With so many restaurants in Downtown St. Pete, it can be difficult for restauranteurs to separate themselves from the pack. However, Russell Andrade is bringing a cuisine to Downtown St. Pete that is currently absent from the region. In a few weeks, the Iberian Rooster, a 124-seat colonial Portuguese fusion restaurant, will debut at 475 Central Avenue inside the historic Kress building (formerly occupied by Moscato’s Bella Cucina).

Executive Chef Edward Lowery explains, “We are taking flavors and dishes from different colonies of Portugal, such as Mozambique, Macau, Goa, and Brazil, and infusing them all together. Having access to all of those flavors is insane — a chef’s dream really.”

Chef Lowery grew up in Rochester, New York before moving to the Tampa Bay region in the mid-80’s to attend USF. In between playing music professionally, he began cooking. Over the years, Lowery has been fortunate enough to work under some of the area’s top chefs including Greg Baker of The Refinery and Jim Rice of A La Carte Pavilion. Most recently, he was the Executive Chef at Skipper’s Smokehouse.