Month: January 2022

New Tampa Dining Survey Results: Your Favorite Asian/Mediterranean Restaurants!

1. Liang’s Bistro
17515 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
(813) 978-1225
LiangsBistroTampa.com

If you’ve never been to Liang’s Bistro, you may be the only person living in New Tampa (or Wesley Chapel, for that matter) who hasn’t. You also may be one of the few local residents who didn’t vote this year for what has been the Favorite Asian restaurant with our readers pretty much every year since it opened in North Palmas Village, in a former Burger King location off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

Liang’s features amazing appetizers like the amazing Liang’s BBQ ribs and pork-and-veggie egg rolls, but also has its fried signature entrées, Mongolian beef, Thai-style wok dishes with basil, yellow, green and red curry, and both Japanese and Vietnamese-style fried rice, as well as Chinese and Singapore-style fried rice, and Singapore and pad Thai noodle dishes.

Liang’s also offers smaller-portioned Lunch Combo specials with Sichuan, Thai curries and even Korean BBQ wok classics (with your choice of white meat chicken, beef or shrimp. There also are excellent vegetarian dishes like Thai basil tofu, Buddha’s delight with mixed veggies and more.

And yes, you can enjoy a sit-down meal at Liang’s, with beer and wine.— GN

2. Acropolis
14947 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Oak Ramble Plaza
(813) 971-1787
AcropolisTaverna.com

Although new owners Stacy Esposito and her husband Eddie Nasr probably weren’t concerned about our Reader Dining Survey when they took over the ownership and management of New Tampa’s Acropolis Greek Taverna, they were determined to return what always had been one of New Tampa’s favorites to its former glory, after dropping out of the top-10 with our readers for the first time in a decade in 2020.

Well, even though it has always been in the top-5 Greek, Mediterranean or (this year) Asian favorites, Acropolis is back, as it is back up to #5 Favorite overall with our readers, with its delicious Greek specialties, from appetizers like spanakopita (above), saganaki (flambéed cheese) and grilled octopus, to entrées like lamb lollipops, whole red snapper, Athenian fish and more.

And of course, Acropolis offers a great full liquor bar, weekend entertainment and an outdoor hookah lounge. — GN

3. Sushi Café
18051 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.
The Walk at Highwoods Preserve
(813) 977-7800

New Tampa residents who love great sushi have fewer options today than they did when Sushi Café opened several years ago, but many of you still turn to Sushi Café for great, creative and fresh sushi, plus Japanese specialties and more.

Sushi Café was not only the #3 Asian or Mediterranean restaurant in New Tampa with our readers this year, it also finished as the #8 Favorite Restaurant overall, it’s highest-ever finish in our survey.

Although I’ve never sampled the Hawaii roll pictured above, we have enjoyed everything from the unique tuna tataki to the soft shell crab roll, plus entrées like the chicken katsu, teppanyaki (although not made at your table) favorites like filet mignon and chicken and the Japanese-style fried rice. And yes, beer, wine and hot and cold sake are served. — GN

The rest of your 2021 NT Asian/Mediterranean Top 10:
(4) Kobe
(5) Thai Lanna
(6) Little Greek
(7) Koizi
(8) Thai Ruby
(9) Michi Ramen
(10) Minerva & China Wok

Nibbles & Bites: New Restaurant on Cross Creek, and more!

The Grill At Morris Bridge Opens On CC Blvd!

For those who have been hoping for a great new restaurant to open in the location that was originally Beef O’Brady’s on Cross Creek Blvd. at Morris Bridge Rd., The Grill at Morris Bridge is off to a pretty good start since hosting its friends & family event on December 18 and opening the following day.

Yes, the location has had a couple of Italian restaurants open and close over the last couple of years, but co-owners (and brothers) Frank and James Gouveia are hoping that great food, premium liquor, an outstanding 250-bottle wine list (with some bottles only $25) and a casual, but elegant atmosphere will help The Grill succeed where those others failed.

Frank (photo) says he spent more than 20 years in the wine business, so he definitely knows how to pick great grapes, but he also is thrilled to have an outstanding Executive Chef — Daniel Friley — creating a unique menu with a great variety of starters, entrées and desserts. Both the Gouveia brothers and Friley are from Massachusetts and the menu definitely is New England-inspired.

