logo
Check out downtown St. Pete's swanky new restaurant, Elliott Aster

Check out downtown St. Pete's swanky new restaurant, Elliott Aster

Axios15-05-2025

Downtown St. Pete's Vinoy Resort & Golf Club unveiled its swanky new restaurant, Elliott Aster, which is set to open early next week.
State of plate: Elliott Aster, named after Florida's native lavender wildflower, is a partnership between James Beard Award nominee Chef Lee Wolen and the Boka Restaurant Group.
The restaurant will debut May 20 and offer guests a wide array of "refined" dishes like a 45-day dry-aged prime bone-in ribeye, a grilled rack of lamb, lacquered brick chicken and more.
What we're hearing: "Elliott Aster will bring an exciting new dining experience to St. Petersburg," Vanessa Williams, general manager of The Vinoy, said in a press release.
"Our dining room and menu are elegant yet approachable — sophisticated yet deeply rooted in hospitality," she added.
If you go: Reservations are now available on OpenTable.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Where James Beard Nominees Ate and Drank in Chicago
Where James Beard Nominees Ate and Drank in Chicago

Eater

time3 days ago

  • Eater

Where James Beard Nominees Ate and Drank in Chicago

The top chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders, and sommeliers descended on Chicago last weekend for the 35th annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards, and they came hungry. While some nominees arrived the night before or even the day of the gala on Monday, June 16, at Lyric Opera, leaving only time for a quick bite at their hotel or a fast-food run, most spent the weekend attending or working at the many James Beard Awards pop-ups and events and hitting up some of the best restaurants in Chicago. From tasting menus to carnitas picnics, here are the best dining and drinking experiences James Beard Award nominees had in the Windy City. 'I went to Kasama and was able to meet chef Timothy [Flores]. I was super blown away by the pork belly adobo and that breakfast sandwich.' — Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre , San Antonio, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Texas) 'There was this lemon mascarpone ice cream with caviar at Monteverde that was delicious: sweet, savory, and funky.' — Ryan Castelaz, Agency , Milwaukee, (2025 finalist, Best New Bar) 'We had ramen at High Five Ramen. We had two different ones, both broths were incredible. Love the basement ambiance of it all.' — Jay Blackinton, Houlme , Orcas Island, Washington, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific) 'We had dinner at Boka last night and it was absolutely an incredible experience from start to finish. [We ate] essentially the entire menu. There was maybe only one thing we didn't try, and everything was from top to bottom pretty much a hit.' — Joseph Harrison, Aria , Atlanta, (2025 finalist, Outstanding Hospitality) 'We had a beautiful omelet this morning at Lula Cafe that was just fluffy and delicious with a little bit of onion relish on top of it.' — Andrés Loaiza, Aria , Atlanta, (2025 finalist, Outstanding Hospitality) 'We went to another of our fellow nominee's bars, Kumiko, and had some phenomenal cocktails. I couldn't even pick just one. I feel really honored to be recognized in the same group because they're excellent.' — Max Overstrom-Coleman, Wolf Tree , White River Junction, Vermont, (2025 finalist, Outstanding Bar) 'We went to Uncle Mike's Place for breakfast and it really hit the spot. The lugaw on the table when you first walk in is like the most nourishing, delicious bite, and it's a really good way to start the day. [They have] excellent pork chops. It's absolutely fantastic.' — Silver Iocovozzi, Neng Jr.'s , Asheville, North Carolina, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Southeast) 'Late night empanadas at Estereo.' — Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro , Portland, Oregon, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific) 'Carnitas Uruapan. We just had a picnic at the park right next to it. It's one of those places that I always say when you're in Chicago, go there for carnitas by the pound. It just hits all the spots.' — Johnny Curiel, Alma Fonda Fina , Denver, (2025 finalist, Best New Restaurant) 'We got the duck a la presse from the Alston. When you see that on the menu, you have to order it.' — Brandon Cunningham, The Social Haus , Greenough, Montana, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Mountain) 'We ate the shawarma chicken at Avec. It was absolutely delicious. We also were at Asador Bastian and had one of their steaks, which is also surreal.' — Ignacio 'Nacho' Jimenez, Superbueno , New York City, ( 2025 winner, Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service ) 'We had dinner at Alinea. That was definitely a once in a lifetime experience that we were looking forward to the whole trip here. That was beautiful.' — Eleazar Villanueva, Restaurant de Joël Robuchon , Las Vegas, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Southwest) 'Monteverde is an amazing restaurant. We were just recapping again for the fourth time all the pastas, especially that eggplant that [chef Sarah Grueneberg] does. It's unreal.' — Stuart Brioza, Atomic Workshop , San Francisco, (2025 finalist, Outstanding Restaurateur) 'Every time I go to Chicago, going back all the way to 2005, I stop at Avec. I always have to stop at Avec. It's old, it's classic, but it reminds me of a long time ago. We did a really great dinner at HaiSous. We had a wonderful time. We did a wonderful event at Bar Sótano. It's Chicago. You always find good food.' — Zack Walters, Sedalia's Oyster & Seafood , Oklahoma City, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Southwest) 'I'm a sucker for Avec. I love Avec so much. The vibe, especially the one in the West Loop, is so close and intimate you always end up sharing food with someone random next to you. The sight of the kitchen and all of the flavors are great.' — Noam Bilitzer, MeeshMeesh Mediterranean , Louisville, Kentucky, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Southeast) 'We went to an all-you-can-eat wagyu Japanese barbecue spot, Wagyu House, that was like from the future. I love seeing different forms of dining and that's something that I could just enjoy — just pure product on a plate. I haven't had a bad meal here. We did a sandwich crawl yesterday. I have a sandwich shop and we tried about nine to 10 different sandwiches. The [best was the] dip from Bari. I could have just had a gravy bread from there. It's too hot in West Texas for me to do that there, but there's nothing better than broth and bread.' — Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo , Marfa, Texas, (2025 finalist, Best Chef: Texas) 'We had dim sum at MingHin and it was amazing. The shumai was incredible. Then we went to Loba for pastries and there was a mole strawberry croissant that was amazing.' — Jake Howell, Peninsula , Nashville, Tennessee, ( 2025 winner, Best Chef: Southeast ) Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards. Eater is partnering with the James Beard Foundation to livestream the awards in 2025 . All editorial content is produced independently of the James Beard Foundation. See More:

