Gastrobars are popping up in urban areas across the country. The combination of elevated food selections and upscale bar atmosphere is what Anise Global Gastrobar brings to the restaurant scene in downtown Tampa. Two of the owners say they believe in downtown and that’s why they opened Anise in what they say is Tampa’s cultural epicenter.
Kevin and Suan 'Sing' Hurt have opened one previous successful restaurant in downtown and then tried their hand at a food truck endeavor, Stinky Buns. The flavors from the food truck menu have inspired some of the small plate selections featured at
Anise.
"The food is familiar, but something you’ve never had," says Kevin Hurt. "You can experience a lot of flavors at once. There is a global aspect to the food with a lean toward Asian tastes."
The Hurts and their partners looked for the right space for
Anise for a year before they selected their location at Skypoint on Ashley Drive.
"We were looking for something with really good bones," says Kevin Hurt. "As soon as we walked in the space, we knew this was it. A lot of talented people leave Tampa, but my wife and I have made a decision to grow roots. We are here in Tampa to stay."
"We wanted elevated bar food, great drinks, and to make the place sexy, describes Kevin Hurt. In choosing a name "we wanted something that spanned between the kitchen and the bar. We use anise in both."
Anise Global Gastrobar has been open since Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. A Mayoral Ribbon Cutting will mark its grand opening on Wednesday, July 24.
Writer:
Taryn Sabia
Source: Kven Hurt and Suan Hurt, owners
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