Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill Is Now Serving Weekend Brunch! 

It’s no secret that Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill, located in the small strip plaza next to the Hyatt Place hotel across S.R. 56 from the Tampa Premium Outlets has been among my favorite restaurants in Wesley Chapel — including my #1 fave for 2024! — since the day it first opened back in late 2020. 

So, what could make Zukku-San even better? How about the most unique and delicious weekend brunch in “The Chap?” 

Co-owner and executive chef Gia Tran was proud to introduce us to the new weekend brunch menu items on the first day brunch was offered — two weeks before we went to press with this issue. Gia and his partner Ferdian Jap now own five fast-casual Zukku Sushi places in four states (including at Tampa’s Armature Works), three Ato Burritos & Bowls (including in The KRATE at The Grove), Astro Ice Cream (also on Sierra Center Blvd.) and have another Zukku-San opening soon in Orlando. 

Gia (left) told us that he’s been “cooking up” the ideas for almost all of the items on the opening brunch menu (which he said will be expanded) “for a couple of years,” but just couldn’t seem to pull the trigger on getting it started. 

“I knew I wanted to include some ingredients that you almost never find at an Asian restaurant,” Gia told yours truly, photographer Charmaine George and Charmaine’s boyfriend Brendan. “Have you ever had fried eggs, ube waffles or bacon at an Asian place?” 

The answer was clearly “no” from all of us, and I’ll be honest that I wasn’t 100% sure I was going to love all of the new items — until I actually tried them. Of course, the only things I couldn’t try were the new “Bird’s Nest” sushi roll (right photo) and the “Zukku- San Signature Mary” (one of the two drinks above) because both included fried shrimp. 

But, Charmaine and Brendan both raved about them, especially the Bird’s Nest, which combines tempura shrimp, salmon and cucumber, topped with avocado and real crab (not “krab”), plus a poached egg, scallions, masago, eel sauce, spicy mayo and sesame seeds. 

Meanwhile, the Signature Mary has Haku Japanese vodka, wasabi paste, soy sauce and Bloody Mary mix, with Sichuan peppercorn bitters, garnished with a California roll, tempura shrimp, pickled ginger and celery, with a black-&- white sesame seed rim. There’s also an option to add sriracha to this Mary “for extra spice.” 

But, all of us honestly went bonkers for all of the other choices. The other brunch sushi roll was a Quail Roll (left photo), which combined tamago, cucumber and avocado, topped with two sunny-side-up quail eggs (shockingly tasty), plus bacon (yes, bacon!), scallions, “lava aioli,” eel sauce and Japanese togarashi spice. I don’t know if I’ve ever had that last ingredient before, but the entire sushi roll was just soooo tasty. 

I’ve also never really been a big fan of Eggs Benedict, so the new Crispy Rice Benedict (right photo) was something of a revelation, with its crispy rice topped with (again, real) snow crab, poached egg and a never-heard-of miso brown butter Hollandaise sauce that Gia said stays blended longer than most Hollandaise sauces because of the miso. We all agreed we had never tasted anything like it. 

But wait, there’s more! I know we just hosted the first-ever Wesley Chapel fried chicken tender contest, but there is a new contender in town, as Zukku-San’s Ube Waffle & Fried Chicken combo (top right photo) is a combination of three thick slabs of the crispiest (and yet, still juicy) panko-fried chicken served with three of the only waffles I’ve ever had made from ube — also known as the vibrant purple yam (sweet potato) originally used primarily in The Philippines. The waffles also are topped with a generous dollop of creamy ube butter and served with a sake cup of ginger maple syrup. If you’re the kind of person who tries the fried-chicken-&-waffles at every place that serves them and don’t think this is among the best you’ve ever had, feel free to let me know what you didn’t love about it. 

Gia said that his pastry chef Alex Winchester (above left photo) went through “like ten different waffle irons” before finding the one that would give his ube waffles the proper texture and crunch. 

