Tampa Today News: 27th Annual Kumquat Festival + Gasparilla Breakfast Buffet
Everything to know happening in town.
TGIF! Welcome back to Tampa Today News. I’m Carlos Hernandez, your host explaining all things about what’s happening in the Tampa area including local news, events, and more.
Today’s weather: High 83 and low 66. Mostly cloudy.
Featured Business: JEM Commercial Glass Glazing
Introducing JEM Glass Commercial Glazing, the top choice for Tampa’s elite General Contractors. The owner of JEM, Jordan Maniscalco, prides himself on providing his clients with honesty, reliability and second-to-none work from his family-run company that’s committed to exceeding expectations.
Learn more at www.jemglassglazing.com.
Are you interested in sponsoring Tampa Today News and promoting your business, events, or products? Reach out at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com and I will be happy to discuss rates.
Top local stories in town:
Enjoy an AYCE breakfast in downtown Tampa during Gasparilla Tampa on Saturday: Looking for somewhere to get some carbs before a day on the wild seas of Tampa? MeltSO located at 105 West Tyler St. is hosting a Gasparilla breakfast buffet on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy the unlimited breakfast buffet and bottomless mimosas for $45 plus tax. Reservations are available online. (thatssotampa.com)
Tampa City Council puts curfew proposal for minors on ice for now: Tampa City Council has punted a proposal for a juvenile citywide curfew to a future date. The proposal from the Castor Administration originally gained steam after a Ybor City weekend shooting last year. Several city councilmembers spoke out against the proposal during a Thursday meeting. Several community stakeholders are opposed to the curfew and feel it would not solve the bigger problem of guns and shootings. (wusf.org)
Historic cigar factory opens new park in Tampa: J.C. Newman Cigar Factory has opened Cigar Works Park across the street for the public at 1530 East Columbus Dr. in Tampa. The factory says its the perfect stop after a tour. The pavilion at the park is constructed with pre-Civil War wood from Quincy, Florida. It also the home of nearly 5,000 bats. (abcactionnews.com)
Check out the 27th Annual Kumquat Festival on Saturday in Dade City: The 27th Annual Kumquat Festival is this weekend on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Downtown Dade City. The family-friendly event is free to attend will include hundreds of vendors as well as live entertainment. Most vendors will take card, but some are cash-only. ATMs will be available on-site and near the festival and parking is available around Downtown Dade City. (wfla.com)
Tiësto spinning at Hard Rock Tampa on Sunday: World-famous electronic music mastermind Dj Tiësto is spinning at the Super Bowl this year in Las Vegas and you can also catch him poolside this Sunday, Jan. 28, at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa. Tickets are available online to see the renowned creator. Tickets start at $40. (cltampa.com)
Top local events today:
Shipwrecked 2024 at The Cuban Club. (5 p.m.)
Pre Invasion Party at Maloney's Local Irish Pub Downtown. (5 p.m.)
Southern Night Market at Southern Brewing & Winemaking. (6 p.m.)
Rough Riders Pre-Invasion Party at Tampa Convention Center. (7 p.m.)
Kayzo at The Ritz Ybor. (10 p.m.)
Official Shipwrecked 2024 After Party - The Gallows at Tampa Karaoke VIP / TK Lounge. (11:59 p.m.)
Notes:
Creative Loafing has compiled a list of over 25 Gasparilla parties and themed events. (cltampa.com)
Around town:
I visited Trophy Fish on an invite in Seminole Heights at 5901 N Florida Ave. for the first time on Thursday night for a Gasparilla Launch Party. I was impressed with venue, I haven’t visited the space since it was Bodega Tampa. It also happened to be National Fish Taco Day. My friend and I enjoyed some delicious fish tacos on their menu and also tried their octopus hot dog which was also good.
We also enjoyed the Los Bucaneros cocktail made with Bacardi 8, Spanish Sherry, Lapsang, Souchong tea-ki, blue spirulina, pineapple, and Peychauds. It was created by Bacardi and Santa Teresa Rum brand ambassador Richard Mejia. It will be on the menu through Gasparilla weekend. I also enjoyed a Mai Tai and would return for happy hour in the future.
One thing I love about Tampa is how creative the bartenders and brand ambassadors are. If you haven’t check out USBG Tampa Bay or any of their events, I definitely recommend it. Tampa has one of the most connected bar scenes in any major city.
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Featured business: Due Amici & Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne
Due Amici is a family-run pizza and pasta bar restaurant located in Ybor City at 1724 E 7th Ave. The restaurant takes pride in their gourmet food, handcrafting sauces to compliment the flavors in each dish. Pizza dough is made in-house, hand-spun, topped with the freshest ingredients, and carried to the oven with love.
Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne Bar is the latest hotspot in Ybor City right next door to Due Amici. The bar has a selection of fine wines and champagnes to choose from as well as charcuterie boards and live music and events regularly.
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That’s all I have for today. See you tomorrow!
-Carlos Hernandez