Two weeks ago, Proper: Kitchen & Cocktails quietly fired up the smoker and began serving their southern-influenced cuisine at 344 1st Ave. South in Downtown St. Pete.  It was a great day for Stephen Schrutt, owner of Proper, as his new restaurant became jam-packed with friends and family eager to experience the new downtown eatery.  

The journey to opening day wasn't an easy one though.  The concept for Proper was originally conceived before KINGS Street Food Counter, a modern-style diner specializing in grilled cheese and street food that Schrutt opened in 2015.  Proper ended up going on the back burner while he looked for the right location.  "I didn't want to do Proper without full liquor.  It's a southern kitchen and cocktail bar.  To me, those went hand-in-hand.  However, I can say that the concept and talent in that building today is amazing," says Schrutt.

Back in 2011, Stephen Schrutt moved to St. Pete with the dream of opening up his own restaurant. “I felt like the Downtown St. Pete market was growing. It was becoming its own destination in the Bay area and I wanted to be a part of it.”

He eventually decided on a location off of 1st Ave. S, despite the obvious risks. For instance, the space was one block away from the bustling Central Ave. and numerous businesses had been in and out of the block in the years prior, including a coffee shop and an Italian restaurant. However, Schrutt believed in the future of Downtown St. Pete and he believed in his concept.

Two weeks ago, theAvenue Eat+Drink celebrated their five year anniversary. Over 500 people were in attendance. And in a few weeks, Schrutt will debut not one, but two brand new concepts that will sit side-by-side next to theAvenue on 1st Ave. S. What was once a struggling block is now becoming a downtown destination.

Much has been said about Proper: Kitchen & Cocktails, the highly anticipated southern-inspired eatery with a focus on BBQ, which opens next week. Though not many people know about Schrutt’s fourth Downtown St. Pete concept, Park&Rec DTSP.

With so many restaurants in Downtown St. Pete, it can be difficult for restauranteurs to separate themselves from the pack.  However, Russell Andrade is bringing a cuisine to Downtown St. Pete that is currently absent from the region.  In a few weeks, the Iberian Rooster, a 124-seat colonial Portuguese fusion restaurant, will debut at 475 Central Avenue inside the historic Kress building (formerly occupied by Moscato’s Bella Cucina).

Executive Chef Edward Lowery explains, “We are taking flavors and dishes from different colonies of Portugal, such as Mozambique, Macau, Goa, and Brazil, and infusing them all together.  Having access to all of those flavors is insane — a chef’s dream really.”