Category: Business

Stonewood Grill & Tavern Never Takes Being Our Readers’ Favorite For Granted!

Among the menu staples that have made Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms the “Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa” with Neighborhood News readers for eight years in a row are the prime rib (above), the French onion soup (below, left), the ahi tuna appetizer (below, right) & (bottom, l.-r.) Asian chicken salad, B.L.A.S.T. Stack and peach bourbon pork chop. (Photos by Charmaine George)

If you ask operating partner Dennis Diaz or executive chef Danny Manzur how Stonewood Grill & Tavern, located for more than 20 years at The Pointe at Tampa Palms, has been named the Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa the last eight years, both will tell you that it’s about “Our commitment to quality.”

Danny has been with the company for almost 24 years and has been at the Tampa Palms location of the eight-unit mini-chain the last ten — he also has served as the executive chef of Stonewood Holdings (the restaurant’s parent company) since 2018, “but that position didn’t become ‘official’ until 2020,” he says, adding that, across the brand, “We have great management, outstanding chefs and employees who buy into the company’s commitment to quality.”

(L.-r.) Sous chef Jason Price, executive chef Danny Manzur, operating partner Dennis Diaz and kitchen manager Gary Zimmerman provide the outstanding food and service New Tampa residents have come to expect from Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms.

He adds, “Here in New Tampa, I don’t think there’s another restaurant that has consistently been as committed to freshness, quality, having a scratch kitchen and an innovative menu as we have. We always buy the highest-quality meats, fish and produce possible from our vendors. That’s something we’ve never wavered from.”

Meanwhile, Dennis has only been with the Stonewood for four years, starting as a sous chef at the Tampa Palms location in Feb. of 2020, or just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, when the restaurant closed for two months beginning on St. Patrick’s Day. He has been the operating partner the last two.

“I am very fortunate to have the staff I do,” Dennis says. “People didn’t know me when I first got here, so I did get some pushback. But, I work shoulder-to-shoulder with our entire staff and our staff and our guests can see that.”

He adds, “It’s all about passion here, from how we train our staff to the quality food we serve, always with beautiful presentation. People know as they are coming into the restaurant that we cook on wood, because of that aroma you can smell every single day.”

Tastes For Every Season

Although all of the dishes shown on these pages are from Stonewood’s “core” menu, Chef Danny actually comes up with unique seasonal dishes that are changed every three months company-wide, with input from the chefs at each location.

“We always want the limited time menu to offer unique dishes,” Danny says, “or dishes we’ve done well before that we bring back with a different, elevated presentation, since everybody eats with their eyes first.”

He gave the example of my favorite Stonewood steak — then hand-cut Manhattan strip, as well as the herb-encrusted grouper. “We changed the presentation on the grouper so it brought the visual, the aroma and the bite to a different level.”

The spring limited menu will continue to be offered until mid-June, when Danny says he will unveil five or six new dishes, including, “a salmon burger, a chicken skewer and a scampi surf & turf.”

One of the former limited menu items that made it onto the core menu is the tasty center-cut, bone-in peach bourbon pork chop with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed baby kale shown below left — one of my new favorites.

Jannah, Charmaine, Charmaine’s boyfriend Brendan and I visited Stonewood two days in a row to take the pictures on these pages and the really cool thing is that most of what we sampled isn’t usually what we order when we visit. For example, Jannah and I almost always share the Stonewood bruschetta (vine ripe tomatoes, basil, garlic, aged parmesan, griddled garlic bread and balsamic dressing) and either the simply grilled fresh catch (the grouper is always excellent) or the 8-oz. filet mignon. My favorite appetizer is the seared ahi tuna (sushi-grade ahi rolled in spices and sesame seeds, seared rare, with mixed greens, wasabi, ginger and a zesty sesame ginger dressing) and my other favorite steak is probably the herb-crusted prime rib. Jannah’s favorite entrée when we’re not sharing is the Southwest chicken bowl (Santa Fe-style chicken breast, turmeric rice, black bean & corn salsa, pico de gallo, tortilla strips, basil avocado aioli and jalapeños).

