It was only a few years ago when TrebleMakers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant at The Grove was mine and Jannah’s favorite place to eat in Wesley Chapel. And, even though we always enjoyed the dueling piano shows, most of the time, we just wanted our fresh grouper or wahoo or a great steak that we couldn’t get at the local chains.
But, over the last couple of years, many of our favorite items either fell off the menu or the recipes for them were changed, so even though we kept trying for a while, we eventually pretty much stopped going altogether.
But now, original owner Jamie Hess is back partnering with Jason James, there’s a new chef and the place itself has become TrebleMakers Sports Bar & Dueling Pianos, with additional TVs, pool tables, dart boards and Golden Tee Golf, plus some type of entertainment every night of the week and a whole new menu and vibe.
The best thing, however — at least for Jannah and me — is that the restaurant’s new menu has a whole slew of new items and the few we sampled on our first visit were all excellent and will definitely bring us back for more — especially with all the other new “stuff” to enjoy.
Our meal started with a unique bruschetta (left photo), which added a base of creamy goat cheese spread to the usual crispy crostinis, house-made bruschetta and aged balsamic drizzle. I’m not usually a big goat cheese guy, but this was yum!
For our main course, Jannah opted for the Chicken Pesto Bowl (below right), which had a creamy parmesan risotto base, grilled chicken, house-made pesto and garlic lemon butter broccoli and fresh tomatoes, also topped with a balsamic glaze. She loved the risotto and we both appreciated that the broccoli was tender, but not mushy.
I chose one of my old TrebleMakers favorites — the (half) Rack of Lamb, which was four tender grilled chops (I don’t eat lamb rare or even medium rare, as I do steak; my lamb was properly medium for me), with a honey bourbon gastrique (a caramelized sugar & vinegar reduction), crispy fried buttermilk onion rings (Jannah loved those!) and a side of that same delish broccoli.
Other appetizers on the menu include “Boom-Boom” Shrimp, Spinach Artichoke Dip, a Pub Pretzel, Fried Brussels Sprouts and wings (bone-in or boneless).
There also are three salads on the menu, including a Treble Wedge, Chicken Caesar and Mandarin Chicken.
For sandwiches, there are four different Smash Burgers, plus a Blackened Salmon BLT, French Dip, Philly Cheesesteak and The Jolene (fried chicken breast with pimento cheese and bourbon bacon onion jam). Other Bowls include a Steak Chimichurri, Mediterranean and a panko fried Chicken Katsu.
And yes, you can still get Entrée Favorites an 8-oz. filet mignon, orange basil glazed salmon, honey bourbon glazed chicken and fish & chips.
Feel like a lighter bite for lunch? Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the lunch menu includes smaller portions of many of your TrebleMakers favorites, all just $10-$12, although it costs $2 more to add fries to any of the items. There’s a Chopped Cheeseburger Hoagie, a Shrimp Rice Bowl, Chicken Bacon Caesar Tacos, Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese and more!
If you like to day drink with your lunch, draft beers are either $4 or $5, with $6 glasses of house wine and well drinks, $7 for all Tito’s cocktails and $8 red or white sangria glasses.
Happy Hours are Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. & Sat.-Sun, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with the same draft beer prices, plus bottles or cans of beer just $4-$6 and $6 seltzers. All Happy Hour “Bar Bites” menu items are just $10 and include Buffalo Dip & Chips, Loaded Treble Fries, Arancini Risotto Balls w/Marinara, 5 Bone-In or Boneless Wings & more!
More Than Just The Food!
But, TrebleMakers is now also a great place to have fun every day! Check out this different-each-day entertainment:
Congratulations to Cindy Bray (front right in left photo), the founder & CEO of Hope Services, for the success of the nonprofit’s fifth annual “Dance Your Dream” event held Apr. 16, at the Wesley Chapel District Park’s Recreation Complex.
Dance Your Dream is an inclusive, high-energy evening designed for individuals with special needs ages 14 and older. This year’s theme was “A Night at the Circus” and included dancing, food, games, entertainment, a raffle area, and a newly added Community Resource Room, offering access to representatives from local organizations that provide valuable assistance and support.
