One of our favorite spots in St. Pete is closing its doors, though it’s not entirely a goodbye. Baba, the beloved Mediterranean restaurant also home to Barbouni, is closing this summer to make way for a new Iberian-inspired experience. Kaixo will take over the main dining room and bar while Barra Barra will fill the intimate Barbouni space.
Kaixo has been years in the making, a concept “inspired by the food, wine and cultural traditions of the Iberian Peninsula.” Many locals got a taste of Barra Barra when it had a month-long pop-up inside Barbouni earlier this year. Both of those concepts are being led by Baba Chef Andrew Duncan and Sommelier Danielle McCoy, who ran the Barra Barra pilot.
Baba’s final day of operations will be on Friday, July 3, after which Baba will close its doors to “remodel, reimagine, and make way for an entirely new chapter.” The restaurant says it will soon announce events and activities for those who want to celebrate Baba’s seven year legacy and help send it into the sunset as the new concepts take shape.
It’s bittersweet news for those of us who love Baba and Barbouni, but it’s a comfort to know that it’s staying in the family with Duncan and McCoy taking over the property and bringing their vision to life. Great leaders help their people grow and take the next steps, and after having the Barra Barra experience this spring, it’s clear that Duncan and McCoy have been more than prepared to take the lead…