Cigar City Brewpub Preps For March Opening

They're known for frothy rich brews like the Maduro Brown and Hunahpu's Imperial Stout.

But Joey Redner, owner and founder of Cigar City Brewery, is hoping to add fine cuisine to the repertoire.

Chef Nicolay Adinaguev has been hired as the head chef for the Cigar City Brewpub planned for Northdale.

The restaurant-style pub is slated to open in March, Redner said. The menu will include foods that reflect both Cuban and Floridian culture and also pair well with beer.

Adinaguev, a beer-lover, is well known for his work at restaurants including Steak 954 at the W Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale.

"The food is something we're putting a lot of effort into," Redner said. "We wanted the food to be as interesting and creative as we think our beers are."

The original Cigar City Brewery opened in 2008 on Spruce Street in Tampa. Redner, who graduated from Chamberlain High School, said he has ties to the Northdale area. The location where the pub will be used to be a

The Northdale Cigar City restaurant is slated to have 250 seats for diners not including the bar. A patio will also be available for those who want to enjoy a cigar.

Mesh, a St. Petersburg-based interior design firm, has been hired to design the interior of the pub. The company designed popular spots including St. Petersburg's Z Grille and The Independent in Seminole Heights.

The look of the pub will be a mixture of the rustic vibe Cigar City Brewery is known for along with modern touches, Redner said.

And what about that super important four letter word? B-E-E-R.

Redner said Cigar City Brewpub will feature exclusive beers that can only be found there, along with Cigar City's already established beers.

"They'll be different than you can get elsewhere," Redner said.

What do you think about the restaurant's impending opening? Share your thoughts in the comments section.