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Everybody's Business

Claim a steak at Gallagher's

By SHARON GINN
Published September 15, 2006

Gallagher's Steak House, the venerable New York institution favored by theatergoers and sports fans for nearly 80 years, will open its first Florida franchise at Channelside early next year.

The deal, which has been in the works for more than a year, became final last week. Gallagher's will move into the space formerly occupied by the Signature Room Grille - another upscale steak house, which closed last year. Team Irish Inc., which also operates the Bennigan's in Channelside, will run it.

"My partners and I are all from New York, and we all grew up going to Gallagher's," said Mitch Walker, president of Team Irish. "It's something our history is in. There's a real strong brand awareness, and Gallagher's has a very, very strong sports presence. The Giants eat there all the time. We have that same connection here in Tampa with the Bucs, the Lightning and the Yankees in spring training."

Walker said he expects the restaurant to open in February, in time for spring training. It will be Gallagher's fifth franchise; the others are in Las Vegas, Denver, Atlantic City and at the Newark International Airport.

Walker said Gallagher's should benefit from the fact that Tampa's other upscale steakhouses are located elsewhere in the city. Gallagher's will target people from downtown and nearby hotels and condo owners moving into the surrounding area over the next several years. "We're excited about the long-term growth mode of Channelside," he said.

Gallagher's is known for its 21-day dry-aged steaks and extensive bar. The Channelside space will be redesigned and include a "wow" exterior inspired by the sidewalk scenes of New York, Walker said.

Phillip David, vice president of franchising for Gallagher's, said Tampa was a natural location because of its growth potential and because many locals are transplants from the Northeast. "That makes our brand identity very well-received and very visible," David said. "We're not going into an area cold."

JEANS SERVED HERE: Knowing that she was missing out on a lot of potential customers who weren't venturing to her Channelside store, West Coast Jeans Co. owner Jackie Horvath opened a second location last month in Palma Ceia.

The tiny storefront at 3205 W Bay to Bay Blvd. is known as a "denim bar," Horvath said, where pricey, premium denim is served upon request from shelves filled with stacks of trendy jeans.

"Our slogan is, 'belly up to the bar and let us cover your fanny,"' Horvath said. "They will get your sizes for you, just like a bartender will get your drink. With premium denim, we know what we're doing."

West Coast Jeans Co., which opened a year ago in Channelside, specializes in hard-to-find couture denim lines starting at $150. Top sellers include jeans from 1921, William Rast a line by singer Justin Timberlake, People's Liberation, True Religion and Seven. The boutique also offers tops and belts to go with the jeans, from lines such as Fresh Karma, Butterfly Dropout and Virgins, Saints & Angels.

The South Tampa store offers women's items only, while the Channelside location has jeans for women and men. Horvath's South Tampa shop is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

SUSHI SPECIALISTS: Eric Mawby, who helped launch the now-defunct Ybor City restaurant Sushi on Seventh, has returned to Tampa with a new location on Gandy Boulevard.

Sakana opened quietly in August at 2908 W Gandy Blvd., formerly the home of Ahi Grille. The food is Asian-fusion, with a focus on sushi, fresh seafood and steaks, Mawby said. His most recent venture has been three Orlando restaurants called Seito, but he wanted to return to Tampa and focus on running one location. "I like being a chef - I don't like being an operating officer," he said.

Mawby and partner Corky Herritt have put together a menu of Asian-style dishes prepared with French techniques. For now Sakana is open for dinner only, but Mawby plans to add a lunch menu and patio seating in the coming months. The lunch menu is not set, but Mawby anticipates serving tempura, teriyaki and seafood dishes, as well as flatbreads and a roasted pork sandwich.

Sakana is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and from 5 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3394 or e-mail sharonlginn@yahoo.com.

[Last modified September 14, 2006, 10:19:12]