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The development of Matilde is rooted in four defining pillars: gracious hospitality, live-fire Mexican cuisine, an agave-focused beverage program, and a commitment to immersive art and design. By integrating these elements, Next Level Brands founders Jeff Gigante and Joe Guggino, along with their executive team, aim to create a space that transitions seamlessly from a vibrant daytime lunch and brunch spot to a high-energy, refined evening destination.
Strategic Research and Cultural Inspiration
The conceptualization of Matilde was not an abstract exercise but the result of immersive field research. Next Level Brands founders Jeff Gigante and Joe Guggino, accompanied by Director of Operations Heather Rivas and Culinary Director Jacob Rios, embarked on an extensive exploratory journey through Mexico City. The team focused their efforts on the culturally rich neighborhoods of Roma Norte, Condesa, and Polanco, which are globally recognized as epicenters of modern Mexican gastronomy and design.
During this residency, the leadership team engaged with the local ecosystem of celebrated restaurants, cocktail bars, traditional taquerias, and bustling markets. The goal was to observe how Mexico’s diverse regional traditions—from the coastal influences of the Pacific to the central highlands—are being reimagined through modern techniques. Beyond the food, the team studied the "layered" hospitality experience, noting how architecture, lighting, music, and service protocols coalesce to create a cohesive atmosphere.
Jeff Gigante emphasized that the trip was instrumental in refining the brand’s identity. The team observed a specific warmth in the hospitality of Mexican chefs and shopkeepers, a trait they intend to replicate in Tampa. Gigante noted that the vision for Matilde is to surpass the traditional expectations of a steakhouse by fostering a deep connection between the menu and the cultural narrative of Mexico.
Culinary Philosophy: Live-Fire and Regional Artistry
Culinary Director Jacob Rios is spearheading a menu development strategy that prioritizes ancestral cooking methods, specifically live-fire techniques. The architectural and functional heart of the Matilde kitchen will be a custom hearth, where premium cuts of meat will be prepared over open flames. This method is intended to impart a distinct smokiness and depth that defines coastal Mexican grilling.
The steakhouse component will be elevated by traditional accompaniments, including complex moles, house-made salsas, and seasonal vegetables. While the menu remains in a state of refinement, several signature dishes have been identified as central to the Matilde experience:
- Shrimp Aguachile Negro: A bold, citrus-cured seafood dish utilizing charred chilies for a deep, dark hue and complex heat.
- Lamb Shank Barbacoa: A nod to slow-cooked traditions, focusing on tender, fall-off-the-bone textures.
- Hearth-Roasted Chicken with Mole Negro: Utilizing the open flame to crisp the skin while pairing the bird with the rich, chocolate-and-spice notes of Oaxacan mole.
- Heritage Pork Chop with Pipián Verde: A dish highlighting pumpkin seed-based sauces common in central Mexico.
The menu will also feature a robust raw bar and crudo selection, alongside elevated versions of street-food staples like Rib Eye and Pork Al Pastor Tacos. For daytime service, the restaurant will pivot to more casual but equally refined offerings, such as chilaquiles, carne asada, conchas, and artisanal tortas.
Beverage Program: Agave and Global Viticulture
The beverage program at Matilde is designed to be as rigorous as the culinary program. Agave spirits—specifically tequila and mezcal—will be the primary focus. The bar will curate a selection of rare and artisanal spirits, presented through a cocktail lens that utilizes fresh-squeezed juices and traditional Mexican flavor profiles like hibiscus, tamarind, and various chili infusions.
Complementing the spirits will be a globally inspired wine list. Next Level Brands intends to showcase high-quality labels from Mexico’s burgeoning wine regions, such as the Valle de Guadalupe, alongside established vineyards in Spain and the Southern Hemisphere. The wine selection is being specifically tailored to pair with the inherent spice, smoke, and seafood elements of the live-fire menu, ensuring a balanced palate for diners.
Architectural Design and Atmospheric Integration
The physical environment of Matilde is being developed in collaboration with the renowned design firm Atelier Zébulon Perron (AZP). Known for their work in creating high-end, atmospheric hospitality spaces, AZP is tasked with transforming the 7,600-square-foot space into a "transportive" environment.
The design features soaring 25-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the downtown Tampa skyline and the nearby river. The aesthetic approach involves a juxtaposition of raw, industrial materials with refined, luxurious detailing. Strategic lighting will be used to delineate different zones within the restaurant, moving from bright and airy during the day to intimate and moody at night.
The floor plan is designed for high-capacity versatility:
- Indoor Dining: Seating for 195 guests in a layout that balances communal energy with private nooks.
- Outdoor Dining: A 92-seat terrace designed to capitalize on Florida’s climate and the urban energy of the Arts & Entertainment district.
- Bar Area: A 50-seat bar designed to serve as a social hub for both diners and late-night patrons.
- Private Dining: A dedicated 40-person room for corporate events and private celebrations.
The Significance of the Name and Leadership
The restaurant is named in honor of Matilde, the Colombian grandmother of Next Level Brands co-founder Andrew Wright. The brand describes her as a storyteller and artist whose hospitality was legendary within her family. Although the cuisine is specifically Mexican, the "spirit of Matilde"—characterized by generosity and a welcoming nature—serves as the foundational ethos for the restaurant’s service model.
The operational rollout is being managed by Heather Rivas, whose expertise will ensure that Matilde integrates smoothly into the Next Level Brands portfolio. This portfolio currently includes some of Tampa’s most successful modern dining concepts:
- Boulon Brasserie: A high-end French concept in Water Street Tampa.
- Union New American: A flagship multi-level restaurant in the Westshore district.
- Forbici Modern Italian: A popular social dining spot with locations in Hyde Park and St. Petersburg.
Market Context and Economic Impact
The announcement of Matilde comes at a time of unprecedented growth for the Tampa culinary scene. The arrival of the MICHELIN Guide in Florida has elevated the standards of local hospitality, encouraging developers to invest in "destination" restaurants that attract international tourism.
The location of Matilde within the Arts & Entertainment Residences (AER) is strategically significant. The AER tower is a cornerstone of downtown Tampa’s revitalization, situated near the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and the Tampa Riverwalk. By securing the ground-floor retail space of this luxury residential high-rise, Matilde is positioned to serve a high-income resident base while acting as a primary dining option for theater-goers and downtown professionals.
Industry analysts suggest that the "coastal Mexican steakhouse" niche is a growing trend in the luxury market, as consumers move away from traditional, stuffy steakhouses in favor of "vibe dining" concepts that offer diverse flavor profiles and highly Instagrammable interiors.
Timeline and Future Outlook
As of late 2024, the project is in the pre-construction and design finalization phase. The anticipated opening in spring 2027 aligns with the completion timelines of major residential and infrastructure projects in the downtown corridor.
Upon opening, Matilde will operate with a full schedule: lunch and dinner service Monday through Friday, weekend brunch, and a late-night bar program from Thursday through Saturday. This schedule is intended to maximize the utility of the space across different dayparts, catering to the "live-work-play" demographic of downtown Tampa.
Next Level Brands has indicated that further details regarding specific menu items, partnership announcements, and hiring initiatives will be released as the project progresses toward its 2027 launch. For now, the unveiling of the renderings serves as a marker of the group’s continued confidence in Tampa’s evolution into a premier global dining destination.
