You may have noticed that Winners Sports Grill, which has been located at 5429 Wesley Chapel Village Market on S.R. 54 just east of I-75, has closed. Although a lot of local residents already are loving the place, what you may not have realized is that former Winners owner Gerry Malynowsky already has completely revamped the restaurant into the elegant new City Grill, which is one of the first true sit-down, non-chair restaurants in Wesley Chapel, featuring what Gerry calls “chef-created fresh seafood, pasta and more.”Continue reading
Whether it’s a wash or oil change you need, Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube managing partner Stephen Schab has you covered. Bay Breeze is located on BBD, less than three miles south of the Pasco County line.
By Lauren Saslow
While most northerners joke about the lack of seasons in the south, New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents oftentimes mark two times of each year by prevalent pests; the two most notable ‘seasons’ being mosquito season and lovebug season. Lovebugs, or Plecia nearctica, are a fly species — common along Gulf Coast states — that have flight seasons in late spring and again in late summer. While harmless to humans — they do not sting or bite — lovebug populations are a nuisance to motorists. The acidic egg masses of the dead females that splatter on cars can dry quickly in the subtropical heat, causing ingrained build-up in the clear coat of automobile paint.Continue reading
When I first heard that Hibachi Japanese Express was opening in the Wesley Chapel Village Market at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and S.R. 54, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Well, I don’t know if you’ve checked out owner Deyan Chen (everyone just calls him Chen)’s new “cafeteria-style” (meaning you walk up to a counter to order for dine in or take out, whether you want to sit at a table or at the sushi bar) Japanese restaurant and sushi bar yet, but if you haven’t — and you enjoy Japanese cuisine, of course — this is a little, inexpensive gem of a place with food quality which equals or surpasses some of the much-more-expensive Japanese steakhouses I’ve tried — at “cafeteria” prices!
First of all, I’m not a guy who enjoys buffet-style Asian restaurants because I don’t want my “fresh” sushi prepared until I’m ready to eat it. And, even though the sushi at Hibachi Express is sold at a lower average price than most sushi bars, it is still freshly prepared and I assure you that all of the seafood sushi and sashimi I’ve sampled there to date — including tuna, snapper, tilapia and even an outstanding spider (soft shell crab) roll — has been made fresh to my order, elegantly presented and absolutely delicious. In fact, the awesome $6.95 spider roll is Hibachi Express’ Special Roll of the Month for October. If you like crab, try it.
I’m also very partial to the Crazy Tuna roll, which is perfect for two tuna fanatics to share for $8.95. It features a snappy, spicy tuna, avocado and tempura flakes on the inside and sashimi slices of tuna on the outside. Yum.
Yes, Hibachi Express also has a variety of other great sushi rolls (and sashimi, served without rice), just like your favorite Japanese steak house. But, while it doesn’t have teppanyaki (hibachi) tables to sit at, Chen promises that he does serve outstanding hibachi steak, chicken, shrimp, scallops and even salmon, prepared on the hibachi grill in Hibachi Express’ kitchen — without both the “show” (flipping salt shakers and shrimp tail tossing) and the usual inflated prices.
In fact, even the “small” size hibachi entrées, which start at $5.95 for just hibachi veggies or chicken, $7.95 for real, choice New York strip steak or shrimp or $8.95 for salmon or scallops — I was stunned at how good the scallops were — are plenty large enough for one person for lunch or dinner, and still include a nice ginger house salad, tasty grilled veggies, Japanese fried rice and everyone’s favorite “yummy-yummy” sauce.
“Our steak is choice New York strip,” says Chen, who has been in the business for 20 years, although this is the first restaurant he has owned himself. “And I know our scallops, shrimp, salmon, chicken and our sushi also are all high-quality.”
Or, “upgrade” to the “large” size for just $6.95-$10.95, or try your favorite combination for $10.95-$11.95.
Also available are chicken, shrimp and steak fried rice ($5.95-$6.95), appetizers like edamame ($1.95), gyoza and shumai dumplings (six pieces of either for $3.50), seaweed salad ($2.95), teriyaki rice bowls with chicken shrimp or steak ($6.95-$8.95), chicken katsu ($6.95), a kids menu featuring fried chicken or shrimp with french fries ($4.95-$5.95).
There’s no beer or wine at Hibachi Express, but soft drinks are available, as are vanilla, green tea and red bean ice cream.
Hibachi Japanese Express (5315 Village Market) is open Mon.-Thur., 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., until 10:30 p.m. on Fri. & Sat & 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, call 991-9582.
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know the Pasco County Economic Development Council (EDC) also has an annual award banquet, but I do know that at this year’s banquet — held Sept. 4 at Saddlebrook Resort Tampa on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel — businesses located in Wesley Chapel came home with a nice handful of trophies.
Hosting the gala was Al Reuchel of Bay News 9, who helped the EDC give out a number of awards in a total of four categories — “Manufacturing Industry of the Year,” “Service/Distribution Industry of the Year,” “Technology” and “Special Contribution.”
(L-R) Pasco County school superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco Republican state committeeman Bill Bunting, Mike Moore, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells & Dist. 18 State Senator Wilton Simpson came to support Moore at his campaign kick-off reception at Kafé Kokopelli in Dade City on Sept. 18.
By Matt Wiley
Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, Pasco County Board of County Commissioners District 2 hopeful Mike Moore (R-Wesley Chapel) kicked off his campaign on September 18 in Dade City.
Inside the packed Kafé Kokopelli in downtown Dade City, guests and honorary hosts — including Dist. 18 State Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Dade City), Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells, San Antonio Mayor Tim Newlon and Zephyrhills Mayor Danny Burgess — gathered with Moore for a fund-raising reception. Honorary hosts House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel), Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco (R-Odessa) and Commissioner Jack Mariano (R-Hudson), all of whom have endorsed Moore, were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
