Florida native Colt Clark has been a familiar face, and voice, at a variety of Tampa Bay venues for several years.

He has opened for major artists like Sting, Annie Lennox, James Taylor and Tom Petty and has written and recorded two original albums, “Find Your Way Down” and “Give Up the Ghost.”

The Tampa Bay Times reviewed both albums in its 2010 Ultimate Local Music Guide noting his songs “weave from blues to rock to rollicking southern soul with boozy purpose.”

Wednesday Night Live Music Spotlight: $5 Drinks and Stuzzichinis (Appetizers)

Upcoming RLife Events

May 30 – Woody

Ashley Jones is a Tampa-born singer/songwriter who studied music in Tallahassee before heading to New York to perform at such respected music venues at CB’s, The Living Room, The Bitter End and The Knitting Factory. During her recent travels to Rwanda, she recorded “The World Should See Her Face” and is now often joined on stage by her husband, percussionist Patasse Muhire.

Wednesday Night Live Music Spotlight: $5 Drinks and Stuzzichinis (Appetizers)

Upcoming RLife Events

May 23 – Colt Clark
May 30 – Woody

Singer/songwriter Dustin McGahee, who lives in the Tampa Bay area, has successfully toured internationally in Taiwan and Barbados, and just returned from Asia’s International Music Festival, “Spring Scream,” where he drew the largest crowds in years. McGahee produces his own songs under the indie label Fat Cheetah Records.

Read more about Dustin at http://www.dustinmcgahee.com/

Join us for Wednesday Night Live Music Spotlight featuring $5 Drinks and Stuzzichinis (Appetizers)

Watch Dustin McGahee’s original song, “Want You”

PTs BLT     $5

Burrata cheese, Florida tomatoes, prosciutto chip and basil from the Pelagia patio

Citrus Marinated Shrimp      $5

Florida oranges, arugula pesto and charred yellow tomatoes

Florida Black and Blue cheese     $5

Winter Park Florida blue cheese, Housemade sage potato chip and crispy Guanciale

Celebrate Mother’s Day your way by making reservations for the ideal meal time from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The bountiful buffet features hot and cold foods, carving stations, cooked-to-order egg station that converts to a pasta station at 3 p.m. along with selections of baked goods, salads, desserts and much more.

The fixed price buffet is $40 per person for adults and $16 per person for children, ages 12 and under.

For Mother’s Day reservations, call 813-313-3235 or
click here to make reservations online for this popular annual event

Mother’s Day is a time for families to enjoy time together, whether it is for a special breakfast, spending time together for lunch or brunch or gathering that evening to celebrate,” said Jim Bartholomay, general manager of the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel. “Youngsters can also take an interactive role in honoring mom by creating a customized pancake just for her.”

Featured Mother’s Day buffet selections include:

Make-Mom-a-Pancake station until 5 p.m.

Omelet and egg station until 3 p.m.

Pasta station from 3 p.m.

Oven roasted prime rib carving station

Applewood smoked bacon and pork sausage until 3 p.m.

Assorted pizzas from 3 p.m.

Breakfast potatoes with sautéed onions until 3 p.m.

Herb roasted fingerling potatoes from 3 p.m.

Assorted quiches

Crab-crusted corvina

Minted baby carrots

Caesar salad with herb focaccia, parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing

Display of organic greens with condiments and dressings

Orzo pasta salad

Boccaccio mozzarella salad with sundried tomatoes

Lemon-poached shrimp and crab claws with citrus and cocktail sauce

Tortellini salad with grilled vegetables and red wine vinaigrette

Tuna nicoise salad

Green bean salad with toasted almonds

Click here to make your reservation today!

The first of what will be live music performed weekly at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel  begins April 11 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the open-air patio adjacent to Pelagia Trattoria.

These free performances will spotlight regional and local musicians specializing in a variety of musical genres ranging from jazz and blues to progressive rock to world music.

“This time of year it is inviting to sit outdoors so our initial music performances will take place on the patio located between the entrance to the hotel and the entrance to the restaurant,” said Jim Bartholomay, general manager of the Four Diamond-rated property. “The Pelagia patio offers a setting where guests may enjoy the award-winning cuisine of the restaurant, select from beers, wine and specialty drinks and relax while listening to great music.”

Guests attending the free weekday evening music events will be able to order select menu items at reduced prices and drink specials.

