News from the beaches

Bob Griffin, publisher of Best Restaurants Magazines gave me a number of tips about what's going with restaurants in Pinellas beach communities and beyond. Despite all the gloom and doom, it looks like there's a new crop of restaurants on the horizon.

Newcomers:

• Dakota's Grill & Bar (formerly Monterey Bistro), 7924 Ulmerton Rd., Largo, (727) 536-7380, casual American fare, opened three weeks ago
• Time Out Restaurant, 111 Boardwalk Place, John's Pass Village

• Rio Grande Mexican Grill , 520 Cleveland Ave., Clearwater, a 5,000-square-foot restaurant is almost complete (and I'm not yet sure if it's related to this chain, but I have a call in to their marketing people)
• The Red Room Cafe & Sports Grill, 999 Missouri Ave. N., Largo, (727) 586-5170, opened last week
• Latitudes, 13111 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach (coming soon)
• Don Alvino of Jack Willie's and Tarpon Turtle is working on two new restaurants in the condos across the street from Eddie's Bar and Grill in Dunedin

New owners:

• There's been an ownership change at Captain Jack's in Tarpon Springs. It is now owned by Mike Lowe, who also owns Catches and Pappas Riverside Restaurant, and evidently he's done a great deal to renovate the property.
• Keegan's Seafood Grill in Indian Rocks Beach was purchased August 12 by the Schowowski family (parents Jon and Jacque, sons John and Rob). John has worked in local favorites such as Frenchy's, Beach Bistro and King Fish.
• While the ownership at Marlin Darlin (2819 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs, 727/584-1700) hasn't changed hands, it looks like it's added a new "Key West Grill" concept. Check out the menu here.

Comments

[Jimmy Z]

Rio Grande (the chain) - I doubt it, but if true, you win - great food and killer Maragaritas!

[Old Chef Dude]

Rio Grande 5,000 sqft. thats alot of tacos amigo.Muy Grande!if not the chain.