BayMagJan2026

JANUARY 2026

SAVOR TA M PA

B AY ' S

T O P

R E S TA U R A N T S

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MODERN LUXURY LIVING ON SNELL ISLE 1222 Brightwaters Boulevard NE | 5 Bed | 4 Bath | 4,043 SF | $2,550,000 Becky McConnell 727.410.1898

CLEARWATER BEACH 15 Avalon Street #601 | 3 Bed | 2/1 Bath | 2,240 SF | $2,995,000 Pete & Kim Mustafaraj 727.494.5485

TREASURE ISLAND BEACHFRONT HOME 10042 Gulf Boulevard | 4 Bed | 5 Bath | 3,186 SF | $6,250,000 Tia Hockensmith 727.422.6127 | Wendy Fields 727.647.2286

LUXURY HOME IN SOUTH TAMPA 4111 W Swann Avenue | 5 Bed | 4/1 Bath | 4,532 SF | $2,595,000 Leslie Minder & Mary Beth Byrd 813.335.5555

THE CLOISTERS PENTHOUSE | DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG 288 Beach Drive NE PH-2A | 5,100 SF | 360° Views | 4 Parking Spaces | $4,950,000 Sharon Kantner 727.278.5866 | Brian Waechter 727.643.2708

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inside

T H E JA N UA RY I SSU E

F RO M T H E E D I TO R

by Kathy Saunders

HELLO, JANUARY

12 DINING From Michelin-starred establishments to casual, off-the-beaten-path gems, Tampa Bay Times food and dining critic Helen Freund shares her exclusive list of the Top 50 best places to eat and drink in the bay area.

W

elcome to Bay magazine’s inaugural January issue. We’re now publishing every month. We started adding new issues in 2025, and this is the first time we have printed a January issue to start the new year since Bay was introduced in October 2007.

We begin 2026 fresh from a season of food, family, fun and making plans for what we want to enjoy in the upcoming months.

In my own life, planning ahead is key to meeting my personal and professional goals. On that note, I always make reservations when planning a restaurant meal. It’s in that context that we are republishing a list of the top restaurants in our area. We asked Helen Freund, the Tampa Bay Times’ food and dining critic, to share her picks for Tampa Bay’s Top 50 Restaurants, originally published in the newspaper in November 2025.

In Bay, we highlight her 10 best recommendations and hope, like us, that you will hang on to this month’s copy of the magazine and refer to her suggestions when you are looking for a great meal out.

We are also grateful to have a January issue to share about all the social events hosted in the Tampa Bay area over the holidays. Generous doesn’t begin to describe the giving from our community members who raised money for hospitals, journalism and war-torn Ukraine, among other causes.

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22 BOOKS SCENE

Former reporter Ace Atkins explores the ’80s in his new spy thriller “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”

24 ARTS SCENE

What better way to ring in the new year than by looking at great artwork?

Enjoy St. Petersburg museum shows and a historical mural in Tampa.

28 SOCIAL SCENE

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Spectacular 4-bedroom, 4½bath, 4,013-sq.ft. penthouse residences with lavish finishes, gourmet chef’s kitchens, grand living spaces and astonishing 64-ft.-wide covered beachfront balconies. Only 3 remain. A rare preconstruction opportunity. Well-priced from $4,800,000 to $4,995,000.

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Amazing contemporary luxury with spectacular Gulf and beach views! This 4-bedroom, 3½bath, private 2-car garage, upper-level residence features a brilliant chef’s kitchen, plush full baths, large bedrooms and living spaces and a huge 570-sq.ft. covered beachfront balcony ideal for entertaining.

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This majestic 6-bedroom, 4½-bath coastal estate offers 9,512 sq.ft. under roof and features towering ceilings, 90 ft. of waterfront, a massive garage, deep, protected boating water and rapid access to the Gulf.

Offered for $3,250,000.

Resting on a quiet cul-de-sac in one of Florida’s finest boating and commuting locations, this 7,065-total-sq.ft., 4-bedroom, 5½-bath luxury estate delivers spectacular water views from its sweeping 164 ft. of water frontage. Beautifully updated with magnificent gourmet chef’s kitchen, plush baths, private pool and more.

Offered for $4,250,000.

Arguably the finest luxury penthouse available on the boating waters of Tampa Bay. One trip through this astounding place and you will see that its beauty is not expressed simply as a list of luxury touches, but as a dazzling array of remarkable floor-to-ceiling finishes working in concert across 4,316 sq.ft. of sensational living area. Offered for $2,895,000.

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A M A G A Z I N E O F T H E TA M PA B AY T I M E S Bay is published monthly

by Times Publishing Co. and delivered to Tampa Bay Times subscribers in select neighborhoods in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Copyright 2026. Vol. 19, No. 1.

J A N U A RY 2 0 2 6

EDITOR KATHY SAUNDERS | ksaunders@tampabay.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR NIKKI LIFE | nlife@tampabay.com Photographer BRIAN JAMES | brian@brianjamesgallery.com Copy Editor Erin Murphy Imaging & Production Brian Baracani TO ADVERTISE IN BAY MAGAZINE, call 800-333-7505.

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For a print or digital subscription to the Tampa Bay Times, call 800-888-7012 or go to subscribe.tampabay.com.

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DINING

TOP NOSH RESTAURANTS T

ampa Bay, I hope you’re hungry. 2025’s Top Restaurants guide was my biggest list yet for the Tampa Bay Times — 50 restaurants to showcase the best and brightest our culinary scene has to offer. There’s a lot to dig into: The spectrum for culinary excellence in 2025 was wide, diverse and endlessly fascinating. No longer just a training ground for chain concepts, Tampa Bay has defined itself as a serious culinary destination attracting major national attention and the capital required to build luxury dining experiences. We now have Michelin-starred restaurants going head-to-head with pop-ups and food trucks, and plenty of great options in between.

