Tampa’s Dining Scene Welcomes 2 New Hot Restaurants
What was formally Luv Child has now transformed to a new Italian spot has opened up at 516 S. Howard Ave. in Tampa. The restaurant is Ciccio Restaurant Group’s largest sit-down operation yet. Jay Luigi brings full table service to Tampa, different from its St. Petersburg location on 4th Street North, which focuses mainly on takeout orders.
Pizza experts Vito Recchia and Jason Brunetti mix Italian tradition with modern touches in the kitchen. After honing his craft for five years in Italy, Recchia makes both Pala and Tonda style Roman pizzas – one fluffy and light, the other with a super-thin, crispy crust.
Using natural fermentation, their homemade dough creates pizza with clear texture differences and crunch. This process also makes the crust easier to digest for people sensitive to gluten.
Besides pizza, the menu features handmade pasta, local vegetables, and choice grilled meats. The bar serves up light, refreshing aperitivo-style cocktails that kick off meals nicely.
This new spot adds to Ciccio Restaurant Group’s growing footprint, which now includes 30 restaurants. Their lineup features Cali, Daily Eats, Fresh Kitchen, Green Lemon, Soulful, Sweet Soul, Taco Dirty, and Water + Flour.
Another new dining spot opened early 2025 in Tampa. Lower Deck restaurant, the newest spot from Three Oaks Hospitality, brings a blend of laid-back dining and marina views to the area. Following the style of its sister restaurant Stones Throw, Lower Deck hits the right balance between casual dining and waterfront atmosphere.
That’s So Tampa tells us that executive Chef Matt Mangone runs the kitchen, creating a tempting mix of raw bar items, pizzas, and fresh-caught seafood. The menu features favorites – from crispy Fish Sticks to tasty Meatball Parmesan Sliders and flavorful Shrimp Scampi Toast.
Located at Pointe on Harbour Island, diners can watch boats pass by while enjoying creative drinks. The bar serves up unique cocktails, including favorites like No Wake Zone and The Floor Is Guava.
Late-night diners will love the extended hours. The place stays open until 1 a.m. Monday to Wednesday, running later until 2 a.m. on Thursdays. Weekend guests can stick around until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Sundays go from mid-morning to 1 a.m.
