Author: Gary Nager

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon cancels the 2016 Freedom Fest

Rotary Prez — Incoming WC Rotary Club president Dr. Pablo Rivera (right) and current president Erin Meyer, at the club’s meeting at Quail Hollow Country Club in Wesley Chapel on May 11.

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon has been forced to cancel the 2016 Freedom Fest, which had been scheduled for July 2, after the host site pulled out.

‘The Grove (at WC shopping plaza) just pulled out on us,” said Dr. Pablo Rivera, the club’s incoming president for the 2016-17 Rotary year & the event co-chair. “I literally have major sponsor checks inbound to us as we speak that I now have to return.” The club was hoping to have those sponsors instead sponsor the upcoming Duck Derby.

Rivera said the club tried to quickly relocate the event to a few other locations (including near the Tampa Premium Outlet Mall), “but we can’t pull off a (venue) change by July 2 (the scheduled date for the 2016 Freedom Fest).”

The event had previously been held at the Shops of Wiregrass mall, last year drawing an estimated 50,000 people to the July 3 event and raising more than $25,000 for the club’s selected charitable causes.

The club’s first-ever Duck Derby will be held on Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., lakeside at Hungry Harry’s BBQ on U.S.41 in Land O’Lakes. The top prize for the Duck Derby will be $2,500, with more than two dozen other prizes available.

“We’re now focused on making the first Duck Derby another major fund-raising event for our club’s selected charities,” Rivera said.

Current club president Erin Meyer added, “We still plan to host a fifth annual Freedom Fest next year.”

Ginza Endless Sushi & Hibachi — Great Food & An Even Better Value!

Ginza rainbow ALTHOUGH MANY more people these days enjoy sushi than they did when I first started loving it in New York City in the 1980s, the biggest complaint I hear about most sushi places is that they’re just too expensive to enjoy too often.

Well, the new Ginza Endless Sushi & Hibachi restaurant, located between LA Fitness and Winn-Dixie in the plaza just south of County Line Rd. and west of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa, is bringing great value, as well as delicious sushi and other Japanese and Asian fare to our area (it’s located a few hundred feet south of Wesley Chapel), especially for lunch.

Ginza’s all-you-can-eat $12.95 lunch special (for ages 15 & older) really is as good as it gets if you’re looking for value, and the sushi is always freshly made to order and delicious — whether you get the all-you-can-eat special (which costs $24.95 per adult for dinner) or order off of Ginza’s extensive a la carte menu.

Here’s How It Works…

Whether you get the all-you-can-eat special for lunch or dinner, you have a selection of more than 200 items and yes, you can get as much as you want of almost every item. The Zheng family, which owns Ginza, reserves the right to limit certain items, and can even charge you for unfinished sushi.

Ginza tataki Although I also enjoy the clear and hot & spicy soups, my favorite appetizers on the all-you-can-eat menu include the truly delicious pan-fried dumplings, the Japanese-style green salad with ginger dressing, the super-crispy pork egg rolls and vegetable spring rolls and my surprise favorite, the chicken and vegetable tempura. The tempura green beans are better than any fried green bean appetizer you’ll find at the average chain sports bar.

I really love a lot of the available all-you-can-eat entrées, too. The hibachi steak (served with fried rice and creamy “yummy-yummy” sauce) is very tasty, if sometimes a little bit tough (and it’s not prepared tableside), and I also like the spicy chicken chow fun (back left) entrée, too, although the nicely spicy Mongolian beef (which is not available with the $12.95 lunch) and Mongolian chicken entrées are surely my favorites.

The portions shown in the pictures on this page — which also includes a hibachi shrimp entrée that other folks in my office tell me is pretty good (since I’m allergic to shrimp myself) — are all the actual portion sizes, whether you have the all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner. The Mongolian chicken and beef both have lots of fresh broccoli, snow pea pods, carrots and other veggies, all in a zesty sauce t Ginza2 hat brings both heat and a little crunch to your mouth, and are served with a pretty good fried rice. Yum.

And yes, while you can have all you care to eat of all of the aforementioned items, you also enjoy nigiri-style sushi (over rice) or sashimi (slices of fish without rice), and the rare tuna (which is one of the items Ginza limits on the all-you-can-eat specials) and snapper are definitely my favorites.

I also did really enjoy the spicy white tuna (escolar) hand roll, the regular and “golden” California rolls, the rainbow (tuna, snapper, salmon and avocado-wrapped California roll) and the spider (soft shell crab) rolls. There are plenty of other favorites on the all-you-can-eat list, but some items — like a really tasty seared tuna tataki with wasabi cream and the grilled octopus with hot peppers, to name a couple (both are pictured on the next page), have to be purchased a la carte. And, I have noticed that most of Ginza’s a la carte sushi rolls sell for $1-$2 less than you’ll find at most other Japanese places.

