Nibbles & Bites: Toys & More KRATE Goodies

Zen’s Toyland Opens On S.R. 56

Zen’s Toyland has opened on the north side of S.R. 56, in the former location of Mattress One, between Mellow Mushroom and Chuy’s Tex-Mex. 

This is the third Zen’s Toyland location, as the same owner has stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

The large toy store has a great selection of fun and educational toys and games, everything from Globber scooters, Brio train sets and Wild Republic plush animals to Schleich dinosaur figures (photo above), Lego blocks, Green Toys trucks and “Bubble Glob” NeeDoh and so much more.

And, if you join the Zen’s Toyland Loyalty Program, you’ll get $10 off every $100 you spend in the store!

Zen’s Toyland is open every day except Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (until 7 p.m. on Thurs. & Fri.). For more information, call (813) 949-5111, visit ZensToyalnd.com 

Check out some of the latest KRATEs

Brew Bar
La Creacion Express

Although, as we’ve been telling you, several additional former shipping containers at the KRATE Container Park are likely to open before the June 4 Grand Opening event, a couple of additional KRATEs have opened since our last issue.

I am definitely impressed with both the food and the desserts at the new La Creacion Express, which has a larger original bakery location on W. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa. The Puerto Rican cuisine items include the Tripleta sandwich (with pork, ham and steak, American cheese and mayoketchup) and tender chicken or pork skewers (I ordered the zesty barbecue sauce on the side). La Creacion also offers a variety of empanadas (beef, chicken, pizza, octopus & shrimp), as well as desserts called quesitos (flaky pastry stuffed with cream cheese). Finish it all off with a Puerto Rican Medalla Light beer.  For more info, call (813) 528-8163.

Speaking of great beers, the new Brew Bar at the KRATEs is a self-pour tap room with a rotating variety of 21 beers on tap, including locals like Big Storm Brewing Oatmeal Stout, and Tampa Bay Brewing Co. Reef Donkey, plus favorites like Stella Artois and Blue Moon, hard ciders, prosecco, red sangria, moscato and more. 

For more information, visit “Brew Bar Wesley Chapel” on Facebook. — GN

Nibbles & Bites: More Food Openings On The Way, And A Little Virtual Reality, Too!

Tessa’s Sweet KafĂ© To Replace Gu Wei!

We always love it when readers let us know when they see new businesses opening or getting ready to open, even if it’s before we’re able to get the information ourselves.

We’ve previously told you that the Gu Wei Noodle House, which didn’t stay open for very long in the former location of Sukhothai on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. at Galbraith Rd. (across from the AMC 20 movie theater), was closed permanently, but we didn’t yet have any idea of what was planned to move into that space until Josephine Quah Browne sent us the picture (far right) on one of our Facebook posts announcing that the new restaurant will be called Tessa’s Sweet KafĂ©, which (according to the sign and a couple of other posts on the “Tampa Bay Asian Foodies” Facebook page) will feature Korean Street Food, Binsgu (although some spell it Bingsoo, see near right photo) and other Korean desserts.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find out too much additional information about what the new restaurant will serve (although boba teas and Korean fried chicken were among the items mentioned) or when Tessa’s Sweet KafĂ© is expected to open, but of course, we plan to keep you posted! — GN

VR Galaxy Lounge Entertainment Venue Opens In Tampa Palms!

Talk about an idea whose time has come — the VR Galaxy Lounge has opened to rave online reviews (next to A Special Rose Florist) at 15355 Amberly Dr., in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms. 

VR Galaxy Lounge is the brainchild of three long-time “gamers” who recognized that although virtual reality gaming is readily available on peoples’ home entertainment systems, there hasn’t been a place where those gamers could go out to enjoy the ever-growing selection of VR games.

According to VRGalaxyLounge.com, three guys named Joe, Larry and Tony grew up as gamers as far back as the original 1977 Atari 2600, and have all watched the industry evolve to where Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality experiences are becoming more and more mainstream. 

“The VR industry is here and has unlimited potential. This is what drives the three of us…It is about becoming fully immersed in an experience whether that is traveling to Italy to see the Coliseum, swimming with sharks, traveling to space, meeting with co-workers or just hanging out with friends in a social environment…Our goal is to pass this experience on to all of you and bring you into the amazing and limitless world of VR.”

