Wow, what a week!
Thank you to everyone who came out for the first-ever Winthrop Restaurant Week.
Thank you to those who came to Winthrop for the very first time, the regulars who kept coming back, everyone who attended our launch party, and the families who make Winthrop the neighborhood we love. Over 11 days, nine neighborhood spots served up special menus, new menu items, gift-card prizes, and more.
Our hope when we started planning Restaurant Week was simple: give people more reasons to check out Winthrop's local and independent food scene, and give our chefs and owners a reason to work together. Both happened. In spades.
In the News
A big thank you to three of Tampa Bay's most-watched news shows for having us on to talk all things Restaurant Week, and why building a food scene around locally-owned restaurants matters. If you missed them live, the segments are linked below.
Morning Blend
Bright and early on September 3, we joined the team at Morning Blend to kick things off. On air, John Christen, owner of Himes Breakfast House, cooked up and served Himes's signature Banana Foster French Toast with their house-made butter rum sauce. John Camisa, owner of Donovan's Meatery, talked about what it's like both living and working in walkable Winthrop — and recommended folks try the Prime Rib on their next trip to Donovan's. Sarah Sullivan Xiong of Winthrop gave all the details for Restaurant Week.
The best part of filming at Morning Blend? Watching everyone on set fall in love with Himes's homemade syrups.
Denis Phillips Live
Denis Phillips, the most-trusted weatherman in Tampa Bay, invited us into his studio to join him live on air on September 16 to talk Restaurant Week between forecasts. Sarah Sullivan Xiong, John Camisa, and Carla Sirois of Himes shared all the details. Denis showed video coverage from the Restaurant Week Launch Party that happened the night before at Tutto Tavola and at The Patio at Winthrop Liquors.
Sarah shared how she got the idea for Winthrop Restaurant Week after living in Boston and Washington, DC, where restaurant weeks are such a big deal. If big cities can do it, why don't we do it in our small, walkable neighborhood?
If you've only ever watched Denis for the hurricane season (haven't we all), this is a different side of him worth seeing.
Good Morning Tampa Bay on Fox 13 News
On September 22, Kellie Cowan of Fox 13's Good Morning Tampa Bay broadcast live from Donovan's Meatery. Carla, Sarah, and John gave all the Restaurant Week details.
The Donovan's chef even did a live cooking demo of the restaurant's secret menu item for Restaurant Week — their Braised Short Rib with tri-colored carrots and homemade mashed potatoes with cabernet reduction for $35. This dish was such a hit with customers that there are rumors that Donovan's will keep it on the menu after Restaurant Week.
Get a peek behind the scenes.
Congratulations
A huge congratulations to all the giveaway and gift-card winners from Restaurant Week. Thank you for playing along, tagging us, and spreading the Winthrop love. We gave away over $2,500 in gift cards. We can't wait to see you back to enjoy your prize!
A Thank You to the Businesses That Made It Possible
None of this happens without the owners, chefs, and teams at each of the participating restaurants. They poured months of planning into custom menus, giveaway prizes, and showing up for one another. At Winthrop, "locally owned" isn't a tagline — it's the whole point.
- Acropolis Greek Taverna
- Cali
- Cappy's
- Donovan's Meatery
- Himes Breakfast House
- Longshots
- The Patio at Winthrop Liquors
- Tutto Tavola
- Starbucks at Winthrop
A special thanks to our Restaurant Week collaborators @WhenInTampa and @FunTampa for helping spread the word.
Should We Do It Again?
We're thinking yes.
Tell us what you thought. Which restaurant surprised you? Which menu item made you text a friend?
Sign up for the Winthrop Newsletter and we'll keep you in the loop on what's coming next — Restaurant Week 2027 included.
Stay tuned.