A modern and sophisticated remodeling job will greet patrons when the restaurant reopens June 4.
By JONATHAN MILTON
Published May 21, 2004
After eight years on South Tampa's restaurant row, Mangroves Seafood Grille and Bar celebrates its anniversary with an extreme makeover.
Owners Sam Shah and Larry and Debbie Hudson plan to spend more than $150,000 to give the restaurant at 208 S Howard Ave. a more modern and sophisticated look. Mangroves will close for renovations on Sunday and is scheduled to reopen June 4.
"Our food is real eclectic and creative," Debbie Hudson said. "I don't think the dining room is nice enough for the food we serve."
They decided to remodel as a way to handle growing competition. Since their opening, several new bars and restaurants have sprouted on Howard, including Whiskey Park Soho, MacDinton's and Mac's Sport Pub. Mangroves customers can expect softer colors - light mustard, gold and silver - and artwork by local artists.
Mangroves hired designers and artists to create a big-city bar and restaurant theme. Fixtures imported from Europe will light up the interior, and wood floors will replace the blue carpeting upstairs. Gone will be the blue walls with metal art deco sculptures and multicolored fixtures.
"We're just trying to tie everything in," Hudson said. "If you look at it right now, it looks like a lot of things are going on."
The only part staying is the 60-foot handmade, mosaic glass bar top.
"Everything else is going except the bar top, because we've had too many people tell us how much they love it," Shah said.
The menu, which features a selection of seafood plates, will be slimmed down and include more appetizers. The deck area, the only place where people can smoke, will be redone in new colors to blend with the new theme.
"When you walk in here, your going to know there's only one of us," Hudson said.
