Ohhh, we’re talking caviar vibes in Passy now?
Pass-a-Grille is getting a brand-new coastal seafood restaurant, and the family bringing it to the beach already has a pretty well-known name around Tampa Bay.
Moon by Malio’s is expected to open this fall at 109 8th Avenue in Pass-a-Grille, taking over the former restaurant space at the Berkeley Beach Club.
The new concept comes from Derek and Jen Iavarone, the owners behind Malio’s Prime Steakhouse in downtown Tampa and Malio’s Beach House on St. Pete Beach.
This time, though, they’re switching things up.
Instead of building another traditional steakhouse, Moon by Malio’s will focus on coastal fine dining, wild-caught seafood, fresh pasta, cocktails and a much more playful beach atmosphere.
And yes, there could be some caviar involved.
One of the dishes being considered for the menu is Caviar Tagliolini, alongside other elevated seafood and pasta dishes.
Passy is getting fancy, fam.
A New Restaurant for the Former Dewey Space
Moon by Malio’s will move into the ground-floor restaurant space at the Berkeley Beach Club, the boutique hotel in the heart of Pass-a-Grille.
Many locals will remember the space as the former home of The Dewey.
The Dewey did not reopen after the property suffered significant flooding during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
The Berkeley Beach Club itself eventually reopened, but the restaurant space remained empty.
After new owners Helen and Dave Feinberg purchased the hotel, the restaurant area was completely renovated, giving the Malio’s team a fresh space to build its new concept.
Moon by Malio’s is expected to use roughly 4,000 square feet between the indoor dining room, outdoor patio and rooftop.
Altogether, the restaurant is planned to seat around 200 guests.
That rooftop is also expected to play a pretty big role in the Moon experience.
Full Moon Parties on a Pass-a-Grille Rooftop
This might be one of our favorite parts.
The owners plan to bring the Moon theme all the way to the rooftop with monthly full moon parties.
Think Pass-a-Grille at night, rooftop cocktails, Gulf breezes and a full moon overhead.
Yeah, that could be a whole vibe.
The name Moon also has a personal meaning for the Iavarone family.
Moon is their daughter’s middle name, and the concept was also inspired by the family spending time together watching the full moon rise from their St. Pete Beach home.
That family connection is being worked throughout the entire restaurant, from the name and design to the food itself.
What’s Going to Be on the Menu?
Moon by Malio’s is going heavily into seafood, but the menu is expected to change depending on whether you stop by for lunch or dinner.
Lunch will be the more casual side of Moon.
Expect beach-friendly options like grouper sandwiches, burgers and soft-shell crab po’boys.
Basically, you can spend the morning on Pass-a-Grille Beach, shake some of the sand off and head over for lunch without needing to suddenly become fancy.
Dinner is where they plan to turn things up.
The evening menu is expected to center around wild-caught seafood, along with hearty pasta dishes, charcuterie boards, elevated entrées and large seafood towers.
Among the dishes being considered is Caviar Tagliolini, so that’s where our caviar vibes officially enter the chat.
The menu will also have a strong family influence.
The Iavarones plan to incorporate Italian and Spanish recipes that have been passed down through generations, giving Moon a mix of coastal Florida dining and Mediterranean inspiration.
The Drinks Are Getting Their Own Vibe Too
Moon isn’t stopping with the food.
The beverage program is expected to feature European wines and craft cocktails inspired by the Mediterranean coastline.
There are also plans for a daily happy hour featuring both food and drinks.
And because apparently we needed another reason to spend Saturday in Pass-a-Grille, Moon plans to offer a special Saturday brunch menu.
Lunch.
Happy hour.
Dinner.
Saturday brunch.
Rooftop full moon parties.
They’re covering some ground here.
Moon Won’t Look Like Your Typical Steakhouse
If you’ve been to Malio’s before, don’t expect Moon to simply be another version of the same thing with seafood added to the menu.
The owners are intentionally creating something different.
Jen Iavarone has a background in fashion and design, and the restaurant is being designed with a more colorful and creative personality.
The space is expected to feature plenty of natural sunlight along with different textures, bold design elements and subtle touches inspired by the moon.
The family has described Moon as the more playful little sister to its other Malio’s restaurants.
That description actually makes a lot of sense for Pass-a-Grille.
You still get the elevated food and service associated with the Malio’s name, but in a setting that feels more relaxed, coastal and fun.
The Malio’s Name Goes Back More Than 50 Years
The family behind Moon isn’t new to the restaurant business.
The Malio’s story in Tampa Bay dates all the way back to 1969, when Derek Iavarone’s father, Malio, opened the original Malio’s Steak House in South Tampa.
Derek continued that family restaurant legacy when he opened Malio’s Prime Steakhouse in 2007.
The family has since expanded across Tampa Bay, including Malio’s Beach House on St. Pete Beach.
Moon represents something a little different.
It’s not only another restaurant expansion. The Iavarones are also St. Pete Beach residents, and the new concept reflects their own family traditions and connection to the beaches.
They’ve reportedly wanted to open something in Pass-a-Grille for several years.
Now they finally have their spot.
When Will Moon by Malio’s Open?
Moon by Malio’s is currently expected to open in September 2026.
That is the target timeframe and not a confirmed grand-opening date yet, so it could always shift as the restaurant gets through its final preparations.
Once open, Moon plans to serve lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
Like the family’s other Malio’s restaurants, it is expected to remain closed on Sundays so employees can have the day with their families.
Another New Chapter for Pass-a-Grille
Pass-a-Grille has always had its own thing going on.
It’s one of the few places where old Florida beach-town vibes are still very much alive, and that’s a big part of why people love it.
Moon by Malio’s sounds like it’s trying to bring something new without losing that Passy personality.
Grab a grouper sandwich for lunch.
Come back later for seafood, pasta and maybe some Caviar Tagliolini.
Hit happy hour.
Then catch a full moon from the rooftop with a cocktail.
Ohhh yeah.
Passy is getting some caviar vibes, fam.
Moon by Malio’s is targeting a September opening, and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this one as they get closer to opening the doors.
Because once they do?
You already know we’re gonna have to go check this sucker out.