Happy to make an appearance at this year’s event was published author Chris Angilella (right), who hasn’t let Asperger’s Syndrome stop him from self-publishing (and co-illustrating at least six books, including Oakley’s Sanctuary Friends and Speckle Delivery, which he was signing copies of at this year’s Dance Your Dream.
Angilella’s books feature characters with special needs, which made him a great addition to this year’s event, which also included appearances by Elsa from “Frozen,” stilt walkers and multiple Chick-fil-A cows, since Chick-fil-A was again a major sponsor of the event..
All proceeds from Dance Your Dream benefit Hope Services’ Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, which provides hands-on, nationally recognized certification programs, including Culinary Arts, Construction, Customer Service, and more. To support Hope Services, visit HopeGetsJobs.com. — All photos by Charmaine George
If you still think The Hub at Lexington will be just like every other development in Wesley Chapel, you haven’t been paying enough attention to what’s already happening at this 40,000-sq.- ft., six-building center that is being developed by Courtney Bissett-Hayes and her brother Paul Bissett of Center Connect Development.
With several of the first businesses now open at The Hub at Lexington and more opening this month (and others soon), you and your family will soon be able to “Sip, Savor and Socialize” at more than a dozen restaurants and retail shops. There will be a number of events — including a Grand Opening sometime in September of this year — some with live music, centered around The Hub at Lexington’s shade-providing artificial trees.
So, what’s open now and what’s coming soon to The Hub? Here’s a quick rundown:
Now Open!
Headlines Barber Shop — The first tenant to actually open its doors (at 27053 Halter Loop) at The Hub was Headlines Barber Shop, a local chain which has about a dozen Tampa Bay-area locations (and 7,000+ 5-star reviews).
Favian, the barber in the right photo on this page, is clearly a popular guy, as our Facebook post about the attractive-looking barbershop back on Mar. 19 had received more than 11,500 views by our press time. Fellow barbers Luis, Max and Martha also are available for bookings at Headlines’ Hub at Lexington location. For more info, call (813) 428-5034 or visit HeadlinesBarbersTampaBay.com!
La Creacion Bistro — The first restaurant to open at The Hub.
The Clubhouse Golf Simulator — Only open for a couple of weeks at our press time, The Clubhouse (above) is owned by Wesley Chapel High grads (and brothers) Mark and Tyler Ward. Tyler says that he and Mark have been thrilled with the response to their new business so far, as more than 200 people had already come in to give it a try and several of those have already signed up for memberships.
The Clubhouse, which allows you to “play” everything from Augusta National (home of The Masters) to local courses like Heritage Isles Country Club (the course in the photo), also will have local PGA teaching pros available to provide lessons. “Plus, it’s better than playing four hours in this Florida heat,” Mark says.
In addition, although The Clubhouse doesn’t yet have its beer and wine license, Tyler says it is “coming very soon” and there also are snacks and soft drinks available for purchase, “and you can bring your own beer and even food in the meantime.” For more info, call (813) 904-2867 or visit Clubhouse.golf.
Pet Wants — Pet Wants, which just opened at our press time, promises “Nutrition You Can Trust,” with fresh dog and cat food and treats, bones and natural chews, pet health and wellness products (like Nootie ear and dental wipes), toys and Pet Wants-created “Natural Spaw” products and more. The Hub Pet Wants franchise owner Nickole Davis, who previously owned All Good Things Gifts in the KRATEs, says that the chain is around 20 years old and today has about 100 locations, including either four or five in Florida.
“It’s a really cool, fun place to shop for and with your pets,” Nickole says. “Come check us out!” For more info, call (813) 586-1440 or visit PetWantsWesleyChapel.com.
Opening In May!
Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken — (below)
Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls — This gourmet cinnamon bun chain (photo, left), which was founded in Berkeley, CA, in 2010, today has 85 locations in 26 U.S. states (four in Florida, including a location on S. Howard Ave. in Tampa) and could open around the same time as Bonchon. With 20 frosting flavors and lots of unique toppings, you can design your own Cinnaholic creation or choose from one of the chain’s bes-sellers, like “Cookie Monster” and “Campfire S’Mores.” For more info, visit Cinnaholic.com.
Lexington Nail Lab — Although it had the first sign up (right) at The Hub several months ago, this upscale nail salon is finally getting ready to open (at 27105 Halter Lp., next to Bonchon) this month. According to its website, Lexington Nail Lab will offer “beautiful, long-lasting nails and a relaxing salon experience,” plus a personalized attention, professional service, a modern setting, cleanliness and hygiene. For more info, visit LexingtonNailLab.com or call (352) 691-6073.
Still To Come!
Saigon Pho Restaurant — Although the sign (left) only saying “Vietnamese Restaurant,” we spoke with the owners of the successful (and tasty!) Banh Mi restaurant at The Hub at Bexley, who confirmed both the name and that they also own the upcoming Saigon Pho, which they hope will open by sometime in July.
And…Urban Crunch Creamery Café, Brew Bar Self Pour, Island Grill, Farmer’s Milk Gourmet Bakery, The Monks Desi-Chinese Indian Fusion Cuisine & Suncoast Charging.
Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken To Open May 20!
Whether you already love crunchy Korean fried chicken or you’ve never tried it before, you have to try Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken when it opens at The Hub on Wednesday, May 20.
I stopped in at the Bonchon location on E. Fletcher Ave., where owner and general manager Sam Takla was interviewing prospective employees for both stores and Sam was so excited that we were giving him some publicity that he not only refunded what I had already paid for two items but also brought out several other dishes, so photographer Charmaine George and I “would know just how delicious our food is.”
He’s right. Even though I always order any kind of fried chicken without sauce on it (above), there are six different sauces (from Korean BBQ to spicy Yangnyeom) to choose from and our six-piece combo (four wings and two jumbo drumsticks) came with our choice of side. We chose cole slaw, but there’s also pickled radish.
The chicken was crispy and juicy, the pork gyoza dumplings were excellent, too, and the Bulgogi beef bowl (left), sautéed with mushrooms, scallions, onions and sesame seeds, had just the right hint of sweetness. Sam also turned us onto the Japchae (glass noodles, red bell pepper, onions, spinach, mushrooms and bulgogi stir fried with soy garlic sauce), which Charmaine said was her favorite dish, plus a unique Mopo “corn dog,” which is actually mozzarella cheese wrapped in crispy breading, potato cubes and soy garlic on a stick, but no hot dog. We both loved the two-piece Korean donuts and their sweet cream dipping sauce. There are many more items on the menu I can’t wait to try, too!
If you love The Bean Bar Co., located in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, and you also love working out, we have some great news for you!
The Bean Bar Co. has now opened its newest location in the first floor lobby inside the Wellness Plaza at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, with all of your favorite coffee, espresso and tea drinks, plus breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast and more! And, you don’t have to be a member at the Wellness Plaza to enjoy this open-to-the-public Bean Bar location!
Also new inside the Wellness Plaza is a second Wesley Chapel location (the other is in The Shops at Wiregrass) of 3 Natives juice & smoothie bar.
For info about The Bean Bar Co., visit BeanBarCo.com. For 3 Natives, visit 3Natives.com. — GN, photos by Charmaine George
Every time a new restaurant opens anywhere in or near New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, but especially anywhere near the Tampa Premium Outlets — since Jannah and I live across the street from that mall — we always get super-excited hoping that the newest place will end up being “our place.”
But, since most of the restaurants that have opened are the same chain restaurants that open in every major suburb in this country, more often than not, we are disappointed.
Our first glimmer of real hope came when Food + Beer opened in the former location of Shuckin’ Shack (in the same plaza as Chicken Salad Chick) towards the end of 2025.
Yes, Food + Beer is still basically a sports pub, but it definitely has a much more interesting, diverse, elevated and tasty menu than any of the “similar” chains in our area.
