Casa Ramos — A 40-Year Mexican Tradition That Started With ‘Uncle Pepe’

By Gary Nager

Photos by Jayne Baker & Matt Wiley

OK, so there’s no doubt that a lot of us — including yours truly — were sad to see Sushi Tsu Japanese Steakhouse close its doors in the same Shoppes of Amberly plazain Tampa Palms as our office earlier this year. But, I was definitely intrigued by the idea of an upscale Mexican restaurant coming in to replace it.

And, in the less than two months that it’s been open, I have to say that I am definitely enjoying getting to know Casa Ramos and owner Mateo Ramos, who is the chief operatring officer of a company that operates more than 40 Azteca and Casa Ramos restaurants, primarily on the west coast of the U.S.Continue reading

Free Eyecare Professionals Grand Opening Aug. 17!

We congratulate Dr. David Scamard, O.D., on the Grand Opening of his new practice, Eyecare Professionals of Tampa Bay, LLC (located at 24412 S.R. 54, at Oak Grove Blvd., in the Eagle Plaza in Lutz). Although his new practice has been up and running for several weeks, the former owner of The Eyeglass Factory (less than a half-mile east of the new location) will hold his Ribbon Cutting & official Grand Opening at the spacious, new, full-service optical shop on Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Continue reading

Hibachi Japanese Express Is Open…& Yummy!

If you haven’t yet checked out the new Hibachi Japanese Express, located in the smaller outparcel building (next to China Wok) of the same Wesley Chapel Village Market that also is home to Vallarta’s & the new Famous Tate store, you should go…for lunch or dinner…today! Hibachi Express features the same fresh sushi (I even special ordered a grilled red snapper and cucumber roll that was just too good), choice NY strip (photo, right) and fresh large shrimp and scallop hibachi dishes, complete with ginger salad, mushroom soup, grilled hibachi veggies and fried rice, all at prices much less than most “teppanyaki (hibachi) table” restaurants because the hibachi grill is located in the open kitchen just behind Hibachi Express’ much faster lunch counter, so you’re paying for the quality food and not the show. And, with the current special of a still-sizable lunch-sized portion of hibachi steak, chicken or shrimp, with rice & veggies, for just $6.25, you can’t beat the value! For more info about Hibachi Japanese Express (5315 Village Market Dr.), call 991-9582 or stop in & tell Chen, the owner, that the New Tampa Neighborhood News sent you! — GN

Wolf’s Den To Expand Hours, Menu & More!

Although we previously reported on NTNeighborhoodNews.com that the always-popular Wolf’s Den Restaurant, located on S.R. 56 (in the same plaza as Insight Family Eye Care), was taking over the spaces in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (opposite the new Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, or FHWC)) previously vacated by Baja Fresh and several other businesses (see below), Wolf’s Den owner Roger Wolf has decided instead to expand his menu (including adding “Pigsilly BBQ” specialties like real baby back ribs, brisket and more) and his hours and add beer and wine at his current location. Look for an ad, with coupons, next issue because the new hours & BBQ menu items will debut at Wolf’s Den right after Labor Day. For more info, call 907-9124 or visit WolfsDenRestaurant.com.

PROtential Sports Offers Camps In Cory Lake Isles

Empowering children to achieve success on and off the playing field, PROtential Sports has announced the opening of its newest youth sports camp in Cory Lake Isles, a Community Development District (CDD) located off Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa. Conveniently situated at the neighborhood’s newly revamped clubhouse, a hub of activity for the community, PROtential’s summer and after-school programs immerse children between the ages of 5 and 12 in a comprehensive mentorship program focused on teaching life through sports.Continue reading