It’s Never Too Early To Celebrate Christmas…Is It?


Hilton Garden Inn Celebrates ‘Christmas In July’ With Food, Santa & Fun! 

Congratulations to Lisa Moore (to Santa’s left), Bradley Sandler and everyone at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel (26640 Silver Maple Pkwy., off S.R. 56), for hosting a super-successful (and FREE!) “Christmas in July” event. 

“The whole idea was to let the community know that we have great rooms where we can host your next business or family holiday party,” Moore said during the event, “and a large catering menu with a wide selection of delicious food that we make in-house and everything else you need to make your party special.” 

The Christmas in July event had Santa Claus himself, DJ music, a premium liquor bar, lots of great raffles prizes, a charcuterie table (below), fresh fruit and hot appetizers like mini egg rolls and crab cakes, meatballs and more. 

To book your next party, call Moore at (813) 591-6930 or email her at lisamoore2@ hilton.com. Or, call Sandler at (813) 591-6907 or email him at bradley.sandler@hilton.com. — GN, all photos by Charmaine George 

Hyatt Place Hotel Also Gets Into The Christmas Spirit With Its ‘Jingle Mingle’ 

We also give kudos to (l.-r. in photo right) assistant GM Brian Jackman, director of sales Lorna Petchey and GM Gerald Mandosia of the Hyatt Place Hotel Tampa-Wesley Chapel (26000 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz) for its impressive (also FREE) “Jingle Mingle,” which featured amazing samples of foods you can get from the hotel’s in-house catering department — like pomegranate-glazed, mint chimichurri lamb chops (below right), extra large shrimp cocktail (bottom right), mini-beef Wellingtons and mini-crab cakes, a S’mores station — plus holiday-themed cocktails (The Grinch, Mrs. Claus Punch & more), a DJ and both Santa and Mrs. Claus (above) in the hotel’s beautiful Sierra Conference Center ballroom that you can — and should — reserve for your upcoming holiday party. 

For more info, call Lorna Petchey at (813) 803-5600. — GN

Go Check Out The New Hummus Republic In The Hub At Lexington!

If you like both Mediterranean cuisine and crafting your own Chipotle-style bowls and wraps, you now have two options in the Wesley Chapel area. We told you online a few weeks ago that the first of two Wesley Chapel-area CAVA locations had opened in the former location of MOD Pizza on the south side of S.R. 56, but the new Hummus Republic also is now open at 26962 Halter Loop (off Wesley Chapel Blvd.), in the still-developing The Hub at Lexington plaza. 

The Neighborhood News crew has now sampled nearly the entire menu at Hummus Republic, a California-based company founded in 2012 by Nir Giat which features tasty bowls, pita and wrap sandwiches, spicy crispy chicken and veggie “burgers” and more. There literally are so many base, protein, veggie and topping options that you never have to have the same meal twice! 

Owners Annu (at left in top photo, with shift lead Milaika Perez) and her husband Ashish (Ash) Kumar opened their Hummus Republic franchise (now one of 50+ locations in 17 states) on July 20 and Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I have already dined there three times. 

Jannah’s favorites are the bowls (right). She has gotten a mix of the available bases both times, including kale, spinach and a “Farmers Mix” of different leafy veggies. You also can choose Mediterranean couscous, warm garbanzo beans (aka chick peas) and my favorite base, tasty yellow rice, to start off any bowl or sandwich. 

Jannah also has tried both the lemon chicken and crispy chicken for her bowls, although you also can choose chicken shawarma or beef & lamb gyro meat, falafel (ground, fried spiced chickpeas), shitake mushroom shawarma or a “Street Mix” of fried onions, olives and jalapeños as your protein. You can choose up to two of these proteins for your bowl, pita or wrap, but I suggest getting one at a time because the portions of proteins aren’t particularly large. 

You can even add up to three different types of hummus and other spreads and I will say that I have enjoyed the traditional and roasted eggplant hummus options the most, but there’s also harissa (which adds fiery and smoky chili paste to the traditional blend of mashed chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil) and Kalamata olive hummus and a “Zesty Feta” spread that Annu says has been most of her early customers’ favorite, even though it costs $1.25 extra to add it to your creation. 