The final brunch “entrée, which Gia called “kind of a throwaway addition because I felt we needed at least one more entrée,” is no “throwaway” to yours truly, as the “Sunrise Fried Rice” (above right) is Zukku-San’s nutty & savory chicken fried rice (already among my whole family’s favorites), which has big chunks of chicken, peas, carrots, onion and garlic and tops it with a sunny-side-up (chicken) egg. Does the fried rice “need” the egg? Maybe not. But is it still a winner? You bet! 

What About Dessert? 

We all were honestly too stuffed to want to even order dessert, but Gia insisted we try Alex’s new mango & passion fruit sponge cake (left), which isn’t even on the dessert menu yet, but it was excellent and the whipped tropical icing is addictive. And yes, we still found a way to polish it off — are you surprised? 

Also on the brunch dessert menu — all of which I have to start sampling on my next visit — include an ube cheesecake, a ginger yuzu (citrus) creme brulée and a banana hazelnut opera cake. 

I also enjoyed my lychee mimosa (at left in top left photo) enough to not need a shot of my usual Ballyhoo Irish whiskey (found only at Zukku-San locally) with my meal. Other Brunch beverages include an Asian Mary, a Sake Mimosa and a Green Tea Umeshu Martini. Try these for yourself and let me know what you think. 

And yes, if these brunch items somehow don’t do it for you (but my opinion is that you’d have to be crazy, or a vegetarian, to not at least try some or all of them), Zukku-San’s full menu is still available during the weekend brunch hours — which are every Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Zukku-San is located at 25916 Sierra Center Blvd. It is open for lunch & dinner every day at 11 a.m. and stays open until 9 p.m. on Sun., 9:30 p.m. on Mon.-Thur., and until 10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. Reservations are not required (except for larger parties), but are definitely suggested, especially on the weekends. For more information, call (813) 419-1351, visit ZukkuSushi.com. And please, tell Gia and Alex and the entire crew that I sent you! 

3rd Annual Fall Festival At New Tampa Performing Arts Center This Weekend — All FREE!

The New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) will host its all-FREE third-annual Fall Festival all weekend (Sept. 12-14), beginning this afternoon at 5 p.m. and continuing all day tomorrow & Sunday.

Festival Schedule

All events and performances are free to attend. In addition to mainstage acts, the festival will showcase lobby performances by both professional and student artists throughout the weekend. 

Friday, Sept. 12 – Doors open at 5 PM 
 
Studio 1 
5:45 PM: Outcast Theatre 
7:45 PM: Cultural Arts Theater
 
Studio 2A 
Backstage Tours at: 5 PM and 6 PM 
 
Theater 
7 PM: Wattaka Choir  
8:15 PM: Jansen Dance Project   
 
Saturday, Sept. 13 – Doors open at 9:30 AM 
 
Studio 1  
5 PM: Winold Music Festival 
6:45 PM: USF Musical Theatre Program   
 
Studio 2A  
9:30 AM-1 PM: Florida Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo 
Backstage Tours at: 12:15 PM, 1:45 PM, and 4:30 PM 
 
Theater 
10 AM: Film screening: Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (1991)  
1 PM: Entertainment Revue  
2:15 PM: Hillsborough College Music Department  
3:30 PM: Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival featuring Vincent Pham (solo piano)
4:45 PM: Hat Trick Theatre and Tales of Mild Interest  
6 PM: Anna Dance Academy  
7:30 PM: Tampa City Ballet’s Cinderella  

Food Trucks 
Rollin’ Bites and Forge Pizza  
 

Sunday, Sept. 14 – Doors open at 12:30 PM  
 
Studio 1 
1:15 PM: Countdown Improv  
3 PM: Devine Madness Sketch Comedy 
 
Studio 2A  
Backstage Tour at 3:15 PM 
 
Theater 
1 PM: Cypress Creek Jazz Band 
2:15 PM: Rudram Dance Company  
3:45 PM: New Tampa Players  
5 PM: St. Pete Opera with special performance by Tampa City Ballet 

Realtors® Jessica & Joel Provenzano Want To Help You Buy Or Sell Your Home 

Jessica and Joel Provenzano are licensed Realtors® who work together as a team out of the Florida Executive Realty (FER) office in Tampa Palms. While they are still relatively new to real estate — Joel with only two years of experience and Jessica with a bit more — they bring a passionate, detail-oriented approach that they believe sets them apart. 

