Daily Loaf

Okesene Tilo, co-founder and co-owner of Square One Creative, Tampa, celebrated his 30th birthday in a whirl of art and costume last Saturday at Square One’s latest major event, Magnum Opus. The theme of the event was creation and self-preservation, linking the disparity of support in the arts community with that of the environment, with a call-to-arms in the names of both. Guests were encouraged to wear green and white in keeping with the theme. Square One operates out of The RITZ Ybor.

More than 80 local artists were featured at the event, along with live performances by local musician Jeremy Gloff, Kinetic Dance Group featuring Square One’s own Jason Moriarty, and HEMISPHERE Dance, among others.

Okesene (”Okie”) Tilo estimates that, “About 2,000 people were in attendance on Saturday.” This is corroborated by yours truly, who had a difficult time finding the bathroom for all the people standing in the way on more than one occasion.

Check out my photo review after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves made their Tampa debut at Crowbar this past Friday, November 6, with support from Mike Hale and How Dare You.

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Below are a few video clips from two of the fetish performances at Taboo 3, at The Castle in Ybor City. The first features local Tampa model Evelyn Rose acting out a medical fetish scene with an unruly patient. The second is a snippet of Idelsy in her revealing outfit.

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A veritable dance party erupted at Crowbar this past Tuesday evening during and between splendid sets by Vivian Girls (NYC), and Tampa’s Sleepy Vikings and Hippodrome.

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If you had popped your head in to the Crowbar this past Tuesday night, you would have never known that  the headlining band Neon Indian, was — as the inebriated and prancing band manager stated — “on top of the music world.” Alan Palermo’s latest project had just officially released their debut, Psychic Chasms, and scored a lofty 8.6 and “Best New Music” from the wordy, indie rock staple Pitchfork. I asked Palermo if he smiled or rolled his eyes at the recent good press. He laughed and humbly replied that he thought it was “great news.” Despite his soft spoken, unpretentious manner, Palermo is definitely the electro-rock star the indie press lauds him as. His first project, the short-lived Ghosthustler, stirred buzz with its “Parking Lot Nights” video. Vega, another ongoing Palermo project, has garnered similar praise. No more than 100 or so patrons were in attendance along with another dozen who raged the dance floor during the short, but tight set. Seeing Neon Indian made me nostalgic for a time I wasn’t even around for — it’s like if Billy Ocean took some good drugs and covered Hall and Oates songs for an hour. One thing missing was any visuals. This would have been a problem, but opener SUNBEARS! (pictured) brought enough lights, videos and confetti to cover everyone. Read the rest of this entry »

Rocktober started off with a bit of twang with tunes by Greenland is Melting, Rebekah Pulley and Jon Gaunt at New World Brewery this past Thursday, October 1.

Greenland is Melting with Jon Gaunt

Greenland is Melting

Greenland is Melting plays simply splendid soulful roots rock, music meant for listening to while you’re kicking back on the front porch or sitting around the kitchen table. Greenland is Melting channels old timey bluegrass with lines like “My grass is blue,” but with a chorus of “I know, I know, if there’s blood on the banjo tonight, then I really must have done something right,” you know they also bring a bit of ruckus. Read the rest of this entry »

Ybor brewery Cigar City has rocked the beer world since its first release last year, with ratings on beer review sites that put some of its brews at the top of the heap, along with widespread critical acclaim. Now the local brewery can add another bauble to its trophy case.

In the annual Great American Beer Festival National Beer Competition, Cigar City’s Cedar-aged Humidor Series India Pale Ale took a gold medal for the Wood Aged Beer category. Here’s a quote from judge and UK beer writer Melissa Cole that sums up why: Read the rest of this entry »

“I feel like I’m in a horror movie,” photographer, Shannon Adams said at the VIP Dungeon Party Saturday.

