Kumquat FestivalÂź Jan. 25!

By Gary Nager,

Kumquat Festival 2013
Kumquat Festival 2013

The Dade City Chamber of Commerce is proud to once again present the unique, quaint and family fun of “old Florida” during the Chamber’s 17th annual Kumquat Festival¼ on Saturday, January 25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., in historic downtown Dade City — it’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce has established a flagship event that celebrates everything that makes the Dade City area unique, while encouraging visitors to participate in the fun! Since the nearby town of St. Joseph was already known as the “Kumquat Capital of the World,” the Dade City Chamber decided that this little fruit with the funny name could be the focus of an annual festival.

Come enjoy live music, delicious food, family fun and the “little gem of the citrus industry” — the kumquat — with kumquat pies and products, arts & crafts, a great car show, a health & wellness section, children’s activities, a farmers market and much more.

For more info, call the Dade City Chamber at (352) 567-3769, visit DadeCityChamber.org

Sushi Raw Now Open In Tampa Palms!

Bang Bang Lobster Roll
Bang Bang Lobster Roll

By Gary Nager

Those of us whose offices are located in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms have been missing the original sushi restaurant in our area, Sushi Tsu, since it closed and became the new Casa Ramos Mexican Restaurant earlier this year. So, we were thrilled to hear that a new sushi place was coming to the other end of our plaza.Continue reading

Here & There, This & That

By Gary Nager

To update an item that appeared in our last issue, the new Ciccio’s Cali (17004 Palm Pointe Blvd.; 975-1222) has opened in the former World of Beer location in the Shopees at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms (behind Olive Garden). Our office sampled a few delicious items at the new Ciccio’s since it opened in December and I have to say that although there are some menu items I miss at the new Ciccio’s, the brick-oven pizzas are crisper and better, the Cali bowls and stir-fry entrĂ©es (photo below) and grilled wrap sandwiches are still awesome.

Chevrolet of Wesley Chapel (322-3441) has opened, although right now, the new dealership (which is owned by the same group that owns the Wesley Chapel Hyundai and Mazda dealerships next door) is operating out of a trailer. Sales consultant Bobby Page says that Chevrolet of Wesley Chapel’s building will open in about a year.

The Wesley Chapel Village Market (S.R. 54 at BBD) will soon be home to Stonemill Artisan Bakery & Desserts. The shop, which should be open next to Vallarta’s and Woody’s Pizza & Wings within a couple of weeks as you receive this issue, is where you can expect to find gelato, ice cream, frozen yogurt, French pastries, authentic artisan breads, great coffee and more. We’ll keep you posted.

A&A Boutique, which was owned by young sisters Amber & Allie Malott in the same plaza as The Hungry Greek and the new D’Alessio’s Ristorante on BBD in Wesley Chapel (across from the new Florida Hospital WC), has closed. The Malott twins are now only selling their original fashion designs online at TwinCollections.com.

And finally, congratulations to my fellow Wesley Chapel Rotary Club member Ben Alexander, whose company, Balloon Distractions, will appear on the smash hit ABC-TV show “Shark Tank” on Friday, January 17, 8 p.m. Ben can’t talk about how it all turned out until after the show airs, but we’ll have the complete story in an upcoming issue and on our website, NTNeighborhoodNews.com.

For info about Balloon Distractions, visit BalloonDistractions.com or call (800) 645-2114

Dolce Gelato & Crepes CafĂ© Opens In 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 here (right).

Please tell Tarek that the New Tampa Neighborhood News sent you. For more 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..