For nearly a decade, ramen bars have been thriving in places like New York City and Los Angeles.  Hungry patrons sometimes wait for hours to enjoy an oversized bowl of Japanese noodle soup topped with an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. In a few weeks, you can add St. Pete to the list of cities swept up in the ramen craze.  

Opening in the up-and-coming EDGE District, Buya Ramen (pronounced boo-yah!) will provide an izakaya, or Japanese gastropub, atmosphere that focuses on much more than just a bowl of Japanese comfort food.  In addition to ramen, owner/operator Michael Sponaugle says, “We will have the largest selection of Japanese whiskey in the Tampa Bay area, if not Florida.  By the time we are done, we hope to have the largest selection on the east coast.”
 

After years of honing his pizza prowess at local St. Pete establishments such as Tour de Pizza and Wood Fired, lifelong St. Pete resident Adam Duff, his brother Andrew, and wife Kelley, opened the doors to their new restaurant, Pizza Box, located at 923 Central Ave in Downtown St. Pete’s EDGE District.  Everything the eatery cooks is made in their 2,000 lb. white clay oven, including wood fired pizzas, meatballs, and vegetables.  “We don’t cook using any deep friers, flat top grills, propane, or electricity,” boasts Adam.