Gary’s Favorite KRATE, Asian, Latin, Pizza, Frozen Dessert and Bar.

Bruschetta

KRATE: Blush Wine Room
Although some of the locals I’ve talked to about the KRATE at The Grove Container Park complain that most of the restaurants are too expensive for what you get, Jannah and I absolutely love so many of them, I had to make a top-10 (actually, top-11) Favorite KRATE list, instead of just a top-5.

That being said, while there may be a dish or two at other KRATEs that we like as much as, say, the chicken parmigiana meatballs (photo) or the penne ala vodka pasta or chicken ala vodka flatbread at the Blush Wine Room, there is no other KRATE that has a better vibe or better food overall than Blush. We wish they were able to serve hard liquor there, but the rotating frozen wine-based cocktails are delish and you won’t find most of the available wines at Blush anywhere else.

Pisco Express, which too many locals tell me they haven’t tried yet, offers authentic Peruvian Chinese fusion cuisine and lives up to the billing of Peruvian food being the best of the Latin cuisines. Try the ceviche!

In addition to the top-10 shown here, we also enjoy Tacos El Patron, Rhythm Pon de Grille, Shake-A-Salad, El Prince, La Creacion Xpress, Cafe 365, Tasty Ramen, The Fry Room and SubZero ice cream, so in my opinion, the KRATEs are doing just fine, thank you!
2. Pisco Express
3. Ato
4. Bacon Boss
5. Café Zorba
6. Bakery X
7. Chamo Bites
8. Urban Sweets
9. TJ’s Hot Dogs
10. Mojo Grill

Salmon

FAVORITE ASIAN: Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill
Even without a great, true New York-style Chinese place in either of our two markets, and even with Kobe Japanese Steakhouse not yet reopened, I believe we still have a tremendous variety of truly delicious Asian places in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. 

Whether you prefer tasty Japanese, Thai, Indian, Korean or even Vietnamese cuisine, there is something for literally almost everyone to enjoy on the list below. 

In fact, there are so many Asian eateries I love in our two markets, I had to expand my list to a Sweet 16 in this category. Yes, the incredible appetizers, fresh sushi and unique entrées at Zukku-San make it my #1 favorite, the sushi, chicken teriyaki and not-tableside hibachi offerings at Bluefin make it a strong #2. And, while Yamato isn’t quite as good, in my opinion, as Kobe was when it was open, its tableside hibachi options are still excellent and plentiful. Newcomers Ha Long Bay, Tessa’s Sweet Café and the Nepalese Gorkhali Kitchen, as well as Liang’s Bistro, Sushi Café, Thai Lanna, Michi Ramen, Thai Ruby, Oishi Express and Sake House, are quality options in New Tampa, as are Umu, Arroy Thai and Ato here in the Chap. Try ‘em all! 
2. Bluefin Sushi
3. Yamato
4. Ha Long Bay
5. Liang’s Bistro 
6. Umu
7. Sushi Café
8. Arroy Thai
9. Ato
10. Thai Lanna
11. Tessa’s Sweet Kafé
12. Michi Ramen
13. Thai Ruby
14. Oishi Express
15. Gorkhali Kitchen
16. Sake House

Jalea De Mariscos

FAVORITE LATIN (NON-MEXICAN): Pisco Express
This choice even surprised me, but the more Jannah and I eat at (or take out from) Pisco Express Peruvian Chinese Fusion, the more we love it.  

The ceviche de pescado (fish), whether it’s snapper, basa or whatever fresh fish they have each day, is as good as you’ll find anywhere, and the tallarin saltado (shown above with chicken) is amazing. And, there are still at least a dozen other options on Pisco Express’ extensive menu I plan to try. Pisco has, in my opinion, surpassed Lima in New Tampa for the best Peruvian cuisine, but Lima still came in as my #4 on this list.

