St. Pete Italian Restaurant Expands Into South Tampa: Ciccio Group

TAMPA, FL — Italian restaurant Jay Luigi is expanding from St. Petersburg into Tampa with a second location opening Thursday, Ciccio Restaurant Group said in a news release.

Jay Luigi opened three years ago at 3201 4th Street N. in St. Pete.

The new location is at 516 South Howard Ave. in Tampa.

“While Jay Luigi SoHo will feature many of the same fan-favorites guests have come to know at our St. Petersburg location, we’re excited to offer a full-service experience with a vibrant, eclectic design that reflects the Tampa community,” Ciccio said.

It will be the restaurant group’s largest full-service restaurant and bar venture. The company currently operates 30 different restaurants under the Cali, Daily Eats, Fresh Kitchen, Green Lemon, Jay Luigi, Soulful, Sweet Soul, Taco Dirty, and Water + Flour brand names.

The vision for Jay Luigi SoHo “is a lighter and healthier Italian cuisine that you can indulge several times a week,” according to Ciccio.

Offerings include two Roman pizzas — Pala, which is light and fluffy, and Tonda, which is thin and crispy, the company said.

Other menu options include sharable fancy plates, fresh pasta, locally grown veggies, grilled meats and lighter craft Apertif-style cocktails.

Jason Brunetti, “pizza savant,” partnered with chef Vito Recchia, who trained and worked in Italy for more than five years, to create the menu, according to the company.

The pizza dough is house-made and naturally fermented — “flaky, doughy, crispy, easily digestible, and great for those who have to stay away from the gluten-starch combination,” Ciccio said.