No Liquor License? No Prob!

Although Ginza doesn’t currently have its liquor license, the Zheng family — which also owns the Ginza in Sarasota but was not involved in the Land O’Lakes Ginza which closed — invites you to bring you own alcoholic beverages until it does, and New Tampa Ginza general manager Andrew Zheng says he believes that should happen this month.

Ginza also has great kids’ favorites on its all-you-can-eat menu, which costs just $6.95 for kids ages 4-10 and $8.95 for kids 11-14 for lunch, and $8.95 for ages 4-10 and $12.95 for ages 11-14 for dinner.

Ginza’s décor is casual and modern, with separate bar (with a nice flatscreen TV) and sushi bar areas and the place is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the area.

For more info about Ginza Endless Sushi & Hibachi (6417 E. County Line Rd.), which is open Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. & noon-9:30 p.m. on Sun., call 907-1688, visit GinzaFlorida.com or see the ad on pg. 46 of our latest Wesley Chapel issue for some great coupon offers.

WC Noon Rotary To Host First ‘Duck Derby’ On May 21!

Fresh off another successful Adult Spelling Bee, the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel (WC) Noon is proud to invite everyone in the Wesley Chapel and Central Pasco areas to its first-ever “Duck Derby,” which will be held Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., “lakeside” at Hungry Harry’s Bar-B-Que, which is located minutes from Wesley Chapel at 3116 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (aka U.S. Hwy. 41), Land O’Lakes.

WC Noon Rotary Club Duck Derby organizers John Jay (the DJ) and Vicki Hamilton of Smart Health Inc. say the Duck Derby is a fun, family-friendly event where attendees “purchase” anywhere from one duck for $5 to a flock of 25 ducks for $100. The ducks are numbered on the bottom and loaded into a body of water to “race.” If your duck finishes in a high enough position in the Derby, you win a great prize — and all to support the selected charities supported by the club, including its own 501(c)(3c) nonprofit foundation — the “Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon Fund.”

“It’s such a fun day for everyone, no matter what age you are,” says John. “We have live musical entertainment lined up, a fun Kids Zone (with inflatables, games, face painting and more), great Hungry Harry’s food for sale and some really great prizes.”

Among those prizes are an all-day fishing trip for 5 with a charter boat captain (a $600+ value); a weekend (2-night) stay at Saddlebrook Resort Tampa ($500); a free weekend rental of a Ford Mustang convertible donated by Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel; a $250 certificate for auto repairs from TWA Firestone; a handmade fishing rod by WC Rotarian Jimmy Mason ($300), restaurant gift certificates and more.

This year’s Duck Derby Big Bird Sponsor ($4,500) is Fun Services of Land O’Lakes, owned by WC Rotarian Jodi Sullivan (FuntasticEvents.com). The Donald Duck Sponsor ($1,000) is Sam’s Club of Wesley Chapel and the Rubber Ducky Sponsor ($250) is Cash 4 Gold of Wesley Chapel (Kash4Gold.com). See you there!

Nibbles & Bytes: Ribbon Cuttings Galore, And More!

Congratulations go out to U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. and plastic surgeon Raj Ambay, M.D., and his wife, dermatologist Aparna Ambay, M.D. (2nd & 4th from the left in the photo , right), the owners of both Ambay Plastic Surgery and 360 Dermatology in the Summergate Professional Park (behind Sam’s Club on S.R. 56).

On Mar. 28, the Ambays held a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) groundbreaking ceremony at the site of their new Transformations Aesthetic Center, which will be located a couple of miles away, off Cypress Ridge Blvd., behind Tower Radiology Center and the New Tampa Surgery Center.

The day may have been dreary and rainy, but the rendering of the future building, which they hope to open by the end of this year, promises that it will be a one-stop shop for all of your plastic surgery, dermatology and other health and beauty needs.

We’ll provide a more in-depth update about the Transformations Aesthetic Center in a future issue.

For more info in the meantime, visit 360DermatologyTampa.com, AmbayPlasticSurgery.com or call 406-4835. The two practices currently are still located at 27716 Cashford Cir.

Also Cutting Ribbons at…

…Palms Pharmacy, Apr. 15!

The new Palms Pharmacy, located in The Shoppes at The Pointe Plaza in Tampa Palms, hosted its Grand Opening Celebration & WCCC Ribbon Cutting on April 15.