Food + Beer is a privately owned mini-chain that started in Sarasota in 2017 and the Lutz/Wesley Chapel location is the company’s eighth. The other locations are spread around Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice and Lakeland, with two more coming soon to Ellenton and West Tampa. Food + Beer was the brainchild of co-founders and friends Mike Whalen and Casey Daniels, who envisioned a casual place with lots of TVs and delicious comfort food conceived and made in a scratch kitchen.
And yes, it has pretty much become mine and Jannah’s local “place.” We stop off regularly for a burger or some wings and quite a few times for one drink after driving home following a Tampa Bay Lightning game. The vibe is definitely upbeat and friendly and Jannah says the craft cocktails at the full premium-liquor bar are spot-on.
So, What About The Food?
I’m so glad you asked! Between us, Jannah, Charmaine and I have been through most of the menu, although there are seasonal additions every quarter. The company’s culinary director Justin Collins (top photo) definitely seems to love his job and the opportunity he has been given to experiment with different flavor combinations.
“And, everyone loves our regular samplings when we come up with new menu items and give our people a chance to try them,” Justin says.
The only drawback for me so far has been the fact that Food + Beer does all of its seafood in the same baskets, while all other non-seafood fried items are cooked in a separate basket.
In other words, I can still eat the wings (which are outstanding!), the fries, the crisp sweet potato tots and the Cuban eggrolls (with tasty mojo pork, ham, pickles and Swiss cheese). Check. I can not, however, eat the fresh catch nuggets, crab Rangoon cheese sticks (right) or the current “Crab Fest” seasonal soft shell crab BLT — even though I’m not allergic to crab or grouper — because they are fried in the same baskets as the Buffalo shrimp, which is seriously a bummer. Soft shell crab is such a favorite of mine and you definitely don’t find it in most places, much less at most “sports pubs.”
Starters — One of my favorite starters is the tender Mexican street corn (below), which is served on the cob, with chipotle mayo, paprika, cilantro and feta cheese.
We all loved the unique tin can nachos, which are indeed served in a tin can (below right) and the chips are covered with tomatillo stewed chicken, white queso, pico de gallo, black beans and corn salsa, with lime crema and pickled onions. You might want to ask for help before flipping the can over to let all the chips fall out, although it is the best way I’ve seen to get all of the tasty nacho ingredients to mix.
Jannah and I also definitely gave thumbs-up to the bacon ranch quesadilla and we did add the optional blackened chicken. The signature jalapeño ranch dipping sauce, “definitely gives everything a kick of flavor,” Casey told me when he was on hand for Food + Beer’s opening weekend.
Nuggets + Wings — My favorite way to enjoy Food + Beer’s wings are to get the plain bone-in wings, which come out super-crispy, and then add whatever sauce you prefer on the side. In addition to the only semi-spicy “House Buffalo,” other sauces include “Stupid Hot,” garlic parmesan, Memphis BBQ, Carolina gold, Nashville hot, blackened and my two favorites — the sweet Thai chili and the teriyaki.
We were all surprised how much we loved the “PB&J” wings (top left), which are coated in a combo of an Asian-style peanut sauce and a spicy jalapeño jelly that definitely has a kick. I again suggest a side of the jalapeño ranch dipping sauce, which pretty much goes with everything.
I’m not usually the biggest boneless wing guy, but marketing director Cassi Knapik suggested we try the Buffalo chicken wedge (left), with iceberg lettuce, chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes, scallion, bacon jam, a 6-minute egg, House Buffalo nuggets and bleu cheese vinaigrette. And yes, all of that actually did work together nicely!
Burgers — I’m not as into a lot of stuff on my burgers as some people, but I am partial to the basic cheeseburger and the Okeechobee Smash burger (with “a whole lotta onions”) at Food + Beer. But, Justin turned me on to a new favorite — the meatball smash burger (right), which is a seasoned patty with caramelized marinara, mozzarella, fresh basil and a zesty parmesan-crusted brioche bun. I’m definitely ordering extra marinara on the side of this one next time!
