I like their tagline: "East meets West. They party." Kona Grill will open a location at 4134 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, with a grand opening party on Nov. 8. As colleague Mark Albright recently described the chain: "Kona Grill, a 22-store casual dining chain with an Asian-influenced menu of American favorites, will open a 344-seat restaurant at MetWest International. The Scottsdale, Ariz., chain is the first retail tenant in the 32-acre mixed-use project across Boy Scout Boulevard from International Plaza in Tampa. With an average check of $24, Kona Grill offers sushi, steaks, seafood and a selection of 40 sauces served in a dining room featuring a 2,000-gallon saltwater aquarium."

International Plaza area is heating up these days--went to BRIO last night and they were doing a brisk business. It's an attractive space and the staff seems well trained thus far. I'll reserve judgement on the food until my next visit.