MADEIRA BEACH – Rad Finz, a seafood restaurant with an equatorial (as in equator) flair, is set to open soon in the long-vacant site on Madeira Way formerly occupied by Leatherbacks Steakhouse.
Owner Victor Seaman said the concept is new to the area.
“We’ll be featuring local seafood served in a tropical, equatorial style,” Seaman said.
Workmen were busy replacing the turtle replicas that made up Leatherbacks decor with a theme based on hot surfing spots throughout the world.
The menu will be “95 percent seafood,” Seaman said, with an emphasis on seasonally inspired dishes and regional preparations.
Executive Chef Jimmy Zucarelli intends to work with reputable seafood purveyors to obtain only the freshest varieties at the peak of their season, according to Seaman.
The menu is expected to include yellowtail snapper, Gulf cobia, Florida black grouper, Atlantic wahoo, Hawaiian big eye tuna, Rhode Island squid and Apalachicola oysters.
In the planned Longboard Bar and cocktail lounge, “bar food featuring fresh ingredients and handcrafted, blender-free cocktails using fresh squeezed juices” will be offered.
The tropical island experience is picked up in the live music planned for the bar, featuring island tunes from Jamaican reggae to Jimmy Buffett and coastal folk music.
Opening is planned for late March.
The Madeira Way location will be the launch of what Seaman envisions could be a chain of Rad Finz casual coastal cuisine and Longboat Bars.
“We’re currently planning to open about five restaurants in the area,” he said.
The property is owned by George and Patricia Shontz. The Shontzes operated the popular Apple Restaurant there for 23 years. Pat Shontz believes her new tenant will be an outstanding restaurant that will anchor Madeira Way and bring activity back to the area.
“Madeira Way will come alive,” she said.
Shontz was on hand as Madeira Beach Mayor to witness the tagging of a rare Loggerhead sea turtle replica that was being donated to Tampa Bay Watch. The turtle had been a fixture at Leatherbacks.
Tampa Bay Watch director Dennis Kellenberger loaded up the turtle for transport to their Marine Education Center. The facility educates bay area students about estuarine science and habitat restoration.
Other turtles and related artifacts from the Leatherbacks era will be auctioned and the proceeds donated to local charities, Seaman said.
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