Category: Business

Precious Paws Animal Hospital — A Family Tradition Of Veterinary Excellence!

*The friendly staff at Precious Paws Animal Hospital on W. Bearss Ave. (l.-r., Brenda Maniatty, Nicole Bradford, Amanda Donatello & Dr. Fantasia Maniatty) is happily accepting new pet patients.* *(All photos by Charmaine George)*

Are you looking for a full-service veterinarian’s office that is accepting new cats and dogs and offering same day appointments? Come visit veterinarian Fantasia Maniatty, D.V.M., at Precious Paws Animal Hospital, located on W. Bearss Ave. (a little west of I-275) in North Tampa, where she has brought her love of pets — and a long-time family business — to our area.

Dr. Maniatty officially began her veterinarian career in 2018 when she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, where she graduated as her class salutatorian. Prior to that, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, in 2014.

*Dr. Fantasia Maniatty is continuing the family tradition started 20 years ago by her father, Dr. John Maniatty (at left in photo).* (Photo *from PreciousPawsTampa. com)*

But, veterinary medicine runs deep in the Maniatty family, as Dr. Maniatty has been unofficially caring for pets since her childhood. Her father, John, has been a veterinarian for 26 years, and Dr. Maniatty still remembers tagging along with him as he started his own practice.

“When my father graduated (from vet school) in 1997, I was 4 years old,” Dr. Maniatty says. “I can remember being in scrubs since the days when the tops were more like dresses on me. I would follow him around the office [as he worked] when we lived in Pennsylvania.”

The Maniatty family later moved to Maryland. Dr. Maniatty’s father took over an existing practice that eventually became the first Precious Paws Animal Hospital in Ocean City, MD, in October 2003, exactly 20 years ago. It was there that a young Dr. Maniatty worked her way up the ranks.

“He started me as a ‘kennel girl’ when I was in middle school,” she says. “Then, I became a receptionist, and then I was allowed to be a [veterinary] technician. He wanted me to go through every step so I understood how everything works.”

Dr. Maniatty and, later, her brother Justin, both followed in their dad’s footsteps and became veterinarians themselves. The three of them first worked together as vets at the Ocean City practice as well as at a second location in Ocean View, DE, just 15 miles up the coast.

So, what made Dr. Maniatty decide to trade Ocean City for Tampa and open the third Precious Paws office in North Tampa?

“Ocean City is a lovely area, but there’s not as much city life,” she says. “Tampa, I feel, has the perfect mix of city and [suburban lifestyles] while still being close to the beach.”

Despite the distance, the three Drs. Maniatty still talk regularly about the ups and downs of their work and consult with each other for help when necessary.

“Nowadays, many veterinary offices are being run by large companies,” says Dr. Maniatty. “But, Precious Paws has always been family owned and operated and, for us, pets are truly part of the family.”

Services At Precious Paws

Dr. Maniatty and her team welcome you to bring in your cats and dogs for a variety of services. These include everything from routine wellness check-ups, dental exams, vaccinations, microchipping and parasite prevention to more specialized needs such as soft tissue surgeries, laser therapy, emergency care and even end-of-life care. Savannah, the receptionist, and Nicole, the office manager, will help with scheduling appointments and checking in your pets. Then, veterinary techs Amanda and Ashton will assist Dr. Maniatty during appointments.

Two areas of expertise are dental services and soft tissue surgeries.

“We are very comfortable with providing dental services to pets, such as cleanings, X-rays and extractions if needed,” says Dr. Maniatty. “Also, if your pets need to be spayed or neutered or even need other surgeries, like intestinal surgeries or mass removals, we can do those as well.”

Laser therapy is a great option for directly targeting a pet’s pain and inflammation with or without medications. Dr. Maniatty explains that laser therapy applies a red laser directly to affected areas to help pets with arthritis, back pain, gastrointestinal (GI) disease and more.

Pet owners also can bring in their pets during emergencies — with no appointment necessary. “Emergency care for pets can be very expensive at other facilities, but pet owners can bring their pets here and get that same care at a more reasonable cost,” says Dr. Maniatty.