This list includes both ends of the spectrum — fine dining restaurants and tasting menu spots where a dinner might cost $300 a head as well as smaller, off-the-beaten-path gems where a great meal can be found for less than $20. But what these restaurants all have in common is excellence, backed by world-class kitchens and ambitious, creative culinary prowess.

I hope you enjoy this list as much as I enjoyed writing it — it really is a great time to dine out in Tampa Bay.

BY HELEN FREUND, TAMPA BAY TIMES FOOD AND DINING CRITIC

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ROOSTER & THE TILL 6500 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-374-8940.

When Rooster & the Till opened in 2013, it ushered in a new era of dining for Tampa Bay. The petite, 37-seat restaurant from chef Ferrell Alvarez and Ty Rodriguez was doing something different, and everyone was watching. It didn’t take long for the accolades to pour in. In 2017, Alvarez was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Best Chef: South award from the James Beard Foundation. In 2025, I named it as my top pick of the year.

Why? Because Rooster & the Till still feels like the most exciting place to dine in Tampa Bay.

FROM THE COVER: The cobia collar. Photo by Jefferee Woo.

Chefs Ferrell Alvarez and Luke Hand. Photo by Martha Asencio-Rhine.

There’s a constant state of experimentation at play, so no dinner is ever quite the same. Plenty of the good stuff has remained, an impressive feat amid so much flux in the local restaurant industry. An ingenious fan favorite — a sticky, sweet, spicy cobia collar — is as solid as ever. But the longevity that impresses me the most is Alvarez’s commitment to building up his city’s culinary talent within the ranks of his own kitchen. Yes, this is a restaurant that will appease diners to many ends. But the culture fostered within the confines of this lively Seminole Heights spot deserves applause. The company has a reputation for nurturing up-and-coming talent, and former employees have gone on to launch their own culinary endeavors after formative years here.

Rooster’s annual dinner series has also brought in chefs from across the country, another example of the restaurant’s commitment to innovation and collaboration.

During Feeding Tampa Bay’s annual Epic Chef series in 2025, I watched in awe as 20-year-old Angel Gaston competed head-to-head with chefs from some of the area’s best restaurants. Gaston, recently promoted to chef tournant, has been at Rooster for just over a year — on the line most nights, working side by side with chef de cuisine Luke Hand, who, with Alvarez, is in constant conversation about the spot’s ever-evolving menu.

On a recent visit, that included some of the very best dishes I had in 2025: grilled Australian king prawns, nestled in a curried cashew butter with pickled beets and daikon, tucked under a bevy of fresh herbs; crispy-edged, charred cabbage paired with a malted peanut crunch, green papaya and a yellow Thai curry; and show-stopping sticky-and-sweet char siu pork ribs, paired with pickled kohlrabi and a creamy miso ranch. Dinner here is still a celebration. On every single occasion, I leave feeling well-fed and eager to return. What more could you ask for in a restaurant?

JANUARY 2026

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ROCCA 323 W. Palm Ave., Tampa. 813-906-5445.

Chef and owner Bryce Bonsack’s love letter to Italian cuisine is as impressive as the day it opened in 2019.

Though some dishes may come off as deceptively simple, Rocca has a technique-driven kitchen where attention to detail, high-quality ingredients and a whole lot of finesse are at play. I like starting an evening with the restaurant’s perfect Manhattan while savoring the salty nuggets of aged Parmesan that serve as a precursor to a meal. The shrimp fritti, draped in silky slices of speck and a velvety beurre blanc, is always a hit, as is the genius little gem salad, blanketed in salty pecorino Romano cheese and the zingiest of anchovy vinaigrettes — easily my favorite salad in all of Tampa Bay. And the agnolotti, filled with spicy salame calabrese, and the light-as-air spaghetti al limone, with sweet morsels of blue crab and zucchini, are still some of the very best pasta dishes around. The menu has evolved over time, but without the heavy ebb and flow seen at some other spots. That’s more than OK. When we’re talking about the oh-so-popular tableside mozzarella service or a dry-aged Rohan duck, would you really want it to change?

Chef Bryce Bonsack. Photos by Melissa Santell.

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Photos by Dirk Shadd.

IL RITORNO 449 Central Ave. N., Suite 101, St. Petersburg. 727-897-5900.

No matter how many times I dine at Il Ritorno, I always leave surprised. Chef David and Erica Benstock’s celebrated downtown St. Petersburg restaurant has made a name for itself with upscale Italian cuisine since 2013, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Take a closer look at the menu and you’ll catch a whiff of the ephemeral force that keeps this stunning spot spinning. The menu changes seasonally: a summer prelude of confit tomato with an icy watermelon granita and ricotta salata; an autumnal salad of grilled baby romaine and endive swathed in a walnut-sherry vinaigrette. The spot’s grand tasting menu is pricey, but worth every penny for its dynamic lineup of innovative dishes. Maybe it was the silky stracciatella paired with preserved clementines and crispy sage-green gnocco fritto or the light and summery corn tortellini hugging guanciale in a smoked tomato elixir I sampled on a recent visit, but I’m pretty sure Il Ritorno has never been better.

JANUARY 2026

| B AY M A G A Z I N E | 15

Photo by Martha Asencio-Rhine.

4

WILD CHILD

2710 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-954-7425.