For example, the starters include a zesty authentic New England clam chowder and stuffed giant clams known as quahogs, plus non-New England options like excellent Chesapeake crab cakes with a roasted padron pepper remoulade, charcuterie boards and more.

We’ve also gotten to sample some great entrées, including a tender and delicious filet mignon au poivre with potatoes au gratin and fresh asparagus and a pan-seared black grouper served with herbed butter broccolini.

There’s also a 10-oz. NY strip, a blackened chicken tscoupitoulas, a grilled dry aged pork chop, fresh Atlantic salmon and more.

For dessert, try Chef Daniel’s house-made creme brulée or Key lime ginger cheesecake.

And, while Jannah says The Grill’s cosmopolitan was one of the best she’s ever had, please also check out The Grill’s outstanding fine wine selection, too.

The Grill at Morris Bridge (10920 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open for lunch (at 11 a.m.) and dinner (until 9 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 10 p.m. on Fri.-Sat). It is open for dinner only Mon.-Tues. For more info, visit TheGrillatMorrisBridge.com or call (813) 388-5353. — GN

Mint Cocktail Café Also Open In Palms Connection!

We first told you a couple of months ago about the Mint Cocktail Club, located in the Palms Connection plaza at 2810 E. Bearss Ave.Mint, which opened last month, is owned by Cody Jay, who also owns the Bearss Tavern & Tap in the same plaza.

Well, Mint is a beautiful, self-proclaimed “Tropical Hideaway” with some unique drinks — many made with the variety of quality rums available, although I loved the tropical High Tide (the yellow drink in the far right pic), which is made with banana-infused bourbon, toasted coconut, pineapple and lime — and what appears to be a great “sneak preview” menu.

Although our bartender Nia assured us that the menu will be expanded, Jannah and I really loved the queso frito appetizer, which is a lightly fried, crispy-coated Mexican cheese with guava rum and a slightly spicy papaya salsa.

While Mint definitely caters to USF students with some free-drinks on Ladies Nights, it should also attract New Tampa adults of all ages.

For more info, visit MintTampa.com or call (813) 219-3478.— GN

Provisions Opens 2nd Location On Bearss Ave.

Congratulations to owner Dana Morris on the opening of her second location of Provisions Coffee & Kitchen (the first is in the KRATE Container Park in The Grove at Wesley Chapel) in the Palms Connection plaza at 2816 E. Bearss Ave. The new location, which opened last month, is larger and will have a slightly larger menu than the KRATE location, but you can get the tasty fried chicken biscuit sandwich above at either location.

For more info, visit “Provisions Coffee & Kitchen” on Facebook. — GN

New Tampa Dining Survey Results: Top 25!

1. Stonewood Grill
17050 Palm Pointe Dr.
(813) 978-0388
Stonewoodgrill.com

Based on the results of our Annual Reader Dining Survey every year since 2011, it doesn’t matter how many new restaurants — chain or otherwise — open in New Tampa, the nearly unbeaten (it “only” finished second once, in 2015) champion is Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms.

After winning by a comfortable margin again this year with its third managing partner in as many years, Stonewood has shown that it doesn’t matter who’s in charge, its combination of delicious American cuisine, great drinks and outstanding service continue to make it top-of-mind with our readers — despite the fact it always has been one of the most expensive eateries located in zip code 33647.

Stonewood’s extensive menu includes everything from fresh seafood to great steaks and chops (photo, right), plus big salads, pasta dishes and more, and it likely has become even more popular with our readers since it began opening for lunch (with a smaller, and less pricey, lunch menu, although the dinner menu also is available at lunch time).

Among the favorite starters at Stonewood are the tasty and ever-popular bruschetta (served with a delicious balsamic dressing) and sesame-seed-seared ahi tuna served with wasabi cream and sesame ginger dressing.

Salad lovers definitely go for the Asian chicken salad (with ginger lime-marinated chicken, chilled sesame noodles and sesame ginger dressing) and the Stonewood salad (with blue cheese crumbles, dried cranberries, blackened walnuts and blue cheese vinaigrette).

Handheld favorites include the oak-grilled cheeseburger, two-hand chicken club and the veggie quesadilla.