My #2 favorite Latin restaurant could ascend to #1 if Las Palmas Latin Grill ever reopens its brick-and-mortar location just south of County Line Rd. Even with the Las Palmas food truck’s reduced number of menu options, what is available is top-quality, from award-winning Cuban sandwiches to the roast pork and grilled chicken entrées.

Rice-n-Beans, our readers’ favorite this year, comes in at #3 on my list for its delicious Puerto Rican options (my favorites are the chicken or pork chicharrons) and great bar vibe. Other KRATEs on this list include Chamo Bites, Mojo Grill and La Creacion Xpress. Latin Twist Café, a favorite with our readers since it opened, Arepa Mia and the new Macondo round out a very strong Latin top-10.
2. Las Palmas
3. Rice-n-Beans
4. Lima
5. Chamo Bites
6. Mojo Grill
7. Latin Twist Café
8. La Creacion Xpress
9. Arepa Mia
10. Macondo 

NY NY’s Sicilian pizza

FAVORITE PIZZA: New York New York Pizza
For those who have never heard this story before, I performed at a stand-up comedy show at The Improv in Ybor City at least ten years ago and all of the comics who performed met after the show at this little pizza place around the corner called New York New York Pizza. As a native New Yawka and avowed NY-style pizza fanatic, I was shocked at how good it was. I was even more surprised to find out that NY NY was in the process of opening on BBD Blvd. in Wesley Chapel! It instantly became one of my favorite pizza places in either of our distribution areas and has continued to be at or near #1 ever since — despite the fact there are several other really good NY pizza places in our area — and on the list below. 

In fact, there are so many good ones that it’s really hard for anything other than a true NY-style place to finish very high on my list and there are even a few that didn’t make the list again this year. In addition to the ten places shown below, if I was expanding the list, I could include Best NY Pizza, Capri Pizza-n-More, Caprese House, Pomodoro, Cappy’s, Cali, Bubba’s 33, Rock & Brews, Main Event, Bosco’s and even places that serve flatbread-style pizza on my list, I just felt that this is a really yummy top-10. 
2. Amici’s
3. 900º Woodfired
4. 900º New York
5. Fratelli’s
6. Taste of NY
7. PizzaMania
8. Via Italia 
9. Woodfired (Bearss)
10. Noble Crust 

FAVORITE FROZEN DESSERT: Ice Dreammm Shop
Those of you who love the Ice Dreammm Shop as much as I do were probably stunned that this favorite, with locations at The Grove and off S.R. 54 in Lutz, didn’t dominate this category with our readers again this year, as it did in 2021.

There’s no doubt in my mind, however, that owner Joe Schembri’s Ice Dreammm Shops serve the best ice cream in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, whether you’re looking for alcohol-infused cones, cups or sundaes served on homemade cookies, brownies and bars or the most delicious array of toppings — although I love a lot of other local places, too.

Before I get into my other favorites, I also want it known up front that I prefer hard-packed ice cream to gelato, frozen yogurt or soft-serve. That’s just me. It doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy or ever indulge in any of the others, it just means that when I’m not dieting and want a delicious frozen treat, I’ll almost always choose real ice cream.

I’ve always loved the different peanut butter and banana flavors at Bruster’s and Ice Screammmin is another New Tampa favorite of mine for those options. I also crave the decadent brownies from Mike’s Pies with the locally made ice cream at the new Astro, but a cone or cup from any of the places shown below also will make me smile. 
2. Bruster’s
3. Ice Screammmin’
4. Astro Ice Cream
5. Twistee Treat
6. Subzero
7. Coldstone
8. Culver’s
9. Hello Sweetness
10. 35 Below

FAVORITE BAR & TAVERN: Treble Makers
Jannah and I have very different reasons why we love one bar or another — she wants her cosmopolitans light pink (not red) and wants a place with a list of other sweet cocktail options made with premium vodka. As the guy who pays, on the other hand, I just want my Jameson and other Irish, Scotch and bourbon whiskeys to be reasonably priced, full rocks pours with lots of ice instead of that hoity-toity single ice cube. 