But, Dennis had us sampling a variety of other dishes for this visit, including the excellent Asian chicken salad (oak-grilled & chilled, ginger lime-marinated chicken breast, crispy wontons, chilled sesame noodles, fresh mixed greens, sesame ginger dressing & Asian slaw), and the B.L.A.S.T. Stack (hardwood-smoked Bacon strips, field-fresh Lettuce, diced Hass Avocado, signature smoked Salmon and vine-ripened Tomatoes, with lemon-infused olive oil, basil avocado aioli). Both were outstanding with a one-of-a-kind taste.

Stonewood’s authentic French onion soup features a rich beef, onion broth, topped with toasted Holland rusk, finished with melted Swiss, gouda, gruyere and fontina cheeses.

Don’t Forget About Brunch!

Perhaps the best thing about brunch at Stonewood is that it is served on both Saturday and Sunday. Or, maybe it’s the fact that there are special non-brunch items on the brunch menu. Or, maybe it’s because you can create your own bottomless mimosas from the mimosa cart. Or, maybe it’s the Stonewood beignets (flaky, buttery puff pastry topped powder sugar, served with a decadent chocolate and caramel sauce and Julius Meinl espresso dipping sauce). “Our coffee is Julius Meinl premium coffee, too,” Dennis says.

*Finish off your weekend brunch with these house-made Stonewood beignets.*

Among the brunch menu items we sampled were the chicken & waffles (super-crispy chicken breast tenders, pearl sugar, Belgian waffles, Four Roses Old Fashion maple syrup, honey butter & choice of side); the prime rib “Benny” (slow-roasted, shaved prime rib, poached egg, chipotle hollandaise, griddled garlic bread & choice of side) and the crème brûlée French toast (custard French sourdough toast, Four Roses Old Fashion maple syrup, brûléed banana, fresh berries & choice of side) — and all were so satisfying. Charmaine also loved the shrimp & grits (creamy white cheddar grits, sautéed white shrimp, andouille sausage, red and green bell peppers, Créole beurre blanc & blistered tomato).

*Stonewood’s Saturday & Sunday brunch features entrées like shrimp & grits.*

We also sampled the tasty steak bowl (garlic-marinated steak tips, flash-seared, crispy seasoned potatoes, fresh arugula, fire roasted red & green bell pepper, caramelized onions, black bean & corn salsa, with a horseradish cream drizzle) and the Nashville hot chicken sandwich (Jannah’s new favorite).

Dennis also wants everyone to know that not only does Stonewood do on-site catering, “We also have a private dining room for up to 24 people.”

And of course, Stonewood’s bar also is among the most popular hangouts in New Tampa. “We definitely could use a bigger bar,“ Dennis says. “It’s always packed.”

Stonewood Grill & Tavern (17050 Palm Pointe Dr.) is open every day for dinner & for brunch (opening at 11 a.m.) on Sat. & Sun. only. Happy Hour is every day from opening until 7 p.m. For info call (813) 978-0388 or visit StonewoodGrill.com.

*The mimosa cart lets you customize your endless weekend brunch bubbles with a variety of fresh fruit flavors.*

Team Sack & Great Western Home Loans — Great Realtors® & Lower Rates!

(Above, l.-r.) Carter, Ryan, Leeann and Rylee Sack. The Team Sack real estate team of Future Home Realty is most definitely a family business. The Sacks want to help you & your family buy or sell a home. (Photo by Charmaine George)

Buying or selling a home is generally one of the biggest and most expensive projects most people will undertake. The journey is almost always filled with a lot of both emotions and important decisions.

How can you have peace of mind when faced with such a daunting task? Aligning yourself with the right people who have experience and can walk you through the entire process is an important first step.

Long-time local Realtors® Leeann and Ryan Sack with Future Home Realty, Inc., are the married team calling themselves Team Sack. They have an ongoing business relationship with mortgage broker Patrick Monteau of Great Western Home Loans, which makes the combination a one-stop shop for home buyers.

