Florida RV SuperShow At The Fairgrounds Jan. 15-19

By Gary Nager

If you’ve ever even thought about taking a cross-country trip or taking a year off to travel, you should definitely visit the 2014 Florida RV SuperShow, the signature annual event of the Florida RV (Recreational Vehicle) Trade Association which has been helping RV dealers throughout Florida since 1979. The SuperShow — the largest RV show in the U.S. — will be held Wednesday-Sunday, January 15-19, at the Florida State Fairgrounds off I-4 at U.S. 301 in Tampa, minutes from New Tampa.

There will be 1,100 RVs on display (including all new 2014 models) and more than 350 booths to explore and admission is just $10 for a two-day pass (kids under 16 get in free) and seniors receive a $1 off discount on Wed. of the event.

For more info, visit FRVTA.org.

 

 

Kumquat FestivalÂź Jan. 25

Kumquat Festival 2013
Kumquat Festival 2013

By Gary Nager

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 FestivalÂź 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 a 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 information, 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.

And, I know I wasn’t the only one who was even more excited to find out that Fong, everyone’s favorite sushi chef from Sushi Tsu, was the one opening the new Sushi Raw (15311 Amberly Dr.). And, I was even more psyched to know that original Sushi Tsu owner Jay (and several other former Sushi Tsu employees) were all helping Fong so he can do what he does best — make the freshest and most creative sushi in our area.

Jay, who is now a sous chef at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in the Westshore area of Tampa, has been focusing on creating unique hot appetizers and entrĂ©es for Sushi Raw, including the amazing Crispy Lobster. Think Bonefish Grill’s Bang-Bang shrimp, only better — and with lobster.

When you visit Sushi Raw, which is open for dinner every day and for lunch every weekday, check out some of my new favorites I’ve sampled there so far — including the spicy ahi tuna poki appetizer, seared mahi-mahi sashimi and Korean-style BBQ beef, among others — and please tell Fong and the crew that we sent you.

For more info, call Sushi Raw at 977-3838, or see the ad on page 56 for a great $2 off any sushi roll coupon.

 

Vallarta’s Opens In City Plaza

By Gary Nager,

Even though Wesley Chapel has had its own Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant (in the Village Market shopping center) for years, I hope you’ll check out the new Vallartas, which opened in November in the former location of Ciccio’s Lodge (at 16023 Tampa Palms Blvd. W.) in the Publix-anchored City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center.

This newest addition to the Vallarta’s family, which includes locations in Temple Terrace and in the Wesley Chapel Village Market (among others) is perhaps the most upscale-looking of this family-owned local chain, but still delivers on the same promise of tasty Mexican fare at very fair prices.

I recently enjoyed Vallarta’s steak a la Mexicana, which is a deliciously grilled steak sautĂ©ed with fresh jalapeños, tomatoes & onions and served with rice & beans. Yum!

For info, call 978-3761 or see the Vallarta’s ad on pg. 37 for coupon offers.

Updated Dec. 14 2013

Ciccio’s To Open By Dec. 10

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 should just about be over as this issue is reaching your mailbox. Manager Robert Garofano says the totally revamped Ciccio’s, which will open in the former World of Beer location on Tuesday, December 10, will be a fast/casual version of its previous incarna- tions 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 streamlined and improved tremendously, as the Ciccio’s Restaurant Group (which also features The Lodge, Daily Eats, The Green Lemon and Ciccio’s/Water concepts) expands its presence in the Tampa Bay area, from S. Howard Ave. to St. Pete, Brandon and now back in New Tampa.

Garofano also says that the new Ciccio’s will not have a full-liquor bar (it will offer beer and wine only), but will once again be open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining.

For additional information, visit CiccioRestaurantGroup.com.