PalmsPharm4 copy “We are truly grateful to be joining the community of Tampa Palms and New Tampa,” said pharmacy director Shahida Choudry. “Our staff looks forward to serving the community and residents for years to come with this new location.”

Palms Pharmacy is a full-service pharmacy open six days a week. Convenience and service are paramount. The store is a traditional retail pharmacy, including local delivery, custom medication packaging, medication reviews, specialized vitamins and probiotics, refill reminders via text and email, patient counseling and drug adherence, friendly staff with prompt service and Spanish translation.

For more info, call 252-9063, visit ThePalmsPharmacy.com or stop in at 17008 Palm Pointe Dr.

…7 Layers Bakery, Mar. 24!

Congratulations also go out to my fellow transplanted “New Yawkas” William Morello and Evelyn Barreno on the Mar. 24 WCCC ribbon cutting at their new 7 Layers Bakery, which truly does have New York-style cupcakes (my fave was the “peanut butter surprise” cupcake), cannolis, cookies and of course, cakes. About 100 well-wishers packed into 7 Layers’ small space in the Grand Oaks Plaza (next to Amici Pizza) at 26306 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54) in Lutz.

For more info, call 388-2771, visit Facebook.com/7LayerCookieCakes or stop by and please tell William and Evelyn that you read about them here!

…Signarama, Apr. 14!

If you missed the Apr. 14 Grand Opening & multi-Chamber ribbon-cutting celebration held at the new unified location for Signarama of New Tampa/Wesley Chapel/ Lutz (at 1917 Passero Ave., just off S.R. 54 in Lutz), I just have to say that it was both one of the best — and best attended — Grand Opening events this reporter has ever seen…and I’ve seen a few!

SignoRama_RibbonWEB Owners Beatriz and Rob Hiller and their amazing staff received an outpouring of love from about 200 people, including many elected officials and Chamber and Rotary friends from New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Central Pasco, Zephyrhills, Dade City and Carrollwood (to name a few).

Those who attended also received an outpouring of free, delicious food from six different providers — including local favorites like Little Italy’s and Latin Twist Café and new favorites like the gourmet tapas and Basque fusion cuisine from Kaixo Tapas Gourmet (photo above, right) catering — as well as a pouring of delicious wine samples from our friends at Time for Wine.

There also were dozens of free prize drawings with DJ John Jay of Finest Deejays (JohnJaytheDJ.com) hosting, and lots of warm wishes for Signarama’s new, combined sales and maufacturing office in Lutz, as the Hillers closed their location on BBD in Wesley Chapel (next to NutriSmart).

“We started with us and two employees,” Beatriz told the energetic crowd. “Today, we are at 26 employees and still growing, so thanks to our amazing staff and all of our wonderful friends, clients and Chamber and Rotary members.”

For more info, stop in to take a tour of the new Signarama, call 994-0101 or visit Signarama.com/fl-new-tampa-wesley-chapel. For the complete upcoming WCCC calendar and membership and other info, call 994-8534, or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

Think ‘A Special Rose’ For Mother’s Day!

Our good friend Rose O’Berry at A Special Rose Florist, located in the middle of the BBD “Segment A” widening just south of Tampa Palms (at 14546 BBD, next to what has been a Shell gas station but is now being converted to a Chevron.

“The construction on BBD and now the gas station has cut down on our walk-in traffic a lot,” says Rose, who always has an awesome selection of fresh-cut flowers, plus plants, gift baskets and other great gifts. “I just want to make sure everyone knows that we are still open during all of this construction and ready to serve all of your Mother’s Day, prom, graduation, wedding and other floral and gift needs.”

For info, call 979-9453 or visit ASpecialRoseFlorist.com.

Check Out Serenity Spa & Salon Suites!

Pam Edmonson, the owner of Creative Permanent Makeup by Pam, says, “We are so excited about our new and beautiful place of business — Serenity Salon & Spa Suites (33913 S.R. 54, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel). Our clients are loving it and the feedback from everyone has been amazing!”

As the name indicates, Serenity Salon & Spa Suites offers a serene & peaceful environment with a professional salon area offering the most up-to-date styles and colors with highly educated stylists. We also feature beautiful, individual suites offering many different services, including facials, permanent makeup, massage, waxing, micro-needling, scalp therapy, gels & pedicures and much more.

For more info, call 731-3350 or email serenitysuites@icloud.com.

Tampa Premium Outlets Welcomes New Retailers

Simon, a global leader in retail real estate, is pleased to announce that GNC Value Nutrition, Journeys & Oakley Vault have recently opened their doors at Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO).

