This celebrated Tampa chef is back in the kitchen — in Oldsmar

It felt, in many ways, like the end of a culinary era.

When Tampa Italian restaurant Cena shuttered last fall after more than a decade in business, it was anyone’s guess what chef Michael Buttacavoli would do next.

The popular Channel District restaurant had garnered plenty of accolades over the years for its creative approach to Italian cuisine. Meanwhile, Buttacavoli’s own star also rose — thanks, in part, to a big win on the Food Network celebrity cooking showdown ”Beat Bobby Flay.”

News of Cena’s shutter felt abrupt — shocking, even. But Buttacavoli, who was also a part-owner of the restaurant, said that after 11 years, it was time.

He didn’t stay out of the kitchen for long.

This week, the celebrated chef is back at it, helming a new Italian concept in Oldsmar.

Martin’s Italian, which opens this week, takes over the former Salt Rock Tavern building at 3689 Tampa Road. It’s the latest endeavor from Rory Martin, who owns the Irish pub and restaurant Strandhill Public, which has locations in both Tampa Heights and Brandon.

At Martin’s, Buttacavoli said he is just the executive chef, not an owner. And while he isn’t pegging the restaurant as Cena 2.0, he said diners can expect a similar, if slightly more casual menu than what he served at his Channel District spot, calling it “Cena-esque.”

“You’re going to see my type of Italian,” he said. “I don’t think of it as fine dining, I think of it more as comfort (cuisine). Prices are going to be right — we’re not going to gouge anyone.”

Truffle pasta with chanterelle mushrooms, spaghettini pasta, Perigord shaved truffles and pecorino romano was on the menu at Cena. A similar, more casual, Italian menu will be served at Martin’s Italian in Oldsmar. [ Times (2018)  ]

The menu will include handmade pastas — including cacio e pepe and carbonara — several types of risotto and a branzino, Buttacavoli said. Diners can also expect an Italian-leaning wine list and a full bar with an Italian spirits-backed cocktail menu.

When Cena opened in 2013, it received a rave review from then-Tampa Bay Times food critic Laura Reiley. Prior to that, Buttacavoli worked for eight years at SideBern’s under chef Jeannie Pierola and at her Ybor City restaurant Boca, as well as at Council Oak inside the Seminole Hard Rock.

Cena officially closed in October 2024, on the heels of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton. At the time, Ken Stoltenberg, a partner in the restaurant, said there were several reasons for the closure, including Buttacavoli’s departure and economic factors (2024 was a tough year for restaurants).

“When things were good, they were good,” Buttacavoli said of his time at the restaurant. “But when they were bad, they were bad. We weren’t able to work through the bad effectively as a group.”

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Buttacavoli, who was in a serious car accident prior to leaving the restaurant, said his departure and time off was bittersweet. His father-in-law was sick with cancer, and he was able to spend some much-needed time with family.

Over the past few months, Buttacavoli has helped friends with catering operations and worked at a restaurant in downtown Tampa.

Now, he’s eager to get back into his kitchen and cook his own food, Buttacavoli said.

“We’re so happy,” he said. “I’m ready.”

At 240 seats, Martin’s is considerably larger than what Buttacavoli is used to (Cena had roughly 60 inside with room for another 25 outside). The new restaurant has an indoor bar with seating for 15 and another outdoor bar and seating area that fits around 30 people. There’s also a private dining room that fits roughly 70 people and a dining room outfitted with booths and high-top tables.

Buttacavoli, who lives in Clearwater, said he envisions the new restaurant as a neighborhood spot — approachable enough so that regulars can visit a few times a week, if they’d like.

This week the restaurant is running a soft opening. Beginning next week, it will be open 4-10 p.m. Sunday and Monday-Thursday, and till 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.