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Food

Tampa Bay's flavors are ever evolving

News from the Tampa Bay area's restaurant scene:

By CHRIS SHERMAN
Published July 5, 2006

* Newest flavor in downtown St. Petersburg is an intriguing spice mix: Primi Urban Cafe has an Italian theme and look but owners Arno and Irene Von Waltsleben brought an extra bag of spices from South Africa.

* Coffees are up to Italian standard and the bright decor is accented with stacks of canned tomato sauce and imported waters. Best surprise at Primi (27 Fourth St. N; (727) 895-4909) is a punch of creamy Malaysian curry in shrimp and pasta; big shrimp, big flavor. Italian panna cotta has a special kick: blueberries and Gorgonzola.

* New restaurants are more common in St. Petersburg's boom zone; new nightspots are more rare. And the Bishop Tavern (260 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 822-2027), opened last month, comes with polished wood, brass rail on the bar and a velvet rope on weekends for an edge of exclusivity. Menu is all liquid and includes a full bar evenings only.

* Mise en Place, Tampa's New American pioneer, closes briefly this month for an interior face lift and rejuvenation after 20 years on the gourmet trail. Proprietors Chef Marty Blitz and Maryanne Ferenc plan to close Friday and reopen July 14. Look for new accents and flavors in the menu, and more small plates, when it reopens (442 W Kennedy Blvd.; (813) 254-5373).

* Viva la Frida, the art bistro of Tampa's Seminole Heights, lives again. Buyers who planned to turn the shrine to artist Frida Kahlo into a sports bar backed out last month. So owners Angelica Diaz and John Ames have resurrected Frida (5901 N Florida Ave.; (813) 231-9199) with their signature mix of Mexican and vegetarian and a funky calendar of jazz, folk, dogs and politics.

* Rand Packer, former chef at Roy's in Tampa, has decided on Van Dyke Commons in Lutz as the site of his first Mariposa Grille, a small, casual spot with seafood, healthful attitudes and a Mexican accent. No opening date yet.

[Last modified July 5, 2006, 09:17:33]