Birkin’s Steak & Sushi Revamps Sushi Bar Area & Outdoor Patio! 

Owner Mark Birkin invites you to check out his Birkin’s Steakhouse & Sushi Bar on N. Florida Ave. in Lutz. 

When we first showed and told you about Birkin’s Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, located on N. Florida Ave. in Lutz (a little north of W. Bearss Ave.) back in June, the then-new restaurant’s main dining room was the main attraction — and it definitely attracted an upscale clientele that appreciated owner Mark Birkin’s selection of prime steaks and fresh sushi. 

The restaurant has done so well that Mark decided that the sushi bar side — which previously was where live music was played when the restaurant was the “LA” (Lutz-Area) Hangout (and the Twisted Rooster after that) — needed and deserved an upgrade so that his ever-growing roster of customers wouldn’t have to deal with a wait on the weekends. 

Well now, with more than 100 additional seats in a variety of both cozy four-top and larger 8-10-top booths, as well as a few large round tables, Mark and GM Doug Scagliola say the revamped Birkin’s sushi side is quickly becoming the location of choice for many of their regulars. 

“It’s only been open three or four weeks,” Mark said at our press time, “but we already have people requesting to sit in the sushi bar area.” (Note- Now that the weather is cooler, Birkin’s also-all-new, large outdoor patio with its own huge bar area, is sure to become another hotspot for his customers.) 

The guess here is that the remodeled section also will help increase sales of Birkin’s outstanding fresh sushi — from basics like California and Rainbow rolls and thick-slice tuna, yellowtail and salmon sashimi to more exotic options like Caterpillar Roll (eel roll topped with avocado and eel sauce), Giant Buda Roll (tempura shrimp with mayo, crab, smelt roe and avocado, all deep fried and topped with eel sauce and spicy mayo), to my new go-to, the Yummy Roll (with crispy baked fish, tempura crunch and roe, topped with avocado, eel sauce and spicy mayo; above photo). Birkin’s doesn’t yet have as large a variety of sushi as some Japanese restaurants, but perhaps the best thing about it is that you can still order from the restaurant’s full menu on the sushi side. 

It was Happy Hour (Wed.-Fri., 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m.) during our last visit, so Charmaine, Jannah and I shared a few of the Birkin’s Happy Hour food specials. We all loved the steak kabobs, made with filet tips and grilled onions and peppers (top photo) with house-made chimichurri sauce ($10 for two kabobs). Charmaine raved about the tangy seafood ceviche (which I couldn’t sample because it’s made with shrimp), served in a martini glass (left photo), for only $6. And, we all enjoyed the crispy potato wedges with blue or peppercorn sauce (I preferred the latter), also for $6. There’s also a Big Burger for $10 and tenderloin sliders for $12, plus Happy Hour California, spicy tuna and a couple of other rolls for just $6 each. 

I effused last time about Birkin’s 12-oz. prime filet mignon, but after seeing the 28-oz. tomahawk ribeye (right photo) come out, that will be my next dinner option. But, whether you crave starters like escargots in butter, fried lobster bites or jumbo shrimp cocktail, entrĂ©es like a Surf & Turf (8-oz. filet & lobster tail), hand-cut Chilean sea bass (below photo), grouper piccata or lollipop lamb chops, or even Italian specialties like a thick, tender chicken parmesan or ravioli with portobella mushrooms, you can’t go wrong at Birkin’s. Some entrĂ©es do include side dishes, but there also are Family Style sides like a tasty sautĂ©ed vegetable medley, mac & cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, green beans, creamed spinach and more. I think Jannah, Charmaine and I have sampled most of them and all have been yummy. 

Save room for dessert, because Birkin’s has a delicious Bailey’s Irish Cream cheesecake, an apple crumble and brownie with vanilla ice cream and more. 

And, Birkin’s definitely has your bar favorites covered before, during and after Happy Hour, when select glasses of wine, specialty drinks (including a house old fashioned and “Florida Ave.” margarita) and favorites like Tito’s, Jack Daniel’s, Four Roses, Captain Morgan and Herradura Repo tequila are all just $8. 

If you’re planning a holiday party, Birkin’s even has a private room that seats up to 24 people. 

The restaurant also will be open both Christmas Day and for New Year’s Eve, so why cook when you can make any holiday a little more special at Birkin’s? 