CookUnity Hides Cash-Filled Tomato Cans Nationwide to Celebrate the Return of Pop Culture's Hottest Chef
CookUnity Hides Cash-Filled Tomato Cans Nationwide to Celebrate the Return of Pop Culture's Hottest Chef

Business Wire

time3 days ago

  • Business Wire

CookUnity Hides Cash-Filled Tomato Cans Nationwide to Celebrate the Return of Pop Culture's Hottest Chef

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CookUnity, the 100% chef-led meal delivery platform, is calling on Americans to say 'yes, chef' and join the hunt for its latest campaign: the 'Tomato Can Cash Drop,' a nationwide scavenger hunt hiding thousands of dollars in cash and prizes inside tomato cans across major U.S. cities. From Friday, June 20 th to Tuesday, June 24 th participants can head to CookUnity's Instagram (@cookunity) for daily drops and clues in culinary hotspots across the country, including; Each tomato can contains $500 USD in cash and $500 in CookUnity meal credits, so lucky winners can enjoy meals crafted by elite chefs, like the chefs we love binge-watching on TV. CookUnity knows a thing or two about award-winning chefs, with the brand's meals crafted from some of the world's most critically acclaimed masters, including James Beard Award Winner Jose Garces, Iron Chef Cat Cora, James Beard Award Winner Rick Bayless, and more. 'CookUnity's mission is to connect real people with the talents, passions, and nourishing food of the very best chefs,' said Cam Ferrin, VP of Brand Marketing at CookUnity. 'Our culture is obsessed with chefs and inspiring food, but the way we eat every day is far from that ideal. 'Tomato Can Cash Drop' is our way of celebrating pop culture's love for chefs, while also trying to close that gap and redefine our standards for daily eating, by bringing the expertise of chefs off our TV screens and onto our tables, every day.' Scavenger Hunt & Sweepstakes Details: Every second counts! June 20-24 CookUnity is hiding tomato cans across Chicago, New York City, and Austin with daily clues on @chicagocollectors, @findthecashny, @findthecashatx, respectively. Be the first to find a can and you may just win a prize valued at $1,000 USD in cash and CookUnity credits. Not located in one of these iconic food cities? Follow @CookUnity on Instagram and (1) Follow @CookUnity (2) Comment with your favorite chef moment from a movie or TV show and (3) Tag a friend in your comment that you'd hire as sous-chef for a chance to win nationwide. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. 18 or older at time of entry. Begins June 18, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. EDT and ends on June 24, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EDT For official rules, follow this link: The CookUnity Tomato Can Surprise Contest Official Rules So, grab your sous-chef and hit the streets with CookUnity. As for those other meal delivery services? 86! About CookUnity CookUnity is a premium, chef-made meal delivery platform that connects top chefs with discerning consumers seeking restaurant-quality meals delivered to their doorstep. With a mission to redefine convenience without compromising on taste or quality, CookUnity offers a diverse menu curated by culinary professionals, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Through innovative partnerships and a commitment to culinary excellence, CookUnity aims to reimagine the home dining experience, making chef-prepared meals accessible to food enthusiasts throughout North America. With thousands of recipes developed by top chefs, CookUnity offers the greatest range of cuisines for food enthusiasts. Learn more at