Fetishists with black electrical tape X-ing out nipples, PVC suits struggling to restrain curvaceous bodies, and leashes chaining submissives to their masters’ belts, roamed The Castle’s Dungeon Room. On the padded tables, beds, and couches coated in vinyl that could be easily wiped down, exhibitionists were bound, flogged, and paddled to the electro-industrial beats of DJ Rob Givens and Purple CAT. What made the scene like a horror set wasn’t the sinister outfits, but how the partiers in blood-resistant costumes were overly friendly. Read the rest of this entry »

• The Table is in the midst of another shake-up, with 717 South Michael Stewart, former GM Joe Moledo out and Andrew Wilkins (formerly of Mad Fish and Ceviche) in as GM. This comes after a long history of turmoil, including the loss of chef Pedro Flores earlier this year. Looks like the restaurant’s new thrust will be for lower price points and fewer staff changes. (Mouth)

• Ella’s Folk Art Cafe, the first of a new generation of restaurant slated to open in Tampa and Seminole Heights, started serving this past weekend.

The Columbia, OktoBEERfest, Domenica Macchia, and Grattzi’s after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Have Gun, Will Travel (pictured below), Matt Butcher, John Ralston, and Mike Dunn & The Kings of New England created a mini-Americana fest at New World Brewery this past Friday, September 11, a show brought to you by New Granada Presents.

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Coffee with a Curator is a monthly in-depth discussion and tour with a Dalí expert and docent. Today, Bethany Mead leads a discussion on Dalí’s Hispanic heritage, a subject that informs many of the surrealist’s masterworks. Sip complimentary Starbucks coffee before beginning the theme-oriented tour of the gallery, which houses the largest collection of Dalí’s works outside of Spain, including six of eighteen of his prized, large-scale masterworks. Weds., Sept. 2, 10:15 a.m., Salvador Dali Museum, 1000 Third St. S., St. Petersburg, free with museum admission of $17, free for museum members or with USF ID. Read the rest of this entry »

What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week:

Finding an emotional connection with our planet- Doing so allows us to look at what our needs are in life and what is of the highest and greatest importance to us and our environment.

Best of the Bay Readers’ Poll 2009: The race for Greenest Politician has Linda Saul-Sena in the lead- Who do you think should take the title of this year’s Greenest Politician in the Bay?

Clean energy and anti-offshore drilling rally in Ybor this Thursday- Thursday, August 27th, join Sierra Club, 1Sky Florida, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and other environmental groups for a real grassroots rally outside Big Oil’s staged gathering.
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Would you like to stand up against the Big Oil and Big Energy companies and oppose offshore drilling of the Gulf Coast? Would you like to support Clean Energy and green jobs in the Bay area? Then help make a difference and make your voice heard by attending this Clean Energy rally on Thursday in Ybor:

The American Petroleum Institute, a lobbying front group for Big Oil and other energy industries, is orchestrating staged “grassroots rallies” to try and stop the Clean Energy and Climate Bill from passing the U.S. Senate. The press calls these rallies “astroturf”: manufactured grassroots. This Thursday, August 27th, join Sierra Club, 1Sky Florida, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and other environmental groups for a real grassroots rally outside Big Oil’s staged gathering.

WHEN & WHERE: Meet beforehand at 9:30 am at La Tropicana Café, 1822 East 7th Ave. for some for great cuban coffee! The “Energy Citizens’” event begins at 11:00 am at The RITZ YBOR theatre, and we will counter rally out front at 1503 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 (there is a shady area where we’ll be).
Read the rest of this entry »

What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week:

Fixing sprawl and redesigning suburbia- Grant Rimbey CNU explores a possible strategy towards improving existing sprawl. Fixing the sprawl that we have, along with sprawl demolition and recycling, are strategies that could be employed in the future as a new green industry.

Nation’s largest solar facility to be in DeSoto County by next year- Florida Power and Light is currently building the nation’s largest photovoltaic plant in DeSoto County, a $173.5 million, 25 megawatt solar generating facility.

Fresh: New Thinking About What We’re Eating screening – What’s wrong with the mega-industrial food industry- Struggling small farms, problems with food safety rules and the mega-industrial food industry, and a film about all of the above.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tampa Bay Green Drinks is relaunching and their first networking event is being held Wednesday, August 19 in Ybor at 6 pm.

Tampa Bay Green Drinks is relaunching! Join us on August 19, 2009 at 6:00pm at the Roosevelt, a green building in Ybor City located at 1812 N. 15th St.