Birkin’s Steakhouse & Sushi Bar (16411 N. Florida Ave.) is open 3 p.m.-11:30 p.m. on Wed.; 3 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Thur.-Sat. & 3:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. on Sun. (it’s closed Mon. & Tues.). For reservations (which are suggested, but not required, except when booking a party) & more information, call (813) 374-8002 or visit BirkinsSteakhouse.com. 

Barcelona Wine Bar Is Open In South Tampa!

It’s not every day that the Neighborhood News gets invited to restaurant openings in South Tampa, but when we got invited to the official Grand Opening of the new Barcelona Wine Bar (at 2907 W. Bay to Bay Blvd.), Jannah, Charmaine, Charmaine’s boyfriend Brendan & I decided to go check it out — and what an amazing place it is! 

First of all, this location is one of only 22 Barcelona Wine Bars in eleven states (South Tampa is the only one in Florida) and it has a true South Tampa vibe and crowd and already has been packed every day since it opened. But, Barcelona is definitely worth a visit if you love an authentic, fine-dining Spanish tapas restaurant with a huge variety of options — including more veggie tapas (from charred broccolini & crispy Brussels sprouts to roasted carrots & crispy oyster mushrooms) than I’ve found anywhere else — plus charcuterie and cheese plates, paella and other large plates, an incredible wine list and a full ultra-premium liquor bar. 

Reservations are pretty much a must, but after sampling a large portion of the tapas menu and the Paella Salvaje (Brarcelona’s all-meat paella with sausage, chicken, chorizo, pork belly, short rib & chickpeas), I can assure you that Barcelona will not disappoint! For reservations, call (813) 722-0202 or visit BarcelonaWineBar.com. For a full rundown of our first visit to Barcelona Wine Bar, see the Dec. 24 Wesley Chapel and Jan. 7, 2025, New Tampa editions of Neighborhood News & please tell them we sent you!

Chamber Announces Awards Finalists & Introduces New Board For 2025!

The North Tampa Bay Chamber has had a busy week. On Tuesday, the Chamber introduced its new Board of Directors for 2025. President & CEO Hope Kennedy gave Board member Jamie Hess of Computer Emergency Room her President’s Award for “all of his help with events and finding the Chamber a new office, in addition to his regular Board duties.” And, outgoing Board chair Roberto Hiller of Signarama New Tampa gave Lisa Moore his “Chairman’s Award” for her “outstanding commitment to the Board.” Also introduced on Tuesday were new Board Chair Angelique Lenox of Tampa Family Health and her entire 2025 Board:

Chair Elect Ton Benge of Benge Development

Treasurer Jamie Hess of Computer Emergency Room

Vice-Chair of Economic Development Chad Emory of Emorys Rock Realty

Vice-Chair of Membership Lisa Moore of Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel

Vice-Chair of Governmental Affairs Jennifer Batchelor of Pasco County Schools

Immediate Past Chair Roberto Hiller of Signarama New Tampa

Will Atkins of Cinn-Credible Cinnamon Packets

Tye Fowler of SGD Communications

Ryan Fink of Volkswagen of Wesley Chapel

Dr. Davina Jones of Pasco Hernando State College-Porter Campus

Justin Keeney of Fifth Third Bank

Richrd Matte of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel

Jean Carlo Penaloza of Cat’s Meow Tampa Photography

Albert Verile of Sharpline Investigations

Ralph Sevelius of Boardwalk Wealth Solutions

Chuck Sullivan of McFarland Gould Law

Troy Stevenson of Tampa Bay Mobile Billboards

Then, on Thursday, the Chamber announced its Finalists for its 2024 Celebrating Excellence Awards:

Integrity Award — Main Event Wesley Chapel, Pepin Academies & Scenthound Lutz

Collaboration Award — San Antonio Federal Credit Union, New Tampa Family YMCA & Metropolitan Ministries

Innovation Award — RP&G Printing, Outplay Marketing & Furr Wegman & Banks Architects

Inclusivity Award — Main Event Wesley Chapel, Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel & Turner Construction

The 2024 Chamber Award winners will be announced at the Chamber’s Celebrating Excellence Awards event on Tuesday, January 16, 2025, at the Pasco Hernando State College Performing Arts Center (8657 Old Pasco Rd., Wesley Chapel 33544). The cost to attend is $60 per person. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Dr. Sam Jureyda Offers Top-Notch Orthodontic Care At Radiance Orthodontics 

Dr. Sam Jureyda welcomes the local community to his Radiance Orthodontics, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, off the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. exit off I-75. (Photo provided by Dr. Jureyda) 

Two decades ago, about 85 percent of dentists owned their own practices, but times have changed drastically. 

