Taste | Annata isn't reopening. Meet Allelo

Plus: Dunedin's Bon Appetit is selling to new owners

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Thursday, September 1, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters  [ DIRK SHADD | Times ] Say goodbye to Annata...and hello to Allelo Annata and Alto Mare fans: The wait is finally over.    Following months of construction and permitting delays, supply chain lags and staffing overhauls, the vacant Beach Drive NE space in downtown St. Petersburg is about to welcome back diners for the first time in over a year.    The decor is stunning. The menu looks delicious. The wine inventory is voluminous.   There's just one tiny thing: This is no longer Annata. Or Alto Mare, for that matter.    Instead, meet Allelo —  a new Mediterranean restaurant from the team behind 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House. Boasting a small plates program, raw seafood towers and house-cured charcuterie, the new restaurant will feel somewhat familiar to regulars of its predecessors. But make no mistake, Allelo is its own thing.    A few weeks ago I met with the owners and toured the new space — it's gorgeous. From a design standpoint, they've hit it out of the park. As for the food and wine, we'll have to wait and see. The group hopes to open their doors to the public on Sept. 17.    I'll admit, I was a huge fan of both Annata and Alto Mare. They were some of the first restaurants I ate at when I moved to St. Petersburg and I fell for them hard. I was very sad to see them go.    But I'm also a firm believer that change is inevitable, and in many cases, necessary. Did the restaurants need a physical refresh? Absolutely. Have tastebuds and palates evolved over the course of the last decade? Naturally.    Will dining at Allelo taste and feel the same as Annata or Alto Mare? Of course not, but maybe that's OK.    For everything to know about the restaurant before it opens next month, read the full story here.  RESTAURANT RADAR [ Courtesy of Bon Appetit ]  Bon Appetit to be sold to new owners  Iconic waterfront restaurant Bon Appetit is in the process of being sold to the owners of Crabby Bill's, capping a 46-year run for original owners Peter Kreuziger and Karl Riedl.    The news might come as a shock to some (four-plus decades is really something, people!) but here's the good news: According to Crabby Bill's CEO Matt Loder, no big changes are in the works. Meaning fans of the legendary fine dining spot needn't worry too much: The restaurant will keep the same name, concept and staff as before.    There's always a chance the sale will fall through, of course. But for now, it's looking like a done deal. Read the full story here.    Kissin' Cuzzins is for sale: Read this charming story from columnist Stephanie Hayes about the long-running St. Petersburg diner. Then go grab a stack of chocolate chip pancakes. (Don't worry, if all goes to plan the new owners will keep the spot running, just as it is).    Brews and 'za: St. Petersburg brewery The Brutalist now has a full-time pizza program from Nino's Pizza Truck, which has set up a permanent home at the building. The brick oven-baked pies will be sold Wednesday through Saturday, whenever the brewery is open.  WHAT I'M EATING RIGHT NOW Lunch at Los Chapos Tacos  There's no shortage of great taco joints in Tampa, but Ybor City just so happens to be home to two of my favorites.    I've written about my love for Jimmy's Tacos before, but nearby Los Chapos Tacos on E 7th Avenue is quickly becoming another go-to when a hankering for a taco hits.    The restaurant, at 951 E 7th Ave., spots the kind of boho-chic Instagram-friendly decor (plant walls, snappy neon quotes) you don't usually come across in taco joints. That could come off as slightly obnoxious, except that somehow it doesn't. Soccer games play on the television, Reggaeton pumps through the speakers and whirring drink machines come stocked with a bounty of colorful agua frescas and the not-to-be-missed horchata.   It's a good vibe. But the food is even better.    I first came here for the spot's birria tacos, curious how they'd hold up to some of the area's other contenders. As it turns out, they're very good. The tacos come two per order ($7.95) and feature corn tortillas grilled and stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese and soupy hunks of stewed beef. The tacos arrive with the signature birria consome, which is more like a broth than a stew, and super flavorful.    Also good is the street taco selection (shown above) which includes a tasty herb butter shrimp taco ($3.95) and the choripollo taco ($2.95), which features pulled chicken and crispy bits of spicy chorizo.    Here's what else to get:  Mexican bowl: Take your favorite burrito and make it a bowl — that's the idea here. I loved the version with flavorful, porky carnitas ($9.95) paired with black beans, roasted corn, pico de gallo, rice, sour cream and plenty of shredded cheese.  Portobello mushroom taco: A great pick for vegetarians ($2.95), the meaty mushrooms are plump and tasty, paired with diced tomatoes, roasted peppers, onions, avocado and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese.    🍽️ Got a recommendation? Send me tasty tips here. Contact Helen Freund at hfreund@tampabay.com. Follow @helensavina on Instagram and @helenfreund on Twitter. Did someone forward this to you? Get Taste in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions and copyright Standard of accuracy © 2022 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. 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