Nibbles & Bites: Skipper’s Smokehouse, new restaurants and a ribbon cutting.

The Skipperdome at Skipper’s Smokehouse. (Photo: SkippersSmokehouse.com)

Pick Of The Week: Skipper’s Smokehouse!

Although it’s located 20 minutes or so south of Wesley Chapel, the legendary Skipper’s Smokehouse (910 Skipper Rd., off N. Nebraska Ave. in North Tampa) has officially reopened — and anyone who has lived in this area for more than a few years surely has visited (and missed!) this fun and funky non-chain seafood restaurant and live music venue.

I visited the closed-since-Covid restaurant on one of its soft pre-reopening days a few weeks ago and was thrilled with the latest incarnation of this long-time favorite.

Back when Wesley Chapel had only a handful of homes and New Tampa had only a few restaurants of its own, Skipper’s was famous on both sides of the county line for its great drink prices, outstanding live music, fresh fish (like the yummy grilled wahoo, above right, that I brought home to Jannah), raw oysters and great wings (above left). My new friends Terri and Michael (below) enjoyed those crispy wings (with medium-spicy “hotter” sauce on the side) so much that they got a second order of them. And, Skipper’s has revamped its menu from its soft opening to include a few more of its all-time favorites, from gator ribs to pulled pork and from fried shrimp to crawdaddy mac and more.

And, the locally famous Grateful Dead cover band, Uncle John’s Band, returned for its first Thursday evening show at Skipper’s in more than a year just before we went to press with this issue, and another popular Skipper’s staple, The Red Elvises, put on the first Saturday night love music show at the Skipperdome.

Hopefully, Skipper’s also will bring back its famous, adults-only Freakers Ball this year to celebrate Halloween properly.

Call (813) 971-0666 or visit SkippersSmokehouse.com for more Grand Reopening info, showtimes and the new menu — and please tell them I sent you! — GN

More Food Coming Soon To Our Area!

Years ago, Carrabba’s Italian Grill was rumored to be coming to Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, on a still-undeveloped parcel located south of where Bonefish Grill used to be located (where it has been replaced by Señor Tequila).

Then, originally reported in 2019 to be coming to the Cypress Creek Town Center area on the north side of S.R. 56, along with the now-open Aussie Grill, and the new location of Bonefish, Carrabbas’s has finally begun construction. According to Pasco County’s permitting records, the 5,074-sq.-ft. Carrabba’s will be built in between Bonefish Grill and Aussie Grill. — JCC

Meanwhile, Zaxby’s (right), the fast-casual fried chicken eatery, is getting ready to open on the south side of 56, near ALDI and the Tidal Wave Car Wash and was still hiring additional employees as this issue went to press. — GN

The ExerScience Center Hosts A Ribbon Cutting!

Congratulations go out to my friend and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Dr. Lauren Leiva of The ExerScience Center, located at 24706 S.R. 54 in Lutz, less than two miles east of the Tampa Premium Outlets.

Lauren, her family and staff hosted a Greater Pasco Chamber ribbon cutting on July 19 and she, of course, couldn’t resist the urge to cut the ribbon with a Samurai sword, instead of the traditional (and boring, at least to her) scissors.

Lauren has helped strengthen my knees and Jannah rehab her back and The ExerScience Center also offers outstanding personal training, nutrition counseling, group fitness and yoga classes, in addition to her award-winning physical therapy — as she has been named the People’s Choice Best of the Best Physical Therapist by the Tampa Bay Times two years in a row. To find out more, call (813) 803-7070 or visit TheExerScienceCenter.com. — GN

Nibbles & Bites: Total Wine, Ice Dreammm deliciousness & more!

Total Wine, Spirits, Beer & More!
You long-time readers know how bummed out I was about the closing of the old Earth Fare “green” grocery store on the north side of S.R. 56 at Wesley Chapel Blvd. And, while many had hoped that Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s would open in that space, I continue to be excited that a new Total Wine, Spirits, Beer & More has now opened in that location.

I did a Facebook Live video that received several thousand views in front of the store the morning Total Wine opened and there’s no doubt that the 15,734 different options (over 8,000 wines, nearly 5,000 spirits and 2,700 beers) inside are all at or near the lowest prices you’ll find anywhere.

