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Editor’s Pick
A shot of the Seahorse before Hurricane Helene flooded its spot.
Photo by TBAYtoday
Our slice of the Gulf Coast lost quite a lot as a community during — and after — 2024’s hurricanes. I still have a hard time driving down Gulf Boulevard and not cataloging every pummeled motel, torn down beach bungalow, or missing streak of coast.
So, we need to celebrate all of the local joints that have fought hard to come back. Like the Seahorse Restaurant, which just reopened in Pass-A-Grille after 16 months of repairs.
The tiny, Channel-front breakfast gem is historic — and not just to the LeFever family. Opened in 1938, the wood-paneled restaurant is the perfect (and ultra-local) spot to grab pancakes and breakfast classics before a quintessential February beach day.
Asked
Asked
What’s the oldest restaurant in Tampa Bay?
A. The Seahorse Restaurant B. Bern’s Steak House C. The Columbia Restaurant D. El Cap
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Good news for St. Pete residents who reported unusually and confusingly high water bills last year. The city is implementing a new advanced metering system that would automate readings and better track water usage. We’ll keep you posted on the project’s timeline. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Biz
Naked Farmer just officially left the nest — i.e. opened their first location outside of Florida. The Tampa-based fast casual restaurant is now serving its customizable, seasonal-inspired fare in the Queen City (hey CLTtoday). Alright, now reopen the downtown St. Pete location, please. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Trending
If you’re anything like Bailey, you scoured Bad Bunny’s halftime show for Florida ties. And yes, there was one. The Sarasota Orchestra’s Giancarlo Guerrero directed a group of violinists while Bad Bunny rapped “Monaco.” The six-time Grammy Award-winning conductor did have to sign an NDA before the show. (WUSF News)
Eat
Calling all Outside BBQ devotees. Tampa’s smoked meat staple recently debuted a new location right off Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach. What’s on the menu?Expect all the classics like brisket, ribs, and sides, plus a few non-barbecue sauce-drenched surprises like fried oysters. (I Love the Burg)
Outdoors
Tampa’s tree canopy is shrinking. Live Oaks, maples, and other trees shaded 31.4% of Tampa just before 2024’s back-to-back hurricanes, but by 2025, it dropped to 29.9%. See how that’s impacting electric bills. (Tampa Bay Times)
Sports
Sadly — but unsurprisingly, due to our gorgeous year-round weather — none of the Winter Olympians hail from Tampa Bay. In fact, Florida only boasts 1.1 Winter Olympians per 1 million residents. Let’s amp up that number by getting the young ones started with figure skating, ice hockey, or curling at these nearby facilities. (Washington Post)
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Finance
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Real Estate
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Wellness
Stop guessing what your routine is doing to your body and know.Hume Body Pod shows you fat and muscle tracking in under 90 seconds, so your effort has direction — not just discipline. Shop while the site’s 35% off sale lasts, and get an extra 20% off with code GOAL20.*
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Speaking of openings
Sip on a brew or two in the sun-soaked Mad Dogs & Englishmen dining room. | Photo by Collins PR Group
Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Tampa Bay’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Tampa + St. Pete — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
Coming soon
The Moon Under Water | British | Opening date: Spring 2026 Talk about a comeback kid. The longtime Sunshine City British pub is reopening just five years after its 2021 closure — but now in Gulfport. The pub’s old menu was packed with British staples like sausage rolls and cod fingers, plus award-winning Indian dishes.
Forbici Modern Italian | Modern Italian | Opening date: April 2026
Hyde Park’s beloved Italian joint is opening up another location in TBAY. Owners announced a second location will replace Sea Salt in the revamped Sundial complex in downtown St. Pete. What’s on the menu? We hope the calabrian chicken wings and all of our other faves.
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