Handhelds — My favorites are the Legalize Marinara (with scratch fried chicken, marinara, mozzarella, basil & parmesan on a garlic hoagie) and the “That Jawn!” cheesesteak, with shaved ribeye, caramelized onions and house yellow (cheese) “whiz,” although I also had it once with mozzarella — and liked it even better! (I know, Philly fan is threatening to hurt me for that one.)
But, Jannah’s favorite things on the entire menu are the birria tacos (left) — grilled braised beef, Monterey Jack and cotija cheeses, plenty of cilantro, red onion and of course, a traditional consommé dip. I’ve heard people rave about the Cubano and the Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, too, but I haven’t sampled those yet. The “Malibu Barbie” wrap — with chicken breast, bacon, avocado, pico de gallo, spring mix, bibb lettuce and honey-lime vinaigrette in a whole wheat wrap — is definitely on Jannah’s radar.
Bowls & Entrées — We liked the stewed chicken burrito bowl, but my favorite so far has been the tasty Korean bulgogi beef bowl (below right), served over sticky rice with kimchi, pickled veggies and cucumbers, topped with a sunny-side- up egg and sesame seeds. The bulgogi beef is tender and has such a great, semi-sweet flavor.
Platters — These all have items I can’t sample, but there’s one with 6 Buffalo nuggets and 5 fried colossal shrimp, another with five Buffalo bone-in wings and 5 shrimp, and the “Florida Man,” with PBR-battered grouper, gator bites and five shrimp. Please let me know if you try one!
Desserts — There are three deliciously different indulgences, each offering a different style of decadence. First, there’s the “S’more What?,” with a double fudge brownie, graham cracker and torched marshmallow Fluff.
Not feeling chocolatey? How about a bananas Foster ice cream sandwich, which is a Nightingale banana pudding ice cream sandwich with banana caramel sauce infused with Misguided Red Sky Rum, bruléed banana and chopped pecans — oh, and a 151 rum flambé (this one’s for ages 21 + older only).
But, my surprise favorite, because I’ve never really been a red velvet guy, are the fried red velvet Oreos (above). They’re dipped in red velvet batter, fried and topped with cream cheese icing and powdered sugar. The cookies retain some crunch but the Oreo cream inside becomes almost liquefied. Yum!
Daily Specials, Happy Hour & More — Food + Beer also offers a number of different specials, including Burger Monday, when a basic cheeseburger + fresh-cut fries costs just $6.99 every Monday (dine-in only). There’s also Trivia Wednesday: starting every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.; and Wing Thursday, with 89¢ bone-in or boneless wings every Thursday (also dine-in only).
Food + Beer’s Weekend Brunch is every Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and features a Bottomless Mimosa Bar that lets you build-your-own, with multiple juice options and add-ons like gummy bears, strawberries, blueberries etc; available during weekend brunch only.
The brunch menu includes so many great items, many of which we still haven’t tried (but are kicking ourselves for), including chicken & red velvet waffles, and the “Big Country,” with country-fried chicken breast over a split, griddled biscuit with sausage gravy, two eggs cooked to order and your choice of bacon or sausage, just to name a couple.
Lunch Specials at Food + Beer are offered Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and range from just $8–$10.
The New Happy Hour Menu offers daily drink specials from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.- close (including $3 “cheap ass” draft beers, $4 wells, $5 calls and $6 premium liquor & margaritas), plus new food specials from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. & 10 p.m.-close — and $5–$8 “bites” like pretzel bites, fried pickles, house Buffalo boneless wings, bacon ranch quesadilla and chips & queso.
Unfortunately, specialty cocktails like Jannah’s favorite Strawberry Feels Spritz (left) and “Casey’s PK” (above right), a unique take on a piña colada, aren’t offered at Happy Hour prices.
Late Night: Food + Beer stays open late, with food served until 1 a.m. or later every night — for everyone, not just you hospitality folks!
In other words, there’s a lot to like about Food + Beer (25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension). For more info, visit EatFoodDrinkBeer.com or call (813) 815-8001 — and please tell ‘em I sent you!
