Café Olé On CC Blvd. Is Still My Favorite Restaurant In New Tampa

PaellaThere is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Café Olé, the continental and authentic Spanish restaurant located in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. (at Kinnan St.; behind the Shell gas station) is still the best restaurant in New Tampa, hands down.

I know, some of you still haven’t tried it because you think it’s too pricy or because you think you don’t like “Latin” food.

At owner Frank Aliaga’s Café Olé, however, you can get so much more than just delicious authentic Spanish dishes — like real seafood paella, seafood colossal or shrimp in garlic sauce tapas — none of which I can eat because of my shellfish allergy.

In fact, even though I can’t enjoy those three dishes (all of which are pictured on these pages), everything I can safely enjoy at Café Olé is much better than anything you can get anywhere else in New Tampa.

Such As, For Starters?…

Although most of my favorite tapas dishes at Café Olé are usually included on the daily tapas specials list created by the restaurant’s “Sauce Man” Chef Wilson, I love the chicken raviolis on the next page (Café Olé sometimes offers lobster and even veal raviolis, too) in a creamy tomato sauce that is a perfect dipping complement to the amazingly crispy Italian-style bread served upon request with your meal (which already is served with pre-softened butte, which is so much better than any dipping oil, in one man’s opinion).

SeaBassI’m also partial to Café Olé’s Little Neck clams tapas in garlic, white wine and onions and Galician-style grilled octopus (pulpo a la Gallega), both of which are still among the non-fish seafood I can safely eat). If you’re craving lobster, shrimp, mussels and scallops, There’s even unique bruschetta, fried calamari and traditional Spanish chorizo sausage Salteado (in herbs and a light red wine sauce) on the tapas menu.

But, there’s little doubt in my mind that Café Olé’s incredible fresh fish, steak and lamb and veal entrées are what keep me coming back for more. Whether you dine in or take out for lunch or dinner — and the only-slightly-smaller lunch portions are priced so well, it’s a perfect way to try Café Olé without breaking the bank. The lunch specials usually come with the classic Salade Olé, which comes with the best balsamic house dressing in town. The full-sized salad is more than worth splitting for dinner, too.

Whether you prefer the Chilean sea bass shown on this page without the shrimp and creamy white wine and lemon sauce, grouper, mahi, snapper, salmon or corvina, you really can’t go wrong with Café Olé’s fresh fish, which is always served with a starch (usually potatoes or rice) and sautéed, fresh julienned veggies. As for the fish on the actual menu, the pescado de la casa (fresh flounder sautéed with onions, garlic, olives, capers and finished in a fresh tomato sauce) also is outstanding.

ShrimpI’ve also never had a sub-par steak, lamb or veal shank or lamb chops and although the prices aren’t cheap, neither is the quality of the food. Although I’ve had very good lamb chops at other local restaurants, the grilled lamb chops (in some sort of red wine reduction sauce) were the best I’ve had in New Tampa this year. And, I’ve had everything from New York strip to filet mignon to bone-in cowboy ribeyes from the specials list and all were tender and tasty, with sauce or without.

Aliaga and his top-notch staff have worked hard to keep up the quality at Café Olé, even though the place has gone through so many additions and changes the last couple of years. When Aliaga opened the restaurant six years ago, it was only about 30 seats and 1,500 square feet. Today, after annexing two other adjacent spaces in the plaza, it is more than 4,500 sq. ft., with seating for nearly 200 people (book a party there and I know the food will be a major hit), with a kitchen that is at least three times the size of the original.

SeafoodColossal8ozlobtailCafé Olé also hosts the New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meetings every Wed. at noon. Attend one time as a guest and you’ll love the food so much you’ll probably join.

The recently revamped bar areas is now much more spacious, and still features premium liquors, Spanish and other imported, micro-brewed and domestic beers and the best wine list in New Tampa. I recommend any of the Spanish reds (ribero del duero, tempranillo, rioja, etc.) or other equally upscale (but not overpriced) red or white wines.

And, Speaking Of Specials…

If you check out the Café Olé ad on page 40 of our current issue, you’ll see that Aliaga & Co. are making it less expensive for you to enjoy your favorite beverages Mon.-Thur. And, you can even enjoy $3 Estrella or Mahou draft or bottled beers during any of the COPA America and Euro Cup soccer games. You just have to root for Spain at the Euro.

And, coming soon is DJ entertainment on Fri. & Sat. nights and weekend brunch!

For reservations (not required, but suggested on weekends) & more info about Café Olé (10020 Cross Creek Blvd.), call 907-5242, or visit CafeOleRestaurant.com

CORRECTION

Senor T'sSenor T’s Does Have Free Chips and Salsa! Contrary to what it says in the advertisement on pg. 47 of the New Tampa Neighborhood News edition that arrived in mailboxes throughout the 33647 zip code today, Senor T’s Mexican Restaurant (17642 BBD Blvd., New Tampa) serves FREE chips & salsa, in both the restaurant and the bar area, all the time. The error was entirely ours and we apologize to Senor T’s for any inconvenience the mistake in our ad may cause.

Farina Rewarded For Humanitarian Efforts

Sergio Farina
Sergio Farina

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that New Tampa resident Sergio Farina has earned some recognition for more than just his academic achievements as he graduates from Tampa Jesuit High as the outgoing President of the school’s Student Body for the 2015-16 school year.

After all, Sergio is the son of my friends Lisette and local orthodontist Dr. Mark Farina, the man responsible for the beautiful smiles of thousands of New Tampa kids, including my sons, Jared and Jake.