And, with its location in the same plaza with younger-skewing businesses like Peabody’s Billiards & Games, Crunch! Fitness and a variety of restaurants, Joe, Larry and Tony would seem to have a virtual hit on their hands. 

For more information, call (813) 374-4797. — GN

Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood To Open!

Although we still do not have confirmation as to exactly when it will open — the last we heard was late April, but we had no further updates at our press time — there’s no doubt that a lot of progress has been made at the Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood & Bar (photo above) which is getting close to moving into the former location of KobĂ© Japanese Steakhouse in the Pebble Creek Collection.

Keep checking back on our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page for the latest updates, but it looks like New Tampa will soon have a place featuring giant Alaskan king crab legs and other seafood favorites! — GN  

The Grill At Morris Bridge Making Major Menu Changes!

When The Grill at Morris Bridge opened on Cross Creek Blvd. (next to Publix) in late 2021, many locals raved about having a locally owned sit-down dinner place that wasn’t a chain. Others said it was a little pricy for what it was and some even (incorrectly, in one editor’s opinion) complained that the portions were small.

Well, owners Frank and James Gouveia heard the calls and they’ve been working with new chef Wally Dawson (who previously was the Executive Chef at Roy’s and at Lake Jovita Country Club) to revamp The Grill’s menu, reducing the prices on many menu items, adding a few new goodies and removing some items altogether. The Grill also has put additional emphasis on a great, reduced-price Bar Menu.

Frank, who spent a lot of years in the wine distribution business, also promises some lower-cost glasses and bottles of wine, and the new Happy Hour (Tuesday-Friday, all day until 6 p.m.) features a number of specially-selected bottles for just $28, as well as $4 draft beers and $5 Corazon tequila, Spring 44 (indigo) gin, Svedka vodka, Benchmark bourbon and Bacardi rum drinks.

Cacoila paprika-braised pulled pork sliders
Linguiça sausage pizza

The bar menu includes Cacoila paprika-braised pulled pork sliders, an outstanding blackened chicken sandwich (usually served with fries, but I get it with delicious sautĂ©ed broccolini), “smash” burgers and a variety of crisp-crust, oven-baked pizzas. Our new favorite of these is the slightly spicy, slightly salty linguiça sausage pizza , although the curiously named Route 140 pizza combines the same linguiça with banana peppers and onion. You also can dress up your own cheese pizza with a variety of veggies, meats and extra cheese.

There are a number of items that Frank treated me, Jannah and photographer Charmaine George to on our most recent visit — items that are so new, they hadn’t even been added to the menu at that point, but they’re awesome.

Bacon-and-parmesan-crusted mahi-mahi
Blackened shrimp fettuccine Alfredo

Mine and Jannah’s favorite was the bacon-and-parmesan-crusted mahi-mahi, served on a bed of asparagus, fried capers and roasted red potatoes, with a lemon butter sauce. The crust is thick and crispy, but not overpowering and Frank and Wally said that the mahi will cost about $22, which — take my word for it — is a bargain.

Another new entrĂ©e that Jannah and I didn’t get to sample (because of my accursed shellfish allergy) but Charmaine raved about was the blackened shrimp fettuccine Alfredo. She said the sauce, pasta and shrimp were all spot-on. Wally and Frank also promised that other new menu items will be announced shortly — possibly as soon as by the time this issue reaches your mailbox.

The only thing that could make some of our favorites at The Grill at Morris Bridge even better would be lower prices. 

Among those favorites are the most authentic-tasting Caesar salad I’ve had in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, the grilled pork chop (served with fingerling potatoes, sautĂ©ed Brussels sprouts and Romesco sauce), the 8-oz. grilled filet mignon (there’s also a tasty 12-oz NY strip and Frank says a ribeye might be added) and the chicken & broccolini (with rigatoni, diced chicken, garlic, broccolini and lemon cream sauce) and the true New England clam chowder.

