For as long as I can remember, the 600 block of Central Avenue has been a destination. Years ago, the block was home to a crowd of grungy bars and music venues. Today it’s become more of a foodie destination, with recent additions like Pacific Counter, Maple Street Biscuit Company, and Brass Bowl.

Earlier this week, we learned of another food concept that cannot wait to join the 600 block food scene. Doormét, a delivery-focused gourmet café, recently signed a lease at 681 Central Avenue, formerly home to Amigos Tortilla Bar. Joe Esposito of KW Realty St. Pete was the tenant representative in the deal.

Doormét (a portmanteau of ‘door’ and ‘gourmet’) has been a staple in Tampa for over 10 years and owner Jim Huss has finally decided to bring the beloved restaurant across the pond to St. Pete.

“Over in Tampa, I always heard people talk about St. Pete,” says Huss. “So my family and I decided to visit and we really love the city.”

Doormét is a fast-casual restaurant that aims to serve gourmet food quickly. “It’s not the gourmet that’s so fancy it’s weird,” says Huss. “And it’s also not the gourmet that’s so small it doesn’t fill you up.”

Nearly everything on the expansive menu is made in-house by Head Chef Paul Rodriguez and his team. There is something for everyone at Doormét, including salads, sandwiches, pizzas, bowls, pastas, and Italian classics. 

One of the best-selling sandwiches at the Tampa location is the Rustico, which is sliced grilled chicken breast, prosciutto, local tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh pesto, and balsamic served on your choice of freshly baked focaccia or multigrain bread with house-made russet potato chips.

The most popular salad is the Caprese, which consists of baby arugula, local tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, avocado, red onion, candied walnuts, gorgonzola, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic reduction.

Additionally, to keep the menu new and exciting, Doormét features nine monthly specials, one from each menu category.

Gourmet cuisine doesn’t have to break the bank either. Doormét’s lowest item would be any of the half deli sandwich meals that start at $5.99 and come with chips. Almost nothing costs above $19.99.

Doormét offers dine-in, take out, catering, and delivery. The café will also be on Uber Eats and GrubHub, but will use their own delivery drivers if within a certain radius. “Not all drivers from these delivery platforms are representative of who we want delivering our food,” says Huss. “If you’re within 3 miles of the restaurant, your food food will be delivered by a uniformed Doormét employee.”

The St. Pete location will be 2,100 square feet, just slightly bigger than the Tampa location. There will be 20 seats inside and an additional 16 seats outside. Last week, the exterior of the building received a fresh coat of Canary Yellow.

Huss has been in the restaurant industry for decades and is looking forward to bringing his experience to St. Pete. He owned his first restaurant at 23 years old in Ohio. After finding early success, he grew to three stores.

Eventually the Ohio winters starting to wear on him and his family, so they started to entertain a move. “We spent a few years vacationing all over Florida’s east and west coasts,” says Huss. “Tampa Bay was always such a blast, so we decided to relocate.”

About a year and a half ago, Huss purchased Doormét. “It’s a family business,” says Huss. “My oldest son Andrew is training in the kitchen, my daughter Paige works as a cashier while pursuing an accounting degree from USF, and my wife Brittany handles advertising and any and every other issue we have. 

If the St. Pete location is a success, the Huss family would love to continue expanding Doormét to other neighborhoods in Tampa Bay.

The Tampa location has a tremendously loyal customer base. “Most of our new customers heard about us through word of mouth,” says Huss. “I’m confident that if we can get the people of St. Pete to taste our food, they’ll be hooked.”

Best of all, you won’t have to wait long. “The previous tenant was only there a few months, so everything is pretty much brand new,” says Huss. “We are making slight changes inside such as painting, setup, and floors.”

Doormét hopes to have their doors open by the end of July or early August.

Hours will be 11AM – 9PM seven days a week. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on new specials and their grand opening.