Clear Sky Cafe Brings 'Draught Haus' to Dunedin

By Local Editor Katie Dolac

Clearwater Beach restaurateur Dan Shouvlin likes the vibrancy of Dunedin's Main Street.

That's one of the reasons he's excited to bring his Gastropub venture to the downtown Dunedin scene.

Shouvlin, operating partner of Clear Sky Cafe, a popular Clearwater Beach restaurant, said plans to transform 680 Main St, a corner building fronting downtown's easternmost gateway, into the “Clear Sky Draught Haus” are moving right along.

The former Living Room location, where Main Street meets State Road 580, is presently gutted and undergoing a complete architectural remodel, Shouvlin said during a phone interview Friday afternoon.

"You won't recognize it when we're done," he said.

The up-and-coming Dunedin Gastropub, modeled after a popular dining trend in metropolitan areas like San Francisco, Toronto, New York and Chicago, will be food-focused, with a fresh chef-driven, pub grub menu, Shouvlin said, rattling off examples like artisan flatbread sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, unique burgers, short ribs and plenty of vegetarian options.

Of course, as the name implies, the menu will be complemented by high-end craft beers. He plans to include 24 taps and another 20 bottled choices.

Shouvlin, who also is CEO of Frenchy's Corporation, is tentatively aiming for a Sept. 1 open date, pending any delays.

And Clear Sky Cafe fans need not worry. The award-winning eatery on Mandalay Avenue will not be moving as a result of the expansion.

Clear Sky Draught Haus is not the only expansion for the restaurateur.

A spokeswoman for Frenchy’s also confirmed the company's interest in the Island Outpost Restaurant, known for its Key West-style dining, on Dunedin Causeway. 

The Dunedin Frenchy's location opened Wednesday.