“We may be new at this,” says Joel, “but we are hungry and that makes us work harder.” 

Married for 20 years, the Provenzanos are high school sweethearts who moved to this area from Estero, FL. They have lived in the Meadow Pointe community with their daughters Kayla and Lily since 2009. Jessica and Joel have a natural, complementary partnership, not only as a couple but also as business partners. 

“Joel and I work every transaction together,” Jessica says. “We support each other and play to our strength.” She handles communications and contracts, while Joel, with his background in engineering and research, focuses on inspections, technical issues and behind-the-scenes details. “His research background is a huge asset for our clients,” she adds. 

Before real estate, Joel worked in transportation and land development engineering for both the Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) and as a private consultant. That experience now provides a unique advantage for his clients. 

“I can provide insight into what future construction, schools, or stores are planned nearby,” he explains. “It’s not just about the home itself. It’s about where you’re going to live, what the area will look like in a few years, and how that impacts your investment.” 

Jessica adds that location is still one of the biggest decision factors. “Many new buyers want to know what their lifestyle will look like in an area,” she says. “That’s where Joel shines. He knows the surrounding developments, the infrastructure plans and what’s coming next.” 

The Provenzanos help sellers, buyers and even renters. “Sometimes, the recommendation is to rent and not to buy, depending upon the circumstance,” Joel says. “We review everything with the client because it may not be the right time to purchase. Renting may fit their monthly budget or needs better.” Unlike many agents who stick to either sales or rentals, Jessica and Joel handle both. “It keeps us in tune with the totality of the market,” he says. “The rental market affects the selling market in a large way.” 

They also assist homeowners who want to rent out their properties. “We treat rental listings the same way we treat ‘For Sale’ listings,” Joel says. “We market them to what renters are looking for because we know that side of the market.” 

When it comes to helping families move to New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, Jessica and Joel pride themselves on doing their research. Whether a client is concerned with nearby schools, walkability or community amenities, the Provenzanos provide answers. 

“For example,” Jessica says, ““Charter schools are important in areas where there aren’t any established public schools yet. We also help clients weigh the pros and cons of new construction versus established neighborhoods. If schools matter, that might mean leaning toward a pre-owned home near a well-established, highly rated school. If not, new construction could be a great fit.” 

The couple also will share lessons from their own home-buying journey. “We bought a fairly large house, and we’ve grown into it,” Joel says. “Sometimes it’s better to buy a little more than you need, as long as it still fits in your budget, so you don’t have to move again in a few years.” 

One trend they’ve noticed is the growing demand for communities that cater to ages 55+. 

“Wesley Chapel now has some amazing options for active older adults,” says Jessica. “Valencia Ridge, Anand Vihar, Esplanade and Amberlin are each offering something different. Amberlin, for instance, is a rental-only 55+ community with rents ranging from $1,600 to $3,500 per month.” 

They recently helped a couple living in a single-family home transition from their home into a rental at Amberlin. “It had everything they were looking for,” Jessica says. “Age-targeted communities now offer floor plans and amenities geared toward that demographic. It’s not like the past, where the only options were manufactured homes. These are beautifully thought-out and designed homes and apartments.” 

GL Homes’ Valencia Ridge is one new for-sale 55+ community that has impressed them. “They have single-story homes, golf cart-friendly streets, a restaurant and even a list of designers used in their models for buyers who want that professional touch,” Joel says. “It’s about building a lifestyle.” 

Their insider knowledge also comes from showing up. “Facebook is a wealth of information for us,” says Jessica. “But more important is that we go to every event, talk to builder reps and learn what each community really offers. Sometimes, we get insights that the average buyer won’t hear. That’s why it’s important to always take your Realtor with you, even on your first visit to a builder. Most builders will still pay the commission.” 