When Wild Child first opened on a still-sleepy stretch of St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue in 2020, it sparked a new kind of dining that would set the tone for so much to come in the now-bustling Grand Central District. That’s what really good food, excellent hospitality and solid vibes can do for a block.

Dishes here excel with bright, bold flavors and a playful yet finessed presentation, backed by a menu that’s always on the move. Ever since owners Rob Reinsmith and Matt Kaye launched their tropical neighborhood spot, I have never — not once — had a meal that didn’t completely delight. The spot’s inventive, tropical spirit extends to a wildly creative cocktail program curated by beverage director Chris Trull with drinks like a pumpkin mole martini or the always popular Lost Weekend, a refreshing combo of watermelon, mint, lime and agave — plus your liquor of choice. On any given day, you’d be hard-pressed to tear me away from the salsa macha-draped tuna tostadas or the Korean-fried chicken sandwich. But it’s the ever-changing menu — with surprise hits like a vegan mushroom and veggie-packed paella, paired with a creamy cashew crema, and the spicy shiitake mushroom dumplings — that keeps me coming back.

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Photo courtesy of Koya.

KOYA 807 W. Platt St., Tampa. 813-284-7423.

Nobody masters the local omakase game better than Koya.

What began as a pandemic gamble has evolved into one of the area’s most creative homages to upscale Japanese cuisine — and the first Tampa Bay restaurant in this genre to garner a coveted Michelin star. Some crowd favorites always grace the menu: There’s the perfect bite of silky uni wobbling on brown butter-soaked milk bread with the crunch of Fuji apples, and the salted banana cream-filled chocolate cone drizzled with miso caramel and topped with Osetra grandeur caviar. If either of those dishes disappeared, I’m almost certain there would be a revolt. But what makes Koya stand out is chef and owner Eric Fralick’s constant experimentation and the menu’s ongoing seasonal evolution. Aided by chef de cuisine Adam Finzel and a stellar cadre of cooks doing double-time as servers, an evening here is always a culinary thrill.

6

ELLIOTT ASTER 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-824-8072.

It’s hard not to be wowed by the stunning dining room at Elliott Aster. Outfitted with low-slung booths, black-and-white photographs of St. Petersburg’s past, multitiered pendant chandeliers and 100-year-old frescoes, The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club’s new restaurant was hands-down the most gorgeous spot to debut in 2025. But wait — the food is also excellent. Lee Wolen, of Chicago’s acclaimed Boka Restaurant Group, is running operations at this upscale Italian steakhouse. Dishes like the light and zingy insalata di mare, flecked with chiles and tarragon, and a black truffle-laced beef tartare provide a first glimpse of the careful finesse taking place behind kitchen doors.

The must-order pull-apart focaccia arrives with a wildflower honey glaze, sporting an irresistible sweet-and-salty hit from taleggio and pecorino cheeses. And the spot’s particularly strong pasta program includes the showstopper beef cheek tortelli filled with melt-in-your-mouth red wine-braised beef cheeks, dusted with Parmesan and finished with an aged balsamic vinegar. It’s one of the best things I ate in 2025.

Photo by Nick Podraza.

JANUARY 2026

| B AY M A G A Z I N E | 17

BAR TERROIR 3636 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. 813-535-7922.

The latest from the Tastes Pretty Good group (Rocca, Streetlight Taco), Bar Terroir takes a page straight from the book of Parisian bistronomy, turning out classic French cooking with a contemporary edge. Yes, steak frites, cassoulet and escargot are all on the menu. But while the kitchen takes care to honor classic French tradition, it’s focusing on elevated and technique-driven cuisine, fusing the casual feel of bistro dining with high-end gastronomy. Take the brilliant shrimp cocktail, where herb-flecked Key West pinks come hugging a rimmed coupe filled with a sumac-laced cocktail sauce. Or the steak tartare, paired with crispy beef tendon “chips,” which are not unlike an airy, crunchy chicharron. If I had to design my perfect meal, it would involve splitting the salad verte, swaddled in a tangy green goddess dressing, and the roasted heritage chicken, which arrives crispy-skinned and sidling smoky sweet potatoes and garlic confit, everything swimming in a rich and sultry foie gras jus. It perfectly encapsulates what this restaurant is all about.

Photo by Luis Santana.

BRICK & MORTAR 539 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

727-822-6540.

In 2025, right around the restaurant’s 10-year anniversary, I stopped by Brick & Mortar for an impromptu dinner. The downtown St. Petersburg spot was abuzz with a steady weeknight crowd, lively but somehow still intimate. Hope Montgomery, who, together with chef Jason Ruhe, runs the restaurant, was behind the bar, topping off Champagne glasses for a celebratory toast. 2025 was a busy year for the couple, who also launched their widely anticipated Latin restaurant Pulpo Kitchen + Lounge and continued to run seafaring Tierra Verde spot Sea Worthy Fish + Bar. One could excuse their focus wavering a bit. But Brick & Mortar is better than ever. A decadent dish of handmade pappardelle comes hugging juicy, sweet hunks of blue crab, wrapped in a creamy sauce spiked with Fresno peppers. Steamed Prince Edward Island mussels swim in a chorizo-studded sauce with creamy white beans and sharp blue cheese. And the burger with punchy white cheddar and bacon-onion jam is still the best in town.

More than anything, though, it’s the couple’s love of feeding people delicious food in an intimate, welcome setting that keeps this spot shining.

Bryce Bonsack and Max McKee. Photo courtesy of Bar Terroir.

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THE TIDES MARKET 305 Main St., Safety Harbor. 727-699-8433.

