark screen. “A Taste of Love” premieres Monday, Feb. 19 and features local spots like the Fenway Hotel, Wild Iris Café, and the Pinellas Trail. Stop by the live panel discussion with the stars on Friday, Feb. 2 at HOB Brewing Company in Dunedin. (I Love the Burg)
Community
  • TBAY, you are natural photographers — we’ve chosen the finalists for our TBAYtoday Picture of the Year contest, and now we need you to vote for your favorite. See the finalists + help us crown a winner.
Active
  • Got an exercise goal, but not sure which gym is worth it? Get a free month of ClassPass + sample multiple gyms and studios with just one membership.*
 
Government

This one’s for the Tampa parents

Tampa is infusing money into its “Stay and Play” program
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The Tampa artist has created work for the Washington Post, TIME Magazine, Disney+ and more. | Photo by City of Tampa, art by Nneka Jones
Tampa City Council delayed taking a vote on a proposal for a juvenile curfew at yesterday’s council meeting. But we do have some news for Cigar City parents.

The Tampa Police Department + Tampa Parks and Recreation just announced plans to expand the city’s “Stay and Play” program, according to a release. TPD is infusing up to $280,000 which will go toward youth efforts like the program.

Through “Stay and Play,” local teens aged 13-19 can take part in activities like music and instrument lessons, field trips, “Future Leaders” training, pool parties, sports leagues, and multi-media production and cooking classes.

Right now, the program runs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. during school holiday breaks and until 11 p.m. every day during the summer. The expanded schedule will run an additional two hours (through 12 a.m.) during the spring break and during the summer.
The Buy

The Buy 1.26.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A colorful box of bonbons, a heart-shaped peanut butter bar, or any other small business-made chocolate to indulge and treat yourself this weekend. Don’t forget to add a hot cocoa bomb to cart, too.
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The Wrap
 
Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond

Today’s edition by:
Bailey
From the editor
Anyone else still figuring out what to wear on Saturday? Consider picking up some new accessories or a pirate-worthy outfit from TBAY’s own Don Me Now.
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