Joel and Jessica agree that the market has changed. “Prices skyrocketed during Covid when demand outpaced supply and people flooded into Florida,” Joel says. “But now, there’s more new construction, and the prices have stabilized. Sellers still have equity, but they’re having to be a bit more realistic when coming up with a price. We can help with setting a market price that will get noticed.” 

New construction has become more competitive, too, sometimes offering better deals than resale homes. “Some builders offer incentives, upgrades, or closing costs that pre-owned sellers can’t match,” Jessica says. “That’s why it’s crucial to use a knowledgeable agent who knows what each community is offering.” 

With rising single-family home prices, townhomes have become more attractive, too. “Some townhomes are just as big as single-family homes, but without as much maintenance,” Joel says. “They’re a great option for many buyers.” 

Jessica and Joel Provenzano are more than just Realtors — they’re a team with a deep understanding of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, a tireless work ethic and a genuine desire to help people make informed decisions. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent, they bring a personal touch and the knowledge to match. 

You can reach Realtors Jessica & Joel Provenzano of Florida Executive Realty (15802 Amberly Dr.) by calling or texting (813) 956-4093. Or, for a free consultation, visit JProvenzano.FloridaExecutiveRealty.com.

Papichy’s Is Now Open On WC Blvd.

I’ll admit that the first time I ever bought anything from the Pastelitos Papichy’s food truck — which has been located in the same plaza as LA Fitness and Five Guys Burgers & Fries south of County Line Rd. and west of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa for about two years — was a few months ago, when I first heard that owners Ruben Caridad and his son, Ruben, Jr., were opening their first brick-&-mortar location in the Grand Oaks Plaza at 26242 Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz (photo below). 

But now, I’m definitely a fan. And, considering that one of my daughters-in-law is from Venezuela, as are the Caridads, I probably should have tried Papichy’s sooner. The entire menu is a variety of fried Venezuelan items, from savory to more dessert-oriented. Open for a few weeks at our press time, the new location is the seventh Papichy’s for the Caridads, who also have their food trucks off Waters Ave. in Tampa and in Odessa (FL) and Orlando. 

Since “Pastelitos” is part of the place’s full name, I first tried a guava and cheese pastelito, which was crispy and delicious, but be warned that the guava jelly is molten-hot, but worth it! A box of 25 assorted (there also are chicken, pizza, potato-&-cheese, ground and shredded beef varieties) mini-pastelitos is shown at the top of the page. 

Since then, I also have sampled the mini-empanadas (available in many of the same savory varieties, as well as filled with ham & cheese, fish, black beans, bacon, seafood & more), as well as tequeños (cheese sticks) and my surprise favorite — the mandocas (cornmeal doughnuts shaped like teardrops). They’re all just so good. 

I was so impressed that I brought 100 assorted Papichy’s treats to the Volunteer Day at the future home of Sgt. Quincy Lopez in Wesley Chapel and they were all quickly gobbled up. You definitely should try Papichy’s if you haven’t already! 

Stop The Rumor Mill! Here’s What’s Coming To The Hub! 

The Hub At Lexington Now Has 13 Confirmed Tenants, With Just A Couple Of Spaces Still Available. Here’s The List!

Remember how excited you were when The KRATE at The Grove container park opened? Get ready for a similar feeling, as The Hub at Lexington — which is being developed by the same group that built The Hub at Bexley off S.R. 54 in Land O’Lakes — is bringing something “far beyond” the usual strip retail plaza, according to Courtney Bissett-Hayes of Center Connect Development.

“We currently have thirteen tenants confirmed for The Hub at Lexington,” Bissett-Hayes says, “and we have just a couple of spaces still available.”

Nine of the confirmed tenants are restaurants and/or beverage providers, along with one golf simulation business called The Clubhouse, a barber shop called Headlines, the Lexington Nail Lab and Suncoast Charging, an Electric Vehicle charging “experience.”

