July 28 will be the last day of service for South Tampa restaurant Luv Child, which has served up modern Cuban cuisine at 516 S Howard Ave for five years.
“Luv Child was known for a posh (and very pink) atmosphere offering up elevated Cuban and Latin fare like loaded quesadillas, chicharrones, and tostones, as well as a well-appointed cocktail menu,” says recent coverage by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
The CL Tampa coverage cites an Instagram post published by Luv Child earlier this week:
“We have cherished every moment spent serving you and are incredibly grateful for your unwavering LUV and support. Thank you so much for being a part of our journey!” the post says.
But there’s more to the story:
“As one chapter closes, another one begins! We are excited to announce that we will be opening our second Jay Luigi location in this very space. Get ready to come together and share your favorite Italian dishes on this side of the bridge.”
Behind both Luv Child and Jay Luigi is local hospitality company Ciccio Restaurant Group (CRG partners with Jason Brunetti on Jay Luigi). Jay Luigi offers a selection of pizzas, pasta dishes, salads, and Cauli Rice Bowls. The South Tampa location will be its second outpost, in addition to the location at 3201 Fourth St. N in St. Petersburg.
Check out Jay Luigi’s website and stay tuned for more details as this story develops.
