V Modern Italian
OPENINGS/CLOSINGS
V Modern Italian, led by Michelin-starred chef, opens in North Hyde Park
NoHo will finally got a glimpse of Michelin-starred Chef Stefano Ciotti’s latest concept, V Modern Italian. Located at 1701 W North A St. in a 7,400 square-foot space within the new Rome Collective development, V Modern Italian officially started taking reservations on Thursday, Oct. 8. “Guests can expect a menu rooted in authenticity, featuring antipasti, fresh-made pastas, signature entrées, and fun twists on classic Italian desserts. Familiar Italian flavors are reimagined through seasonal ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and contemporary technique,” says a press release. V Modern Italian seems to have quite a few “elevated” dishes, like the “Tutti Antipasti Tower,” which is described as a three-level structure consisting of “chef-curated antipasti.” There’s also a Martini Tower,” featuring twelve Espresso or Dirty Martinis served for the table,” and a six drink “Cocktail Carousel.” – Colin Wolf
New restaurant from Food Network star Ray Lampe coming to Clearwater Beach
Ray Lampe, also known as “Dr. BBQ,” is back. After selling the real estate that was home to St. Pete’s Dr. BBQ and Burnt Ends Tiki Bar in 2022, the Food Network star is back behind the grill, this time in Clearwater Beach at his latest concept Squiki Tiki with Dr. BBQ. Located within the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, at 100 Coronado Dr., new barbecue-tiki hybrid will offer “smoky BBQ classics like a pulled pork sandwich and St. Louis-style ribs, alongside creative dishes like a burnt ends bao and smoked shrimp summer rolls, complemented by a lineup of tiki-inspired cocktails,” says a press release. No exact opening date was announced, but Squiki Tiki hopes to debut sometime in December. – Colin Wolf
FOOD NEWS
‘I just need a little push’: Rene’s Mexican Kitchen raising funds after fire damages VM Ybor restaurant
Rene Valenzuela is Tampa’s own phoenix; the 55-year-old chef has risen from the ashes before, and is asking for help to do it again. The V.M. Ybor location of Rene’s Mexican Kitchen was heavily damaged in a fire last Wednesday, Sept. 30. Valenzuela has created a GoFundMe page to support reopening efforts. Valenzuela started Rene’s Mexican Kitchen as a food truck in 2018. The business has since grown to several trucks and the brick-and-mortar V.M. Ybor location in the shadow is El Reloj at J.C. Newman Cigar Factory, opened in 2023. – Valerie Smith
With Isaias on the way, Oktoberfest Tampa’s big downtown party has been rescheduled for Halloween weekend
Oktoberfest Tampa organizers do not want you walking around in waterlogged lederhosen, so their big downtown party set for this weekend is now rescheduled for one of the biggest party weekends of the year. Originally scheduled for Friday-Sunday, Oct. 11, the festival is changing plans now that Hurricane Isaias is headed towards the panhandle, and dropping rain on the Tampa Bay area for the next three days. Now the city’s largest, now 17-years-running celebration of craft beer and German libations is happening at the same time as Halloween. – Ray Roa
WEEKEND FOOD EVENTS
Independent Bar & Café 17th anniversary Friday-Sunday, Oct. 9-11. No cover. Independent Bar & Café, Tampa
Coffee with a Neighbor Mid Pinellas County (The Original) Saturday, Oct. 10. 9 a.m. No cover. Belleair Coffee Company, Largo. floridadems.org
Endless Summer: Sunday Brunch at Azure Sunday, Oct. 11. 10 a.m. $100. The Tampa Edition, Tampa. editionhotels.com
Wicked Wine Tasting Sunday-Monday, Oct. 11-12. 7:30 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Monday. $48.70. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com
See this week’s full food calendar here.
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This article appears in Oct. 08 – 14, 2026.
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