Steakhouse and martini bar The Blu Halo opens in north St. Pete

Steakhouse and martini bar The Blu Halo opens in north St. Pete

A stylish new steakhouse has opened in North St. Pete.

The Blu Halo officially debuted on Monday June 30th at 221 Main Street North on the ground floor of Park & Main, a new 17-story luxury apartment tower at the growing Echelon City Center development in the Carillon Office Park.

Originally founded in Tallahassee, The Blu Halo is a steakhouse and martini bar known for its modern take on classic American fare.

The team behind The Blu Halo chose St. Pete for its second location due to the city’s growing reputation as a dining destination. In April, the Michelin Guide recognized three restaurants in St. Pete.

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West Coast cult-favorite Dutch Bros Coffee files plans for first Pinellas County location

West Coast cult-favorite Dutch Bros Coffee files plans for first Pinellas County location

West Coast cult-favorite coffee chain Dutch Bros Coffee is planning to open its first Pinellas County location in Largo.

The new location will be built from the ground up at 2250 East Bay Drive, just west of Starkey Road.

The 967-square-foot building will include a double drive-thru and a walk-up window, designed for speed and convenience. There will be no indoor seating or customer access to the interior.

Founded in Oregon in 1992, Dutch Bros has grown to over 900 locations across the U.S.

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Whataburger files plans for Largo location, marking return to Tampa Bay after 15 years

Whataburger files plans for Largo location, marking return to Tampa Bay after 15 years

A popular Texas-based fast food chain is making a comeback in the Tampa Bay area.

Whataburger has filed plans to open a new restaurant at 10150 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

The 3,671-square-foot building was most recently home to Joella’s Hot Chicken, which closed in October 2024. Prior to Joella’s, the space housed a Pollo Tropical, and before that, a Burger King.

According to documents submitted to the City of Largo in early 2025, Whataburger is proposing a $1.3 million remodel of the existing structure, including minor architectural and aesthetic changes, as well as interior renovations to the kitchen, lobby, and dining room.

The new restaurant will feature a drive-thru and seat 62 patrons.

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First look inside the 42-story Art House condo tower set to open this fall in downtown St. Pete

First look inside the 42-story Art House condo tower set to open this fall in downtown St. Pete

Three years after breaking ground, downtown St. Pete’s skyline is about to welcome its newest addition: Art House, a 42-story luxury condominium tower set to begin move-ins this October.

Located at 235 1st Avenue South, adjacent to 200 Central, the city’s tallest office tower, Art House is being developed by Kolter Urban, the South Florida-based firm behind ONE St. Petersburg and Saltaire.

The general contractor is Coastal Construction, with design contributions from SB Architects, ID & Design International, and Kimley-Horn. Smith & Associates is serving as the exclusive broker for the condo tower.

During a hard hat tour this week, St. Pete Rising got an exclusive look inside the tower, which has been under construction since mid-2022.

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Bojangles to open first Tampa Bay location in Pinellas Park

Bojangles to open first Tampa Bay location in Pinellas Park

Bojangles, the beloved Southern fast-food chain known for its fried chicken, biscuits, and sweet tea, is making its Tampa Bay debut since it last operated in the area decades ago.

The brand plans to open a new restaurant at 7930 US Highway 19 North in Pinellas Park, taking over a 2,414-square-foot space that previously housed a Burger King. Bojangles previously had several locations in Pinellas County in the 80s.

The upcoming Bojangles will feature a single-lane drive-thru located across from Walmart Supercenter on an outparcel of a retail plaza anchored by Ashley Furniture.

Other tenants in the shopping center include Bright Now Dental & Orthodontics, Fresenius Dialysis, Interior Fusion, and a nail lounge.

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Beatles museum with one of the world’s largest collections is moving to downtown St Pete

Beatles museum with one of the world’s largest collections is moving to downtown St Pete

One of the world’s largest permanent Beatles collections is moving to downtown St. Pete.

Penny Lane, a not-for-profit museum dedicated to the legacy of the Beatles, will open in 2026 at 146 2nd Street North on the first floor of the Palais Royale office building.