Treble Makers isn’t the only place we both love to enjoy a cocktail or two, but it is the place we both prefer, especially for dinner on a Friday night, when most of the places near either of our local malls are total zoos. As a New Yawka, I refuse to wait 45 minutes to an hour to get to sit down (or to find parking), so places like Treble Makers, The Grill at Morris Bridge and Bayscape Bistro (at Heritage Isles Golf Club off Cross Creek Blvd.) will get the nod from us every time on busy nights. 

We also appreciate friendly bartenders who make Jannah’s drinks properly and can find me on crowded nights, so Joe Whiskey’s, Brass Tap, Fat Rabbit, Bubba’s 33, the Top Shelf Sports Lounge and Noble Crust also make my list. Neither of us are drink beer, so beer-only bars will never be among our faves, but karaoke & live music places often will.
2. Grill at MB
3. Bayscape Bistro
4. Joe Whiskey’s
5. Brass Tap
6. Fat Rabbit
7. Noble Crust
8. Bubba’s 33
9. Via Italia
10. Living Room
11. Top Shelf
12. Florida Ave.

Despite What The Local Trolls May Say, These Were My 2022 Restaurant Faves!

Despite what some online trolls say, the results of our 2022 Reader Dining Survey & Contest that we posted in our last issue of 2022 were an absolutely accurate accounting of the 400 or so total votes we received on our website and from mail-in ballots of our readers in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa.

And, despite what some of those people may think — and claimed on our Facebook page — those results were not “fudged” in any way by yours truly. There actually were fewer than a dozen disqualified ballots this year for those who didn’t put their names on their surveys and few other reasons, so virtually every vote we received was counted and accurately tabulated.

What I won’t claim, however, is that the Reader Survey results are an accurate depiction of what the majority of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents truly think are the best restaurants in our two distribution areas. There’s no doubt that 400 votes out of more than 60,000 households that we reach by mail (plus 14,000 people who follow us on Facebook) doesn’t tell the full story, even though it does tell a story.

In part because I’ve never been happy with the number of chain restaurants that usually dominate the results with our readers, I will guarantee, however, that the places to eat in drink in and adjacent to our two distribution areas that I’ve named on this page and the nine pages that follow absolutely are my favorites in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa, no matter what those trolls will try to convince you of otherwise. Here are the two most common complaints:

1) “Gary only writes about & votes for the restaurants that advertise with him.” — Whether anyone believes it or not, part of the reason I try to sell certain restaurant owners on advertising in these pages is because I already like their restaurants. My wife will tell you that I make pretty good fish at home, but love it when a restaurant has truly fresh fish prepared in delicious ways. And, I’ve loved the fresh fish at both Treble Makers and The Grill at Morris Bridge since the day both opened. The only place in Wesley Chapel that, in my opinion, comes close to Treble Makers’ coconut curry grouper or wahoo (which, sadly, has been taken off the menu) is Grillsmith, and I don’t like the rest of Grillsmith’s menu as much as I do the options at our area’s only dueling piano bar.

But, if you’re not someone who eats or cares about fresh fish, while you may disagree with my choices — especially if you don’t like your favorite dishes at any of my favorite places — I still stand behind my selections with not only my words on these pages but also with my money when I go out to eat.

And, while I do promise every dining advertiser that I will write a full-length Dining Feature story about them when they become advertisers, I do also write about every new restaurant that opens in either of our distribution areas, whether they ever spend a dollar with us or not. The reason I save the full-length features for our advertisers is because we have more than 70 ads in every issue and almost every advertiser wants a story — because it gets so many of them the best results of any local advertising they do, including online. With only 26 issues per year and 3-4 Business & Dining Feature stories in each issue, that doesn’t leave much room for full-length non-advertiser stories, so a Nibbles column item is all I can offer those other eateries.   