Leeann has been a Realtor for 19 years. Prior to joining Future Home Realty, she worked for a home builder selling newly built homes and still has contacts in the new home construction industry.

Although it wasn’t yet called Team Sack at that time, Ryan got his real estate license 15 years ago, “and we joined forces right away,” says Leeann, who brings her vast array of insider knowledge of the business to the table for every potential home buyer, whether you’re looking for new construction, a resale or aren’t sure which type of home is right for you.

Leeann says that wherever you go in and around Wesley Chapel these days, you will find new construction. An important Team Sack strategy is always having information about what each of the new home builders are offering, so they know how to market a seller trying to resell an older home in order to be able to compete with all of that new home construction.

As for Team Sack’s philosophy when working with clients seeking to buy a home, Leeann says, “Competition is always a factor when purchasing a home, especially when inventory is low. Speed is of the essence in order to be able to secure the home of your dreams, and prompt action can make all the difference.”

Ryan adds, “Whether buying or selling, you need to be educated and Team Sack believes in educating our clients. Potential buyers and sellers want to feel comfortable with the information you provide. Every client will have questions and we are always going to answer the phone and get you through the process.”

The Right Lender, Too!

Leeann and Ryan met Patrick about 10 years ago and they have been working together ever since. Patrick started his career working in foreclosures in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. He worked for Bank of America underwriting and processing mortgages in their operations department. Then, about 15 years ago, Patrick decided to start his career as a loan originator.

Today, Patrick is the branch manager with Great Western Home Loans, a company with 40 years in the business that is headquartered in Texas. His office is located off of W. Kennedy Blvd. Although he is open from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Patrick offers flexible meeting times and provides his mobile number to all of his clients.

He says that although he is willing to meet with his clients, most of the work in his business these days is done online. He is very proud to say that his is the only Great Western branch in Florida.

‘Certified Divorce Specialists’

Ryan and Leeann call Team Sack, “Certified Divorce Specialists,” because they often help couples going through a divorce who have decided to sell their home. Team Sack is able to work together to help both parties.

“Each of us will represent one of the people going through the divorce as their Realtor,” says Leeann, “and we also will work with the attorneys. This makes it a seamless process for everyone.”

Leeann and Ryan say their favorite part of working in real estate is helping their clients achieve one of their goals — whether buying or selling.

What About This Market?

(l.-r.) Millie, Patrick, Stacy and Mollie Monteau. Patrick, the branch manager at Great Western Home Loans, works with Team Sack to get you the lowest possible interest rate. (Photo provided by Patrick Monteau)

Leeann, Ryan and Patrick all agree that whether buying or selling, “You shouldn’t be scared of the current market,” Leeann says.

Based on the fact that throughout the history of the real estate business, home values always will trend upwards long-term, even though there may be short-term corrections. In other words, “It’s always a good time to purchase a home,” Ryan says, “and when you are ready, please give us a call!”

He adds, “The local market has stayed strong, but the inventory is still low.” “There is still high demand for homes here.”

Leeann says Florida has many things to offer and our area “checks a lot of those boxes.” With about 1,200 people relocating to Florida each day, the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area offers small city feel with big city amenities, plus miles of beaches not very far away on one side and Orlando on the other.

She also notes that one of the big advantages of working with a Realtor who so often partners up with a great mortgage broker (like Patrick) is that, “We can often get you a lower interest rate,” even though rates are definitely higher now than they were even a year ago.

In fact, the Team Sack/Great Western ad below says that not only can you get a lower interest rate, Ryan and Leeann are currently offering a $500 credit (at closing) towards a buyer’s home inspection fee and Patrick is offering an additional $500 credit towards the buyer’s appraisal fee (also at closing).

And, $till More Help!

To help home buyers have an additional edge, Patrick says he will often use what is known in the mortgage business as a “2-1 Buydown.”

“A 2-1 Buydown lowers the interest rate for the first two years before it rises to the regular and permanent rate,” he says. “The rate is usually 2 percentage points lower the first year and one percentage point lower the second year. This is a great deal for homebuyers, as long as they know they can afford the regular interest rate starting with the third year.