Store manager Albie Johnson Escoto, who came from Total Wine’s Clearwater location, said she “jumped at the chance” to open and manage the new store in our area — and I may be about the only person as or more excited than Albie, although Total Wine’s happy, friendly staff is right up there, too.

I picked up some outstanding Grand Opening deals on Opening Day, including a 750-ml bottle of my favorite value Irish whiskey, Wolfhound, for only $16.99, plus great deals on Italian reds like Barolo and Amarone, French Meursault (white burgundy) and so much more. And, while they didn’t advertise the deals in this publication, the American bourbons, in particular, appeared to be flying off the shelves.

Hopefully, Total Wine’s marketing department will see fit to advertise some of its upcoming Tastings and other special events in these pages. Total Wine & More is located at 25535 Sierra Center Blvd. and is open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. every day (until 11 p.m. on Fri. & Sat.). For more info, visit TotalWine.com or call (813) 435-1207 — and tell Albie and her staff I sent you!  — GN

Ice Dreammm -mmm-good!

Shortly after Falabella Family Bistro opened in The Grove, owner Joe Schembri (photo above) opened his second location of the Ice Dreammm Shop directly across from Falabella in the Village at The Grove plaza.

Featuring the same creamy, delicious homemade ice cream (including those amazing alcohol-infused flavors for adults only) as in the original Ice Dreammm Shop on S.R. 54 in Lutz, Schembri promises that the new location will soon add more freshly baked goodies to go with the decadent chocolate chip cookies, hand-made waffle cones, hand-spun shakes and dairy- and gluten-free ice cream options to the mix at the new location.

“Ice cream is my passion,” Schembri says. “I gave up my corporate job (to do this) and I’m excited to scoop for everyone in the Wesley Chapel community.”

The new Ice Dreammm Shop (6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., #101) is open every day 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (& until 10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat.). For info, visit icedreammmshop.com or call (813) 586-3767. — GN

Congrats To Our SVB Contest Winner!
Congratulations to the super-excited winner of our Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Tennis & Wellness Center contest winner — Jennifer Pedraza of Avalon Park West! 

When she picked up her prize package valued at more than $500 at our office, Jennifer told us that she’s been wanting to “check out the new tennis center in our community.”

She also was thrilled that, in addition to winning a 60-minute massage and a 25-minute Salt Room session, plus brunch for two at the Vesh Bistro (that we reviewed in our last issue) and an SVB “swag bag” (which included an SVB logo mask, Mahala cup, lipstick, sunstick, black cup & borosilicate verre water bottle) for herself, she was happiest to receive one week of Recreational Kids Summer Camp for her son.

If you didn’t win the contest, check out all there is to offer at the SVB Tennis & Wellness Center, located less than 20 minutes from most of Wesley Chapel (at 6585 Simons Rd. in Zephyrhills) — from the amazing variety of tennis courts, to the padel and pickleball courts and the delicious Vesh Bistro for breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch or dinner.  

For more info, call (813) 361-6660 or visit SVBTennisCenter.com. — GN 

Coming Soon!
Although we still don’t know exactly when it is expected to open, the Miller’s Ale House to be located on the south side of S.R. 54, across the Wesley Chapel Blvd. Extension from Aldi, the Tidal Wave Car Wash & and the soon-to-open Zaxby’s chicken restaurant, has now gone vertical. We’ll keep you posted with any news we receive about the new Ale House. — GN

Lima Peruvian Cuisine Celebrates One Year With New Menu Items!

I remember very clearly  when I first met Oscar Escudero, the owner of Lima Rotisserie Chicken & Peruvian Cuisine in the New Tampa Center plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

It was when Oscar opened, only a couple of weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the world in March of 2020. We wondered together not just if, but also how long, the pandemic would affect his new eatery.

Needless to say, it wasn’t an ideal time to open a new restaurant. But, while Lima is a true sit-down restaurant, it also adapted very well to take-out (and delivery) only and, while it’s been a rough 15 months, Lima has weathered the storm, thanks to its outstanding food and an owner committed to success.

When I did my first review of Lima, I mentioned that Peruvian food has long been considered the best of the Latin cuisines and was actually named the #1 cuisine in the entire world by Bloomberg.com in 2017.

But, whether Peruvian food is already among your favorites or you’ve never previously tried it before, you owe it to yourself to give Lima a try.

