Daily Loaf

Tucked into a strip mall near USF’s main campus, along with a sports bar and tanning salon, you’ll find Peter Taylor’s passion project: Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar. From the rich orange and gold colors of the floor to the wood burning oven visible from every seat in the house, the entire place was assembled by Taylor’s own hands.

Sinatra music plays in the background and there is not a flatscreen TV to be found. Leather seats convince you to stay a while to enjoy your meal and conversation. Pizzas named Sophia and Raquel are an homage to silver screen icons.

Taylor mans the oven and, if you ask, he’ll tell you how the 16th century cannonball at the front of the store represents the birth of pizza, when Italians first thought to put the once-considered-poisonous tomato on yeast bread. He will convey the story of true Neapolitan pizza and how it became bastardized after arriving in America. That said, he does not claim to make true Neapolitan pies. Read the rest of this entry »

In episode 3, Brian and Taylor give a sneak peek of the new Datz Deli, talk about Brian’s review of Tampa’s Bin 27 Bistro, rant about wine bars, and rundown the top five food stories of the week: Domenica Macchia, Burger King Body Spray, Hook Atsavinh, Hamburger Cake, and “Dear Richard Branson“.

Download.

You’ve stumbled past this tucked away SoHo location hundreds of time, but if kids aren’t part of your world, you probably never noticed it: Practically Pikasso has changed ownership. The founders of this quaint location quietly called it quits mid-October and Kelly Grillone, a Tampa newcomer from the Destin area, stepped in and renamed it Pikasso’s Kiln and Kork.

Although she has no experience in the bar and restaurant business, Grillone wants to make it a wine café in addition to the pottery design studio. She’ll offer 10 wines by the glass ($6-$10) and by the bottle ($28-$34) with labels like Cosentino Cigar Zin and Artesa Pinot Noir, numerous craft beers like Flying Dog Old Scratch and, in a partnership with her neighbor Circles Restaurant, a selection of food. In the works are a deck addition, cigars and a pizza oven.

Pikasso’s Kiln and Kork
2502 West Azeele St., Tampa
813-877-8238

The downtown St. Petersburg location of the Tastings franchised wine bar chain closed this past weekend after long problems maintaining its franchise agreement with corporate HQ. According to Tastings — which is based in the Bay area — co-owner and corporate director Mike Newfield, “we pulled the franchise last week and they decided against going on their own.”

The St. Pete location was the company’s original store, which was then sold to a franchisee a few years ago. It featured Tastings’ upscale wine dispensing machines that allow customers to peruse the selection of 80-100 wines, insert a card and pick a size of pour without staff help.

“It was a nice store, with wonderful staff,” explained Newfield, “but they were in long-term violations of the franchise agreement. That was like cutting off our arm — we live here and go there. To close it is a very sad day for us”

Last week, Tastings also pulled the franchise for the Sarasota location (which I reviewed a few months ago). “After any number of warnings to get the store up to our standards, they didn’t comply,” said Newfield. “It’s very difficult to pull these out of our system, but we had to. We keep tight standards.” That location will be staying open under the name Sarasota Vineyard.

That leaves Tastings with five open locations in multiple states, and another three in the pipeline. According to Newfield, the chain has had a lot of interest in opening another local outlet, but none have yet made it past the concept stage.

Charlie’s Wine Cellar, a seven-year-old wine and and nosh spot in SoHo, is closing its doors this weekend. In an email blast owner Glynn Giacone sited the demise of neighboring Whaley’s Market as one of the factors. This Friday marks the last of their many weekly wine and beer tastings.

You can help out Charlie’s — and help yourself — this week by taking advantage of their liquidation sale. Case discounts are massive: 1 case gets you 30% off, 2 gets you 35%, and three will get you the wine at 50% off. There are also discounts on individual bottle purchases and beer is a mere $4 a six-pack. If you want to toast the staff, all beer and wine by the glass is $1 with a food purchase.

Charlie’s will also hold a silent auction all week for a few kick-ass bottles from the cellar, including a bottle of 1975 Mouton, an Imperial of 1970 Markham cab, and a 1982 Cos d’Estournel. You’ll have to be present at Charlie’s blow-out goodbye tasting this Friday night to win, but that’s not much of a hardship.

On Saturday — the final day — Glynn and crew will be selling everything that’s not nailed down. Everything must go, including one of the best spots in South Tampa for a glass of wine with friends.