Paul’s Fusion Kitchen Takes Over Poke Burri Tampa Storefront 

Though Paul’s Fusion Kitchen currently has a website suggesting that the restaurant is ‘opening soon,’ more concrete details remain are hard to come by.
Paul’s Fusion Kitchen Takes Over Poke Burri Tampa Storefront
Photo: Google Earth

A restaurant dubbed Paul’s Fusion Kitchen will be taking over the storefront formerly occupied by Poke Burri Tampa at 4034 W. Kennedy Blvd, according to Paul’s Fusion Kitchen owner Piya Saengfah.

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In an email exchange with What Now Tampa, Saengfah says the 30-seat restaurant is hoping to hold a soft opening this October, but that permits and licensing are still pending.

When it does open, however, Paul’s Fusion Kitchen will feature breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, including eggs Benedict, omelettes, and French toast in the morning; spicy Thai salad, a quinoa pesto bowl, and crab fried rice for lunch; and a dinner that is going to be “more elevated in terms of experience and atmosphere compared to earlier in the day,” featuring “Paul’s version on Oyster Rockefeller, USDA Prime cuts, Maryland crab cakes, and more,” says Saengfah.

In no uncertain terms, Paul’s Fusion Kitchen is a project that sits near and dear to Saengfah’s heart. The young entrepreneur and restaurateur grew up with parents who always worked in the restaurant industry, and an immigrant father who “started from the bottom in various kitchens around Washington DC, [and] eventually worked his way up to running his own kitchen at a private country club in the Tampa Bay Area.”

As such, Saengfah says, “I wanted to focus my time and effort building a business that would allow me to spend time with my family. I’ve always loved the hospitality industry and knew we had the experience to bring a unique concept to the area. My dad’s name is Samard ‘Paul’ Saengfah but has been known as Chef Paul for decades. When I was working on our name and logo, I wanted to make sure it would describe who we are but also added a significant personal touch at the same time. As a result, I came up with Paul’s Fusion Kitchen.”

Similarly, of the restaurant’s aesthetic and ambiance, Saengfah says, “Interior design was a big factor of importance when we started the process. Many people are looking for restaurants with an identity and want to enjoy the food and atmosphere at the same time. We put quite a bit of money into showcasing not just our Asian heritage but wanted some subtle elements from other cultures as well. This restaurant was meant to be a place for everyone to gather with their family and friends in an intimate setting. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone.”

Edit: This article was updated on Sep 13, 2022, to include comments from Piya Saengfah.

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock is an independent contributor covering various markets across What Now's portfolio. He’s an avid record collector, amateur chef, compulsive estate sale shopper, and “Antiques Roadshow” binge watcher. Originally from Los Angeles, Drew now lives in El Paso, TX with his wife and their two cats.
Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock is an independent contributor covering various markets across What Now's portfolio. He’s an avid record collector, amateur chef, compulsive estate sale shopper, and “Antiques Roadshow” binge watcher. Originally from Los Angeles, Drew now lives in El Paso, TX with his wife and their two cats.

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