Our favorite desserts are the creme brulĂ©e and the chef’s cheesecake (try either one with the perfect cappuccino or regular coffee) and The Grill also has “New Tampa’s Best Sunday Brunch” with tasty egg dishes (including a variety of Benedicts), brioche French toast and more, and the kids menu has four different items all priced at just $9.

“We don’t want The Grill to be just a ‘special occasion’ destination,” Frank says. We want it to be an affordable, family-friendly place you’ll want to visit every week.”

The Grill at Morris Bridge (10920 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open every day except Monday for lunch and dinner. For more information, call (813) 388-5353, visit TheGrillat MorrisBridge.com or search “The Grill at Morris Bridge” on Facebook.

Nibbles & Bites: Wesley Chapel’s latest

‱ In the same plaza as Blue Water Dental on S.R. 54 near Saddlebrook Resort, two restaurants are significantly closer to opening the second Wesley Chapel location for each. 

Jersey Mike’s Subs (photo right), which already has a location in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. south of S.R. 56, is nearing completion, and is now hiring, with an anticipated opening sometime in early April.

First Watch, which also already has its first location in the same plaza as Wesley Chapel’s original Jersey Mike’s, should be open later this month, possibly as early as April 24. We’ll keep you posted.

‱ We also have an update on The Living Room, the popular Dunedin restaurant and live music venue that is coming to the former location of Ciao! in the Shops at Wiregrass. 

Co-owner Zach Feinstein says that supply chain issues have delayed the opening of The Living Room (photo above) here and that it looks like the fully gutted and revamped eatery likely won’t open before sometime in June of this year. 

‱ And finally, although it’s not located in the KRATE Container Park, we wanted to congratulate Victoria and Dan Watson, the husband-and-wife team that has owned The Acting Studio since 2009 without a formal space to call their own, for the Grand Opening and North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cutting (photo, above) of their new studio and theater in The Village at The Grove (at 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 204). 

The extracurricular theater program offers opportunities for everyone from middle schoolers through adults, with a primary focus on high school-aged kids.

For more information, visit TheActingStudioTampa.com or call (813) 679-4810.  — GN

Zukku-San Sushi Owners To Open Astro Ice Cream & Ato Sushi & Poké

Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill, located on the north side of S.R. 56, just west of I-75, has been my favorite Japanese restaurant in our area since the day it opened.

I love sushi, and Zukku-San has an incredible variety of some of the best sushi in our area, but for me, it’s always been more about everything else on Zukku-San’s delicious menu that sets it apart from its competition.

Co-owner Ferdian Jap and co-owner/executive chef Gia Tran have created something special in their unassuming space next to Crumbl Cookie. And, while Zukku-San is an elegant, but still casual, sit-down restaurant with a full premium liquor bar (with craft cocktails like the lychee nut martini and coconut mojito shown center right on this page), Ferdian and Gia actually started together with more of a fast-casual pokĂ©-bowl-and-sushi-“burrito” concept in Tampa’s Armature Works, with a similar location also open in Charlotte, NC, and they are getting ready to open a similar concept called “Ato” in the KRATE Container Park at The Grove (Ferdian says Ato likely won’t open until late May or early June). 

And, since they’re obviously not busy enough with just those eateries, Ferdian and Gia also have an Astro Craft Ice Cream location in Armature Works, and plan to open a second Astro location where Great Clips closed on the north side of S.R. 56. next to Mellow Mushroom. The signage is up at the new Astro Ice Cream, but Ferdian says the new location likely won’t open until June or July (more on that below).

But, this article will focus on Zukku-San, which continues to add new favorites to my list every time I try anything new.

The Best Starters!

I have been raving about the Starters at Zukku-San from Day One, including the most perfect deep-fried gyoza (pork dumplings) with house-made Ponzu sauce, crispy vegetable spring rolls served with an amazing semi-spicy orange chili sauce, skewered traditional Japanese chicken and beef tenderloin yakitori (with fresh veggies; there’s also shrimp and veggie-only varieties) served with teriyaki sauce, steamed or garlic edamame, crispy fried Karaage chicken served with spicy mayo and a wonderful tuna tataki, plus it’s the only place I know of that serves Tempura a la Carte options.