What opened in 2021 as a small seafood market and boutique grocer has grown into one of Tampa Bay’s most popular restaurants. Last year, Jon and Mary Kate Walker’s ode to fresh seafood and local produce snagged a “recommendation” from the esteemed Michelin Guide. It’s hype that’s well-warranted: This charming downtown Safety Harbor restaurant is still the best place for fresh fish and seafood in Tampa Bay. There’s a subtle Southern undercurrent running through the menu (Jon Walker previously cooked in New Orleans and managed a seafood distribution business in Birmingham, Alabama), but mostly, the preparations here focus on high-quality fish and techniques that let the ingredients shine. A spicy sesame tuna tartare is coupled with pickled red onions and crispy house kettle chips; cheesy crawfish arancini arrive in bright romesco sauce; and the fried seafood po’boys are the best this side of Louisiana, made with crispy loaves imported straight from New Orleans.

(Full disclosure: My partner has done some freelance design work in the past for The Tides Market.)

Photo by Martha Asencio-Rhine.

ROYAL THAI 5011 W. Hillsborough Ave., Suite A, Tampa. 813-392-2080.

Tucked in a strip mall off West Hillsborough Avenue in the shadow of Tampa International Airport, Royal Thai serves an impressive and creative selection of regional Thai specialties.

Husband-and-wife owners Chanon Siriphaisan and Sakaewan Pansaen debuted their small but mighty restaurant in fall 2024 — and have since received widespread attention for their extensive approach to Thai cuisine. Dishes like shrimp sashimi, butterflied open like orchid petals; crispy fried chicken wings accompanied by a scallion- and chile-laced dipping sauce; and barbecued pork belly, draped in a sauce warm with spice and star anise, are just a few examples of Siriphaisan’s culinary prowess. His approach takes inspiration from all over Thailand, including the Isan-style dishes found in the country’s northeast region bordering Laos and Cambodia. That includes the showstopper nam khao tod, where crispy rice is paired with fermented pork sausage and tossed with a jumble of cilantro, sliced ginger, thick slivers of red onions and crunchy roasted peanuts.

10 JANUARY 2026

Photo by Dirk Shadd.

| B AY M A G A Z I N E | 19

TOP NOSH RESTAURANTS

11-50

19. Flaming Mountain Chinese Grill & Skewer Bar. 13520 University Plaza St., Tampa. 813-609-8888.

20. Lucky Tigré. 1901 N. Howard Ave., Tampa.

36. Rene’s Mexican Kitchen. 4414 N. Nebraska Ave. and 2802 N. 16th St., Tampa.

21. Sushi Sho Rexley. 214 Second St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-835-8478.

37. Lolita’s Wine Market. 16 18th St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-505-0503.

22. Edison: Food + Drink Lab. 912 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-254-7111.

38. Juno & The Peacock. 400 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. 727-2584222.

23. The Restorative. 420 Patricia Ave., Dunedin. 727-735-4257.

24. Ponte Modern American. 1010 Gramercy Lane, Tampa. 813-582-7755.

Scan this QR code or log on to tampabay.com/ toprestaurants for the full reviews.

11. Ash. 420 S. Nebraska Ave., Tampa.

813-221-9191.

35. Good Intentions. 1900 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg.

25. Fisk. 1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa.

813-284-8276.

26. The Little Lamb Gastropub. 2475 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.

727-401-3339.

27. Mise en Place. 1229 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa.

39. Bern’s Steak House. 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-251-2421.

40. Mullet’s Fish Camp. 3901 Sixth St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-205-6313.

41. Counter Culture. 2909 W. Bay to Bay Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa. 813-5708660.

42. Willa’s. 1700 W. Fig St., Tampa.

813-519-4552.

43. Psomi. 701 N. Howard Ave., Tampa.

813-841-5555.

12. Lara. 1919 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa.

28. Uncle Funz Provisions. 6640 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-498-6873.

13. Patti’s Kitchen. 6527 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. 727-289-4153.

29. Olive Tree by Chef Yousef. 11508 N. 56th St., Tampa. 813-899-0111.

14. Slim Charmer. 2706 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

30. Pulpo Kitchen + Lounge. 2147 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-2028954.

46. SuperNatural Food & Wine. 305 E. Polk St., Tampa. 813-202-3324.

31. Kosen. 307 W. Palm Ave., Tampa.

813-999-1720.

47. Streetlight Taco. 4004 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. 813-217-9158.

32. Pia’s Trattoria. 3054 Beach Blvd.

S., Gulfport. 727-327-2190.

48. The Brisket Shoppe. 3501 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa. 813-879-4647.

17. Calida Kitchen & Wine. 2909 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-202-0263.

33. Smallbar. 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

49. Baba (and Barbouni). 2701 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-954-3406.

18. Allelo. 300 Beach Drive NE, Suite 128, St. Petersburg. 727-851-9582.

34. The Black Pearl. 315 Main St., Dunedin. 727-734-3463.

50. Lilac. 500 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-771-8022.

15. Franca’s (mobile pizza pop-up business). francas-pizza.com.

16. Cybel. 2735 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-437-8166.

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44. Estuary. 6220 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. 727-807-5914.

45. Roam. 3405 34th St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-346-5242.

Bascoms Chop 21

B O O KS SC E NE by Colette Bancroft BOOK PICKS: LAW AND LAUGHS

SPY KID I

f the title of Ace Atkins’ new comedic spy thriller “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” sets off pleasure centers deep in your brain that were formed in the 1980s, wait until you read the book.

That 1985 Tears for Fears pop hit was part of the soundtrack of the era that Atkins recreates in delicious detail in the novel. A reporter at The Tampa Tribune and the then-St. Petersburg Times before he became a full-time novelist, Atkins has always been adept at crime fiction with historical settings. (His 2006 book “White Shadow,” set in 1955 in Tampa, is a must-read.)

