Florentin, the Israeli-inspired café from chef Ben Poremba, is making a short but strategic jump up Delmar, leaving its current spot in the Delmar Maker District for the former Steve’s Hot Dogs space. The restaurant will close at its present address on April 19 and is planning a soft opening down the block on May 10. The move will put Florentin side by side with Nixta, with a shared green space bridging the two concepts, as Delmar continues to recover and reshuffle in the wake of last year’s tornado.
Where Florentin Will Land
Poremba detailed the plan in an email, explaining that Florentin will take over the former Steve’s Hot Dogs footprint at 5127 Delmar, with a soft opening that includes new menu items and updated hours, according to St. Louis Magazine. The publication notes that the shift places Florentin in the same complex as Nixta, with a shared green space between the two restaurants.
Why The Space Opened
Steve’s Hot Dogs and The Fountain on Delmar announced earlier this year that they would close after struggling to recover from damage tied to the May 16, 2025 tornado, as reported by KMOV/First Alert 4. The storm damaged multiple Delmar Maker District businesses and helped trigger a broader reshuffle of operators and available spaces along the corridor, according to St. Louis Public Radio.
Poremba’s Delmar Playbook
Relocating Florentin into a larger footprint fits with Poremba’s ongoing strategy to cluster several Bengelina Hospitality Group projects on Delmar. Nixta and Esca are already part of that lineup, according to Sauce Magazine. Florentin’s current address at 5090 Delmar still appears on the Delmar Maker District directory, which notes that the café remains firmly within the same neighborhood ecosystem, even as it prepares to shift to another block of the boulevard; see the Delmar Maker District listing.
What To Expect
Florentin’s last day of service at its current location is set for April 19, and the soft opening in the new space is scheduled for May 10, with specifics on menu changes and new hours still to come, per St. Louis Magazine. This story will be updated if Bengelina or Florentin releases additional details on capacity, final hours, or a formal grand opening plan.
