Small bites

By Times Staff Writers
Published July 18, 2007

RESTAURANT NEWS

From Hawaii to Mexico

Rand Packer, founding chef of Roy's Tampa branch, has crossed the Pacific, leaving Hawaii behind to open Mariposa Mexican Grille. His updated fresh-Mex starts with ceviche and avocado soup, and includes wahoo, tiger shrimp and smoked pork in burritos and tacos. Menu finishes with fresh juice and Mexican ice pops (17623 N Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz; (813) 264-1212 or www.mariposamexican grille.com; second unit planned for Trinity Town Center in Pasco).

More Mexican

On the other side of the bay, Zapata's Authentic Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar opened last month at 111 Second Ave. NE, Suite 209, between Baywalk and the Pier in St. Petersburg. The menu features chile rellenos, fish tacos and chipotle jumbo shrimp, and a mariachi band and DJ get things swinging on weekends. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, until midnight Friday and Saturday. For more information, call (727) 209-2702.

Comfort foods

Bailey's Catering started five years ago, but now it's housed in a cute yellow house in Old Hyde Park Village in Tampa and has begun serving dinners from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The theme here is comfort foods from around the globe. Hyde Park seems smitten already with Bailey's hearty split pea or lush lobster bisque. Rumor has it Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has been spotted dining here. Bailey's is at 815 S Rome Ave., (813) 254-8018; reservations for six or more; no alcohol, but diners can bring wine without paying a corkage fee.

More openings

Other corners of Tampa ride to the rescue of South Tampa's West Shore Boulevard. CDB's, which fed USF, Temple Terrace and downtown Tampa with pizza and pasta, is now drawing crowds to a southside location, the former Il Gabbiano/Cafe Anna (3671 West Shore Blvd., (813) 805-2327) with steaks, veal and seafood as well as the original menu at its home base (5104 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, (813) 985-1336). A few blocks away, Black Beans Cuban Restaurant of Town 'N Country (8218 Hanley Road; (813) 884-2080) serves up another helping of its uptown Cuban lunch and dinner (3333 S West Shore Blvd.) in the space that was formerly Zaeem Palace.

Southern cooking

For a fix of catfish and cheese grits or fried chicken and waffles, head to St. Pete Beach's new Southern Gems Cafe at 9524 Blind Pass Road. Opened by Lavorn and Lekeshia Bush a month ago, the little restaurant benefits from what Lavorn describes as his "grandmother's grandmother's" recipes. The restaurant is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. For more information, call (727) 367-4380.

Will brake for BBQ

While your eyes are on the road your nose just might sniff out barbecue with a global accent. On N Dale Mabry Highway, put on the brakes at Linebaugh for Nathan's, a family barbecue wagon, where the family has a taste for Thai barbecue and even smoked duck, if you're lucky. Far to the south and heading to the air base, Tun-Du-Ree (5825 S MacDill Ave., Tampa) roasts marinated chicken and curry, $5 and up.

[Last modified July 16, 2007, 17:32:18]