And, with great steaks like two sizes of filet mignon and prime rib, a unique sweet tea brined pork chop and blackened chicken pasta. Market Fresh Fish options include ever-changing favorites like Chilean sea bass, grouper and the menu options like Atlantic salmon and yellowfin tuna.

Stonewood also has New Tampa’s second favorite bar with our readers this year and a great Sunday brunch with bottomless bubbles and unique menu items like creme brulée French toast, shrimp and grits and crab cake and prime rib Bennies. — GN

2. Mr. Dunderbak’s
14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
(813) 977-4104
Dunderbaks.com

J.B. Ellis bought Mr. Dunderbak’s with the intention of owning a bar, but over the years, he says the place has shifted from being 66% bar and 33% restaurant to 33% bar and 66% restaurant.

Ellis has only himself to blame. A combination of old-time classics (the sandwich board has barely changed in 50 years) to derivations of old family recipes Ellis has tweaked just a little keeps the crowds coming back for seconds. The food (like the Venison sausage platter pictured) must be getting better every year. After a No. 4 finish in 2019, and No. 3 in 2020, Mr. Dunderbak’s inches up another spot in our 2021 Reader Survey., its highest-ever finish.

Mr. Dunderbak’s is an experience. It also boasts this year’s No. 1 bar with our readers, featuring a seemingly unlimited variety of beer, a gift shop, a deli, and atmosphere that is pure Oktoberfest, with the best German dishes around. Choose from authentic favorites like schnitzel, Spaetzle, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) and Sauerbraten, to name a few, and wash it all down with a delicious Hefeweizen. — JCC

3. Liang’s Bistro
17515 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
(813) 978-1225
LiangsBistroTampa.com

Like Stonewood and Mr. Dunderbak’s, Liang’s Bistro is another perennial favorite with our readers.

Although it is more of an Asian fusion restaurant — which also includes Japanese- and Thai-style options — than a classic New York-style Chinese place, Liang’s has been the favorite Chinese or Asian (depending upon which of those options have been offered in the Survey each year) place in New Tampa pretty much every year it’s been open and has never finished lower than sixth Favorite Restaurant overall.

Although I love it for menu items like the crispy pork egg rolls, Liang’s BBQ ribs, sautéed string beans (I order them spicy) and sizzling Shanghai steak, our readers always mention Liang’s signature dishes — like General Tso’s, sesame, orange, pineapple or tropical chicken — as their favorites.

Liang’s also offers lunch specials and currently is the only sit-down Chinese place in New Tampa, where you can enjoy a variety of wines and bottled beers. — GN

4. VIA ITALIA
Outstanding pizzas and pasta, and the charcuterie is a treat.

5. ACROPOLIS
New Tampa’s favorite Mediterranean returns to the top-5.

6. FIRST WATCH
New location, same old results for bougie breakfast fans.

7. CALI
Tampa Palms staple drops after 4 straight years at No. 2.

8. SUSHI CAFE
The best sushi in New Tampa, according to our readers.

9. GLORY DAYS
The place to go for good food, football & beer. Nice patio, too.

10. FRESH KITCHEN
Another newcomer bowls into our Top 10, for good reason.

11. FAT RABBIT
Tampa Palms hangout has all the ingredients of a perfect bar.

T12. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
New Tampa’s only teppanyaki tables moves south on BBD

T12. LAS PALMAS
Fabulous pork and Cubans sold from a food truck, for now.

14. BRUNCHERY
Super specials for breakfast & lunch, tasty skillets and more.

T15. CANTINA REAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Has built a loyal following on Cross Creek Blvd.

T15. CRACKER BARREL
Still attracting attention & votes despite more competition.

T17. BURGER 21
The last to finish No. 1 ahead of Stonewood, back in 2015.

T17. FRAMMI
Area is flush with delish Italian food, don’t sleep on Frammi.

T19. CAPPY’s
The Chicago- and New York-style pizzas are reader favorites.

T19. RED LOBSTER
In an area lacking seafood, Red Lobster remains popular.

21. PANERA
Fast & healthy breakfast & lunch options. Pastries, too!

T22. CHIPOTLE
Hit or miss, but folks like their big bowls & big burritos.