  2) “Gary only writes about & votes for the restaurants that agree to give him free food.” — This is the claim that actually makes me angry. Yes, some restaurant owners buy dinner for me and Jannah from time to time, especially after my reviews hit print, but I have never insisted that they — nor have I ever even asked them to — do so. In fact, I always have told any place that has bought more than one meal for us (or even just me) that they shouldn’t do that and I always leave an even more substantial tip than I normally do when they insist on doing so.

Anyone who is making either of these claims (yes, especially you, Troll Jeffrey Brown) is not only lying, they’ve never seen the amount of money I spend locally to go out to eat. I guarantee that there is no one who lives in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel who spends more to dine out for two in our two distribution areas than I do — especially as a percentage of their annual income — and I will be happy to share an accounting of all the meals I didn’t get for free from last year if any of my accuser(s) are willing to do the same. If they’re within even $500 of what I spent, I’ll be shocked. So, bring it, Mr. Brown (as in, rhymes with “clown”).

I love to cook, but my skills are extremely limited, and there’s nothing Jannah and I love to do more than go out, sit at the bar and have a cocktail and a delicious meal at our favorite places — especially when there are a number of items on the menu we enjoy.

But, the one thing I can assure  everyone of is that whether or not a place has ever spent a dollar on advertising in these pages or ever bought me even a single breakfast, lunch or dinner, neither of these two claims is accurate.

With trolls always hiding behind their anonymity, I can’t control what they say, think or write, nor would I even try. What I can assure all of you is that none of those (Jack Zhort, Rick Carroll, etc.) who claim they know for fact what we, and especially I, do with regards to our content have never met me, had a meal or a beverage with me or actually ever discussed with me why they feel the way they do. I may be a “pompous a–” (right, Mr. Carroll?), but at least I’m not afraid to stand behind my words, in print or online.

Anyway, as for my the lists on these pages, with all of the new places to eat in our areas, especially Wesley Chapel, it is getting much harder for me to pick not just a top-10 list of favorites, but even a top-25 or top-50, or to feel confident that every one of my selections is in its perfect place on each list.

For those who voted for Noble Crust to repeat as #1 in this year’s survey, I assure you that Jannah and I also love the place, or it wouldn’t make my top-10. But, despite its changing-by-season menu, the only fish that stays on the menu is salmon, and neither of us likes salmon. We also usually only take out pizza, no matter how good it may be. But, you’ll still find us at Noble Crust from time to time, enjoying the meatball appetizer and a delicious cocktail at the bar. If you do find us there, feel free to say hi, as so many people do year after year — many of whom tell us the only reason they tried a place was because of this publication. — GN   

The coconut curry grouper at TrebleMakers.

GARY’S FAVORITE WESLEY CHAPEL RESTAURANTS OVERALL IN 2022
With all of the new restaurants that opened in Wesley Chapel in 2022, this was the hardest year ever for me to compile this list. I know some people disagree, but if you haven’t had the always-fresh coconut curry grouper or seared tuna at Treble Makers, haven’t tried the filet at Dempsey’s Too since the new ownership at Saddlebrook revamped the menu a couple of months ago, haven’t sampled the chicken, spinach & riccotta cannelloni at Falabella Bistro or any of the amazing appetizers at Zukku-San, try ‘em and tell me you still don’t think this is a legitimate top-10 list. Oh, and I am also partial to the always-fresh Short-Trip fish at Grillsmith, too.   
1. TrebleMakers
2. Falabella Family Bistro
3. Dempsey’s Too
4. Zukku-San Sushi 
5. Grillsmith
6. The Living Room
7. Noble Crust
8. Top Shelf Sports Lounge
9. Longhorn Steakhouse
10. Bluefin Japanese Restaurant

GARY’S FAVORITE NEW TAMPA RESTAURANTS OVERALL IN 2022
Not as many new restaurants opened in New Tampa as in Wesley Chapel in 2022, but many of the existing restaurants upgraded their offerings — including The Grill at Morris Bridge. If you haven’t sampled the new tomahawk ribeye for two (photo) or bacon & parmesan-crusted mahi-mahi at The Grill, I urge you to give them both a try.

