TAMPA, FL – Del Frisco’s Grille, the winner of the 2012 Hot Concepts Award presented by Nation’s Restaurant News, will open its first Florida West Coast location next year at MetWest International. The restaurant has signed a lease for 9,700 square feet at MetLife’s mixed-use development in the Westshore area.
Del Frisco’s Grille is the newest restaurant concept of the Del Frisco Restaurant Group. The Grille takes the classic America bar and grill concept to new heights, drawing inspiration from bold flavors and market-fresh ingredients. Everything from the interior design and seating to the food and handcrafted drinks is built for creating an incredible experience including a unique rooftop bar, the only one of its kind in the Westshore Business District.
“We are thrilled to bring Del Frisco’s Grille and our warm, genuine hospitality to MetWest International Tampa,” said Mark S. Mednansky, CEO of Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group. “Whether you’re headed to a Tampa Bay Bucs’ game – or checking out the Yankees during Spring Training, our roof deck will be the perfect place to enjoy Ahi Tacos and a cold local beer or prime steak and an amazing glass of wine from our extensive list. All of our dishes – like our hand-crafted flatbreads – are easy to share, even if you’re just popping in after work with a group of friends.”
The food takes creative twists on American comfort classics and includes regional favorites using locally sourced ingredients. The menu will feature dishes that are easy to share with friends: Hand-Crafted Flatbreads, Cheesesteak Egg Rolls, and Ahi Tacos. The menu is rounded out with a selection of prime steaks, hearty salads, formidable sandwiches and chef-inspired entrees. Even late-night revelers will get up early for a decadent weekend brunch at the Grille that includes an out-of-this-world Red Velvet Belgian Waffle and Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs with Chorizo Gravy.
With 350 selections from the Grille’s sleek “wine wall,” Del Frisco’s Grille will offer a wide variety of choices that appeal to every palate from the adventurous to the traditional. Del Frisco’s Director of Wine, David O’Day, carefully selects wines from established and up-and-coming regions in the world, creating an unparalleled and adventurous wine list, surprisingly more extensive than those found in a traditional bar and grill.
“MetLife is proud to welcome a fourth new restaurant to Tampa Bay at MetWest International,” stated Chuck Davis, regional director of MetLife’s Tampa real estate investment office. “MetWest has become a dining destination for Tampa residents as well as the tenants of the development’s 750,000 square feet of office space. Del Frisco’s Grille with its unique rooftop bar nicely rounds out the dining options at MetWest joining Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Texas de Brazil and Kona Grill.”
The Del Frisco’s Grille deal was brokered by Kalyn Brandewie of Florida Retail Partners representing MetLife and co-broker Ted Speros of ATS Realty representing Del Frisco’s Grille. Del Frisco’s Grille is owned by Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group which is based in Southlake, Texas – just outside Dallas – which operates 39 restaurants across the country. This will be the first Del Frisco’s Grille in the Tampa area. “We are thrilled that Del Frisco’s Grille is bringing its hot, new concept to MetWest,” said Kalyn Brandewie, Retail Leasing Broker for the development. “We were wowed by their Palm Beach location and knew they would be a great addition to MetWest.”
About Del Frisco's Grille
Del Frisco's Grille is modern, inviting, stylish and fun. Taking the classic bar and grill to new heights, Del Frisco's Grille draws inspiration from bold flavors and market-fresh ingredients. The energetic bar, a destination in itself, creates a buzz throughout the restaurant and sets the stage for an amazing night out. There are 10 Del Frisco’s Grilles located in the country’s most exciting destinations for dining. Del Frisco’s Grille is the proud winner of the 2012 Hot Concepts Award presented annually by Nation’s Restaurant News. Del Frisco’s Grille in Manhattan also won the 2012 Concierge Choice Award for Casual Dining, an award given by the NYC Association of Hotel Concierges to honor those who create exceptional experiences for New York City visitors.
Del Frisco’s Grille is the sister restaurant to the renowned Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House and Sullivan’s Steakhouse, both owned by Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group (NASDAQ: DFRG) of Southlake, TX. For more information on Del Frisco’s Grille, please visit www.delfriscosgrille.com.
About MetWest International
MetWest International is an award winning, mixed-use center being developed by MetLife. Located across from Tampa International Airport and International Plaza in the Westshore Business District, MetWest International includes One MetroCenter, the Gold LEED Certified MetWest One and MetWest Two. A third office building will be started as demand dictates. Three other well-known restaurants, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, Kona Grill and Texas de Brazil, also located their first Tampa locations in the project’s retail village. When complete, the pedestrian-friendly, urban-oriented development will include:
Nearly one million square feet of Class A office space
74,200 square foot retail village
260 room full-service upscale hotel
254 residential units
The project has received four Best of the Best NAIOP awards, including Outstanding Green Building/Project, Outstanding Office Building (MetWest One) and Outstanding Retail Building. Additionally, Taylor & Mathis was awarded Developer of the Year for their role in developing the mixed-use project. Taylor & Mathis serves as the development manager for the project and handles office leasing and management responsibilities. Florida Retail Partners handles the project’s retail leasing.
About MetLife
MetLife Real Estate Investors, a unit of MetLife, oversees a well-diversified real estate portfolio of more than $60 billion, which is one of the largest in the U.S. and consists of real estate equities, commercial mortgages and agricultural mortgages. MetLife is a global leader in real estate investment and real estate asset management, with a vast network of regional offices that keep in close contact with major real estate markets. For more information, visitwww.metlife.com/realestate.
About Florida Retail Partners, an X Team Partner
X Team partner Florida Retail Partners handles retail leasing for the project. Founded in 1997, the company’s focus is tenant and landlord representation, sales and leasing on Florida’s West Coast and Central Florida.
X Team is an international alliance of retail real estate specialists with offices located in major cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. X Team partners average more than 20 years of industry experience, with expertise in major markets worldwide, specializing in tenant, property and developer/landlord representation, workout services, property dispositions and retail investments. X Team services include transaction negotiation, portfolio analysis, lease valuations, acquisitions, and asset assessment and valuation. For more information, please visit www.floridaretailpartners.com
For Further Information:
Kalyn Brandewie, Florida Retail Partners
Kalyn@floridaretailpartners.
Christine Montemurro, MetLife
Casey Shaughnessy, Glodow Nead Communications