He adds that this 2-1 Buydown is available when the seller offers money towards the mortgage. “For example,” Patrick says, “you may see an ad where a home price was reduced by $10,000. Instead of reducing the initial price, the seller will contribute $10,000 towards the mortgage and the buyer will receive the lower rate for the first two years. This is a win-win for both the buyer and the seller.”

He also says, “Programs like this will help get that house sold that may have been sitting on the market for a while. It may also get the buyer to say yes when the hesitation was the interest rate.”

Patrick also offers additional financial solutions and options to help clients save money in the long run — including Federal Housing Administration (FHA),Veterans Administration (VA), U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), jumbo and Non-Qualified (Non- QM) mortgages. He says it’s this commitment to financial wellness that sets him apart.

Leeann, Ryan and Patrick not only work together they also vacation together and are good friends. Patrick and his wife Stacy have two little girls — 2-1/2-year-old Millie and Mollie, who is seven months old (photo above). Leeann and Ryan’s son Carter is 12 and attends Cypress Creek Middle School and their daughter Rylee is 9 and attends Quail Hollow Elementary.

For more information about Team Sack, call Leeann at (813) 351-9599 or Ryan at (813) 351-9598 or email them at info@SellandBuyFL.com. For Patrick Monteau, call (813) 927-7806 or email him at pmonteau@gwloans.com.

Future Home Realty Great Western Home Loans Home Loans Leeann Sack mortgage broker New Tampa Patrick Monteau realtor Ryan Sack Team Sack Wesley Chapel

New Tampa’s Red Lobster Closes Prior To Bankruptcy Announcement!

I’ve said it from Day One, but when you’re supposed to be a “fresh” seafood restaurant and the food item people say they love the most at your place are your cheesy fried biscuits, that’s kind of a problem.

Well, the bad news for you Cheddar Bay biscuit lovers is that dozens of Red Lobster restaurants across the U.S., including the location at 17021 Palm Pointe Dr. at The Pointe at Tampa Palms, closed abruptly on May 14, weeks after the announcement that the company was pursuing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the 700+-unit worldwide chain. The local Red Lobster was one of three Tampa Bay-area locations and 20 in Florida that all closed the same day. And, following the closures, published reports say that Red Lobster did formally announce that it had indeed declared bankruptcy on Monday of this week (after we went to press with the May 28 New Tampa issue) —” punctuating a five-year chapter marked by traffic declines, inconsistent sales and dwindling cash. The restructure will result in a leaner company, smaller menu and better capital structure, per a plan laid out in a court filing by CEO Jonathan Tibus.”

Although the restaurant’s popular “Endless Shrimp” promotion was reported as a major reason for the bankruptcy, it’s clear the company had a lot more problems than just too many customers consuming too many free crustaceans.

The good news is that you can still buy the mix to make your favorite biscuits from scratch. They’re also available frozen and ready to bake in most local grocery stores.

Meanwhile, TJF USA LLC, the parent company of Central Florida-based Tijuana Flats Tex-Mex restaurants, has been acquired by a new ownership group (Flatheads, LLC), but the company concurrently announced that it has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which has resulted in the closing of 11 of its 26 franchise locations (there also are 65 company-owned Tijuana Flats), including the one in New Tampa at 17501 Preserve Walk Ln. in the Highwoods Preserve area, which is already closed (photo).

The Wesley Chapel Tijuana Flats, located at 27709 S.R. 56, is one of the locations that is remaining open. All of the Tijuana Flats restaurants are located in Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Alabama.

Also, although we told you way back in our Sept. 19, 2023, New Tampa issue that Potbelly Sandwich Works was taking over the former Oronzo Honest Italian space in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza on BBD, we had no idea at that time how long it would take for Potbelly’s to open in the plaza.

Well, we now know that the answer is “No time soon.”