The new space will be more than four times the size of the current location and offer a more immersive experience for visitors.

Founded in January 2017 by Dr. Robert Entel, a local radiologist, the museum began in a 500-square-foot storefront at 730 Broadway in Dunedin.

Over the past eight years, it has welcomed more than 10,000 visitors per year from around the world.

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V-Roll Vietnamese Rolls and Bowls to take over Golden Dinosaurs spot in Gulfport

V-Roll Vietnamese Rolls and Bowls to take over Golden Dinosaurs spot in Gulfport

V-Roll Vietnamese Rolls & Bowls, a fast-casual Vietnamese restaurant offering customizable spring rolls, rice bowls, and more, is set to open in mid-July at 2930 Beach Boulevard South, the former home of vegan favorite Golden Dinosaurs.

Designed with convenience and freshness in mind, V-Roll follows a build-your-own model similar to Chipotle. Guests will first choose between a bowl, spring rolls, steamed bao buns, or bánh mì (a Vietnamese baguette sandwich).

Next, they select a base—jasmine rice, vermicelli rice noodles, or mixed greens—followed by one of six proteins: lemongrass pork, chicken, beef, simmered shrimp, or five-spice tofu.

Diners can then customize their meal with vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, chives, tomato, mint, and basil; choose from ten toppings including roasted peanuts, fried onions, and green onion–infused oil; and finish with one of six house-made sauces like peanut, citrus garlic, tangy soy, and sesame.

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Popular Mexican food truck Johnny Nevada’s finds a new home in the Grand Central District

Popular Mexican food truck Johnny Nevada’s finds a new home in the Grand Central District

One of St. Petersburg’s most popular food trucks has found a semi-permanent home in the Grand Central District.

Last month, Johnny Nevada’s quietly opened a pop-up inside Ride ‘em Cowboy at 2451 Central Avenue. The pop-up is expected to run for at least a year, according to owner James Shields.

“We’re excited to be back in the Grand Central District,” Shields told St. Pete Rising. “Lost & Found was one of the food truck’s first gigs, and we’ve also spent a lot of time at Par Bar and Dog Bar.”

Launched in 2022, Johnny Nevada’s quickly became a staple at major local events like Localtopia and the St. Pete Grand Prix. However, back-to-back hurricanes in 2024 temporarily halted operations.

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Prepared meal company Ideal Nutrition expanding to downtown St. Pete

Prepared meal company Ideal Nutrition expanding to downtown St. Pete

Ideal Nutrition, a South Florida-based provider of fresh, pre-prepared meals, is set to open a new retail location in downtown St. Pete.

The 1,770-square-foot store is currently under construction and expected to open by the end of the year at 360 2nd Avenue South, on the ground floor of the 23-story, 220-unit Evo apartment building.

The expansion marks the company's entry into the Tampa Bay market, offering a selection of ready-to-eat meals designed to accommodate various dietary preferences.

The St. Pete location will offer over 40 meals, ranging from traditional plates to paleo, keto, vegetarian, vegan, and others priced at $8.49.

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Home of the Week: A 1920s Great Gatsby-era waterfront estate in Old Southeast

Home of the Week: A 1920s Great Gatsby-era waterfront estate in Old Southeast

This week’s featured Home of the Week is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom Great Gatsby-era estate at 1925 Beach Drive SE in Old Southeast, a neighborhood known for historic hex-block sidewalks and brick streets lined with palm trees and laurel oaks.

Just minutes from downtown St. Pete, this 1920s waterfront residence offers 5,762 square feet of living space, boasting water views from every room and seamlessly combining historic charm with modern luxury.

The home has been completely renovated and sits on an expansive 100’ x 156’ double lot in Flood Zone X.

The main level, which contains travertine tile floors and high ceilings, includes an office ensuite and a chef’s kitchen with quartz countertops, a Viking gas range, Bosch paneled refrigerator, Thermador appliances, and a porcelain farm sink.

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