Despite Precious Paws Animal Hospital opening its doors in Tampa just a few months ago (in July), Dr. Maniatty and her team have already won over many fur babies and their parents/owners, with a perfect five-out-of-five-star rating and 40 glowing reviews on Google. The office also is very active on social media, with timely tips for the 4th of July, hurricane preparedness for your pets and more. The office is quick to respond to reviews and questions and loves to build relationships with pets and pet owners on a first-name basis.

“We’ve tried many vet clinics, but we never got great results,” says a pet owner named Vioma in her five-star review. “After just the first appointment with Dr. Maniatty, it finally seemed like Daisy could have a normal life. The doctor and staff were very patient and kind to us and I highly recommend them.”

Outside of work, you may see Dr. Maniatty with her boyfriend AJ and their two rescue dogs, pit bulls named Maya and Chanel, at the beach or at outdoor events like The Market Elaine at The Grove in Wesley Chapel and the Bexley Market on the Lawn in Land O’ Lakes.

“We love meeting pets and their owners in person,” Dr. Maniatty says. “A lot of times we run into people who are new to the area like us and are having trouble finding a vet who is accepting new pets, so we are happy to help with that.”

In honor of her father’s original Precious Paws office’s 20-year anniversary, Dr. Maniatty is offering free wellness exams for first-time pet patients at the Tampa office — with no limitations on the number of pets per household. Also, if you mention the Neighborhood News, you can receive free flea, tick and heartworm prevention medications.

Precious Paws Animal Hospital is located at 326 W. Bearss Ave. The office is open Monday– Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with same day appointments and walk-in emergency care available. Call (813) 755-3855 or visit PreciousPaws Tampa.com 24/7 to book your pet’s appointment today, with free first exams for a limited time. Follow “Precious Pets Animal Hospital–Tampa” on Facebook and @preciouspawstampa on Instagram for great tips about pet care and special offers.

Tell Us Your Favorite Bar In New Tampa or Wesley Chapel!

Enter Our 2023 Neighborhood News Dining Contest!

We are giving you another chance to win a FREE dining prize of $100, $60 or $35! One entry per person, per question. Please name your Favorite Bar in New Tampa OR Wesley Chapel! Mail your entry to “2023 Neighborhood News Dining Contest” at 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102D, Wesley Chapel 33544. Or, enter by clicking HERE or email the entry form to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com. Even if you already answered any previous questions, you can still enter again by clicking HERE!

We’re just looking for your favorite place to enjoy a few cocktails, beer or wine, whether your favorite Bar or Tavern also serves food or not.

Each time you answer a different Dining Survey question, you’ll receive an additional chance to win one of our FREE dining prizes — to the restaurant of your choice located anywhere in the Tampa Bay area! You all love free dining, right?

Note — Please don’t forget that we include restaurants (and bars) located in Lutz (either on Wesley Chapel Blvd., S.R. 56 or S.R. 54, within two miles of I-75) as Wesley Chapel eateries; and those located in the Palms Connection Plaza on E. Bearss Ave. and the Oak Ramble Plaza on BBD Blvd. (both are located in zip code 33613) as acceptable places to vote for in New Tampa.

Please also be sure to completely fill out the entry forms, whether from our print publications, on our website or by email, because we have had a few people — out of more than 1,200 total entries so far — try to enter with just their first name only, and two others who took the time to send us an entry without naming any restaurants.

Despite those issues, it definitely appears (as we expected) that more of you like this year’s format — with individual questions for you to answer in each issue — than in the recent past, when we asked you to answer a full page of questions across multiple issues all at once.

Remember, whether you enter by mail, email or on our website, there is never any purchase necessary to enter and win, but we do need your first AND last name, the community you live in, your daytime telephone number and a valid email address to be eligible to win any of our FREE dining prizes — and please enter all of your Survey entries by no later than November 1 to be eligible to win prizes! All winners will be announced in our December issues!

If you haven’t yet answered ALL of this year’s previous Survey questions, they are all available again by clicking on their titles below.

Five Favorite Restaurants in Wesley Chapel

Five Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa

Favorite Pizza Place

Favorite Sushi Place

Favorite Latin (NOT Mexican) Restaurant

Favorite Burger Place

Favorite Asian Restaurant

2023 Dining Survey 2023 Dining Survey and Contest dining dining survey Dining Survey and Contest favorite bar New Tampa Wesley Chapel

Johnny C’s Italian Eatery — Where New Tampa Gets Treated Like Family!

