Brick & Mortar owners to debut Latin-inspired restaurant next month in the Grand Central District
/New restaurant concept Pulpo Kitchen + lounge will open at 2147 Central avenue | St. pete rising
After several years in the making, the team behind downtown St. Petersburg’s Brick & Mortar Kitchen + Wine Bar is ready to debut a new concept in the Grand Central District.
Husband-and-wife duo Hope Montgomery and Jason Ruhe plan to open a new Latin-inspired eatery, Pulpo Kitchen + Lounge, at 2147 Central Avenue in mid-June.
Pulpo, which translates to "octopus" in Spanish, will serve a twist on traditional South American dishes and cocktails with bold and robust flavors. The restaurant was first reported by St. Pete Rising in January 2023.
"This concept has been my brainchild for the past three years to fill a void in the area. We started doing the buildout about a year ago," Ruhe said to St. Pete Rising.
restaurant owner and chef Jason ruhe prepares paella, a popular spanish cuisine | photo provided
Ruhe, who grew up in West Tampa, a neighborhood heavily enriched by Spanish culture, said the new restaurant concept is also a nod to his mother of Cuban and Spanish descent.
Pulpo will represent a marriage of cuisines from Central and South America, and influences from Peru and Mexico.
"No one has touched this specific niche here yet," Ruhe said.
The new 150-seat restaurant will carry an emphasis on small plates, featuring items like fresh ceviches and crudos, in addition to different variations of paella, a popular Spanish saffron-infused rice dish typically mixed with vegetables and chicken or seafood.
And as the name suggests - an entire grilled octopus will take the spotlight on the menu.
There will also be two full liquor bars with one inside and another outdoor bar with a stage for live music, where Afro-Cuban-style and Latin jazz musicians will perform.
"We want this to be a place where people can enjoy cocktails and linger," said Montgomery, who will craft and oversee the wine program, which will focus on Spanish and Old World wines.
The logo for pulpo kitchen + lounge | facebook image
In addition to Pulpo, Montgomery and Ruhe also own In Bloom Catering and Event Planning and the Sea Worthy Fish + Bar in Tierra Verde.
Chef Marcos Bernal from Sea Worthy will be the head chef at Pulpo.
Ruhe's cousin, Dylan Ruhe, will serve as the General Manager and Beverage Director.
The couple worked on the interior design plan with David Fischer, owner of St. Pete-based retail store Zazoo’d and multiple local LGBTQ+ nightclubs and bars, including COCKtail.
The bathrooms, kitchen, and bars will be decked out in vibrant turquoise colors with gold accents, Spanish tiles, and brass elements.
The duo has hired a local artist Jason Durocher to create a mural romanticizing the ambiance of Cuba’s Little Havana.
The team expects to open Pulpo sometime in June.
Pulpo will offer lunch and dinner with extended evening hours from Thursday through Sunday, as well as a weekend brunch service.
Follow Pulpo on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest news and specials.