There are 16 available toppings and you can add an unlimited number of them. These include chopped tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion toppings, as well as red or white cabbage, beets, corn, hot cherry peppers, artichoke hearts, fried eggplant, fried jalapeños and Jannah’s favorites — the crumbled feta and unique chickpea croutons. (Note-Some of these do come with a $0.50 upcharge). You also can add a side of two dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs & spices) for $1 more. 

There also are six different dressings and you can add any two of them without an upcharge. My favorites so far are the creamy tzatziki and garlic jalapeño tahini, but there also are two different hot sauces, plus traditional tahini and a lemon & olive oil sauce. 

I have tried both a pita (above right) and a wrap and I am definitely partial to the beef & lamb gyro meat, although I did also enjoy the delicately spiced chicken shawarma. 

Charmaine’s favorite so far has been the chicken burger (left), which comes with sliced tomatoes, white cabbage, Street Mix, tahini and Moroccan hot sauce. There’s also a Greek (beef & lamb gyro) sandwich and the “Earth Burger,” which is made with a crispy falafel patty. All of these sandwiches are served with your choice of waffle-style sweet potato fries or Jannah’s favorite — the pita chips. 

Hummus Republic also has specials like pita nachos, pita chips & hummus and “street style” sweet potato fries, as well as a side of up to five hummuses and spreads. Beverages include a chocolatey tahini shake blended with vanilla ice cream and almond milk, plus a variety of lemonade flavors, including pomegranate, ginger turmeric and strawberry lychee and more. 

To place an order or for more info, visit TheHummusRepublic.com or call (813) 388- 2998 and please tell Annu and her friendly crew that Gary from the Neighborhood News sent you! — GN, all photos by Charmaine George 

Welcome To The ‘Subcontinent Of New Tampa!’

New Tampa Has Become A Haven For Indian Food — Now With 11 Restaurants Serving Cuisine From Every Region Of India! 

When I first bought Neighborhood News in 1994, there were no Indian restaurants in zip code 33647. The first was Saffron on Cross Creek Blvd., which moved and then closed. Minerva in the New Tampa Center plaza on Bruce B. Downs was the second and there were only two or three for several years. 

Today, with the growth of the local Indian population, there are now eleven Indian restaurants in New Tampa, all of which are listed on this page. On the next page, you’ll find the list of the nine restaurants in New Tampa that serve Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food or at least serve Halal meat options. 

Next issue, we will provide the same type of list of the Indian & Mediterranean restaurants in Wesley Chapel. — GN 

Ambarsari Zaika Indian Cuisine — 10865 Cross Creek Blvd., in Mobil gas station convenience store. (656) 239-2813 Linktr.ee/AmbariZaikaTampa 

Pure veg, Sattvic- & Jain-friendly meals with bold, rotating menus. Ghar jaisa khaana, made fresh daily. Live pani puri. Chaat, Amritsari Kulcha, Paranthas 

Dosa Hut — 10942 Cross Creek Blvd. (813) 886-4555. GaramDosaHut.com 

Casual South Indian eatery featuring crispy dosas and other breakfast staples, plus a vegan menu. 

Gorkhali Kitchen — 10044 Cross Creek Blvd. (813) 388-6404. GorkhaliKitchenTampa.com 

Locally owned & dedicated to serving up great Himalayan-inspired, authentic flavors of Kathmandu City, Nepal, for lunch & dinner. 

House of Biryanis & Kebabs — 19430 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (813) 388-6777. HBKTampa.com 

Authentic Hyderabadi dishes prepared with fresh ingredients, traditional spices and a commitment to quality and great hospitality. 

Ice Spice CafĂ© — 20304 Trout Creek Dr., #101. (813) 591-1758. IceSpiceIndianStreetFoodCafe.shop 

Authentic taste of Indian street cuisine with a fresh, vegetarian focus. Serves a range of flavorful dishes like chaat, samosa sandwiches, pav bhaji & Bombay sandwiches. Also serve unique Indian ice creams and fruit shakes. 

Jay’s Kitchen — 17501 Preserve Walk Ln., #103. (813) 866-5297. JaysKitchenUSA.com 

From rich & creamy gravies to smoky Tandoori delights, the menu includes vegetarian, vegan & non-vegetarian options. 

Kabob CafĂ© & Grill — 18101 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., Ste 100. (813) 405-8740. KabobCafeandGrill.com 

Pakistani restaurant with meat curries, veg curries, kabobs, biryanis and some appetizers & desserts. 