“Since the groundbreaking of (TPO), Simon has remained dedicated to offering our customers the best names in outlet and value shopping,” said Sarah Rasheid, director of marketing and business development at TPO. “These new retailers are a continuation of this promise.”

Tampa Premium Outlets is a 441,000- sq.-ft. outlet center that houses more than 110 retailers delivering great brands at great prices. For more info, visit PremiumOutlets.com/tampa. — GN

900° Woodfired Pizza Wiregrass — Try It For The Pasta, Too!

Do you crave great pasta living here in Wesley Chapel? I know I do. I can enjoy the pasta at most local pizza places, but you’d be making a big mistake if you were to confuse the made-to-order pasta at 900° Woodfired Pizza, which is located next to Orangetheory Fitness in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, with anyplace else.

Owner Steve Falabella — who can trace his roots back to Italy but who was raised in New York and is a die-hard Yankees fan (as a Tampa Bay Rays fan, I definitely won’t hold that against him, especially when we finish ahead of “dem bums from da Bronx” this season) — appreciates the way I talk about his pizza and pasta, but especially the pasta.

The sauces on the pasta are so good, including the featured Tortellini della Casa above, which is spinach-and-cheese-filled tortellini in a sautéed tomato sauce with black olives, chopped garlic and fresh spinach; the penne with pesto Genovese and grilled chicken; and the veal and beef tortellacci (oversized, overstuffed, beef & veal-filled pasta pockets in a classic Bolognese meat sauce).

One thing I love is how 900° Woodfired never oversauces the sizable, reasonably-priced portions of always-al-denté (without asking for it) pasta. Just as you’d find in authentic Italian restaurants from Naples to New York, the bowls glisten with what’s left of the sauces, rather than leaving behind a whole bowlful of sauce. I love dipping, say, 900° Woodfired’s homemade garlic knots, in flavorful sauces as much as the next guy, but pasta should never be swimming in sauce — or overcooked.

The penne with pesto Genovese and chicken is actually a “Create Your Own Pasta,” which can be spaghetti, penne or tagliatelle (long, flat ribbon pasta, similar to fettuccine) and gluten-free also is available, with your choice of five sauces — pomodoro (classic tomato), Bolognese (meat), Alfredo (butter and cream), pesto Genovese (basil and pine nuts) or rustica (Bolognese with chopped shitake mushrooms and garlic). I can vouch for all but the rustica,

Don’t They Have Pizza, Too?

You got ‘dat right! I love the fact that 900° Woodfired Pizza has not only excellent traditional New York-style ‘za, but also the woodfired Neapolitan style and even a not-to-be-confused-with- Sicilian-style Grandma pizza that Steve says is really a pizza “made backwards. The fresh garlic and onions are baked into the (rectangular) crust, then covered with fresh mozzarella and garlicky tomato sauce.” You have to at least try it.

And, although no super-thin-crusted woodfired pizza will ever be my favorite, you have to appreciate the quality ingredients Steve and his happy, dedicated crew use to create these flash-baked pizzas.

“We make the mozzarella for the woodfired pizzas here every day,” he says proudly.

There’s also “Create Your Own Pizzas,” where some customers get really creative, pizza by the metre and (of course) by the slice — but it’s almost too many options for a true pizza lover like me.

Of course, 900° Woodfired has other great items available, including a variety of great salads — from a slightly spicy Caesar to the unique Insalata della Casa, which combines spring mix, cherry tomatoes, thick slices of fresh mozzarella and marinated grilled eggplant in yummy balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

There’s also calzones, baked lasagne, foccaccia bread and great antipasti (appetizers) like Il Gran Piatto, a big plate full of authentic Italian meats, plus fresh mozzarella, olives and roasted peppers. There’s also a fried ravioli appetizer, a zesty bruschetta, fried calamari, mozzarella sticks and even a great kids’ menu. And yes, catering is definitely a specialty, too.

There’s even Peroni Italian beer on draft, as well as a variety of bottles beers and wines by the glass and by the litre-size carafe.

Although I’m usually too full to enjoy dessert at 900° Woodfired Pizza, there’s also an impressive variety of dessert pizzas and other option, many featuring Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread, although I have enjoyed the New York-style cheesecake (go figure), double chocolate layer cake and even the Granny apple crisp.

So, the next time you’re at the Wiregrass mall, whether at lunch or dinner time, stop in at 900° Woodfired Pizza and tell Steve and his crew that the Neighborhood News guy sent you!

For more info about 900° Woodfired Pizza (28152 Paseo Dr., open seven days for lunch and dinner at 11 a.m.), call 527-6940, or visit onljne at 900DegreesWoodfirePizza.com or Facebook.