Photo by Tre 'Junior' Butler / Design by Joe Frontel
Actor Tyler Lepley soft launched his new restaurant and lounge in late October.
When Hollywood actor Tyler Lepley first posted a sneak peek of himself outside the old Social House back in July, he and the rest of his team already had the keys to their new restaurant, lounge and bar.
A few weeks after soft opening, Lepley’s Kitchen & Lounge located at 6310 North Florida Ave. in Seminole Heights, hosts an invite-only grand opening celebration on Friday, Dec.1. It kicks off with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Castor at 3 p.m. and continues throughout the night with plenty of drinks, Southern-Caribbean plates, and live DJs. The new restaurant is 21-and-up at all times, including weekend brunch.
Although 36 year-old Lepley—best known for his roles on Tyler Perry’s “The Have and Have Nots” and Starz Network’s “P-Valley”—was born and raised in Philadelphia and currently resides in L.A., his relationship with Tampa has been a few years in the making thanks to his friend, manager and restaurant co-owner Jovi York.
“My long professional relationship with Jovi allowed me to visit Tampa multiple times and I started to cultivate my own relationship with the city,” Lepley tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay while sitting inside his newly-opened restaurant, as a plate of lamb chops is placed in front of him. “I remember reading an article a few years ago where Tom Brady talked about why he came here, and eventually started seeing the same stuff that he was talking about—that love and energy that Tampa harnesses.”
Over the summer, Lepley was able to take a hands-on approach in the opening of his restaurant, including its ambiance, decor and menu items, all while familiarizing himself with the greater Bay area. “Even though I’m not from here, it definitely feels like home,” he says. Complete with craft cocktails and choice bottles of champagne, a kitchen dishing out Southern-Caribbean fusion cuisine, plus a dining room and outdoor space that seats over 100 patrons, Lepley tells CL that his debut business venture is equal parts restaurant, lounge and bar. He owns the concept with friend and business partner York, local DJ and event organizer DMC Vybz, and Raffy Bautista, a Tampa-based club promoter.
York says that the Carribean backgrounds of the restaurant’s owners had influence on its fusion-forward menu. Lepley’s Executive Chef Leonardis Moss dishes out “Rasta Pasta” topped with seared salmon, jerk-seasoned lamb chops, appetizers like short rib wontons and shrimp skewers, and sweet potato brownies and s’mores churros for dessert.
“What also inspired the menu was just traveling throughout the country and being able to experience food from different cities,” Lepley explains. “We wanted to combine the comfort of Southern dishes with the spice, flavor and techniques found in Caribbean cuisines.”
C/o Lepley's Kitchen & Lounge
One of its entrees are jerk-seasoned lamb chops over garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus.
Another item Lepley’s offers is its infamous $40 wagyu cheeseburger topped with tempura lobster and candied bacon. It made rounds in local Facebook groups last month, filled with folks questioning its price tag alongside other aspects related to menu pricing, Lepley’s 20% auto-gratuity policy and how the new concept will fit into the unique fabric of Seminole Heights. Burger-gate even made its way to Lepley’s neighbor, Ella’s Folk Art Cafe, which playfully offered a “$40 and under Black Friday burger deal” of its own.
Lepley, York and the rest of the team say that they thought the jokes were funny and ultimately gave the new eatery local exposure. But providing a range of price points for the variety of clientele is vital, Lepley says.
“We have a lot of locals come in here, too, so serving the people that live in the neighborhood is obviously important to us,” explains Lepley. “But it's also important to give an option to folks that would like to spend for an elevated experience. It’s all about giving people options so that they can experience exactly what they want.”
He also points out that customers looking for a more affordable wagyu option can order the trunk slider appetizer for $16.
While some folks may argue that the new Seminole Heights concept offers lofty food prices and an ambiance better suited for Water Street or Midtown Tampa, York embraces that notion and says booming districts like those would make an ideal spot for Lepley’s second location.
She tells CL that she and the rest of the owners initially looked at buildings in downtown Tampa and Ybor City to capitalize on the districts’ late-night, club-like atmospheres, but figured they could create that same vibe right in the heart of Seminole Heights.
Starting sometime this month, Lepley’s will launch a daily event calendar, featuring specific nights aimed at women and the more mature, “grown and sexy” crowd, happy hour specials, DJs and other forms of live entertainment. And as it enters the holiday season, the new restaurant also plans to team up with local nonprofits for toy drives and other charitable events.
In the shadow of Tom Brady and following the debut of Chicago-based actor Billy Dec’s third Sunda New Asian location in Tampa, Lepley wouldn’t be surprised to see more celebrities set up shop in the 813.
“People are moving to Florida and I think celebrities are no different. If you just take a look at the lay of the land and potential great places to come do something special, Tampa should be at the top of your list, whether you wanna open a business or just move your family here.”
Lepley’s Kitchen & Lounge is now open from 4 p.m.-midnight Wednesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. on Fridays and offers brunch from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sundays, with nighttime service from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. and 5 p.m.-midnight, respectively. It is closed Monday-Tuesday.
For the latest updates on Lepley’s Kitchen & Lounge, head to its Instagram at @lepleystampa.
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