If you've not experienced the amazing pizza that's made at Pizza Gallery & Grill at the Avenue Viera, you need to bring an empty stomach and stop to appreciate the art that is the restaurant and food!
I first met Chris as he participated in "Space Coast Restaurant Week" back a few months ago with our iHeartRadio family. But I'm not stranger to Pizza Gallery in my life. Having grown up in Melbourne just off Wickham Road, many years ago that's where one of the few Pizza Gallery stores was located. The pizza's were always fresh, always creative, and always freaking delicious! But, as I got older and moved further south in Brevard I rarely made it up to the Avenues to see their current location. I went once a few years ago on a blind date. And again, the food was great...the date (meh) not so much. But, when Chris came in the radio station to talk about Space Coast Restaurant Week and brought in soooooo many pizza's (see Instagram post below) I knew I wanted to know his story. What I didn't know was literally the very next day, his other restaurant 28 North Gastropod was also coming in to feed us literally some of the greatest food I've ever eaten (and also see that IG post below).
Now, a lot of people ask Chris and have even asked me "What's a 'Gastropub'?" And simply put, it's a bar that serves super amazing food with an awesome atmosphere. And with 28 North, that title means something to Brevard, means something about Brevard, and literally means Brevard. I'll let Chris tell you on our latest episode of "Dinner and Drinks", at Hurricane Creek in Downtown Melbourne.
So towards the bottom of the page, check out more pictures of the amazing food you can have at Pizza Gallery & Grill and also at 28 North. But let me brag about Hurricane Creek for a second.
I knew about a country bar in Downtown for a few weeks. Knew they did line dancing and played country music. But what I didn't know, was that they're serving bad-ass grilled cheeses and a frozen drink bar that's ready to party with you on a Friday night! The staff was super helpful with helping decided what food we should try, making special drinks from the frozen wall, and just over-all polite...like you'd expect in a country bar. And since County Line closed, there's been a hole missing for those of you that love line dancing and country music. Hurricane Creek has you covered and owner Randy Bennett also sat down with me at the end of the podcast episode to talk about what's going on every day at Hurricane Creek in Downtown Melbourne!
Thanks again to Chris for coming to Hurricane Creek to talk about his history not just in Downtown Melbourne but all over Central Brevard and letting us all know what a "Gastropub" now is! As I typed this I took my mom out to Pizza Gallery and 28 North just last night and showed her around there. She loved the old photos of Downtown Melbourne and Indialantic and you will too!
With a bonus thanks to Randy and everyone at Hurricane Creek and Melbourne Mainstreet for organizing this episode!
Try not to eat your screen as you scroll through pictures of pizza okay?
The name 28 North, that's truly creative. Our latitude in a name, that's Brevard County love. And when I was there during our Restaurant Week I walked out needing to be rolled out because I was so full! Also, they do brunch and a "Speak Easy" night once a month! I'm serious when I say let's go out to 28 North...whenever you wanna go...I'll go!