Minerva Indian Restaurant — 19050 Bruce B Downs Blvd. (813) 978-8586. MinervaTampa.com 

Known for specialties like Gongura Chicken, Masala Dosa, and Onion Wada, this restaurant focuses on Halal and spicy dishes, plus a daily-changing lunch buffet. 

Namaste Express — 17503 Preserve Walk Ln., Ste B. (813) 866-1300. Namastexp.com 

Casual eatery for authentic dishes of South Indian cuisine, also offering vegan choices. 

Nawabi Hyderabad House — 15345 Amberly Dr. (813) 443-0198. Nawabihhtampa.com 

Growing chain of Indian restaurants known for authentic Hyderabadi cuisine, with a menu that showcases the flavors and spices of the Indian city of Hyderabad. Also known for its variety of biryanis. 

Taaza Mart CafĂ© — 6260 Commerce Palms Dr. (inside Taaza Mart grocery store). (813) 564-8100. TaazaMartFL.com 

Indian & Pakistani store featuring fresh produce, spices, sweets and Halal meat, the cafĂ© offers a variety of hot Indian foods, prepared fresh daily. 

Frammi To Close August 22 & Reopen In Tampa Palms In November!


Chef Luca Ammirati and his wife Erika are closing Frammi, the authentic Italian & American restaurant on BBD Blvd. on Aug. 22, but are reopening it by sometime in Nov. in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms. In the meantime, Luca wants to teach you how to make delicious parmigiana di melanzana (eggplant parmigiana, bottom left) and semi-spicy, al dente rigatoni amatriciana (bottom right) like he does — without burning down your house! (Photos by Charmaine George)

So, here’s a little bad news-wonderful news situation for you. 

First, the bad news: Luca and Erika Ammirati, the owners of Frammi — the authentic Italian & American restaurant previously known as Oakley’s Grille — are closing their location at 17631 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in North Palms Village as of Saturday, August 22. 

The amazing news is that Luca and Erika will reopen Frammi at 15363 Amberly Dr., in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms (hopefully) by sometime in November of this year. 

I met Luca at the new location just before we went to press with this issue and although the space between the Tampa City Ballet and the Tae Kwon Do studios in the plaza was still an empty shell, Luca was meeting with his engineers to finalize the plans for the new Frammi’s layout that same day, and he believes “It won’t take too long to get the new Frammi open,” he said. “And it’s a larger space, so we will have room for a bar and more tables.” 

That’s great news, as is the fact that the new Frammi will expand Luca’s already-extensive menu of authentic Italian favorites. 

“But, other than the burgers (right), we will not be bringing the rest of the American menu from the old Oakley’s Grille with us,” he said. 

Please note that for the few days to a week of time between when you receive this issue and Aug. 22, the original Frammi (which the Ammiratis took over in 2018 and renamed in 2022) will still be open every day, serving both Luca’s authentic Southern and Erika’s equally legit Northern Italian specialties — as well as the fajita tacos, chicken sandwiches and more that made Oakley’s so popular. “And, I will still have chicken at the new location, so if you want a fried chicken sandwich, we can still help you.” 

Cooking Lessons & Private Chef Service 

In the 2-3 months’ time between Frammi’s closing and the new restaurant’s opening, Luca says he is offering both “Cooking Classes with the Chef” and “Private Chef Experiences.” 

Jannah and I are already getting a group of ten people together to take lessons from Luca. 

For just $50 per person, each guest will learn how to make two different pasta dishes (but not how to make the fresh pasta) and Luca will provide all of the ingredients and pair each pasta with a different Italian wine, as part of a full meal. Please note that for the cooking class, since Frammi will be closed, you will have to provide the kitchen for Luca and that ten people is the magic number for that $50-per-person price. 

Want more? Luca also is now offering a two-hour “Private Chef Experience” for up to four people for just $200. It includes two hours of Luca’s time preparing and serving your food in your home, but the ingredients for your private meal will be charged separately. 

Either way, if you’ve ever had Luca’s pasta, you know that both of these are well worth it! 

For more info or for reservations for the last day of the current Frammi (Aug. 22), call (813) 523-5075 or visit Frammi.com. For cooking lessons & private chef services, call Chef Luca’s cell at (813) 775-8279. — GN 

Cold Stone Creamery Is The New Tampa Area’s Original Ice Cream Shop!