  • Whole chicken
  • Tllarin Sal Tado de Pollo
  • Salad
  • Pescado a La Chorrillana
  • Pascado a la Macho
  • Jalea
  • Ceviche de Pescado

When you walk into Lima, the heady aroma of Peruvian-spiced rotisserie chicken immediately lets you know you’re in for a delicious meal. But, while the crispy skin and moist, delicious chicken is hard to resist, it’s far from the only reason to visit Oscar’s place. Last year, I told you about the Conchitas Parmesana (baked scallops on the half-shell, topped with butter and parmesan cheese) and the perfect fresh fish Ceviche de Pescado appetizers (there also is a fish ceviche served with a trio of sauces, and a shrimp, mussels and calamari ceviche, too), as well as the Lomo Saltado Lima, which is hearty beef tenderloin tips wok-sautéed with spices, sliced onions, fresh tomato wedges, cilantro and a touch of soy sauce and vinegar, served over a bed of crispy French fries.

Speaking of wok-sautĂ©eing, I also mentioned that I was surprised that Peruvian cuisine was heavily influenced by the Chinese engineers and builders who came across the Pacific and settled in Peru to help build the railroad that went from the desert coast of Lima on the Pacific Ocean to and through the Andes mountains that divide the north from the south of the west coast South American country. 

Among the wok-sautéed dishes available at Lima include the “lo mein”-style Tallarin Saltado de Pollo that features pulled “a la brasa” (rotisserie) chicken (although you also can have it with steak or seafood), with sliced onions, tomatoes and cilantro, blended with delicious lo mein noodles, soy sauce and vinegar. The fried rice has scallions, egg and a distinctively nutty taste and is topped with everything from chicken and crispy noodles to the Arroz con Mariscos (seasoned rice topped with mixed seafood — shrimp, clams, calamari and mussels).

Speaking Of Seafood… 

As you long-time readers know, I’m highly allergic to shrimp, mussels and lobster, so I can’t indulge in many of the newer seafood dishes on Lima’s menu. However, since my last review of Lima in these pages, I have found at least one new favorite — the Pescado a la Chorillano (fresh snapper or basa fillet, lightly fried and topped with sautĂ©ed onions, tomatoes, cilantro, spices and a splash of wine) shown in the top left photo on the previous page. 

However, in addition to the new fish dish I love, Oscar says the pandemic caused him to add some new menu items to make sure he utilized all of the seafood he already was ordering, so I had photographer Charmaine George, who took the pictures on both of these pages, sample Oscar’s other new seafood options on the menu.

Among those are the Jalea, which is breaded and seasoned seafood deep-fried and topped with Peruvian salsa, and the Pescado a la Macho, which includes a mix of seafood atop a breaded filet of fish sautéed in a creamy yellow pepper/wine sauce. Charmaine and another patron at Lima the day we shot most of these photos gave enthusiastic thumbs-up to all of these dishes.

Lima also features Cusquena Peruvian and other domestic and imported beers, plus delicious soups, salads and chicken and beef tenderloin sandwiches, as well as sides of yuca, tostones (fried plantain slices) and some of the tastiest black beans and rice I’ve ever tasted.

Lima Rotisserie Chicken & Peruvian Cuisine (19062 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) opens every day at 11:30 a.m. and stays open until 7 p.m. on Sun., 8 p.m. Tues.-Thur., and until 9 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. For more info, call (813) 304-0205, visit LimaTampa.com or see their ad in our latest issue for a great 15%-off coupon!

Pick Of The Week: Falabella Family Bistro!

Chicken Parmigiana

Congratulations to Steve and Micaela Falabella and their entire family and staff on the opening of the amazing Falabella Family Bistro, located at 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd. in the Village at The Grove plaza in Wesley Chapel!

Steve, who also owns 900Âş Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass, also is looking forward to the opening of his second 900Âş Woodfired location in The Grove, right next to his family’s “delicioso” new Italian bistro. 

The Bistro is a casually elegant new place for tasty — and affordable — Italian favorites using the Falabella family’s recipes from both New York (where Steve grew up) and Milan, Italy.

Also offering beer, wine, wine cocktails and espresso drinks, Falabella Family Bistro has everything from small plates like bruschetta and chicken parmigiana to full-sized entrées like a savory vongole (spaghetti with white clam sauce) to items like true Italian-style lasagne (with bechamel sauce instead of ricotta), Sam’s meatballs, antipasto boards (shaped like Italy), gnocchi, sausage & peppers heros, pressed panini sandwiches and more.