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is very particular, not just in time but in place: Atlanta, then known as “the city too busy to hate,” and its burgeoning ’burbs. From the dazzling atrium of the signature Hyatt Regency downtown to the endless suburban twists of Roswell Road, Atkins nails the details.

One of those suburbs is home to Peter Bennett and his mom, Connie. Bennett is 14, and in addition to the usual teenage angst, he’s burdened with a growing suspicion that his mother’s annoying boyfriend, Gary Powers, is a Russian spy. Powers has a weird accent and drives a Porsche with a gun in the glove compartment, and Connie works for Scientific Atlanta, a tech company rumored to have military contracts. What else is a boy to think in the waning days of the Cold War, in the weeks before the historic meeting between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev?

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Ace Atkins. Photo by Bill Dabney.

Then one of Connie’s colleagues is murdered, and things get serious. Bennett turns for help from a guy he once read about in a magazine: Dennis X. Hotchner, a former muckraking journalist and now author of thrillers shelved as “men’s fiction” (and part-time bookstore employee). Hotchner and his best friend, a muscled Black drag queen called Jackie Demure (who isn’t?), take Bennett seriously, especially after a couple of Russian thugs try to kill Hotch.

In another plot line, we meet someone who is definitely a Russian spy, a lovelorn defector named Vitaly Yurchenko, who’s trying to play the various CIA and FBI handlers assigned to him.

And there’s a mystery woman called Lisica, among many other names, whose real mission is opaque, but whose skills are deadly.

Among the American cloak-and-dagger types is Dan Rafferty, a veteran spook who is madly in love with (and spending a ton of money on) a stripper called Trinity Velvet, aka Wanda Tarpley.

There’s also Sylvia Weaver, who’s discovering that being a young Black female FBI agent in the Atlanta office has its struggles.

How all of those plots come together is one of this novel’s wicked pleasures. Another is Atkins’ well-honed humor — like his last book, “Don’t Let the Devil Ride,” this one is reminiscent of Elmore Leonard, master of cool wit and hot action. In Atkins’ hands, the ’80s might be even more fun than you remember.

“Out of Sight” by Elmore Leonard: Any Leonard novel is a treat, but this 1996 beauty puts an escaped bank robber and a determined federal marshal in the trunk of a car together, with amazing results (the 1998 movie version is madly, hilariously sexy).

“The Secret Hours” by Mick Herron: Herron’s “Slough House” series is the reigning big dog of spy fiction, and rightly so.

This 2023 novel takes readers back to the Cold War era to fill in the backstories of some of the main characters, including the inimitable Jackson Lamb.

“Murder Takes a Vacation” by Laura Lippman: Lippman takes a lighthearted tack in her latest novel with the adventures of Muriel Blossom, a retired investigator.

She takes a river cruise from Paris and meets a charming man — who ends up dead, which puts a whole new twist on her trip.

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ARTS SC E NE by Maggie Duffy

NEW YEAR? NEW ART! What better way to ring in the new year than by looking at great artwork? From museum shows to a historical mural, the offerings are especially strong this month.

A sculpture in artist Reza Aramesh’s “Study of the Head as Cultural Artifacts” series. Photos courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.

Two must-see exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Bask in dramatic baroque paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, with “In Caravaggio’s Light: Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi.” The foundation, based in Florence, Italy, holds works by not only the bad boy of baroque himself, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, but also by the Caravaggisti — the artists who, according to curator Dr. Stanton Thomas, “absorbed, modified and evolved” his

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“Boy Bitten by a Lizard” (detail), c. 1597, by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, known as Caravaggio. Oil on canvas. Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi, Florence, Italy.

style. The show doesn’t bury the lede: Caravaggio’s “Boy Bitten by a Lizard” is at the forefront. It is a gleaming example of his trademark mastery of chiaroscuro (contrasted light) and of genre painting, a pure depiction of everyday life, in the moment as it was happening.

After this, the show becomes heavy on religious themes, with depictions of apostles and a few references to a biblical event made famous by Caravaggio (and — for the art history feminists out there — Artemisia Gentileschi), the scene depicting Judith beheading Holofernes. In

Tampa artist Michelle Sawyer worked with students from the Pace Center for Girls to create this mural. Photo courtesy of Michelle Sawyer.

to be missed. On view through March 22.

255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg.

727-896-2667. mfastpete.org.

Go beyond surrealism at The Dalí Museum

“Four Women on a Base” by Alberto Giacometti (Swiss, 1901-1966). 1950. Bronze. Fondation Giacometti Collection. Copyright Succession Giacometti/ADAGP Paris. Photo courtesy of The Dalí Museum.

the next gallery, an expertly curated companion exhibit, “Baroque Continuum: Caravaggio and the Caravaggisti Over Time,” brings the movement into contemporary times. That show contains three of the most exciting marble sculptures I’ve ever seen, by Iranian artist Reza Aramesh. These exhibitions are not

Over the years, The Dalí Museum has drawn parallels between its namesake artist and many important masters of art, including Pablo Picasso, René Magritte and Frida Kahlo. They’re at it again in perhaps the most successful pairing to date, with “Alberto Giacometti & Salvador Dalí: Through & Beyond Surrealism.” It’s presented by The Dalí and the Fondation Giacometti, Paris, and is a first-of-its-kind exhibition. The two artists’ paths crossed in Paris in 1929, when Dalí drew the surrealists’ attention to sculptor Giacometti’s work, according to a wall label in the exhibition. By the early 1930s, the pair were collaborating on a surrealist garden design that never came to pass. But both artists’ works were informed by Freudian psychoanalysis, although later their viewpoints diverged, with Dalí leaning into mysticism and Giacometti into existentialism. The latter’s work emulates this post-World War II existentialism with his lonely, fragile, elongated sculpted figures that he reduces to the point of near destruction. On his end, Dalí creates mystical dreamscapes for his figures to wander. Ever the local leader in museum

tech, there is an homage to the duo’s garden with the installation, “The Endless Garden.” Using digital prompts, your choices create objects that appear and change on screens. On view through April 19. 1 Dalí Blvd., St. Petersburg. 727-8233767. thedali.org.

