The Rays yesterday "unveiled a renovated concourse at Tropicana Field with new menu items from Tampa Bay businesses," according to Sharon Kennedy Wynne of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Fans "will find a new look to the first and third base food courts, plus some recognizable names." Rays 3B Evan Longoria's Ducky's restaurant "is making its debut." Pipo's Cafe "will be in Centerfield Street and the first base concourse." Ducky's Deck "is set up in centerfield as well." Centerplate GM at Tropicana Field John Cirelli said that the "addition of more local favorites and some new seafood and Cuban specialties, 'are all part of a focus on providing a local and authentic experience.'" Wynne reports the Rays will also "create their own craft beer, called 2-Seam Blonde Ale" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/30).
RAISING THE BAR: In Cincinnati, Steve Watkins reported the Reds "will open two new bars at Great American Ball Park this season, including the first one on the upper deck’s View Level." The bars "are in the new Fioptics District, an area down the left-field line sponsored by Cincinnati Bell, one of the biggest Reds partners." The Fioptics GigaBar will be GABP’s "first walk-in bar on the View Level." It will include "three virtual-reality booths powered by Cincinnati Bell Fioptics technology." The Reds are also "adding the Cincinnati Bell Connections SkyBar in the same Fioptics District area." That is a "private hospitality area available exclusively for Cincinnati Bell Business guests" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/29).
LAST NIGHT AT THE CAFE: In DC, Scott Allen wrote under the header, "Dumplings, Gyros And BBQ Ribs Among The New Concession Items at Nats Park." Meanwhile, Hard Times Cafe, "a staple at Nationals Park since it opened" in '08, will "not be returning" for '16. Haute Dogs & Fries, "one of two winners in the Nationals' pitch-your-product contest, will move into Hard Times' old space in the left field plaza beyond Section 106." Shake Shack also "expanded" for this season and will "feature an e-cash line for Nats Plus members." The team also made a "switch from MillerCoors to Anheuser-Busch" in the offseason (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/29).
KING OF QUEENS: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Sophia Hollander reports Chef David Chang's restaurant Fuku "is coming to Citi Field this season." Earlier this year, Fuku "opened its first stall in Madison Square Garden." Chang: "I just can’t root for the Yankees” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/30).