Best of all, almost all of the items on the menu are only $8.95-$14.95 (with only the large-size antipasto board costing more).

Top it all off with house-made desserts like tiramisu, NY cheesecake and a perfect cappuccino and you’ll become a regular at the Bistro.

Falabella Family Bistro is open every day, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Sat.-Sun.). For more information, call (813) 428-6957 or visit FalabellaBistro.com. — GN

Nibbles & Bytes!

Have You Seen Our Latest Dining Videos?
If you’re looking for updates on all of the new restaurants in Wesley Chapel (and New Tampa — and even beyond), look no further than our “Neighborhood News” page on Facebook. 

Because so many new eateries keep opening in our distribution areas, we have increased the number of dining-oriented videos we’ve been releasing, including my latest “Neighborhood Dining News” segment, which was shot at the getting-ready-to-open Falabella Family Bistro, but also includes sneak peeks at the coming-soon Ice Dreammm Shop and Bluefin Sushi, plus food pics from the now-open Omnivorous kitchen inside Double Branch Artisanal Ales. All of these newcomers are located in the ever-expanding Village at The Grove, but there also are updates on the new Token Ramen at the Shops at Wiregrass, as well as from the new Señor Tequila (see story, left) in the former Bonefish Grill location on BBD.

Another well-received recent dining video was a look at the truly delicious Vesh Bistro at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, even though it’s in Zephyrhills. It’s my pleasure to keep you informed, both in print and online, about all of these new places because I truly love sampling them — almost always on my own nickel.

Pick Of The Week: Vesh Bistro At SVB! 
I remember when I first met Mark Vesh of Vesh Catering. It was at a groundbreaking event for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and I remember being so impressed with the food being served, I asked to meet him. Since then, I have enjoyed Mark’s delicious finger foods at any number of local events, but until recently, I had never had a complete meal created by him and his staff.

And, to date, I have not been disappointed. From appetizers like the ahi tuna bruschetta and specialties like the cauliflower crust caprese & pesto flatbread and some of the best chicken salad in town on a baked-in-house croissant and so much more, the food at the Vesh Bistro is always on-point. There’s even an all-you-care-to-eat Sunday brunch buffet with an omelet station, perfect candied bacon and a rotating menu of lunch favorites.

The Vesh Bistro is at the SVB Tennis Center (6585 Simons Rd., Zephryhills). Call (813) 517-0707, visit VeshCatering.com or watch the video on our Facebook page.

Checking Out The New Señor Tequila!
I’m pretty confident that our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page was the first to tell anyone (on May 25) about the opening of Señor Tequila in the former Bonefish Grill location in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just south of S.R. 56.

Very little seems to have been changed inside the new Mexican restaurant, the fourth link in a local chain which has existing locations on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. and in Westchase, as well as Winter Springs, and after sampling a few menu items, the food and service are both pretty good.

Jannah and I enjoyed the sizzling fajitas for two on our first visit and photographer Charmaine George and I also gave thumbs-up to the steak tacos, the steak Tampiqueño (ribeye steak grilled with onions) and the pollo ranchero (grilled chicken breast with sautéed onions, tomatoes, jalapeños and cilantro). Also try the house-made chips with semi-spicy salsa and the full liquor bar with an impressive tequila/margarita selection.

Wesley Chapel’s Señor Tequila is located at 1640 BBD Blvd. For more info, visit TheSenorTequila.com or call (813) 428-5411 & please tell them I sent you.

Batter & Dough Closes Storefront!
So, while scrolling through Facebook, I noticed that Batter & Dough, the unique dessert and breakfast place located on S.R. 56, in the same Cypressview Square plaza as Capital Tacos, announced that it had closed its storefront location to concentrate on catering. The Facebook post I saw said, “We thank you for all the memories you created with us. Words cannot express our gratitude to the love and support we have received. We have closed our location but we will continue to make large catering orders. You can contact us through IG, FB or at Thebatterandough@gmail.com.”

While I will miss their waffle ice cream sandwiches, I may have to order some of their great desserts like this Chocolatey Peanut Buttery Pie (photo) — and others — sometime soon.