*Erik Ravenna (left) & Pat Ciaccio are the owners of Johnny C’s Italian Eatery on Cross Creek Blvd.* (Photos by Charmaine George)

Even though there are other pretty great options for Italian food in New Tampa, if you like feeling like family as you enjoy traditional comfort food “Italiano,” you need to visit my friends Pat Ciaccio and Erik Ravenna at Johnny C’s Italian Eatery, located in the small plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. at Morris Bridge Rd.

Jannah and I — and photographer Charmaine George — have visited Johnny C’s often since it opened in May of this year and there’s no doubt that the restaurant named for Pat’s father Johnny (a long-time restaurateur himself) is more of a sit-down restaurant than Precinct Pizza, the previous eatery in the same space.

Pat and Erik, who also worked together at Saddlebrook Resort, are long-time friends who both were looking for a new challenge — at least, that’s how Pat tells it.

“Actually, the only reason I’m here doing this is because of Pat,” Erik counters. “I wasn’t really looking to run a kitchen, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying myself.”

Former Saddlebrook owner Tom Dempsey and Erik’s brother Seth also helped open Johnny C’s, which has a large selection of seafood options, in addition to the usual calamari, linguine with clams, wings, NY-style pizzas, lasagna and other baked pastas, favorites like fettuccine Alfredo, chicken piccata and marsala and starters like bruschetta and fried mozzarella wedges.

“I saw that New Tampa didn’t have places with a lot of seafood pasta options,” Ravenna says. “We have a mussels posillipo appetizer, plus Frutti di Mare (which translates to “fruits of the seas”) pasta, shrimp scampi, fra diavalo, parmigiana and marinara.”

Erik also dusts Johnny C’s pizza crusts with garlic and named one of his favorites — the “Yea, Babe!” — after his father-in-law, Grandpa Bill’s favorite saying. The Yea Babe! features pink vodka sauce (instead of traditional red pizza sauce), Italian sausage and mozzarella. The other specialty pizzas on the menu are all named for the five boroughs of New York City, as well as SoHo, but you can get any of the 18 pizza toppings on the menu — from anchovies to sundried tomatoes — on any of the three sizes of pizza and in the calzones. You can even get your pizza made with a gluten-free cauliflower crust.

“We have an open kitchen, and a dining room that might be a little louder than what you’re used to,” Erik says, “because we want you to enjoy our food the way Italian families do.”

*You can’t go wrong with a Johnny C’s Italian grinder.*

We already have quite a few favorites. The Momma’s lasagna is spot-on, the hand-breaded, fresh mozzarella wedges are delicious (“We weren’t going to do frozen string cheese sticks like a lot of places do,” Erik says), the calamari is made with Mike’s hot honey and parmigiana cheese in the batter and served with banana peppers, the tasty Johnny C’s Italian grinder features capicola, salami, ham, provolone, tomato, onion, banana peppers and roasted red peppers, plus creamy Italian dressing (“The way my dad would make it at home,” Pat says) and there also are hot grinders like meatball and chicken parm. I also love Erik’s linguine vongolé (with fresh clams). You also can’t go wrong with the penne vodka, chicken or eggplant parmigiana, baked penne or spaghettini & meatballs.

We honestly have only ever tried the house and Caesar salads (both very good), but there’s also a blue cheese wedge, antipasto and caprese salads and you can add chicken or shrimp to the salads for $4 more.

*Finish off your meal with delicious cannolis*.

Save room for dessert, too. From delicious cannolis to the tartufo gelato bomb with hot fudge and whipped cream, there’s no better way to top off a great meal, and Johnny C’s recently added beer and wine, too. And yes, there’s also a kids menu, with all items just $6.95.

And, Johnny C’s has daily specials, like “Manic Monday” (free mozzarella wedges with purchase of a large pizza); “Take-Out Tuesday” (15% off all take-out orders); also on Tuesday, one kid 10 & under eats free with each adult entrée purchased); “Wednesday is a Pastability,” when you get a second pasta entrée 1/2-off with the purchase of a pasta entrée, and “Thursday Night Out,” when you can buy one entrée and get the second 1/2-off.