Yours truly was able to stop in at the under-construction location a couple of weeks ago and what I saw was a still-completely-gutted space with a dirt floor. In other words, no remnant of what once was Oronzo remains and even the construction workers at the site (who said they didn’t know and certainly couldn’t speak officially about any projected opening date) said that it would be “months” before Potbelly could possibly be ready to open. I didn’t take any pictures inside, but based on what I saw, it could be until the end of the year before we see the new Potbelly’s opening in that space.

In the meantime, feel free to visit the location at 4738 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. (near Raymond James Stadium) or the one at 2520 S. Falkenburg Rd. (near Brandon) for the Chicago-based chain’s “famous toasty sandwiches, soups, salads, fresh-baked cookies and hand-spun milkshakes.” — GN

Jonathan Tibus New Tampa Oronzo Honest Italian Red Lobster Tijuana Flats

North Tampa Law Group For Estate Planning & Real Estate Law

Attorney Brian Arrighi of North Tampa Law Group can help you with real estate transactions, estate planning, probate and more at his North Tampa Law Group office off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)

Attorney Brian Arrighi helps people with estate planning, probate and real estate transactions at his North Tampa Law Group office, located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off S.R. 56 (east of I-75) in Wesley Chapel.

The Tampa Palms resident has served his neighbors in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel for 19 years, helping those who find themselves in need of an attorney for real estate transactions, estate planning and probate issues.

Brian, the owner of North Tampa Law Group, relocated his firm to its Wesley Chapel location nearly 10 years ago, after originally opening it in the Tampa Palms Professional Center in 2014.

Brian earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, where he graduated cum laude, and his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mass Communications from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He’s a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section of the Florida Bar.

“Our practice involves three areas,” Brian explains, “real estate, estate planning and probate (law).”

Real estate law includes title closings, title insurance and organizing and overseeing real estate transactions. This includes handling “For Sale by Owner” home sales from contract to closing.

As an experienced probate attorney, dealing with distribution of property after someone’s death, Brian also understands the complicated issues that might arise related to real estate titles.

That’s why he says many of his clients are referred to him by local real estate agents, who suggest they hire North Tampa Law Group instead of a title agency for their closings. He says those agents tell him they recommend his firm because it is quick and efficient in dealing with issues found during title searches.

Brian says, “If something pops up on the title search, we’re able to get on the legal side of it right away, whereas a title agency will send you to hire a lawyer to figure it out. We can usually get the legal work done and still close on time, because we get such a good head start on it.”

He adds that hiring North Tampa Law Group to handle a real estate closing doesn’t necessarily increase the cost of a transaction without an attorney.

“Our fees are very competitive compared to a standard title agent,” Brian says.

In most transactions, the seller is the party who chooses the title agency, and sellers often use whoever their Realtor recommends. But, people are free to choose, so they can let their Realtor know they would like North Tampa Law Group to handle their closing and title insurance.

“For someone selling their home by owner,” Brian says, “once they obtain the buyer, we provide the contract and forms and take it from there. We handle everything and oversee it all the way to closing.”

James is a local resident who had a great experience using North Tampa Law Group for a real estate closing — selling a townhouse in Zephyrhills.

“The process couldn’t have been made simpler for us and we are thrilled with their service,” James says, explaining that the communication with North Tampa Law Group throughout the process also was outstanding.

“Based on our experience,” he adds, “I would definitely use them again and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to others.”

Estate Planning & Probate

In addition to handling real estate closings, North Tampa Law Group also helps clients with estate planning, such as wills, trusts and the transfer of wealth and assets to loved ones after a death. Brian says he has something of a specialty helping people set up their estates so they can protect their minor children from outside influences and adults from making poor decisions. He works with individuals to set up trusts for health care, living expenses and smaller disbursements, rather than lump-sum payouts, if that’s what the client wants.

One thing Brian emphasizes is that each client’s individual circumstances are unique, so he helps to arrange documents in whatever way is best for each person’s particular situation.

Even for those who don’t know where to start with an estate plan, North Tampa Law Group can help.

“If people aren’t sure what they want,” Brian says, “we can sit down, do a consultation and listen to their objectives — how they want their estate distributed, and what it will consist of. Then, we go over their options and give recommendations for what type of trust or plan will be specific to that individual’s needs.”