King Dough to open by-the-slice eatery in closed Kan-Kan Restaurant space
King Dough to open by-the-slice eatery in closed Kan-Kan Restaurant space

Indianapolis Star

time3 days ago

  • Indianapolis Star

King Dough to open by-the-slice eatery in closed Kan-Kan Restaurant space

The Kan-Kan Restaurant is no more, but a big name in Indianapolis pizza will soon take its place. Two days after the Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant announced its Japanese-inspired kitchen would close, co-founder and co-owner Ed Battista told IndyStar on June 18 that Central Indiana pizza mini-chain King Dough would take over the restaurant space with a quick-service counter operation. Battista said the pivot from sit-down fare to by-the-slice pizza is intended to offer a more approachable, affordable dining option for moviegoers and create a more sustainable business model for the Windsor Park neighborhood's hybrid arthouse theater-restaurant. "We just can't get the volume of people that we need to choose to dine with us," Battista said of the recently closed eatery. "We need to serve the filmgoing community in a way that is the most inclusive to everybody.' During the renovations, which Battista said should last three to four weeks, the Kan-Kan concession area will remain open, though the restaurant's bar will close (the Kan-Kan Restaurant's social media posts announcing the kitchen overhaul originally said the bar would remain open). Once the renovations are complete, King Dough will serve pizza slices and salads made in house from a walk-up counter. All three existing King Dough locations, including the nearby full-service restaurant at 452 N. Highland Ave. in the Holy Cross neighborhood, will remain open. Battista said Kan-Kan Restaurant staffers will receive two weeks' pay in addition to their final paycheck. He hopes to relocate some kitchen and wait staff to Bluebeard and Amelia's, which he co-owns with his father, Tom. Some staffers have been put in contact with King Dough management, though it is unknown how many, if any, will work in the reimagined restaurant space. Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant opened in August 2021 after a more than year-long delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Multi-time James Beard Award nominee and then-Bluebeard executive chef Abbi Merriss filled the same role in Kan-Kan's kitchen, which operates independently from the cinema with which it shares its home at 1258 Windsor Street. In late 2022 Merriss stepped down to focus on Bluebeard, with chef Michael Conley (previously a cook at the since-closed Rook in Fletcher Place and chef de partie at Kan-Kan) taking her place. Last year, the Kan-Kan Restaurant promoted longtime chef Travis Hitch to lead the kitchen, replacing Conley. While the ever-changing high-end restaurant found a place in the hearts of many Indy diners and film buffs, the Kan-Kan Restaurant ultimately didn't prove a reliable source of revenue. "It is definitely heartbreaking because we had a vision for what this could be for our city, and it didn't hit the way we wanted it to," Battista said of the now-closed restaurant. 'I'm still proud of it. I think we did something very special."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store