The Roosevelt showcases a multitude of environmentally sustainable and preferable construction techniques and systems. Meet other professionals in various “green” businesses for networking and discussion. We encourage you to bring anyone interested in green building to check out the progress being made at the Roosevelt to see just what is possible. Wine and beer will be provided.

What is Green Drinks?

Green Drinks is a social networking group that brings together corporate, government, ngo, non-profit and interested people who want to learn about environmentally responsible practices and other related topics. Our goal at Tampa Bay Green Drinks is to bring together the Tampa Bay community to keep “green” moving forward in our community.
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Aug 13-16. Fetish Con. A fetish trade show. Featured appearances by comic book artists and writer George Perez, industry speaker and legal representative Robert B. Nussbaum, the original “Michael Meyers” Tony Moran, and Tonya Kay from Season 1 of “Who Wants to be a Super Hero.” Guests of honor: Stacy Burke Spokesmodel, Paris Kennedy, Kendra James, Maxine X, Emily Addison, Rubberdoll, Jean Bardot, Jade Indica, Paige Richards, Jewell Marceau, and Anastasia Pierce. Lectures and demonstrations: how to be a successful model, the federal record keeping statue, intro to bondage photography, self-puppeteer rope bondage suspension demo, predicament bondage, the art of body plastering, the art of cupping, the first amendment and obscenity law, super heroine showdown III, creating a presence via social networks, BDSM for the disabled, pain is for pleasure not injury, beginning rope bondage suspension, rope bondage for porn, fan photo shoot, and private dungeon play space. 18+. $20-55. Fetishcon.com. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar.

Ellenton Farmers Market- Saturdays; 8 am – 1 pm. Ellenton Farmers’ Market will be the largest year-round market in florida that specializes in “green” natural, organic and environmentally friendly products that makes for a healthier lifestyle and a better environment. Located just North of the Prime Outlet Mall in Ellenton, Florida (exit 224, Old Exit 43, off I – 75).

Dunedin Green Market- Saturday, August 8; 8 am- 12 pm. The Dunedin Green Market is located in Pioneer Park at the cross streets of Douglas Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Dunedin and runs the second Saturday of every month until October.

Grand Reopening Events at Whole Foods Market Tampa- Saturday, August 1:
-Free Continental Breakfast: 8-9 am. Free Complimentary continental breakfast for Whole Foods Market customers from 8-9 am prior to store opening while supplies last. Meet and Greet with our store community partners. Store Patio.
Read the rest of this entry »

Sat. July 25. Skin Two of London. An erotic art and fashion party. Three medical fashion shows by Baby Love’s Latex, Maggie Delena, and Ceres Moon Latex. Performances by Gia Nova and Jade Vixen. DJs Jade Vixen, DJ Sean, DJ Neiva, DJ Nemesis. Models: Angelica Syn, Betty Jaded, Carissa, Evelyn Rose, Jade Malice, Kamila, Lagata Negra, Lena, Maus, Secra, Silent K, Steevie Synthetic, Tararyze, and more. Vending by Angelica Syn and Orlando TNG. Fetish wear encouraged: fantasy, goth, glam, cyber, leather, lingerie, uniforms, vinyl etc. $10-15. 18+. The Castle 2004 N. 16th St. Ybor 33605. Read the rest of this entry »

Brian and Taylor chat with Gui Alinat — local chef and recent CL food contributor. We also run down Brian’s obsession with Domenica Macchia of Diner 437, the closing of Ybor’s The Nest, the re-opening of Wild Shrimp Company, and Taylor’s love for white wines from Bordeaux.

Download episode 21 here.

Attention heterosexuals: how much would you need to be paid to sleep with a person of the same sex? $100? $1,000? Would you work at a gay club or bar and flirt with the same sex if it meant doubling or even tripling your income? Recently, I broached the topic of being gay for pay with a group of friends and opinions varied.

I’ve always had the belief that the majority of the population, respectfully excluding homosexuals, have had thoughts about experimenting with the same sex. The difference between being bi-sexual or homosexual and straight is the actual act occurring. I would not consider someone having fantasies about girl-on-girl or guy-on-guy sex bi-sexual or gay. Fantasies are simply the marriage between your imagination and curiosity, acting out those fantasies is different.
Read the rest of this entry »

Watch out everybody, Bridget’s unleashed for the summer!

