Dolce Now Open Inside Meadow Pointe!

By Gary Nager,

Even though it’s located “deep” inside the Meadow Pointe community (at 30004 County Line Rd.), I definitely think it’s worth a short drive (three easy miles from the Shops at Wiregrass mall and only two miles from Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.) to visit my friend Tarek at the decadent new Dolce Gelato & Crepes CafĂ© for mid-morning breakfast, lunch or after any meal.

Dolce, which opens every day at 9 a.m. and is open after dinner, too, has excellent desserts, including authentic Italian gelato, French crepes and Belgian waffles, plus bacon or ham, egg and cheese crepes for breakfast, a variety of Boar’s head fresh-pressed panini sandwiches for lunch, delicious coffee, tea and smoothies and more.

I’ve already sampled a pressed roast beef panini, Dolce’s “Carabanella” (caramel, banana and Nutella spread) crepe and the Butterfinger gelato-topped waffle (with chocolate topping) pictured above.

Please tell Tarek that the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News sent you and use the coupon from Dolce’s ad on page 37 of this issue to get $1 off any purchase of $4 or more. For info, call 991-0350

Wolf’s Den…Again!

By Gary Nager,

Although we told you in a recent issue that Wolf’s Den — Wesley Chapel’s Neighborhood Diner — was adding dinner hours and a full selection of BBQ favorites to its already impressive menu, Wolf’s Den (27606 S.R. 56) owner Roger Wolf has since decided to, “go back to doing what we do best — serving the best breakfast, brunch and lunch in Wesley Chapel at the best possible prices.”

And, if you’re like me (and obviously, a lot of you are, as Wolf’s Den was our readers’ second-favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel, and second favorite pizza and fourth favorite burger place in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel), you’re probably hoping that Roger will continue to serve some of his delicious dinner entrĂ©es (my favorite is his best-in-Wesley Chapel fried chicken) for lunch and takeout.

And, he’s doing just that. But now, Wolf’s Den is only open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.

“We’re still packed every day for breakfast and lunch,” Roger says, noting that he currently has pumpkin and eggnog pancakes available for the holidays. For info, call 907-9124 or see the ad on page 35.

Ciccio’s Opens In New Tampa Palms Location 

By Gary Nager,

If you’ve been salivating for the long-awaited new location of Ciccio’s California, at 17004 Palm Pointe Way (in the Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms), your wait is over. Manager Robert Garofano says the totally revamped Ciccio’s, which opened in the former World of Beer location on Dec. 10, is a fast/casual version of its previous incarnations in it’s old City Plaza location (which closed in January), with a menu that no longer has all of your favorite dishes from the original Ciccio & Tony’s and none of the menu items from The Lodge.

But, Garofano assures, the concept has been improved tremendously. For info, visit CiccioRestaurantGroup.com.

Our 2013 'Dining Survey & Contest' Results

By Gary Nager

Yes, faithful readers, this is our biggest-ever response to our annual Dining Survey & Contest, as nearly 1,200 entries poured into our offices over a three-month period. The previous record was just under 1,000 entries a couple of years ago. So, thanks to everyone who took the time to enter this year’s contest, which was not only the most difficult for us to tabulate, but also the most difficult for those who did enter to stay within the contest rules.Continue reading

Come See ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ At The Wesley Chapel WingHouse

By Gary Nager

Bartender Alex is one of two Wesley Chapel WingHouse girls selected to be featured in the 2014 WingHouse calendar
Bartender Alex is one of two Wesley Chapel WingHouse girls selected to be featured in the 2014 WingHouse calendar

It’s hard to believe it’s already been six months since the Ker’s WingHouse opened on S.R. 54 (just west of the corner of Old Pasco Rd.). Of course, the Wesley Chapel location is just one of more than 20 WingHouse restaurants in Florida, and the company itself has a 20-year history in the Tampa Bay area. Founded by former Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos offensive lineman Crawford Ker, the first WingHouse opened in Largo in 1994 and there are plans to open locations throughout the Southeast.

All WingHouse restaurants are open for lunch and dinner and feature full-service bars with a wide selection of liquor cocktails and major domestic, imported, and specialty beers. Signature items include Ker’s famous “Naked” Chicken Wings — skinless drummettes that are marinated, baked, and tossed in one of Ker’s award-winning wing sauces — and the Dallas Burger: two juicy 8 oz BBQ burgers topped with bacon.

All WingHouse locations also feature state-of-the-art TV packages for all of the big games and Pay-Per-View boxing matches and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fights.

But, of course, the main attraction at every WingHouse are the world-famous “WingHouse Girls.”

Wesley Chapel Ker’s WingHouse Naked and Blackened wings
Wesley Chapel Ker’s WingHouse Naked and Blackened wings

The girls are the foundation of Ker’s concept. These “ultimate girls next door” wait tables, tend bar, work as hostesses, participate in brand promotions and are the company’s cheerleaders — and the primary reason the Wesley Chapel and other locations are all so popular. Wesley Chapel general manager Tony Santos promises that his WingHouse girls are always attractive, polite and provide great service, positive attitudes and pretty smiles — all to encourage guests to make frequent visits and become loyal customers.

Every month or so, each WingHouse has certain days called “Dress to Impress,” where the girls wear special outfitts or costumes. The two most recent were the always-fun Halloween and Military days in October and November, respectively. The next “Dress to Impress” will feature the girls as “Santa’s Little Helpers” on Friday, December 20, and Tony promises that although the outfits can be a little more risquĂ© at other locations, “We usually have the girls tone it down a little for this location, because we get so many families here.”

And, with so many beautiful young women working at all of the WingHouse locations, the company puts out an awesome yearly calendar (buy yours at the Wesley Chapel location), which for 2014 features two of your Wesley Chapel WingHouse girls — Alex (photo left) and Skyla.

But of course, this is still mainly a dining review and I’m definitely a fan of not only WingHouse’s aforementioned “naked” wings (I prefer the medium Buffalo-style, blackened and Asian versions), but also of the huge “Grouper’s Teammate” and mahi-mahi sandwiches, which I prefer grilled or blackened with a side of WingHouse’s perfectly spicy red cocktail sauce.

Wesley Chapel Ker’s WingHouse “Grouper’s Teammate” sandwich.
Wesley Chapel Ker’s WingHouse “Grouper’s Teammate” sandwich.

I also have enjoyed some of the WingHouse’s great daily lunch (served 11 a.m.-4 p.m.) specials, including Monday’s meatball sub, the hot ham & cheese sandwich on Thursday and fried fish & chips on Friday.

I’m also partial to the regular WingHouse burger, although there are some options that I’ve heard people rave about, including the mushroom Swiss burger. I also have had no problem devouring any of the four wrap sandwiches on WingHouse’s menu, although my favorite is the big Philly cheesesteak wrap. I’ve never sampled WingHouse’s Texas chili or chicken and sausage gumbo, but I do enjoy the zesty chicken tortilla soup. And, WingHouse’s salads are fresh, huge and share-able. There’s even a great kids menu and desserts like New York-style cheesecake, Key lime pie and ice cream.

For more info about the Wesley Chapel Ker’s WingHouse (5510 Post Oak Blvd.), call 428-7157, see the ad on page 30 for great coupon specials (including a buy-one-16-oz.-draft-beer-&-get-the-second-one-free and a buy-six- lunches-get-the-seventh-lunch-free special) or visit WingHouse.com. And, please tell Tony and the girls we sent you.