T22. LITTLE GREEK
Falafel pita, hummus, gyros & Greek salad popular choices.

T24. OLIVE GARDEN
The Garden is always packed & not just for the breadsticks.

T24. CHILI’S
Not a great location, but folks like what they like.

25. MICHI RAMEN
New Tampa’s first ramen place also has great appetizers.

bruce b. downs blvd. food New Tampa Nibbles & Bytes Wesley Chapel

Ring The Bell! Jabz Boxing Is Now Open In Wiregrass!

You already can walk, row, cycle and stretch your way to getting in shape at various locations at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, and now, you can punch your way to better health as well.

Jabz Boxing, a 2,400-sq.-ft. studio located next to the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the mall, was offering free classes ahead of its expected Grand Opening on Jan. 8 (after our press time), with boxing- and Mixed Martial Arts (or MMA)-inspired training to get you toned and ready for the new year.

Co-owners Amanda Greenleaf and Troy Miller are excited to finally get the new place open. Plans were launched in 2019, but they faced a number of obstacles along the way.

“To be honest, it’s been a long time coming,” says Amanda, who grew up in Clearwater. “First there was Covid, then I was pregnant, then we couldn’t find a space. I think we looked at like 80 places.”

They did, however, finally get the location they really wanted.

While there are 11 Jabz Boxing locations in four states, including six in Arizona, this will be the first one in Florida. Troy and Amanda have plans for opening two more in the Tampa Bay area.

“Troy came across Jabz Boxing and showed me the idea, and I thought it would be perfect,” Amanda says. “Florida is a fitness state, and we’ll be the first ones here.”

A Unique Fitness Option

Amanda describes Jabz Boxing as circuit training with kick boxing elements. The focus is on making members fit, not fighters. Each workout begins with six minutes of stretching, followed by transitioning through roughly 20 stations lined up around a boxing ring, with things like torrent bags (for both kicking and punching), speed bags, battle ropes, weighted balls, kettle bells, free weights and rowing machines.

In between each 45-second station, there will be a 20-second “cardio blast.” After completing the 20 stations under the watchful eyes of certified trainers, you do it again, for a workout that clocks in at just under an hour.

While actual sparring isn’t allowed at Jabz, “We do teach them how to get in the proper stance, how to throw the punch, how to deliver the punch, how to recover from the punch,” Troy says. “So, there is a lot of that training.”

There are 5-6 coaches on staff who are all certified personal trainers. Some have nutrition backgrounds as well, and lead trainer Caitlyn has 10 years of boxing experience, according to Amanda.

Jabz Boxing is geared towards women, although men are allowed. Amanda says it is a “no judgment zone,” and no matter your level of fitness or gender, there is a place for you at Jabz.

The Jabz Boxing mantra, the first thing you see painted on the wall inside the studio, says, “Come As You Are, Leave Stronger.”

“This workout is no joke,” Amanda says, “but you don’t have to be a cross-fitter to come try it out and that’s why it stood out to me.”

At Jabz Boxing, you will never get the same workout on back-to-back days.

Classes are programmed a year in advance by the main office to keep the workouts fresh, although the trainers are allowed some autonomy to change things up.

Community Partners, Too

Troy and Amanda say they don’t want to just be business owners in Wesley Chapel, they want to be a part of the community. Both say they come from abusive relationships, and have already forged a relationship with Sunrise of Pasco County, a domestic and sexual violence shelter for women in Dade City.

One of the Sunrise employees came across the Jabz Boxing information table at an event one day and suggested they do a class there, and Amanda ran with the idea. The class, which showed the participants how to defend themselves if they were ever in a bad situation again, was a success.

“We definitely want to go back,” says Amanda, who adds that she was moved to tears by some of the stories she heard. She hoped that some of the women who either watched or participated felt a sense of empowerment afterwards.

Troy says that is what Jabz Boxing hopes brings to the Wesley Chapel market that isn’t already here — a place where women can rally around each other and have the best 55 minutes of their day, or week.

The Jabz Boxing team already has provided free workout classes at the Shops at Wiregrass center court area, at Florida Avenue Brewing Co. on S.R. 56 and in the Epperson community to attract members. “So far, everyone seems to love it,” Troy says.