The New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas have not escaped the national trend of more dental and orthodontic offices being owned by corporations, instead of the practitioners themselves. 

But, Sam Jureyda, DMD, says he’s not interested in selling his Radiance Orthodontics, although he frequently gets offers from corporations wanting to buy his practice. 

“Dr. J,” as his patients call him, opened Radiance Orthodontics more than eight years ago to provide orthodontic treatments for kids, teens and adults, primarily using braces and Invisalign aligners to move teeth and correct bites. The practice is located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off of the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. exit off I-75, near the New Tampa Recreation Center. 

When patients visit Radiance Orthodontics, they always see Dr. Jureyda personally. He enjoys getting to know the families who entrust their care to him, and considers his patients to be family. 

“In an era of big box stores,” Dr. Jureyda explains, “we’re still a mom-and-pop.” 

He says he wouldn’t even consider giving up the time he spends caring for each individual in his practice in order to meet the demands of corporate dentistry. 

“We value the relationship we build with our patients,” Dr. J says. 

Before moving into private practice in 2006, and subsequently opening Radiance Orthodontics in 2016, Dr. Jureyda taught graduate-level orthodontics at the University of Buffalo, NY. Prior to that, he earned a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, a Certificate of Specialty in Orthodontics from the Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, DC, and completed a clinical fellowship in Orthodontics from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Department of Orthodontics. 

His education includes years of studying facial biology and growth dynamics, and his practice has allowed him to treat all types of patients, even those with the most complicated orthodontic needs. 

He’s also pleased to have been recognized again in 2024 by Tampa Magazine as one of the Tampa Bay area’s top dentists, as voted on by dentists across the region. 

His peers have recognized that his education and experience make him one of the area’s best. 

His commitment to private practice allows him to maintain a lower volume of patients and spend more time with each person who comes in, which means that patients at Radiance Orthodontics get customized care from an orthodontist who is invested in them personally, whether they choose treatment via traditional braces or Invisalign aligners. 

“There are so many factors that go into a decision about an appliance that you may wear for 18 months or more,” says Dr. Jureyda. “I am always happy to go over all of that information so that you can make the right choice about the treatment plan that is best for you.” 

These days, general dentists are more frequently also offering aligners. But, Dr. J offers a deeper understanding of the dentofacial orthopedics involved in aligning teeth and jaws over a lifetime, whether it’s during the early years of childhood growth or even in older adults. 

Getting a second opinion from Dr. Jureyda is completely free and may provide additional avenues for treatment or a lower cost than other options. 

“We’re seeing so much inflation right now, which is stretching families,” says Dr. Jureyda. “Radiance Orthodontics is a small business and we are in touch with what’s happening in our community. We try to walk that fine line between meeting the demands of running a business and keeping our fees affordable and payments flexible for our patients.” 

He promises reasonable fees that avoid the need for coupons or complex payment structures. 

He suggests that anyone who wants to learn more about his practice search “Radiance Orthodontics” for his online Google reviews. All 160+ of the office’s reviews on Google are five stars and speak to the way Dr. J cares for his patients. 

Nicole Shuts moved to New Tampa about two years ago. Her sons already had braces, so she needed to find an orthodontist to continue their care. She says the first one she went to “didn’t feel quite right,” so she kept looking and ultimately found Radiance Orthodontics. 

“As soon as I walked in and met Dr. J, I was really impressed with his demeanor,” she says. “He’s very calm, very intelligent, he knew exactly what problems my sons were facing, and his recommendations were conservative, but on point with what we needed.” 

She says one son’s bite was really bad and his molars weren’t even touching. She wanted to bring him to Dr. Jureyda, but she also wanted to double-check her instincts, so she conferred with her son’s previous orthodontist. 

“I told her about the people we interviewed and their proposals,” Nicole explains, “and she steered me toward what I was feeling, which made me super happy because at that point I liked Dr. J already.” 

Nicole says the proof is in the results. 

“It’s a joy to me that he can chew his food better,” she says of her son. “It’s been two years and we’re very happy. We wouldn’t change anything.” 

Nicole also is happy with her other son’s treatment, and appreciates that Dr. J sees her youngest daughter every few months to see if it’s time to start treatment for her yet, as well. Those ongoing consultations are complimentary, as Dr. J keeps an eye on her growth. 

“I really appreciate that,” Nicole says. “I know he’s trustworthy and he’s not pushy.” 

