Taste of New Tampa rocks Tampa Palms, weather fails to dampen audience's spirit

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn enjoys a slice of Full Circle Pizza at the Taste of New Tampa.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn enjoys a slice of Full Circle Pizza at the Taste of New Tampa.

By Gary Nager |
NEW TAMPA — Although the forecast for the 20th annual Taste of New Tampa on March 24 called for about a 70-percent chance of rain — and despite winds that gusted to 30 miles per hour — the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce that co-hosted the event with the Primrose School of Tampa Palms in the adjacent Primrose Park was happy with just the few sprinkles of rain that fell throughout the day.

An estimated crowd of about 3,000 people attended this year’s Taste and got to sample cuisines from nearly 20 restaurants, several of which were awarded prizes by a panel of judges that included two personal chefs.

This year’s Taste also featured an outstanding “Battle of the Bands,” which was won by a funk-rock band called Nervous Energy, which was rewarded with a $500 cash prize.

Taste of Tampa screen shot
Click the above image to view our video coverage of the event on YouTube.

The event also was visited by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who sampled some of the food and also touted the city’s new New Tampa Blvd. Gateway Bridge, which literally let people cut their travel time to the Taste in half. ‹‹The Primrose School also offered a great play area for the kids in attendance.

The park proved to be an outstanding location.

For more info about this year’s Taste, watch our YouTube Taste wrap-up video.

Nibbles & Bytes: Happy Cow Grand Opening!

A little north of the Pasco County line, at 1646 BBD, next to the Bonefish Grill in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza, Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet & Gelato will celebrate its Grand Opening on Friday, May 10, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Co-owner/GM and Wesley Chapel resident Ray Perez says there will be plenty of free yogurt, sorbet and soft-serve gelato samples given away (while supplies last) that day, as well as prizes (restrictions apply) and even balloon animals. And, the first 100 customers that day will receive a 20-percent discount. The store, which is expected to open a few days before the Grand Opening, also will offer 60 toppings and sauces, as well as fresh-baked cookies and brownies.

For additional information, visit Facebook.com/Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt or call 531-5421.

 

Nibbles & Bytes: CafĂ© Olé’s Busy May!

As if being one of the last true sit-down, non-chain fine dining restaurants in New Tampa isn’t enough, if you’ve never been to CafĂ© OlĂ© (10020 Cross Creek Blvd., also in the Cross Creek Center), or it’s been a while you’ve been, you owe it to yourself to visit this outstanding “Taste of the Mediterranean” restaurant this month.Continue reading

Nibbles & Bytes: AliBaba Hookah Lounge To Open In Cross Creek Center

For those of you already “hooked” on the whole hookah water pipe flavored tobacco craze and those who have heard about it but never tried it, the AliBaba Hookah Lounge (10038 Cross Creek Blvd., in the Cross Creek Center plaza), which is set to open by around May 1 in the Cross Creek Center plaza, is the place for you. AliBaba will have about a dozen tables, lots of hookah pipes and flavored (all legal) tobaccos, plus a variety of coffee and other beverages, sandwiches, desserts and more (but no beer, wine or alcohol).

For more info, call 991-1216.