A new mural honors historical women of Tampa Planting the seeds of art early is vital, and a new mural is the result of doing just that. Gasparilla Arts, the foundation that presents the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, partnered with the Pace Center for Girls and Tampa muralist Michelle Sawyer to paint a mural on the Hillsborough Avenue campus of the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa. It pays tribute to women who have shaped East Tampa’s history. Sawyer had guidance from historian Fred Hearns of the Tampa Bay History Center and worked with students from the Pace Center to paint the mural. Many of the students had never held a paintbrush before, according to board member John Scheffel, who said Sawyer went above and beyond her scope of work and that the students were very engaged. A party to celebrate its completion happens on Jan. 22 from 2-4 p.m. at its site, 1907 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. gasparillaarts. com.

JANUARY 2026

| B AY M A G A Z I N E | 25

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BECAUSE EVERY HOME IS UNIQUE. JUST LIKE YOU. JUST LIKE US. BROKERAGE | RENTALS | RELOCATION | NEW DEVELOPMENT | MORTGAGE | TITLE | INSURANCE | FINE ART CONSIGNMENT Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. *Peerage Group Sotheby’s International Realty.

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OWN THE WATERFRONT ������������ ������������ ���� $� ������� 813.722.0484 | 4900 Bridge Street | Tampa MarinaPointe.com ORAL REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed �� ��������� ������������� ������ ��������� ���� ���� ����� �� ������������� ����� ��� ��������� ����� ������� ������������

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Nadine Smith. Photo by Dave Decker.

SO C I AL SCE NE

Tommy Voravong and Dr. David Johnson.

Equality Florida Tampa Gala: “A Breath of Fresh Air” Equality Florida gala guests erupted in a standing ovation for Nadine Smith as she closed out her 28-year tenure as executive director of the statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. Her advocacy drew tremendous admiration and applause as she delivered her final state-of-the-state address, then passed the torch to co-founder and Deputy Director Stratton Pollitzer before taking on a new national role as the CEO of Color of Change. Dr. David Johnson, University of South Florida history chair and author of “The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government,” received the Voice for Equality Award for his two decades of preserving LGBTQ history, work that is now expanding into a public exhibition. With 450 enthusiastic supporters, the Nov. 21, 2025, “A Breath of Fresh Air” gala raised over $700,000 before drag queen Alice Marie Gripp took over the dance floor at the Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer.

Regan McLellan, John Kaneklides, Eduardo Valbuena, Daniel Frisk and Dr. Bennett Mack.

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Christopher Boykin and Stratton Pollitzer.

Alice Marie Gripp. Photo by Dave Decker.

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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Around the World with St. Jude Gala

Mrs. Universe USA 2025 Amber and Jamison Uhler.

Around the World with St. Jude Gala co-chairs Gennie and Mike Swenson and Kristen and Bill Perusek added to the legacy of actor Danny Thomas, raising $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Thomas founded the Memphis, Tennessee, institution to ensure that families of children with life-threatening diseases never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food. WTSP-Ch. 10 anchor Jamison Uhler, returning to emcee for the 10th year, introduced the 400 guests to Slater Bushman of Palm Beach County, who spent 425 days at St. Jude’s in treatment for Stage 4 neuroblastoma. Gala founders Tom and Holly Malouf thanked the generous American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities supporters during dinner on Nov. 8, 2025, at Armature Works. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer.

Kristen Perusek, Michelle Wasielewski, Phyllis and Hart McIntyre and Gennie Swenson.

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Feraby, Paul and Kelly Hoffman.

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Lauren Krawczyk, Kristin Connell, Lindsay Carter and Elise Elsberry.

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SO CI AL SC E N E

The Stuart Society Smartly Dressed Cue the beloved “Theme From New York, New York” tune: Start spreadin’ the news…

The Margaret Acheson Stuart Society’s Smartly Dressed luncheon, “Welcome to New York,” brought Big Apple energy and style to the annual fashion show benefit for the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.

Co-chairs Kristin Connell and Lindsay Carter welcomed 500 guests to The Coliseum on Nov. 6, 2025, where a New York skyline backdrop framed Dillard’s International Plaza models in holiday chic. Museum Executive Director Klaudio Rodriguez, who lived in New York when he led The Bronx Museum of the Arts, was thrilled to have the women’s group’s support for upcoming exhibitions and programs. Text by Amy Scherzer. Photos by Emily Will Photography.

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Joy Rudnicki, Iveta Mitrevics, Santa, Sherrie Bossung, Theresa Matthews and Debi Ferguson.

Mary Ann Will, Susan Taylor and Lisa Funsch.

Katherine Ruetz and Sandra Yang.

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Micha Seal, Carol Cromer and Cheryl Anderson.