The Mahi Mahi at The Grill at Morris Bridge

If The Grill is my #1A this year, our perennial reader favorite Stonewood Grill & Tavern could be #1B (instead of #2), especially after adding its unique & tasty Manhattan Strip steak we showed you last issue to its regular menu.

Frammi & Via Italia also are neck-and-neck for me for Italian food (both have great pasta!), but I give Frammi the slight edge overall for its larger non-pizza variety, including an entire American food menu. Fat Rabbit, which brought back its own fresh fish option to go along with the best wings in town, rounds out my top-5.

The only new restaurant to make my top-10 this year is Ha Long Bay, the mostly Vietnamese Asian fusion place which opened after the Reader Survey voting ended. Also in my top-10 in New Tampa for the first time is Cantina, which also ascended to the top spot as my new Favorite Mexican Restaurant in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel.
1. The Grill at Morris Bridge
2. Stonewood Grill & Tavern
3. Frammi
4. Via Italia
5. Fat Rabbit
6. Acropolis Greek Taverna
7. Ha Long Bay
8. Bayscape Bistro
9. Cantina (CC Blvd.)
10. Liang’s Bistro

 Check back for more of Gary’s favorites by category this week!          

Grocery Mystery Solved? Signs Point To Target 

More than 18 months after The Grove teased a new grocery story in an online post, the mystery about which one would be moving into the development may be over.

It appears Super Target is, well, targeting the parcel of land on The Grove’s main property, right across Pink Flamingo Ln. from Cost Plus World Market (see map).

While nothing had been officially announced prior to our deadline (but probably will be shortly after we go to press and before you receive this issue), Target Wesley Chapel-The Grove has applied to the Southwest Florida Management District (aka Swiftmud) for an environmental resource permit (ERP), which is required before any construction can begin. Detailed plans for the construction also have been submitted.

Representatives from The Grove said nothing has been signed with Target, only. that it is one of a number of companies with which it has been negotiating with and it expects to make an announcement soon.

While it may be disappointing to those hoping for a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s to open a store in the space, it’s not that surprising that Super Target, a popular retail-grocery hybrid, was the choice. A pre-application meeting was held with Pasco County planners on Oct. 18 where plans for a 147,000-sq.-ft. retail building, with nearly 500 parking spots, was presented by an unnamed party (most likely Target or The Grove). 

Due to the size of the proposed building, it was clear it would not be any of the trendy grocery stores desired by locals, and likely would be a Super Target or Walmart.

There already is, of course, another Super Target in Wesley Chapel, located at the corner of County Line Rd. and Bruce B. Downs Blvd., although proximity to their other stores doesn’t stop big names like Publix, Walmart or Starbucks. And, considering the future growth planned in the S.R. 54 corridor, it’s not like the area can’t handle a second Target store.

Traffic on Oakley Blvd., however, should be interesting, considering that new apartments and townhomes will soon be completed in the area, and will be adding hundreds of more cars per day to the already-congested road.

The Super Target is the second new  grocery store planned for Wesley Chapel. Just a few miles east on S.R. 54, plans have been filed with the county by Publix for a new 60,548-sq.-ft. center, which would be anchored by a 48,848-sq.-ft. grocery store that also will include a 2,100-sq.-ft. liquor store and 9,600 square feet of retail space.

As we’ve previously reported, the new Publix will be located behind the Bank of America, Advance Auto Parts and Starbucks-anchored Pleasant Plaza on S.R. 54.

Platinum Salon — An Outstanding Salon & Community Partner!

If you said you’ve never heard of Platinum Salon, located in the same plaza as Burger 21 off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., I’d have to say I’d be a little surprised.

