Hey, Justin Long, we’ve got some restaurant suggestions for you.
The Jeepers Creepers actor, who is town working on his new movie project Lady of the Manor, has been posting about his dining and drinking adventures on social media, including a stop by St. Petersburg’s Black Crow Coffee Co. and meal out at the Gandy outpost of Mr. & Mrs. Crab in Tampa.
Donning bibs and wielding silver crab crackers, Long and his brother, Christian Long, posed for a photograph at the popular seafood chain on Thursday before posting it to Instagram. In the social media post, the actor thanks his fans for subscribing to his podcast, Life is Short. Then, like any social media savvy star, he gets to crowd sourcing and asks for restaurant recommendations:
“We love hearing from you and it only makes the show better,” Long wrote. “Also, we’d LOVE some restaurant recommendations in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area — we’ll be working here til(l) March! Thanks!”
OK, Justin. Let me see if I can be of some help.
Now, I love crabs as much as the next person, but we’ve got some serious dining contenders that you definitely shouldn’t skip during your stay here.
A good start would be Rocca, chef Bryce Bonsack’s new stunner of an Italian restaurant in Tampa Heights. While you’re in the area, why not pop over to Armature Works and take your pick of any number of restaurants at the food hall, from refined contemporary European fare at Oak & Ola to quality steaks and cocktails at Steelbach and dazzling views from the rooftop bar at M. Bird.
And if you’re back in St. Petersburg, you can’t go wrong with a stop by Brick & Mortar or Italian darling Il Ritorno.
But, if you’re still somewhat of a newcomer to the Tampa Bay area, you can’t go wrong by getting a little background on our restaurant scene. Our recently published list detailing the area’s 25 most iconic restaurants is a solid primer, and there are plenty of great restaurant choices to be found on both sides of the bay. From the most iconic spots to grab a Cuban sandwich to your best bet at a white tablecloth evening, there’s plenty here to keep you busy for the next couple of months.