He says that many clients are relieved to find out the estate planning process was not as expensive or as difficult as they thought it would be.

Most services are offered at a flat rate. At the initial consultation, Brian will go over your options and fee structures. Then, you will have the choice of whether or not to move forward with the services.

And, while proper estate planning prepares for the management of your assets and determines how to efficiently distribute those assets to your loved ones when you pass away, a lack of estate planning could cause confusion that leads to a potentially lengthy and expensive court process known as “probate.”

When probate is necessary — for example, for those who have recently lost someone and find themselves needing the court to sort through any issues — Brian is experienced in that process.

Consultations for real estate, estate planning and probate can all be done in person at North Tampa Law Group’s office, although Brian also offers phone consultations for those who prefer them.

“Some things are easier to understand in person,” he says, “and it’s really important for people to know all the differences between everything I’m explaining. But, if a client prefers a phone call, I’m still happy to do that.”

North Tampa Law Group is located at 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102. For more information, visit NorthTampaLawGroup.com, or make an appointment for a free initial consultation by calling (813) 518-7411.

Brian Arrighi New Tampa North Tampa Law Group Real Estate Law Wesley Chapel

The Cottages At Cypress Cay Celebrates Its Official Grand Opening!

*Capstone Communities celebrated the official ribbon cutting & Grand Opening of The Cottages at Cypress Cay on Apr. 17.*
*(Photos provided by Carrie Wildes Photography)*

Congratulations go out to Capstone Communities, which celebrated the official Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for The Cottages at Cypress Cay with the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (TBCC) on Apr. 17.

As we first reported in our July 2023 issue, The Cottages at Cypress Cay is a cottage-style rental community located off Bruce B Downs (BBD) Blvd.

“With 1,400 member companies and more joining every day, Tampa’s economy is growing rapidly,” said Patie Powers, the TBCC’s director of membership. “Innovative housing concepts like The Cottages at Cypress Cay are crucial for companies to recruit new talent and offer unique housing options to the growing workforce.”

*For rental units that look & feel more like a home, you should definitely check out The Cottages.*

With neighborhood amenities including a 24-hour clubhouse, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a resort-style pool, pavilions and grill stations, sidewalks, a dog park and other pedestrian-friendly amenities, The Cottages at Cypress Cay creates a true sense of place for its residents. The Cottages themselves definitely feel more “home-like” than your usual rental communities, with kitchens and even front entrances that are a cut above most apartment units.

“Our team is excited to bring this unique housing option to Tampa renters that builds community you don’t typically find in a traditional apartment setting,” said Amanda Wallis, executive VP of development for Capstone Communities. “Build-for-rent communities are perfect for young professionals, new residents and empty-nesters who may be looking to downsize because they provide the space and privacy of a home with the amenities and convenience of a traditional apartment.”

The community offers a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom cottages, each with its own private fenced yard, as well as one-bedroom lofts and carriage house units. Homes range from 650 to 1,350 square feet, with wood-grain flooring, in-unit washers and dryers, a “smart home” technology package, 24/7 on-call maintenance and optional enclosed garage parking.

CBI Construction Services (Capstone’s in-house construction entity) is the general contractor for The Cottages at Cypress Cay, and Capstone Properties (Capstone’s in-house management division) is the leasing and property management team.

Capstone Communities is an Alabama-based real estate firm specializing in development, management and construction of student and multifamily housing. In 2017, Capstone expanded to the multifamily sector at the forefront of the build-for-rent movement with the introduction of its conventional cottage-style development program.

Today, with a mission to be an innovative company dedicated to serving people, building community and delivering exceptional experiences that stand the test of time, Capstone’s growing project footprint now stretches across the Southeast with 11 build-for-rent communities open or under construction in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.

For more information about The Cottages at Cypress Cay, visit TheCottagesatCypresscay.com.

Amanda Wallis Cottages Cottages At Cypress Cay New Tampa Wesley Chapel