On this page is a collage of the logos of eleven of the 13 tenants, with two of the restaurants (both marked with an [*] in the collage) — La Creacion Bistro and Island Grill — not having logos available at our press time. 

“The Hub at Lexington will be a great, upscale place for families to dine and enjoy,” Bissett-Hayes says. “With nine artificial trees providing a large shaded area.”

Yes, the wait is finally almost over. The Hub At Lexington, which we first told you about nearly two years ago, is finally almost ready (photo) to unveil this 40,000-sq.-ft. Hub where you can “Sip, Savor & Socialize” on the southwest corner of Wesley Chapel Blvd. and Lexington Oaks Blvd., in front of the Sentosa apartments.

The brother-&-sister partners of Center Connect Development — Paul Bissett and Courtney Bissett-Hayes — expect the first of the 13 announced tenants to begin opening sometime early next year, as the six buildings are now being turned over to those tenants for build-out. Those tenants include nine local and regional restaurants in six buildings and The Clubhouse golf simulation experience and more. 

“We don’t like to announce who’s coming to our developments until the tenants are all finalized,” says Bissett-Hayes. “We don’t like having premature announcements or misinformation getting out there until the tenants are committed and we like to keep it fresh in the minds of those in the area since they should be opening within the next several months.”

And, like the super-successful Hub at Bexley, Bissett-Hayes says, “There will be live music Friday and Saturday nights, pop-up markets twice a month and seasonal holiday events that will begin when tenants open for business.”

The Hub at Bexley is anchored by the popular BellaBrava Italian restaurant and will soon add BellaBrava’s sister restaurant, Stillwaters Tavern, on an outparcel of that Hub. 

But, despite rumors that either BellaBrava or Stillwaters was coming to The Hub at Lexington, neither one is part of our area’s equally exciting new lineup of food & beverage providers — a couple of which are familiar names to fans of the KRATE at The Grove container park. 

The first of those is La Creacion Bistro, which is a sister restaurant to La Creacion Express in the KRATEs, but Bissett-Hayes says the new restaurant will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a completely different menu than what they serve at the KRATEs..

The other locally familiar name is the Brew Bar Self Pour, which will share a space with Urban Crunch Creamery Café. 

The Brew Bar/Urban Crunch combo will offer self-pour beer and wine, similar to what the Brew Bar offers at the KRATEs, plus ice cream, açai, coffee and perhaps most important of all, frozen drinks like daiquiris. “It was very important for us to hit this category and Urban Crunch was selected over two others in this category.”

Urban Crunch has a sister location in nearby Odessa that also serves breakfast and brunch items, but the Urban Crunch at The Hub will not be serving those items.

Another exciting option, with a sister location in the River Hills Plaza in Valrico, is The Landing Bar & Grill, which is where you’ll want to watch all your favorite sports. The Landing in Valrico has a huge menu, with unique appetizer options like Aztec chowder (white bean chicken chili), traditional pierogies, Cajun fish bites and even pizza fries (a large order of fries topped with mozzarella and pepperoni, served with marinara.

Sandwiches include a meatball hoagie, Philly cheesesteak and even a California chicken sandwich. Or, sample entrées like grilled, fried or blackened grouper, salmon or jumbo shrimp dinners, a low-carb grilled chicken dinner with broccoli, plus great salads, wings, pizzas, flatbreads, pastas and much more.

Again, we haven’t seen The Landing’s Hub menu yet, but you know we’ll keep you posted!

Also coming to The Hub at Lexington is The Monk’s Indian Fusion Cuisine, which has a dozen locations in Indiana, Colorado and nine in Texas.  This “Desi-Chinese” eatery combines the different flavors of India and China in one location, with a huge variety of samosas, dosas, naan breads and Indian entrées like paneer or chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, a variety of biryanis and vindaloo options and much more. 

Among the Chinese entrées are Sichuan, chilli garlic and Manchurian sauces with gobi (cauliflower), paneer, chicken or shrimp. The other Monk’s locations even have my favorite Indo-Chinese dish — wok-tossed hakka noodles and fried rice with your choice of meat or veggies.