The tempura is lightly battered and fried to golden perfection and allows you to order individual portions of your favorites.

Our most recent order (left) included four pieces each of carrots, sweet potatoes and zucchini (only $2.95 per order each), as well as a whole soft shell crab ($9.95), which was cut into bite-sized pieces for us.

Other a la carte tempura options include shrimp, tofu, broccoli, while giant squid, avocado, hamachi (yellowtail snapper) collar, asparagus, onion, red and jalapeño peppers and whole lobster tail. So good!

On our most recent visit, we also ordered the chef’s special spicy bluefin tuna chu-toro crudo, which has thin slices of bluefin tuna (which is a fattier tuna they call medium-fatty, than their regular ahi tuna tataki appetizer), topped with jalapeños and scallions in an incredible sriracha/chili-based spicy sauce. It’s also served with a side of seaweed salad.

The Best Entrées!

We’ve usually stayed pretty basic when it comes to our favorite entrĂ©es “from the Wok & Grill” at Zukku-San, but on our most recent visit, we tried three new dishes (in addition to our usual chicken fried rice) and no one was disappointed.

Grilled short ribs
Udon Noodles with fried tofu
Soy butter glazed baked salmon

My favorite was my grilled short ribs, which are marinated in Asian pear juice, grilled to perfection and served with jasmine rice and sautĂ©ed veggies. These aren’t your fall-off-the-bone short ribs; they’re more like Chinese-style BBQ spare ribs, but the flavor is definitely unique.

Photographer Charmaine George ordered the wok-fired Udon Noodles with fried tofu and we all raved about the sauce covering the chewy soft noodles, the tofu and the sautĂ©ed broccoli, onion, carrot, red peppers and zucchini. Like Zukku-San’s fried rice and wok-fired hibachi (egg) noodles, you can order them with just veggies, chicken, tenderloin steak or shrimp, too.

Of course, Jannah and I also had to bring our granddaughter Rosie with us, since Zukku-San has been her favorite restaurant since she was just over a year old. Rosie and her mom Lauren love all the starters we order (the carrots are her favorite) and the perfect California roll, but her dad Albert also raved about the soy butter glazed baked salmon entrée. Lauren also always gets a Mexican roll, with tempura shrimp, avocado, cucumber, sesame seeds, masago (fish roe) and spicy mayo.

For those who only crave sushi, try Zukku-San’s Masterpiece sushi rolls like the shrimp volcano and lobster Masterpiece roll.

Zukku-San also has a wide variety of nigiri (sliced fish on rice) and sashimi (no rice), hand rolls, as well as sushi and sashimi palettes with from 24 pieces of up to four different sashimis (for $50) up to small and large sushi palettes with as many as six Masterpiece rolls or 8 classic or hand rolls for $120.

For lunch, Zukku-San has make-your-own poké bowls with rice or mixed greens, up to two proteins (try the panko chicken and ahi tuna), up to two sauces and up to three toppings, as well as Bento Box lunches with short ribs, chicken teriyaki, shrimp tempura or sushi-only, served with ginger salad, pork gyoza and miso soup.

Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill is located at 25916 Sierra Center Blvd.) and is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner (although the lunch menu isn’t available on weekends). For more info, visit ZukkuSushi.com or call (813) 419-1351.

Astro Ice Cream Set To Open!

For those of us who love ice cream, the announcement that Zukku-San’s owners also are opening a second location of their Astro Craft Ice Cream in our area is very much welcome news.

The Armature Works location features a variety of unique flavors that, according to its website, “feature new twists of traditional flavor combinations that reflect  the diversity of our Tampa Bay community & honor its rich history.”

Ferdian says no one else has flavors like creme brulĂ©e cafĂ© con leche, whiskey cookie dough, Tampa guava cream cheese or banana pudding peanut butter cookie, Ybor spiced run toasted coconut meringue pie, or options like ice cream sandwiches made with real pressed Cuban bread from La Segunda Bakery (photo above). “The bread gets crispy and the ice cream stays cold,” says Ferdian. Wow!

Stay tuned to these pages for updated on Astro Ice Cream’s expected opening.