Central is gaining two new restaurants

A partnership including owners of Crabby Bill's and Fortunato's plans Asian and seafood restaurants between Third and Second streets.

By SHARON BOND

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 18, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- The first project of the partnership of Crabby Bill's Seafood Restaurants and Fortunato's Italian Market is a bit unusual: the Asian Grille under construction at 277 Central Ave.

The second project, also under construction, might be more expected from the pairing: an as-yet-unnamed seafood restaurant in the same block, which also is home to Fortunato's, owned by Vince Fortunato.

"We've known each other from eating in each other's restaurants for years," said John Loder, speaking of Fortunato. Loder is one of four partners in the new projects and a member of the family that owns Crabby Bill's four restaurants.

He and his brother, Matt Loder, Fortunato and Mike Dodaro are rehabilitating three storefronts into two restaurants. The Asian Grille took the Chicago Deli spot at the corner of Central and Third Street N.

Why an Asian restaurant?

John Loder said he spent five days as a tourist, asking the lunch crowds that pour out of Central Avenue businesses where he could go for Oriental food. Few were able to name a place within walking distance, he said. Others couldn't name any at all. That proved the need for one, he said.

Remodeling for the Asian Grille will cost $400,000. It includes a complete makeover inside as well as replacing the windows on the Third Street side with folding doors that can be opened so the line of outside tables feel part of the restaurant.

The Asian Grille will feature Japanese, Chinese and Thai food and can seat 75 diners inside and 50 outside. It will open in 60 days.

The seafood restaurant is being built in two storefronts between Fortunato's and the popular Redwoods restaurant for about $300,000. It will feature fresh seafood and perhaps an oyster bar and seat 80. It should open in two to three months.

"It will have a real nice climate to it," said Fortunato. His Italian market at 259 Central has been open for a year. He and Dodaro have Fortunato's and Mike's Pizzas, which have outlets at Tropicana Field.

The success of the Fortunato's on Central and the fall opening of the 20-screen theater at nearby BayWalk convinced Fortunato that more restaurants would do as well. So he leased the three storefronts.

The Loders were thinking along the same lines. When they found out Fortunato had the leases, they approached him about the partnership.

Already the restaurant scene downtown is a draw, Fortunato said. "I used to go to Tampa. Now I come down here."

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