Carrabba’s Italian Grill, which has been open for a couple of months on S.R. 56, next to Bonefish Grill, held its official Grand Opening and North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC) ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov 17.
And what a tasty, fun event it was! In addition to a sizable number of NTBC members and Board members, Pasco County commissioners Jack Mariano and Kathryn Starkey, as well as Carrabba’s VP of operations Pat Hafner (a Wesley Chapel resident, by the way) and, of course, Wesley Chapel location “proprietario” and GM Mark Kolter (with scissors in top photo) and his joint venture partner Eric Yeagle were all on hand to cut the ribbon and enjoy some delicious food and beverages following the ceremony.
Once inside, free wine and samples of everything from Carrabba’s tasty meatballs, garlic bread tower, stuffed mushrooms and shrimp spiedino (middle right photo; which, of course, I couldn’t sample — shellfish allergies are soooo unfair!) to Merry Berry martinis and perfect mini-cannolis (bottom right pic) were passed around by Carrabba’s happy, friendly staff.
Feel free to tell Mark, Eric and the staff we sent you on your next visit to Carrabba’s! — GN