Lakeland city commissioners were faced Monday with deciding restaurants’ permit fees for outdoor dining after changing the way sidewalk cafes and parklets are regulated. City staff recommended an annual fee of $4.50 per square foot to cover administrative costs. But the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority’s Julie Townsend pushed to keep the permit fees for sidewalk […]
Category: Food & Dining
Posted inDowntown, Food & Dining
Silver Ring Cafe Must Vacate 35-Year Downtown Space by Sept. 1
Silver Ring Cafe has been pressing Cuban sandwiches and dishing up its signature chicken and yellow rice meals from its Tennessee Avenue perch on downtown Lakeland’s Munn Park for 35 years. Come Sept. 1, the restaurant will need to find a new space to lease or cease to exist.
Posted inFood & Dining
Barbecue: 4 Rivers Coming to Shoppes of Lake Miriam Crossing
Florida barbecue chain 4 Rivers Smokehouse plans to open its 15th location at the Shoppes of Lake Miriam Crossing, the shopping center that includes GreenWise Market and HomeGoods, Creative Loafing Tampa reports. Plans call for a 4,279-square-foot restaurant seating 87 opening later this year. Readers of Southern Living ranked 4 Rivers the top barbecue joint […]
Posted inDowntown, Food & Dining
Downtown Restaurants Expand Outdoor Dining Through Parklets
Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille and Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar have added more than 50 outdoor dining seats on Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland as part of a pilot program to expand sidewalk cafes.
Posted inFood & Dining, News Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper: Restaurant Edition
BORN & BREAD BAKEHOUSE in Dixieland is serving customers indoors again starting Wednesday after the pandemic prompted outdoor pickups only for nearly two years. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. | Menus & preorders HOMECOURT, the Merchants Walk restaurant/sports bar founded by retired […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining
Fresh Kitchen Plans a Build-a-Bowl Restaurant for Lakeland
Fresh Kitchen, a Tampa-based build-your-own-bowl restaurant chain, will open its first Lakeland site adjacent to the new Aldi store that is set to open in late 2022 on South Florida Avenue at Alamo Drive.
Posted inFood & Dining, People
Childhood Memories Inspired New Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Shop
A new Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard shop opens in north Lakeland today. Owner Gina Tullio said she was inspired to open it both by childhood memories and pregnancy cravings.
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining
Rooted Lakeland Offers a Healthy Take on Its Café Offerings
A new café in south Lakeland offers a healthy twist on the coffee shop/juice bar with a menu specializing in protein-enhanced shakes, refreshers, acai bowls, waffles, and donuts with a focus on “guilt-free, healthy shakes.”
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining
A Food Truck is Next for Owner of Seafood Grill and Fish Market
Stephanie Archibald keeps evolving her business, SB&B Seafood Bar & Grill, Business Observer reports. It started as a weekend get-together with friends and expanded to two locations — a restaurant and a fish market — that she now operates under one roof at 1801 George Jenkins Boulevard. Next the 38-year-old Lakeland native will add a […]
Posted inEducation, Food & Dining
Read It in the Morning Paper: School Options, Bandidas
SCHOOL OPTIONS: Polk County Public Schools are changing the application process for magnet schools, choice schools and career academies. A single limited deadline is being replaced with three enrollment periods; in addition, families will be able to apply via a paper form, not just by computer. | LEARN MORE: PCPS website. BANDIDAS: The three Latinas […]