Sure, the upscale, 1,600-sq.-ft. salon itself isn’t visible from BBD, but Platinum Salon’s visibility is more about its co-owners, Master Colorist/Stylist Allen Coleman and former occupational therapist Michael Berthelette, who handles the business side of the salon’s business.

Berthelette previously owned the Pure Hair salon with Coleman in Land O’Lakes, while Coleman — who opened Salon at the Walk in New Tampa in 1997 — has owned and operated five salons throughout the Tampa Bay area over the past 33 years. The partners opened Platinum Salon five years ago and merged Pure Hair with Platinum in Dec. 2018, when they closed Pure Hair. 

But, while Coleman is the artist known for pushing boundaries and redefining style who is a National Leyton House (which is based in Australia) professional educator, Berthelette is the salon’s Chief Executive & Community Officer. Berthelette has been out in the community building Platinum’s pubic profile as a three-year Board member and immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors with the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC). He also is a member of the Business Networking International (BNI) Alliance (which meets every Wednesday at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County) and recently was added to the Board of Directors of the AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Foundation.

Platinum Salon has 15 employees, including 12 stylists/colorists, all of whom, Coleman says, are “highly trained professionals” who specialize in highlights, lowlights, balayage/ombre and color corrections and also offer Keratin treatments, Brazilian blowout and other smoothing treatments, as well as tape-in hair extensions.

Coleman, who has clients who have been with him for 30+ years, inspires his stylists to be fearless behind the chair and is known for always delivering cutting-edge styles, innovative color, cutting techniques and service excellence.

“Allen is constantly seeking new challenges to add depth to his artistic experience and portfolio,” Berthelette says. “He’s driven by his unparalleled creative energy to break down barriers and leave his mark and legacy on this world.”

He adds, “Our clientele is primarily professional business women who want to look and feel special. We help them do every day at Platinum Salon.”  

In addition to serving the community in BNI and both the hospital foundation and the NTBC, Berthelette, Coleman and Platinum Salon also participate in the U.S. Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots campaign.

“My brother-in-law Johnnie Miller served in the Marines,” Allen says. “And it’s such a worthy cause.”

Platinum Salon (20304 Trout Creek Dr.) is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday & Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call (813) 973-2400, search “PlatinumSalonTampa” on Facebook or “PlatinumHairSalonTampa” on Instagram.          

Astro Craft Ice Cream Brings More Delicious Treats To S.R. 56!

Congratulations go out to my friends Ferdian Jap and Gia Tran, the co-owners of Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill on S.R. 56, who also recently opened Ato Edible Art in the KRATE at The Grove container park and even more recently opened the second location of Astro Craft Ice Cream less than a half-mile from Zukku-San on the north side of 56.

Astro, which has its original location on N. Ola Ave. in the Heights Market just north of downtown Tampa, is proud to offer locally produced craft ice cream in a variety of unique flavors, from Tampa guava cream cheese to brown sugar whiskey cookie dough and my favorite (so far), the banana pudding peanut butter cookie.

“Our classic flavors…reflect the diversity of our Tampa Bay community & honor its rich history,” according to the website AstroCraftIceCream.com.

The Astro menu also includes signature creations like tiramisu cheesecake (creme brulée café con leché ice cream topped with lady fingers, cheesecake bites and cocoa powder, finished with a chocolate flavor “shot.” (Note-There also are honey and caramel flavor shots available for your favorite ice cream creation.) There’s even a Cuban ice cream sandwich with your choice of ice cream flavors, pressed between two pieces of Cuban bread from Tampa’s La Segunda bakery.

Astro also offers a variety of toppings for your waffle cone or cup or on cookies and I don’t think there are more decadent brownies sold anywhere than those at Astro, which are supplied by Tampa-based Mike’s Pies.

Astro Craft Ice Cream (25700 Sierra Center Blvd.) is open Mon.-Wed., noon-10 p.m.); Thur.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sun. For more info, visit AstroCraftIceCream.com. — GN