Carmen Mitchell and her 15-year-old daughter, Kali, are both in treatment with Dr. Jureyda. Carmen explains she didn’t have braces as a child and her deep bite was causing breakage in her teeth. To prevent further breakage, her dentist recommended Invisalign. And although the dentist gave her a fair price for those aligners, she didn’t feel that the office was fully prepared for the details of the specialty treatment. 

But, it was totally different when she saw Dr. Jureyda for a free consultation. 

“He’s very knowledgeable and gets to know you as a patient,” she says, “and then he makes sure the service he’s providing is tailored to you.” 

When her daughter’s dentist suggested an orthodontic evaluation, she knew she would bring her to Dr. Jureyda, too. 

“I like the way he talks to her as the patient,” Carmen adds. “She’s involved in her own care, which is important.” 

Supporting The Community, Too 

As a former educator, Dr. Jureyda makes it a high priority to support students and educators in our community, and Carmen says she wants to support Radiance so he can continue to do so. 

Not only is Radiance Orthodontics a long-term business partner of all of New Tampa’s public schools (and some Wesley Chapel schools, as well), he also awards scholarships each spring to a graduating senior at both Wharton and Freedom high schools. These scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the community through volunteering. Last year, he also offered scholarships to seniors at King and Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate high schools. 

“I often recommend people go to Radiance,” Carmen says. “I tell them, ‘Go, get a quote. You’ll probably fall in love with Dr. J and the staff while you’re there.’” 

Radiance Orthodontics offers Invisalign and braces for kids, teens and adults of all ages. To schedule a free consultation, text or call (813) 972-1100. For more information about the practice, located at 17427 Bridge Hill Court, Suite A, in the Tampa Palms Professional Center or visit MyRadianceBraces.com.

Recapping The Sarah Vande Berg Foundation’s ‘Raise A Racquet’ Fund Raiser 

The 2024-25 SVB Tennis Foundation Ambassadors.

Congratulations to executive director Nick Walton and everyone involved with the Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Tennis Foundation, which hosted its 4th annual “Raise A Racquet” gala at the SVB Tennis Center (located on Simon Rd. in Zephyrhills) on Nov. 9. This year’s gala raised more than $63,000 to support the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to provide tennis racquets, lessons and the opportunity to play the sport at no cost to kids who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Among the 12 school partner programs, impacting more than 350 students, are Watergrass and New River elementary schools. 

Foundation exec. dir. Nick Walton (left) with Board chair Mike Avadikian 

The Foundation also provides opportunities for high school students to serve as the Foundation’s Ambassadors, where they are taught by adult mentors the proper way to coach younger kids. 

“By teaching our Ambassadors how to lead and coach,” Walton said, “we’re not only building skilled athletes but also role models who guide our youngest student-athletes with enthusiasm and heart.” 

Walton also noted that, thanks to the fact that the Ambassador program had more applicants than ever this year, the Foundation has added a Junior Ambassador group, “giving future leaders as young as the third grade the chance to shine.” 

Among the Foundation’s 14 Ambassadors for 2024-25 are three Wesley Chapel-area high school students — Amya Ramsey, a junior at Wesley Chapel High; Dalton O’Donovan, a freshman at the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation; and Treye Hochstetler, a junior at Kirkland Ranch Academy. 

Emily Vande Berg (left) presents the SVB Memorial Character Award to Jenna Goodman. 

The winner of this year’s Sarah Vande Berg Memorial Character Award, given each year to one of the Foundation’s Ambassadors, was Zephyrhills High senior Jenna Goodman. Jenna was presented the award by Emily Vande Berg, the sister of Sarah Vande Berg. Sarah and Emily’s father, Todd, also spoke at the event. 

Sarah, of course, was the Zephyrhills High tennis star for whom the Tennis & Wellness Center was named. She was continuing her career at the University of South Carolina Upstate when she was tragically killed at age 21 — with three other of the school’s athletes — in a car accident in 2015. 

Nearly 200 of the Foundation’s supporters attended this year’s gala, where attendees raised a provided tennis racquet during live auction “bidding” on gifts for the participating students — from $18 for one racquet for one kid up to $5,000 for 30 kids to receive 8 weeks of after-school programming at one of the Foundation’s partner schools. 

For more info about the SVB Foundation, visit SVBTennisFoundation.org. For info about the SVB Tennis Center, call (813) 361-6660 or visit SVBTennisCenter.com. — GNÂ