Celebrity chef and partners open Tampa modern American eatery

By Jim Stinson
| 5:00 p.m. August 25, 2023

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani and some Tampa partners have opened a new restaurant at 204 Westshore Plaza.

Amendment XXI, a Prohibition-themed modern American restaurant, had a soft opening Aug. 18 and features a modern American menu with "elevated," chef-inspired choices including craft cocktails, wild boar sausage, wagyu carpaccio, burgers and a New York strip.

The restaurant wanted to move slowly before expanding its hours, which are currently from 3-10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 3-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Amendment XXI will expand its hours in the future, says co-owner Anthony Sandstrom, who moved to the Tampa Bay region in 2019.

The new eatery employs about 80 people.

The Amendment XXI burger, known as "XXI."

So far, patrons have responded positively to Viviani's menu and the themes of wild-game and Prohibition, Sandstrom says.

Viviani was previously voted a fan favorite on reality TV competition series "Top Chef." Amendment XXI is not the only foray the celebrity chef has made into the region.

In late 2022, Viviani-associated Chuck Lager America's Tavern expanded in the region to South Tampa, Oldsmar and Wesley Chapel. The Chuck Lager concept was devised by Viviani, Chuck Lager, Craig Colby and Michael Colby.

Sandstrom, who is part of Babb Hospitality, says he loves the Westshore area, and notes Southwest Florida is booming.

"It's one of the hottest places in the country," says Sandstrom.

author

Jim Stinson

Jim Stinson is the Business Observer's Tampa Bay business reporter and editor, having previously written about business and policy in Washington, D.C.; Rochester, New York; Gary, Indiana; and Daytona Beach. He attended Boston University for business and Indiana University for journalism.