SO C I A L SC E N E

St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation Holiday Fashion Show Red-hot dancing Santas teased in tank tops and suspenders, kicking off a festive runway of sparkling red, green, silver, white and gold holiday looks from Dillard’s International Plaza at St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation’s annual Holiday Fashion Show. Event Show Productions packed the Nov. 21, 2025, luncheon at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street with jazzy singers, acrobats and country crooners, keeping 900 guests entertained as they supported St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Program and the High-Risk Maternity Unit. With Don Germaise’s lively auction and Dillard’s donating 10% of the “ballroom boutique” sales, co-chairs Morgan Molinari and Stacey Crum were overjoyed to announce more than $580,000 was raised for lifesaving maternal and infant care. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer.

Jess Hayat, Barbie Winterbottom and Erika Sims.

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Red-hot Santas.

Yvonne Fry, Stephanie Conners, Keri Eisenbeis and Kimberly Guy.

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Tampa Bay History Center Annual Gala A salute to aviation pioneers launched the Tampa Bay History Center’s annual gala, celebrating courageous flight crews — military and civilian — who kept the skies friendly. Waiters outfitted as pilots and flight attendants was a fun idea, and several guests topped their tuxedos with jaunty aviator scarves. The Columbia Café-catered buffet became the ultimate destination, offering a globe-trotting spread of dishes from Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean, and Central and South America, with servers dressed in the traditional attire of each region. Co-chairs Duncan and Jessica Belser grounded the Nov. 14, 2025, gala — no auctions, no awards — keeping the 400 guests focused on food and friendship to support the exhibitions and educational programs that keep Tampa Bay’s history alive. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer.

Retired Maj. Gen. Larry and Julia Martin and Stephanie and Brady Christensen.

36 | B AY M A G A Z I N E | J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 6

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Wheels of Success Road Trip ’25 With 1,325 cars and 1,205 car-related services delivered since 2003, Road Trip ’25 celebrated Wheels of Success’ mission to “change lives one vehicle at a time.” Guests dined their way “across the country,” from Little Italy’s gnocchi to Key West’s shrimp to Napa Valley wines, before three working women were handed keys to cars of their own — always an emotional moment — on Nov. 18, 2025, at Armature Works. Founder and CEO Susan Jacobs honored AAA Auto Club and Taylor Sanger of Ideal Talent Group with Hub Cap Awards. A $100,000 matching challenge from the Wanda and Jim Moran Foundation will ensure that more families receive “wheels to independence,” because sometimes the key to success really is a key. Text by Amy Scherzer. Photos by Tacy Briggs-Troncoso.

Heather Steinfeld, Joanne Weiland, Sandra Rosa, Marleen Geyen, Susan Jacobs, Danna Haydar, Diane Jamai, Dr. Virnitia Dixon, John Punzak, Eric Nowak and Erica Holliday.

Erica Holliday hugs a car recipient.

Wheels of Success gave away three cars.

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SOCIAL SCENE

Ukraine Crisis Relief International Cocktail Reception Retired ophthalmologist-turned-anti-aging-specialist Dr. Lyda Tymiak Lindell hosted a cocktail reception in late October 2025 at The St. Regis New York to power up two urgent fundraising campaigns benefiting war-torn Ukraine. Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan-Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and president of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, joined the guests, helping to raise $150,000 towards an anonymous $1 million matching gift so young Ukrainians may remain in their country to study, fight and rebuild. “The world is watching Ukraine’s fight for democracy and its very existence,” said Lindell, who created the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which has supplied generators, medical equipment and ambulances during the Russian invasion. “The outcome of the war will change the world.” Text by Amy Scherzer.

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Parc Center for Disabilities Annual Black-Tie Gala “This Is Us” was far more than a theme at Parc Center for Disabilities’ 56th annual Black-Tie Gala — it was a showcase of capabilities and achievements by children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Defying Autism with Music pianist Milosz Gasior entertained during the cocktail hour at The Coliseum in St. Petersburg on Nov. 8, 2025. Parc participants sold their artwork, performed a ballroom dance and cheered a rousing version of “This Is Me” sung by the Parc Inspired Choir. The family of Onyx, 2, who has FOXP1 syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder, shared their gratitude for the hope and joy that Parc’s Discovery Learning Center brings them.

Text by Amy Scherzer. Photos by Krayer Zimring.

42 | B AY M A G A Z I N E | J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 6

Joel Manings and Michelle Detweiler.

Elaine and Neal LaPierre.

Myra and Dr. David Gross.

David and Emily Scherer and Alesya and Chris Scherer.

SO C I AL SC E N E

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Across 23 sites in St. Petersburg and Tampa, some 16,000 teens in grades six through 12 have participated in music, dance, acting, theater tech and visual arts training, always infused with leadership and career mentoring, said Harris, an award-winning musician himself. A student vocalist with Broadway dreams greatly impressed guests gathered Nov. 24, 2025, in The Tampa EDITION’s Punch Room, as did Harris’ version of a Sam Cooke classic. Text and photo by Amy Scherzer.

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SO C IAL SC E N E

The Poynter Institute Bowtie Ball A double headline celebrated two milestones at the annual Bowtie Ball: The Poynter Institute marked 50 years as the “gold standard” in journalism training, and Jane Pauley received the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism for a five-decade career that began with no newsroom experience.

“Success is defined as the courage to try,” said Pauley, 75, noting her trajectory from co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show at age 25 to host of “CBS Sunday Morning” at 65. VIP photo-ops, video tributes from friends Candice Bergen, Mitch Albom, and John Mellencamp, and a Q&A with Poynter President Neil Brown filled the evening at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street on Nov. 15, 2025. Poynter also honored Pauley’s husband, G.B. “Garry” Trudeau, the Pulitzer-winning creator of “Doonesbury,” and Dean Baquet, former executive editor of The New York Times, with Distinguished Service to Journalism Awards. Boosted by a $10,000 auction bid for an original “Doonesbury” pen-andink comic strip and a $50,000 matching gift from Barbara Micheln, the event’s 500 guests raised nearly $1 million to support First Amendment freedoms and Poynter’s media and democracy resources. Text and photos by Amy Scherzer.