Well, you know, that really is an overstatement ‘cos I’m not much of a late night gal, but the Gorilla Theatre is dark for the summer (which means we don’t have any shows going on and I’m working “normal” hours) so it’s time for me to get out more and …. to see theatre in other places.  This week I went to an All Out Rep show at the Ritz, I visited Arts on 9th, and went to the 5th Annual Night of Alternative Theatre at American Stage in St. Pete.

Oh, and I welcome all your comments on this blog (like “stop writing about yourself already” or “what’s with the strange European punctuation?”) so please chip in, loveys! Read the rest of this entry »

Fri. June 12. Clothing optional foam party. Pool and hot tub. Potluck dinner. Bands and Djs. Foam on the dance floor. DJ Robert Vanwest VS DJ Zoe Vanwest and bands Unit Shifters and The Aristocracy. $10 Camping. 6pm-12am. The Riverboat Club. 6901 Caliente Blvd., Land O Lakes, FL 34637.

Sat. June 13. Celebrate Father’s Day the Kinky Way @ Fetish Circuit. What better way to celebrate Father’s Day this month by bringing the special Daddy in your life out to play! Starting out the day at the Tampa Munch and then meeting up at The Honeypot at 9:00pm to start playing the night away! We will once again have the bar open, the equipment set up,Vendors on hand for new toys to play with and the DJ will be playing our favorite music! We are welcoming back many of our fellow Orlando Kinksters again this month. Please keep an eye out for the Fetish Circuit door-person at entry. Our patrons are given special access to the club and do not have to wait in the line for the downstairs area. Come on out and “Get Plugged In”! $10 cover. Fetish attire requested, no casual dress allowed. 9pm. The Honey Pot (third floor)- 1507 E. 7th Ave., Ybor.

Sat. June 13. Fetish Factory’s Monthly Fetish Party. Custom steel bondage equipment will be set up throughout the club for safe and consensual play. Featuring dancing, provocative play, creative bondage, spanking, flogging, and fetish games. DJs Danny Bled and Godfather. The 2nd Sat. of every month. Purgatory Nightclub. 1000 State Road 84 City, Fort Lauderdale, FL Zip. 33315.

Sun. June 14. The Penis Diatribes. After being censored by TBPAC, Ruth Eckerd Hall, and several other local theaters, “The Penis Diatribes: it’s harder than you think being a dick,” hits the stage. Michael Matteo conceived the work after reading the acclaimed “Vagina Monologues” and wondering why a similar play hadn’t been written from the male perspective. “The Penis Diatries” follows a man on New Year’s Eve as he reflects on his many failed relationships and realizes that all of his shortcomings are tied to his penis. Entering into a dialogue with his member, he discovers that it dominates his entire life. This comedy begs the question, “how much say does a penis have in a man’s decision-making process?” 7pm. $10-$12. Side Splitters Comedy Club- 12938 N Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, FL.

Know of  a Sex & Love-related event we haven’t listed? Let us know by submitting it to our calendar here.

Nick Algee of 1Sky & CleanEnergy.org hit my inbox last night: Friday night May 15th is Pecha Kucha Night at the Roosevelt. WTF is that? I gotta say it is one of the more intriguing events to arrive amongst a tedious list of a gazillion emails I rather not read. Nick is a cool guy, with an important mission, so I read his emails first, and damn, I’m glad I did. This is tonight!

I also have to say Ken Cowart, Pecha Kucha organizer, is responsible for helping Tampa is move up on the way cool scale with this event, starting with the venue itself. The Roosevelt, owned by Joe Redner, is a 103 year old building in the throes of a massive green retrofit. A model of sustainability, it will serve as a showcase of 21st-century construction ideas. The Campus TV Project 3.0 at The Roosevelt is a place in which artists and other creative types can lease space and incubate new ideas.