Johnny C’s Italian Eatery (10970 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. For info, call (813) 278-8020, visit JohnnyCsItalianEatery.com. Catering also is a specialty and your Booster Club can hold its Spirit Days at the restaurant. Call during business hours for details.

Erik Ravenna Johnny C's Johnny Cs Italian Eatery New Tampa Pat Ciiaccio Seth Ravenna Tom Dempsey

Nibbles & Bites: Now Open: Slim Chickens, Bad Ass Coffee & Sorbo!

After a few delays, which certainly isn’t unusual here in Pasco County, Slim Chickens (at 27244 Wesley Chapel Blvd.) is finally open and the Arkansas-based chain with 225+ units and many more on the way is definitely worth a try..

The trio of partners who opened the Wesley Chapel Slim Chickens — Patrick Lee, Jared Blair and Charlie Blumberg — also have five additional units in development, with the closest planned for Mirada.

Jannah, Charmaine and I all enjoyed our sampling of the Slim Chickens menu two days before it opened. We loved the hand-breaded chicken & waffles, the crispy and aptly-named chicken tenders (photo, above), the garlicky Texas toast, the super-crisp wings with multiple different sauces (our favorites so far were the honey BBQ and garlic parmesan) and the signature mason jar brownie dessert. And yes, you can take home the mason jar!

For more info, visit SlimChickens.com or call (813) 923-7727.

It Is Bad Ass!

If you’re like me and crave delicious coffee from someplace other than the “S” word, I definitely recommend visiting the new Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, located inside the same Shell gas station that already is home to a Taco Bus location, at 25195 S.R. 54, where it meets S.R. 56 and Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz.

Owners Jillian (with Minnie Mouse, the Sicilian mini-donkey, in the photo, left) and Christopher Bruckner, who also own the adjacent Taco Bus, are excited about the response so far from the community.

And, please don’t be offended by the name. Born on the shores of The Big Island in our 50th state, the coffee is named for the stubborn donkeys who originally carried the coffee down the steep mountains.

Whether you love the name or hate it, the chain’s 30 locations serve delicious coffee and other beverages as well as a variety of breakfast and dessert items. My favorite beverage so far is the hot Caramel Wave with both caramel and vanilla flavors, while Jannah is partial to the iced blended Chai tea. We both enjoyed the cinnamon Malasada donuts and bacon, egg & cheese breakfast sandwich. We haven’t yet sampled the lunch sandwiches. For more information about Bad Ass Coffee, call (813) 949-2428 or visit BadAssCoffee.com.

Sorbo Opens On BBD!

Those who have more upscale taste in coffee and tea but also are partial to baked goods and wine can check out the new Sorbo at 2653 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Owned by the same owners as Umu Japanese & Thai in the same plaza across from Advent Health Wesley Chapel, Sorbo (right) specializes in Matcha teas, espresso beverages and Refreshers. We’ve only sampled the tasty cappuccino and green matcha tea so far. For info, visit SorboWesleyChapel.com or call (813) 428-5396.

Shuckin’ Shack: Now Serving Fresh American Seafood!

The only people who have been waiting for the opening of the 20th Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar (at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension) longer than yours truly are the people in the top photo — (l.-r.) co-owners Bill DiPaola and Brad Harper, GM Alie Ragsdale, manager Shane Cllett & kitchen manager Hunter Tilton.

Well, the wait is over and all I can say is that I genuinely like the North Carolina-based chain. The casual new eatery had only been open a couple of weeks at our press time, but Jannah and I had already sampled quite a few tasty — and properly priced — items, including (left) excellent steamed snow crab legs, (bottom, right) blackened mahi-mahi tacos and steamed local clams. Photographer Charmaine George said the “Greggah” lobster roll sandwich also was spot on. But, my favorite item so far has been the clam-loaded New England-style clam “chowda.” Trust me, this is not just potato soup with a bite or two of clams. So good!

Jannah and I already feel very much at home at the spacious bar (below left), which has plenty of TVs, full premium alcohol and specialty drinks, as well as beer and wine, just in time for football and hockey seasons! For more info, visit TheShuckinShack.com or call (813) 949-0016.