Speaking of Asian cuisine, The Hub at Lexington’s lineup also will include Saigon Pho Wesley Chapel, which has a location called Banh Mi & Boba at The Hub at Bexley. Like Banh Mi, Saigon Pho will feature Vietnamese fare featuring pho noodle soups, grilled plates and banh mi sandwiches. 

Still another interesting option is Farmer’s Milk, which is a café and bakery with a sister location in Hollywood, FL, that sells everything from whole cakes, French croissants and Russian sourdough rye breads called borodinsky, plus breakfast items, including syrniki, which are small, pan-fried pancakes made from mild tvorog (aka “Farmer’s”) cheese that are sweet enough to enjoy as a dessert. There also are eggs Benedict and other options. Farmer’s Milk’s website says its menu is “packed with wholesome dishes emphasizing healthy eating and high-quality products.” 

But wait, there’s still more! You cinnamon roll fans will flip for Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls, which started in California and today has more than 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada, including one on S. Howard Ave. in South Tampa. The 100% plant-based rolls, plus brownies, cookies and more, are “all made with the highest quality ingredients” and you can custom-design your own rolls with everything from “Old Skool” vanilla frosting to caramel apple pie frosting and one I will have to try — the “Shake, Rattle & Roll,” with peanut butter frosting, pretzels, banana slices and homemade peanut butter cups. Are you kidding me? 

The final restaurant on the list is Island Grill, which is billed as a Caribbean fusion restaurant, but we don’t have any additional info or a logo to show you yet. “They are still finalizing their menu,” Bissett-Hayes says. “But, it will be very authentic because the principal is from the islands.” The hope here is that there will lots of fresh fish and seafood on that menu.

And then there’s the “golf simulation experience” known as The Clubhouse. Although there are multiple such businesses across the country by the same name — some of which are also restaurants and/or sports bars — Bissett-Hayes says this incarnation of The Clubhouse is a start-up entertainment venue unrelated to any others I found online and will not serve its own food or beverages. 

“It will have six golf simulators and a putting green,” she says. “Customers will be able to order food and drink from our restaurants to be delivered or brought in while at The Clubhouse.”

The Clubhouse will have some PGA teaching pros who will be offering lessons. So far, it has commitments from local pros at courses like Lake Jovita and Hunter’s Green Country Clubs. 

Bissett-Hayes says that The Clubhouse also will be sampling some small merchandise items like balls, gloves and some branded clothing items like golf polos. These are mainly just for fun and if someone needs some balls (although all of the bays will come with balls). Another possible service would be club fittings with whatever club partner they end up using. But, she says, “that probably only be once or twice a year and would be more of a partnership with the club maker and the orders would go directly to them.”

The final three tenants already signed up to join The Hub at Lexington are the Lexington Nail Lab and Headlines Barber Shop, both of which have related locations at The Hub At Bexley, and Suncoast Charging. Headlines also has nearby locations on County Line Rd. in New Tampa and in The Pointe at Tampa Palms. 

Meanwhile, co-founder Wesley Sima of Suncoast Charging says, “We’re building more than just an EV charging network — we’re shaping the future of electric mobility to improve the EV charging experience: making it faster, more reliable, and accessible for all drivers. We believe charging should fit seamlessly into your journey and lifestyle. That’s why our stations are designed not only with cutting-edge, high-speed and dependable charging technology, but also with premium amenities that turn every stop into a comfortable and convenient experience. Whether you’re commuting, running errands, road-tripping, or managing a fleet, we’re committed to delivering the gold standard of EV charging.” Suncoast Charging at The Hub will be open 24 hours a day and customers can use a variety of different payment methods including credit card (not just a phone app). Customers also can navigate to the charging station through the Tesla app or through other in-car navigation apps like Google Maps, PlugShare, and many others.

For more info about the remaining spaces at The Hub at Lexington, call Courtney Bissett-Hayes at (813) 340-7936.

The rendering above, provided by Center Connect Development, shows what The Hub at Lexington will look like when it is completed and open for business.