So what is Pecha Kucha? Held in 195 cities around the world, I betcha I couldn’t find anyone except some architect geek types, sorry Adam, to tell me. Enter the Google Gods, a quick trip round the net to reveals that it was conceived by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. The first Pecha Kucha took place in Tokyo at Klein Dytham Architects offices at 8:20 p.m. on March 20, 2003, yes the time and date is very relevant, give me a minute, err 20 seconds to explain. Under the PKN rules, 20 presenters show 20 slides on a topic relative to urban design, with only 20 seconds to narrate each slide. As someone who has sat through many a dry, monotone speaker presenting such exciting topics as “Trends in Solid Waste” and “Measurement of Indoor Air Quality Toxins” , no joke it was at the same conference, not one of the middle aged men in the room was laughing. 20 slides in 20 seconds, is gift from heaven that lands Tampa on the map of a city on the upswing. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m pretty serious about my anonymity. I’ve had both very good and very bad experiences on the few occasions when I know I’ve been recognized while out for a review — sometimes I think restaurants get flustered or try too hard when they know a critic is in the house — but going in under the radar guarantees that I’ll be seeing the same kind of stuff that regular folks would be served. That’s why you’ll find it nearly impossible to locate a pic of me on the interweb, why I don’t make TV appearances (except for those unfortunate Channel 13 segments where I appeared behnd a backlit screen in “accused chold-molester style”), and why I use credit cards that don’t have my name on them.

But rarely — only twice, to be exact — I’ve had a server question my pseudonym card and ask for ID. The first time, I bullied the poor fella and claimed I didn’t have my license (in spite of the fact that my wallet was sitting on the table in front of me). He considered for a moment, then realized how little he cared and decided to back off. The second time was last week, at The Nest. Read the rest of this entry »

With over 800 votes cast — and a fairly close tally throughout the last 24 hours — Mekenita Mexican Grill has managed to knock Mema’s Alaskan Tacos out of the Readers’ Poll by a vote of 455 to 358.

Now it’s time to vote for the biggest match of all, the battle across the bay, the titannic taco-a-taco throwdown finale, the 2009 CL Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll Championship! GO VOTE NOW!

If you want to find out who won the Critic’s Bracket, it’s up on the food site.

For all results check out the Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll info page.

Updated bracket with all the matchups after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

Both Mekenita Mexican Grill in Lutz and Mema’s Alaskan Tacos in Ybor have been able to motivate the troops and get out the vote, no matter the competition. But how will the two powerhouses fare against each other?

Which taco deserves to move on to the Championship?

Vote after the break –

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Mema’s again turned out the troops to propel it into another round of the tournament, despite Acapulco’s exceptional traditional tacos.

Voting for the second match of the Edible Eight begins at 2 p.m. today — with Casa Tina vs. La Cabana del Tio — and continues through Monday, so be sure to support your favorite spot! For all results check out the Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll info page.

Updated bracket with all the matchups after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

Mema’s can bring out the crowds to vote for their odd fried tacos stuffed with chicken, beef, and shrimp patties, while Acapulco is a corner bodega that — lets be practical here — possibly doesn’t even know this tournament is going on. Can the little market with exceptional traditional tacos beat the popular Ybor spot?

Which taco deserves to move on to the Final Four?

Vote after the break –

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By an overwhelming vote of 103 to 25, Mema’s slam-dunked this popularity contest with ease. Will they have the same success against the noticeably superior tacos of Acapulco in the next round? Tune in to see, and vote.

Mema’s Alaskan Tacos moves on to the Edible Eight.

Don’t forget to vote in today’s match: Sabor Latino vs. Mekenita Mexican Grill, and for all results check out the Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll info page.

Updated bracket after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

[Editor's Note: Jennifer Huntsman is a US Army Reserve Signal Captain stationed at MacDill Air Force Base with Joint Communication Support Element (JCSE). She has just returned from deployment in Qatar. Jenny writes for The Daily Loaf about life in the military.]

I am home.  I have been back in Tampa for about a week now, but it feels as though I have never left.  Our flight was long and we first arrived in the U.S. through the Baltimore-Maryland International Airport (BWI).  A military flight to Maryland is a humbling experience.  I smelled very bad and I slept on a toy train at BWI’s Observation Deck.  There was a large homecoming at the Tampa International Airport.  Balloons, banners, friends, families, coworkers, even news crews were all waiting for our arrival.  I had so many strangers come up to me to tell me thank you, God Bless, and welcome back home.  When I saw my loved one my heart skipped a beat, I missed him so much.  Coming home is what we’d wished for throughout the whole deployment.