Jabz Boxing is still working on a weekly schedule, but it is likely to offer a variety of morning, afternoon and evening classes. A lot of that will depend on what its members want. “If we have enough ladies who want to do a 4 a.m. class, we’ll do it,” Amanda says.

The gym currently is offering “Founder Memberships,” which includes unlimited classes each month and a swag bag that includes MMA gloves (which are required), a water bottle and other goodies.

And, Troy says, you’ll get a good experience. While the workouts are important, so is the environment.

“I always say the best thing about Amanda is that, when she walks into a room, she brings oxygen into it,” Troy says, “and she has hired people who do the same thing.”

Jabz Boxing officially opened its doors Dec. 18, with its Grand Opening held on January 8. It is located at 28152 Paseo Dr., #140, at the Shops at Wiregrass. For more information about class times and memberships, visit JabzBoxing.com/locations/Tampa-FL, call (813) 495-6677 or see the ad on page 30 of this issue.

Jabz

Wesley Chapel Dining Survey Results: Your Favorite Bar!

1. TREBLE MAKERS
6034 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 101
(813) 406-4371
TrebleMakersofWC.com

As we already told you — Treble Makers Dueling Piano Restaurant & Bar was named our readers’ second-favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel with its outstanding menu created by executive chef Kevin Maggard.

But, considering that no fewer than two dozens restaurants and bars received votes in the Favorite Bar in Wesley Chapel category this year, being named their #1 Favorite Bar for 2021 by our Neighborhood News readers was something of a surprise to co-owner Jamie Hess, even though he and his GM/co-owner Lee Bevan have worked hard to add great new bartenders and entertainment options to go with the already popular weekend dueling piano shows.

Jannah and I have spent a lot of time at Treble Makers piano key bar, enjoying dinner and Tampa Bay Lightning hockey games or NFL or NCAA football games on the giant screen. We also loved singing karaoke there, as the dueling piano stage provided such a great opportunity to sing along with our favorite songs. Sadly, karaoke wasn’t a consistent crowd-puller, so Hess, Bevan and Co. decided to do away with those shows on Wednesday nights, replacing it with a rotating schedule of live music.

Other fun events at Treble Makers include live jazz on Mondays (and sometimes on Sundays), Team Trivia competitions on Tuesdays and free acoustic music on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

With delicious specialty drinks, and a variety of great beer and wine, Treble Makers truly is a great local bar. — GN

2. FLORIDA AVE. BREWING CO.
2029 Arrowgrass Dr. (at S.R. 56)
(813) 452-6333
FloridaAveBrewing.com

Remember when you basically had one option in the area for a good craft beer? Well, now you have a few choices and, according to our readers, there are none better than Florida Ave. Brewing Co. on S.R. 56.

In just a little more than a year, Florida Ave. has established itself as one of the area’s go-to destinations, thanks in part to a tap room offering a wide variety of beers — many now brewed just a few feet away in what may be the State of Florida’s largest craft beer operation (photo) — a terrific chef-created menu, a fantastic atmosphere and an outdoor seating area that is always packed.

Tours of the brewery are coming soon, and don’t forget to hit the beer cave for to-go beers on your way out. — JCC

3. DOUBLE BRANCH ARTISANAL ALES
5956 Wesley Grove Blvd.
(813) 492-8800
DBAA.com

Double Branch Artisanal Ales (DBAA) hit the ground running when it opened in 2020, producing a creative assortment of beers and growing a loyal following. Now that it has added Omnivorous, the local craft brewery’s in-house and tasty food kitchen, it is complete as a perfect hangout for craft beer aficionados.

And, the location is lovely, right there in the Village at The Grove, where strung lights and lots of foot traffic make it a happening locale and the patio is a nice place to enjoy an outdoor drink. And, with Wesley Chapel’s No. 2 (Treble Makers) and No. 4 (Falabella Family Bistro) restaurants and No. 1 Dessert Place (Ice Dreammm Shop) a few steps away, DBAA just might be on the hottest corner in the area. — JCC

The rest of the Favorite Bar top 10:
(4) Bahama Breeze
(5) Rock & Brews
(T6) BJ’s Brewhouse
(T6) Glory Days
(8) Rice-N-Beans
(9) Chuck Lager
(10) GrillSmith.

bar Treblemakers