But, Sergio is more than just a great student from a wonderful family. Also known as “DJ Svrge,” Sergio is a DJ and music producer who, through his passion for music, “adopted” a school in the Dominican Republic and provided it with a water well and electricity — two important, basic needs the school was lacking.

Sergio was awarded a Presidential Scholarship from Boston College (BC) for the Carroll School of Management Honors Program — based on his academics, leadership and service accomplishments during his years at Jesuit. This is a full merit scholarship, with summer international experience, service and internships abroad. BC’s Presidential Scholarship was awarded to only 14 students from around the world, representing only 0.2 percent of the Early Action applicants for the incoming freshman class of 2020.

Students were selected based on superior academic achievement and promise, leadership potential and a demonstrated commitment to serving society. They will be prepared to be global leaders.

The school announced, “As Jesuit’s student body president, it’s fitting Sergio Farina would earn a collegiate Presidential Scholarship.” JesuitTampa.org also noted that Sergio won this year’s Charles J. Lashley Award, for outstanding characteristics of student body leadership, “the highest honor Jesuit confers upon a graduating senior.”

The former Jesuit linebacker says that in 2009, he helped co-found with some of his family members in the Dominican “A Smile for a Sole,” a nonprofit organization that grew out of the Farina family’s vacations in the Dominican Republic. Sergio visited schools, plantations, and fishing villages, to distribute clothing, toys, and supplies. But, after six years of “doing the same thing,” he decided to help the Escuela Hermanas Mirabal school in Cucama a little more.

“I had fond memories of seeing kids running around the remains of the basketball court — rims broken and nets long gone, clenching pencils, determined to learn. I decided I would provide the school with its two biggest needs: water and electricity” — at a price tag of $10,000.

After one year, “DJ Svrge” reached his goal. “When I arrived in Cucama, the entire student body, as well as their parents, embraced me, taking photos with me. I was overwhelmed by their gratitude. I was just a kid who felt a strong social responsibility to provide what many take for granted.”

He may be “just a kid,’ but Sergio is a young man who hopes to inspire others to “Piensa Grande” (“Think Big”)!

‘T.D.’ & His Grandkids Share A Special Milestone

Dempseys graduatingWEBMasterson and Alexis Dempsey of Wesley Chapel graduated from Saint Leo University on April 30.

Alexis received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree during the morning commencement ceremony, and Masterson received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in International Tourism & Hospitality Management during the afternoon graduation exercise. Masterson, an Honors graduate, also got to deliver the farewell address to the Class of 2016.

Both are the grandchildren of Tom Dempsey, the founder, chairman and CEO of Saddlebrook Resort off S.R. 54. “T.D.” (as many in his family call him), who received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Saint Leo in 2008 and is a Trustee Emeritus — got to personally present his grandchildren with their degrees. He served on the Saint Leo Board of Trustees and was on the search committee for Dr. Arthur F. Kirk Jr., the former president of Saint Leo University.

Dempsey, who has the middle name Leo, said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow up. Alexis is a superstar and doing a fantastic job at the resort. Masterson already has over four years of experience at Saddlebrook and is pursuing his passion for music. I am extremely proud of them both, and presenting them with their degrees, was a special moment indeed.”

Both students currently work at Saddlebrook Resort. Alexis is the Catering & Conference Services manager, and Masterson is a DJ and entertainer as well as having experience as a guest activities specialist, corporate team building facilitator, athletic event referee and fitness instructor.

When asked about the significance of the upcoming milestone, the siblings, who are 16 months apart, responded in a similar fashion: “Saint Leo has been a part of our lives since we were young,” said Alexis. “The university’s values reflect our same family values – it’s the way were raised.”

Masterson added, “The same values are infused within the staff at Saddlebrook Resort. Our grandfather did everything for our family, and this attitude is reflected in his work – his leadership, service, and support to make the business successful. T.D. is a ‘big picture’ thinker. He believes in the importance of service leadership, and we had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand.”

Masterson was an actively engaged student who served as President of both the L.E.A.D. Scholars Organization and the International Tourism Club at St. Leo. He also is a Big Brother to the Gamma Upsilon Sorority and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. In addition, both he and Alexis served as peer ministers in Saint Leo Abbey’s Youth Ministry Program.

Alexis also stays busy with numerous community service activities. While earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, she was the recipient of a four-year merit award given to two students in each state based on exemplary community service and academic achievement. She logged more than 600 hours of community service with the Children’s Home Society of Central Florida. She is very active at her church, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, and the Junior League of Tampa Bay, where she serves as Metropolitan Ministries Food and Materials Coordinator. She recently joined the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club.

While Masterson described his sister as more “polished” and himself as more “raw,” he considers his sister his “co-warrior” through life.

“Now that we’re starting our professional careers in the family business, it’s an ‘open competition’ and we intend to push each other to be the best that we can be,” he said.

T.D. wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Brass Tap Now More Than Just Beer

BrassTapIf you’re like me and not particularly into beer the may have been avoiding The Brass Tap in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, even though you like the location and the live music and other “stuff” going on there.

Well, avoid it no more. Owner Jeff Martin is proud to have added a full, premium liquor bat at the Wiregrass Brass Tap and will soon unveil a “new BBQ and more food concept in the vacant former location of 100 Montaditos, which is adjacent to The Brass Tap (which has seven locations throughout the Tampa Bay area) at the mall.

For more information, stop in at The Brass Tap (2000 Piazza Ave.), call 991-4343 or visit BrassTapBeerBar.com/Wiregrass