Photos by Charmaine George

The people of New Tampa have now been hearing the phrase “Welcome to Cold Stone” for 20 years and even though many other ice cream shops have entered the local market (and many others have gone away), Cold Stone Creamery has been a constant source of joy for young and old alike. It features a unique selection of super-creamy, ultra-premium ice cream flavors, and a huge variety of toppings that you can have the happy Cold Stone ice creamers mix in from more than two dozen ingredients (bottom photo) — from fresh bananas, strawberries and raspberries to candies and cookies like Heath bars, Twix and Reese’s Oreos and toppings like real (but not hot) fudge, marshmallow, caramel and even pistachio cream sauce. 

New Tampa store general manager Nola Davis (above) says that this summer before the kids go back to school is a great time to try or return to Cold Stone, as there are several new flavors and new Signature Creations everyone can check out. 

For example, she says, “in honor of the recently released “Supergirl” movie, Cold Stone currently has ‘Supergirl’s Cosmic Kettle Corn’ (above left), which combines kettle corn-flavored ice cream, big pieces of kettle corn (above right), a caramel swirl and Supergirl-colored sprinkles.” 

Another current specialty creation is the OreoÂź Pretzel Perfection (left), which Nola says, “has a sweet cream-based, OreoÂź Cookie chocolate-covered pretzel ice cream, OreoÂź cookies, mini-pretzels, caramel and sugar crystals (below left).” 

There’s also a new “Cup & Cookie Chaos” (not pictured) that features Cookies ‘n’ Peanut Butter ice cream that is made with OreoÂź cookies, Reese’s peanut butter cups and OreoÂź Reese’s cookies. 

And finally, Nola says, the big hit of the summer so far is, “Our Dubai Chocolate Creation” (top photo). “It has our chocolate ice cream with pistachio cream, kataifi (finely shredded phyllo dough) and chocolate shavings. Everyone is crazy about Dubai chocolate these days. And, people are really loving it!” 

Nola even sent us home with samples of each creation, so we could all sample them. My favorite, not surprisingly, is the “Cup & Cookie Chaos,” but I can definitely finish off a serving of any of them. 

She adds, “Even if you pick one of our Signature Creations,” Nola says, “You can still make it your own.” 

All of these Signature and “Create Your Own” Creations can be put on your choice of a cone, cup or waffle bowl, in the usual Cold Stone sizes — Kid’s Size, “Like ItÂź,” “Love It¼” and “Gotta Have ItÂź.” 

I had for me to not take one of these entire cakes home with me and finish it all myself. 

Nola also explains that although there is always a supply of ready-made cakes in the store (above right photo), including some of the “Perfect Pair” cakes, “Most of our cakes are custom-ordered, so you can always get whatever flavors of ice cream you want, toppings, everything, but please always give us at least two days to create the cake you want because someone has to build the cake and someone else will have to decorate it. Then, it has to stay in the freezer for a certain amount of time.” 

So Many Specials! 

The New Tampa Cold Stone Creamery also offers different specials every Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 

Monday is “Mega Monday!,” when you get one FREE “Like-it Create” creation with one mix-in when you purchase any two “Love-it” sizes (or larger). 

Tuesday is “2-for-$10 Tuesday!,” when you get any two “Like-it” creations (with one mix-in each) for only $10. 

Wednesday is “Waffle Wednesday!,” when you get a FREE plain waffle bowl or cone when you buy one “Love-it” size (or larger), 

Thursday is “Thriving Thursday!,” when you get $2 OFF any Cookies, Cupcakes or Reese’s Cups OR $5 OFF any Large-Size Signature Cake. 

And, right now, when you mention this story and present the coupon in the ad below, you’ll get a FREE scoop of ice cream! 

All of these offers are valid in-store at the Cold Stone location on Preserve Walk Ln. in New Tampa ONLY. Please note that they are not available with any other offers and are limited to one special per family/per order. 

We definitely agree with Nola that the summer is the best time of year to check out the New Tampa Cold Stone Creamery. Now you know why! 

New Tampa’s Cold Stone Creamery is located at 17519 Preserve Walk Ln., in the Highwoods Preserve area, just off I-75. It opens every day at 11 a.m. and stays open until 11 p.m. on Sunday, until 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and until midnight on Friday & Saturday. For more info, visit ColdStoneCreamery.com or call (813) 977-0024.