Bacon Bitch, Best Cuban Sandwich, Violet Stone, Pulpo: Restaurant News

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Check out the latest St. Petersburg-area restaurant and bar news:

Brunch Spot Bacon Bitch Abruptly Closes

The Edge District brunch spot Bacon Bitch abruptly closed down.

“Sad to inform you that this location has closed. Bacon Bitch locations continue in Orlando (UCF), South Beach (Miami Beach) and Bayside (downtown Miami),” a sign on Bacon Bitch’s closed doors read, according to Creative Loafing. “We are sorry about the short notice and we will miss St. Pete. Best Wishes!”

The restaurant opened four years ago at 1122 Central Avenue.

The Violet Stone Relocating

The Violet Stone, which serves Philadelphia-style pizza, is moving into a larger space in Crescent Heights.

It will relocate later this year to 2609 Dr. MLK Jr. Street N., where House of Pipes and Cigars and Neighborhood Joe were previously located.

"When we first started as a food truck business, we served Crescent Heights. We love that neighborhood and thought there weren't many sit-down restaurants on MLK," The Violet Stone founder and owner Daniel Fekete told St. Pete Rising.

St. Pete Eatery Serves One of the Best Cuban Sandwiches in the U.S., List Says

While a number of Tampa restaurants made Tasting Table’s “21 Best Spots for a Cuban Sandwich Across the U.S.” list, a St. Petersburg eatery was also named to it.

Bodega on Central was lauded for its take on the Cuban sandwich.

“At this popular spot in St. Petersburg, you can get your Cuban sandwich to go from the Bodega on Central order window or you can sit down and enjoy it at a table,” according to the restaurant’s listing. “The only catch is that you might have to wait a while before you get this award-winning sandwich, as there are frequent lines out the door.”

Brick & Mortar Owners to Debut New Concept in Grand Central District

Brick & Mortar Kitchen + Wine Bar is bringing a new concept to the Grand Central District.

Pulpo Kitchen + Lounge, a Latin-inspired restaurant, will open its doors at 2147 Central Ave. by mid-June, according to St. Pete Rising.

"This concept has been my brainchild for the past three years to fill a void in the area. We started doing the buildout about a year ago," owner Jason Ruhe said.