Dr. Kanika Tomalin and Diane Bailey Morton.

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Jane Pauley and G.B. “Garry” Trudeau. Photo by The Poynter Institute/Chris Zuppa.

Dean Baquet and his son, Ari Baquet.

Charlie Johnson, Annica Keeler, Lari Johnson and Hub Brown.

Irwin Novack and Conan Gallaty.

Bob and Debbie Hyde.

For a true Italian dining experience

Founded with a passion for authentic Italian cuisine, La Dolce Vita Trattoria brings the taste of Italy to your table, just like home. Enjoy quality family recipes and a true Italian dining experience at any of our three locations:

Clearwater | 2649 Ulmerton Rd.

• Palm Harbor | 600 Palm Harbor Blvd. • St. Pete Beach | 7141 Gulf Blvd.

SO C I A L SC ENE CAL ENDAR by Amy Scherzer Jan. 16: Our Table progressive dinner, which benefits Feeding Tampa Bay. 6-9 p.m. Causeway Center. 813-254-1190. feedingtampabay.org.

Jan. 24: Martinis + Matisse, which benefits the Clearwater Free Clinic. 7-10 p.m. FrankCrum. clearwaterfreeclinic.org/mm-artists.

Jan. 24: Port Tampa Bay Anchor Ball, which benefits the Tampa Bay Maritime Scholarship Foundation and Tampa Port Ministries. $225. 6 p.m. TPepin’s Hospitality Centre. porttb.com/ about-the-port/port-events/anchor-ball.

Jan. 24: Lives Uplifted Gala, which benefits Gulf Coast JFCS. 6-10 p.m. The Floridian Social. 727-479-1805. gulfcoastjfcs.org.

Jan. 31: Art Festival Beth-El’s purchase award patrons’ reception, exclusively for patrons who have pre-pledged a minimum of $500 (applicable toward the purchase of art). 1-4 p.m. Opening cocktail reception, exclusively for patrons who

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PRESENTED BY:

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE Check out Tampa Bay’s top nonprofits and upcoming fundraisers at tampabay.com/bay.

46 | B AY M A G A Z I N E | J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 6

have pre-pledged $200 or more (applicable toward the purchase of art). 6-10 p.m. artfestivalbethel.com.

Feb. 6: Waves of Change Women’s Leadership Luncheon, which benefits The Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women.

Honors actor Sutton Foster and Tampa attorney Jeanne Tate. $150. 11 a.m. Hilton Tampa Downtown. thecentre.org.

Feb. 6: Skyfall: A Decade of Distinction, the 10th annual Bespoke & Co. benefit for the Children’s Cancer Center. $250.

6-11 p.m. The Motor Enclave. qtego.us/l/bespokeandcofl/ tickets/event-tickets.

Feb. 7: To Life: “Act & Inspire” gala, which benefits The Florida Holocaust Museum. $400. 6-10 p.m. The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. 727-820-0100. thefhm.org.

Feb. 7: Karamu black-tie gala, which benefits ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Table sponsorships begin at $12,500. 6 p.m.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park. zootampa.org/events/karamu.

Feb. 7: Heroes for Hope Gala, which benefits the Ibis Healthcare Foundation. $175. 6:30 p.m. Hotel Flor Tampa. ibishealthcarefoundation.org/events.

Feb. 7: Evening of Dreams gala, which benefits Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg. $300. 6 p.m. The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. stpete.academyprep.org.

Feb. 12: Be Mine: “A Million Dreams,” which benefits the Heart Gallery of Tampa. $750/couple. 6 p.m. Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club. 813-930-5345. heartgallerytampa.org/event/ bemine2026.

Feb. 14: Fostering Hope Gala, which benefits A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay. $350. 6 p.m. The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. bit.ly/ AKP2026Gala.

Feb. 14: 31st annual Magnolia Ball, which benefits Moffitt Cancer Center. Featuring Ziggy Marley. $1,500. 6 p.m. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. moffitt.org/give/get-involved/ magnolia.

Contact Amy Scherzer at amyscherzersdiary@gmail.com to have your event listed on the calendar.

City of Tampa Levy Street Naming Ceremony

Jay Levy, Ann and Charlie Skalaski, Pat Levy, Richard Barrett, Mark Enman, Jana Levy Barrett and Cacky Levy-Enman.

The city of Tampa honored the late J. Leonard and George Levy — twin brothers and long-respected champions of Tampa’s sports and civic life — with an honorary street sign unveiled Dec. 5, 2025, on the southeast corner of North Himes Avenue and West Ohio Avenue. The location, a busy crosswalk leading directly to Raymond James Stadium, ensures that thousands of fans will pass by the tribute and be reminded of the Levys’ legacy in bringing professional football to Tampa. J. Leonard Levy chaired the Florida West Coast Pro Football Task Force that secured Tampa’s NFL franchise over 50 years ago. George Levy, a charter member of the Sports Club of Tampa Bay, played an equally pivotal role in attracting Super Bowls, NCAA events and other major sporting milestones to the region. “The Levy twins put Tampa on the map,” said Tampa City Councilman Charlie Miranda, noting that Tampa Bay has now hosted five Super Bowls “and the whole country was watching.” Text and photo by Amy Scherzer.

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| B AY M A G A Z I N E | 47

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