Alie Ragsdale Bad Ass Coffee Bill DiPaola Brad Harper Charlie Blumberg Christopher Bruckner Hunter Tilton Jared Blair Jillian Bruckner Nibbles and Bites Patrick Lee Shane Cllett Shuckin Shack Slim Chickens Sorbo Wesley Chapel

Business Briefs — Updates On Crunch Fitness & Sana Dental + Medspa!

The new Crunch Fitness is going directly next to Ace Hardware in the Wesley Chapel Village Market, in the space formerly occupied by Bealls Outlet, which closed during the summer of 2022 (after a new one opened nearby at the Grove). But, about a year later (May of 2023), Crunch submitted plans to Pasco County for approval.

The new Crunch will be 33,000 sq. ft. and construction is ongoing, but the current plan is for it to open at the end of this fall.

This location will be Crunch’s 12th in the Tampa Bay area, with close to 450 locations nationwide.

In front of the site at the plaza, Crunch’s management sets up a tent every day to answer questions and sign people up to the fitness facility’s email system.

Jay Valez, the assistant general manager, says that the new Crunch is getting ready for a cyber pre-sale “rate reservation,” where membership plans will be offered for as little as $9.99 per month for a basic membership (normally $14.99/month) and $19.99 for the full membership (normally $29.99/month).

The first 500 to sign up also will receive a $1 “Joining Fee” on Crunch Wesley Chapel’s “cyber sale day,” which is has not yet been announced, as well as receive their first month free, plus “merch” and other discounts.

Plus, if you are one of the first 500 members, these “Founders Rates” will be for the lifetime of your membership. An email will be sent out to those who have signed up, letting them know when the one-day sale will be. All Crunch memberships are individually priced, with no family plans offered. Full membership includes access to all available classes, including Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, Cycle, and HIIT Classes, which their website says is a, “high intensity training program unlike any other.”

Valez says that Crunch plans to offer 55 -60 mixed classes a week, with some starting in the early morning hours, early enough to allow workouts before work.

For more info, call the Wesley Chapel Crunch at (813) 587-2714 or email Sidney@CRfitness.com.

Spotlight On: Sana Dental Studio + MedSpa!

*(L.-r.) Tara Clark, Dana Carter, Dr. Sana Yusuf & Jenn Link of Sana Dental Studio + Medspa.*

The renowned Sana Dental Studio + Medspa is thrilled to announce its grand expansion, bringing a wave of excitement to beauty and wellness enthusiasts across Wesley Chapel. The latest addition to their services is the exclusive “Sana Squad” membership, offering an array of unbeatable deals on Botox, Fillers, Lasers, Expert Opinions and Medical-Grade Skin Care.

Members of the “Sana Squad” will have access to the latest in aesthetic enhancements. Botox treatments, known for their remarkable ability to smooth wrinkles and lines, are now within reach for those seeking a youthful, rejuvenated appearance. Additionally, premium fillers are available to enhance lips, cheeks, and facial contours with expert precision.

Sana Dental Studio + Medspa’s expanded services also include state-of-the-art laser treatments. Whether you’re looking to remove unwanted hair, reduce the appearance of scars, or rejuvenate your skin’s texture, the spa’s advanced laser technology is designed to meet your unique needs.

The “Sana Squad” membership extends beyond treatments. Members will receive expert opinions and personalized care plans tailored to their specific goals. The experienced team at Sana Medspa is dedicated to helping clients achieve their desired results while ensuring a comfortable and informed experience.

Sana Medpsa’s commitment to excellence in aesthetics and wellness has made it a trusted destination for those seeking top-notch treatments and personalized care, led by Sana Yusuf, DMD. The introduction of the “Sana Squad” membership is a testament to their dedication to providing accessible, high-quality services to their valued clients.

To learn more about the exclusive “Sana Squad” membership and the exciting expansion of Sana Dental Studio + Medspa, visit SanaDentalStudio.com, stop by the spa at 5728 Post Oak Blvd., or see the ad at the bottom of this page. Beauty, confidence and wellness await you.

Crunch Fitness Jay Valez Sana Sana Dental Studio and Medspa Wesley Chapel Wesley Chapel Village Market