The Pelagia patio is also where the restaurant’s chefs, Andrew Basch and Brett Gardiner, are cultivating an edible garden of fresh herbs, tomatoes and more, creating a lush, aromatic setting for diners, and music lovers, seated outdoors.

The Wednesday night music series features artists performing 5 – 7 p.m. as follows for April:

April 11 – Thaddeus Wiley, a professional musician who performs with the band The Alter Eagles (www.altereaglesband.com).

April 18 – Paulo Lara, a Brazilian recording artist whose work has been produced for films, television as well as records (www.paulolara.com).

April 24 – Thaddeus Wiley

Additional artists will be booked for May and June and will be performing at various indoor and outdoor venues located within the hotel and restaurant.

Whether you are a fan of the almond-like flavors of Amaretto or are just looking for a reason to celebrate with a special night out, check out the three-course menu featuring the popular Italian liqueur available exclusively at Pelagia on April 19.

Order the full menu to enjoy it all or select any of the three options available that day.

The flavorful celebration begins with Amaretto-glazed sea scallops served with Marcona almond and dried berry couscous ($15).

The featured entrée is a fresh catch dish of almond-laced redfish with sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes and an Amaretto pan sauce ($32).

For a fantastic finish, order the trio of chocolate-dipped Amaretto gelato lollipops ($11).

For the first time, families, couples and all guests will be able to enjoy this holiday buffet throughout the day and into the evening on Easter Sunday.

Guests will be able to sample selections of their choice from the fixed price buffet that will be offered beginning at 9 a.m. through to the last seating at 9 .m. on April 8. The price is $40 per person for adults and $16 per person for children, ages 12 and under.

Click here to make reservations at the restaurant for this popular annual event

There are only two times a year that Pelagia transforms the restaurant’s dining room into a lavish buffet, Easter and Mother’s Day. By extending the Easter buffet hours from the morning through Sunday evening, we will be able to better accommodate more guests as well as allow them the opportunity to select the best time of day for them to indulge in this grand array of cooked-to-order eggs, seafood, pastas, salads, hot and cold meats and more that will be created by our chefs,” said Jim Bartholomay, general manager of the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel.

Featured selections include:

• Omelet and egg stations until 3 p.m.
• Pasta station from 3 p.m.
• New York strip with Pelagia rub
• Pelagia-style panini with pesto sauce, salami, mortadella, prosciutto and provolone cheese
• Grilled salmon with caper dill sauce
• Lemon-poached shrimp and crab claws
• Applewood smoked bacon and pork sausage
• Waffles with cappuccino mousse and candied walnuts
• Breakfast potatoes with sautéed onions
• Assorted quiches
• Seared salmon red bliss potato salad
• Caesar salad
• Fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and green olive pesto
• Orzo pasta salad
• Tortellini salad with grilled vegetables
• Organic greens
• Quinoa tabouli salad

There will also be an assortment of cheeses, baked goods, fruits, spreads and desserts throughout the day.

Click here to make your reservation today!

All planted around the outdoor patio at Pelagia!

Chef Andrew Basch and Chef Brett Gardiner are creating a beautiful, edible garden.

We’re giving you a sneak peek at what he is planning…

1st Course
Jumbo lump crab cake with a tarragon aioli and candied tomatoes

2nd Course
Belgian Salsify, haricot vert and Marcona almonds

3rd Course
Squid ink Pappardelle with foie gras butter

4th Course
Seared squab and jumbo sea scallop

5th Course
Sea salt and Carmel risotto with golden raisin grappa

More about this event

Up to 25 of Tampa Bay’s premier chefs will participate in this culinary adventure, competing side-by-side to take home the coveted Top Chef of the Year Tampa Bay trophy. Many will try and only one will win.

This event gives chefs complete freedom to create a dining experience like no other.

With no prior restraints or requirements, Top Chef of the Year Tampa Bay encourages chefs to channel their inner creativity to design everything from menu to décor. Each chef prepares – tableside – a five-course meal with accompanying wines (or other libations) for a table of 12 or 15 people. Chefs also provide their own linens, china, centerpieces and more to create a world within the venue specific to each chef’s unique vision.

Pelagia Trattoria has been involved with Top Chef of the Year Tampa Bay since its inception in 2010. The first Top Chef of the Year Tampa Bay title winner was then Executive Chef Daniel Goldich from Pelagia Trattoria. With Pelagia’s dedicated history of participation in this event and previous win, it’s no surprise that newly appointed Executive Chef Andrew Basch from Pelagia is ready for this year’s challenge.

Click here to learn more about the event and how to get your tickets