Just a week ago I remember talking with my coworkers of what we were excited about when we arrived back home. Read the rest of this entry »

Thursday, Feb. 19: St. Petersburg Wine and Food Festival
Stroll through downtown St. Pete and experience fine wines and spirits, food samplings and jazz music. $75 VIP, $50 general. 5:30-9:30 p.m. (727-347-6133)

Thursday, Feb. 19: Vino 100 St. Pete
Hosted by Vino 100, Massage Envy and Let’s Eat, “Ladies Night Out” is designed to pamper guests with wine, massages and delicious cuisine. Free. 5-8 p.m., 5056 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466)

Friday, Feb. 20: Bern’s Fine Wine & Spirits
Come to Bern’s for Crush Hour, featuring seven different Japanese sakes paired with small, Japanese-inspired side dishes. $25. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

More upcoming events after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

Thursday, Feb. 12-Friday, Feb. 13: PRP Wines International
Take advantage of this Valentine’s Warehouse Sale — PRP is opening its warehouse to the public for the first of only four times this year. Stock up on their all-natural, no added sulfite wines in time for Valentine’s Day. Free. 5-9 p.m., 5910 Breckenridge Pkwy Suite F, Tampa (813-621-1911 ext 2017)

Thursday, Feb. 12-Saturday, Feb. 14: Avenue Cellars
Spend Valentine’s Day weekend at the Pre-Valentine’s Love Fest Wine Tasting. The event will feature several wines Thursday and Friday in preparation for Saturday, when Avenue Cellars invites you to share a romantic bottle of wine with your date. Free. 6:30-8 p.m., 9662 Linebaugh Ave, Tampa (813-920-9991)

Friday, Feb. 13: South Florida Museum
Celebrate food and drink from around the world at the third annual Vinology 3-Epicure Tour. Enjoy fine wines and accompanying tasting menus, food, beer, cooking demonstrations and wine seminars. $75 (includes all food, wine, beer, seminars and a souvenir glass). 6-11 p.m., 201 10th St. W., Bradenton (941-746-4131 ext. 11)

Friday, Feb. 13: Vintage Wine Cellars
Sample 10 specialty red blends from around the world, along with bread and cheeses. $10. 7-9 p.m., 3629 Henderson Blvd, Tampa (813-879-2931)

Friday, Feb. 13: Uncorked
Uncorked will uncork a selection of luscious red wines for this Valentine’s weekend tastin, including Petite Sirah, Zin and Syrah. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)

More upcoming events after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

L’Olivier Restaurant and Cabaret had a big blow out opening on Friday night. Here’s what you missed:

(Photos thanks to Jamie Ostrand.)

We talked about these brand (and relatively) new places in the blog (L’Olivier, AquaKnox, several, Bin 27, Ocean Prime, and L’Olivier again) but who’s actually braved these joints while they get their feet wet? Were they ready for the big day, or just struggling to keep up? The kitchen a disaster, or primed and ready?

Comment — we desperately want a scouting report.

L’Olivier Restaurant & Cabaret opened in Ybor last night with a (literally) fiery bash. Cancan girls; a Marilyn Monroe-esque chanteuse; the hostess with the mostest (you name it, she’s got more of it) Stephanie Shippaé; a mega-sound system; and yes, a man dancing with fire — this was a show, ladies and gentlemen.

When I’d heard about Olivier Cuevas’ concept for this new Ybor club — Moulin Rouge, crushed velvet, champagne bar — it sounded a little too retro and refined for Ybor, or even for GaYbor. But somehow Olivier and partner Mike Edmondson have made it work.

Maybe it’s the sheer scale of the place, which is in Centro Ybor below the new Teatro on Seventh. There are not just one, but two giant Eiffel Tower replicas; a central stage/dance floor spacious enough for full-on production numbers; a pressed-tin ceiling high enough that the fire-dancer’s flames didn’t quite reach it (though they were getting uncomfortably close); two (or was it three?) bars; seating areas furnished with witty arrangements of mirrors and chaise longues; and flat-screen TVs playing, of course, Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge. (Those same TVs will be given over to the Super Bowl next weekend.)

The crowd was big, too, and wildly diverse (the free sparkling vodka and red wine was no doubt a draw): Read the rest of this entry »