Earlier this week, I received my favorite kind of summons: A call to action to go out for oysters. I answered ... le duh ... but it inspired me to share some of the (my) undisputed best places to get them in TBAY with you:
Trophy Fish’s Grand Central oysters are king in my book with the chorizo, parmesan breadcrumbs, and roasted kale chimichurri sauce.
Cheeky’s is the new kid in town, but it’s in my personal big leagues with its ultra-fresh Indian River Oyster Company oysters (they slip down your gullet easily).
If you’re going for atmosphere Ulele is the pick with its dreamy patio overlooking the creek — order the Gulf Coast oysters plain or barbacoa-grilled with garlic butter, grated parmesan, and cheese.
Asked
Asked
How much is a dozen Grand Central oysters at Trophy Fish?
Local Stories Live Presents: Bites and Business | 9 a.m. | Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, Tampa | Free | Stick a fork into the business acumen of local entrepreneurs Michele Northrup of Saucy Queen, Tonya Brewer of Sweet T’s Bakery, and Liliana Perez of Hormolance.
The Art of Architecture | 6-8 p.m. | The Portico, Tampa | Free | Join fellow design lovers to peek at local Cuban American artist AGalban’s new exhibit, “Sacred Pilgrimage: Gaudi and Galban” + for a panel on how architecture transforms communities.
Chef Andrew Yeo Takeover | 6-10:30 p.m. | The Tampa EDITION | Price of purchase | Head to the bougie hotel’s Arts Club for a night of Michelin-polished style and bold Asian tapas.
“You Can’t Take it With You” | 8-10 p.m. | Carrollwood Players, Tampa | $29 | Forget your own family issues and be enveloped in someone else’s drama as an NYC girl from an eccentric family falls for her boss, a scion of Wall Street.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Mat Pilates with JETSET Pilates | 9-10 a.m. | Armature Works | Free | Beef up your core strength, spine mobility, flexibility, and mind-body connection with this workout designed by Mr. Joseph Hubertus Pilates in the 1920s.
IKEA Tampa Teacher Appreciation Event | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | IKEA Tampa | Free with membership | Teachers who love IKEA will love this chance to let IKEA love on them with free snacks, a raffle for classroom goodies, a photobooth, and “Skillshops.”
Reggaeton Day Party Downtown | 4-9 p.m. | Echo Downtown, Tampa | $24 | Jam, dance, and vibe to throwback vs. new school reggaeton. Make sure you bring the party.
St. Pete Summer Flea | 12-4 p.m. | Coliseum, St. Petersburg | Free entry | Stomp across the old oak ballroom floor to shop for vintage T-shirts and Pyrex, pick up local baked goods, and check out so many goods by TBAY makers.
Kesha and Scissor Sisters | 7 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre | $41 | “Tik Tok” it’s time to get tickets to the pop princess’ comeback show at the outdoor venue.
🏴☠️ Celebrate history + hometown pride this 813 Day
Presented by Tampa Bay History Center
Psst: Memberships also earn you free or discounted entry to 12+ local museums + attractions. | Photos provided by the Tampa Bay History Center
TBAY’s favorite day is nearly here.
813 Day returns on Wednesday, Aug. 13, and the Tampa Bay History Center is filling up with fun for first-time guests with special membership and in-store perks.
Put your cost of admission toward any level of membership for year-round exploration
There’s only a few days left to register to vote in the special election for Tampa’s District 5 City Council seat. Register by Monday, Aug. 11 — or forever hold your peace.Read up on the 13-member race for the late Gwen Henderson’s seat. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Community
Pinellas County still needs 120 beachfront property owners to sign temporary agreements to pile sand on their land. The county is urging residents to sign the agreements in order to protect their homes from future flooding. Weeks Marine Inc. is set to start work later this month. (Tampa Bay Times)
Announced
Yesterday, we filled you in on the Jackson House’s recent siding collapse. So how does that impact the restoration plans? The historic rooming house’s east wall needs to be fixed before the project can start. Engineering firms estimate the new repairs will cost $10,000 to $500,000. (WUSF News)
Try This
8/13 approaches — both Monday, Aug. 13 and the area code celebration. Hyde Park is planning a day-long party with a free Barry’s + [solidcore] workout, $8.13 deals at a slew of eateries, and a sunset walk with the Bayshore Breakfast Club. Check out the lineup.
Ranked
No. 5. That’s where St. Petersburg restaurant Allelo ranked on USA Today’s 10Best list of wine bars. What makes it so special? The wine director says the Beach Drive spot sources from small businesses. We’re pretty sure the bar’s flamingo mural factored in too. (WTSP)
Eat
Speaking of vibey Beach Drive eateries, Juno & The Peacock is celebrating its first birthday next week. From Monday, Aug. 11 to Saturday, Aug. 17 they’re serving a multi-course anniversary meal. Juno’s Greatest Hits includes the pork belly, the crab-crusted grouper, and the key lime tart for $85 per person.
Community
Love where you live? Prove it. It’s time to submit your neck of the woods in the 2025 Hillsborough County Neighborhood Awards. They’re looking for July 2024-June 2025 neighborhood projects + events that took place in unincorporated Hillsborough County. Think: Efforts that made your community healthier, safer, and more engaged.
Sports
Can Bucs baby (i.e. rookie) Benjamin Morrison score Jamel Dean’s starting job? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Finance
Have a variable monthly income? This freelancing couple found a creative way to pay down debt (and make the home improvements they’d been dreaming about). See how.*
Home
Need a roof you can rely on? Use HomeBuddy to compare prices, read reviews, and get matched with local roofing pros. Get started for free.*
Category
The Buy
Your new favorite pair of yoga pants:
🛍️ Under $150: For a show-stopping pair, Alo’s best-selling stirrup leggings feature a high-waist, sheer paneling, and a foot-hugging hem.
🛍️ Under $100: Snag lululemon’s classic Align yoga pants in trending colors like mystic pink and autumn rush.
🛍️Under $40: These butterluxe, high-waisted leggings on Amazon are rated 4.8 stars.
🛍️ Under $30: Move comfortably and securely in this Superflex high waist pair sold on Nordstrom Rack.
🛍️ Under $20: Want to try a wide-leg style? This best-selling pair is marked down for under $20.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I will say, my favorite oysters to eat are my own. My only flex haha.
Last year, I learned how to grill + shuck ‘em. But the best part is heaping Wishbone Kitchen’s super simple herb butter on top. Save the extra butter (if there’s any) to spread on some ciabatta or an Italian sandwich.