By Gary Nager
If you’ve never been (or if it’s been a while since you’ve been) to City Grill — located in the Village Market plaza at the corner of S.R. 54 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. — you’ve been missing out on not only some great food but also on Wesley Chapel’s top non-smoking entertainment experience.
The former location of Winners Grill has been undergoing a transformation since new owner Eth (he goes by Eric) Thueltrouve, a native of Lyon, France, took over a few months ago. No, Eric and his crew haven’t really changed City Grill’s already delicious menu (although they have had a few menu tweaks), but with the lack of evening entertainment options available here in Wesley Chapel, Eric did see an opportunity to make City Grill the first non-smoking entertainment destination in our Wesley Chapel distribution area that isn’t located in the Shops at Wiregrass mall.
So now, there’s something fun and entertaining to do every night of the week at City Grill. It starts on Monday night, with a no-pressure open mic night for anyone who wants to sing, play an instrument or even do a little standup comedy. Tuesdays are Team Trivia nights, starting at 7 p.m., where your team can win a City Grill gift card if you can outsmart your competition.
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Wednesday and Thursday nights are now karaoke nights, with my friend Gary Carmichael of Heart & Soul Karaoke as your host. Gary, who also was the karaoke jock at our 20th anniversary party and new office Grand Opening back in March, has one of the best lists you’ll find anywhere and he always lets new singers get into the rotation quickly.
Thursday is also “Thirsty Thursday,” with select $1 shots and $1 draft beers, $6 liquor and beer pitchers, 75-cent (per piece) wings and shrimp and $1 tacos.
On Friday and Saturday nights, City Grill has been featuring popular local bands like Nune at Night, Capo 3 and others. Eric posts the upcoming bands on a chalkboard inside City Grill, or you can call for the latest schedule. And finally, Sundays are still for football fans, with great drink specials all day and evening.
In other words, it may be time to expand your horizons from the usual mall hangouts — since City Grill also features some of the best eclectic cuisine in Wesley Chapel, especially if you like fresh fish, a great steak or have a hankerin’ for some unique appetizers.
Our office’s favorite appetizer is still the decadently different Cuban Cigars, which are like Cuban sandwiches “legally rolled” with a wonton wrapper and deep fried to look like cigars. And, while I’m not the biggest fried food fan, I do also love the fried provolone appetizer, as well as the blackened wings, seared ahi tuna and the perfectly grilled Caesar salad.
Fish lovers can order a reasonably priced portion of fresh grouper ($14) or tilapia ($12) — each available in your choice of six different preparations. I have tried and enjoyed all but the styles that have shrimp, but my favorites are the Mediterranean, Tuscan and “Drunken” preparations. The Mediterranean grouper pictured above is topped with garlic, white wine and fresh tomatoes, sauteed fresh spinach and a zesty pomodoro tomato sauce. Yum!
I also love the tender, tasty hangar and “against-the-grain” flank steaks, served with either chimichurri (green), “mushrooming” or “Frenchy” sauces, especially the black peppercorn and cognac “au poivre” sauce on the Frenchy, which I almost always order on the side.
City Grill also has an outstanding variety of sandwiches. My favorites are the prime rib au jus, the thick, tasty burgers and the Reuben, although assistant editor and photographer Matt Wiley raves about the Buffalo Birdie sandwich and I’ve also heard great reviews of the Drunken Chicken and Cuban sandwiches, too.
Still looking for something else? I’ve enjoyed City Grill’s filling Shepherd’s pie and the crispy golden fish & chips.
Save room for dessert, because City Grill has you covered with decadent items like creme brulee, an old fashioned root beer float and a warm donut flambe.
Eric and his GM Rafir, who held the same position with the former owners of City Grill, often bring Fireball shots around to those who attend at night, and both enjoy singing a little karaoke themselves. Eric, who is at least 6’-4” tall, also can be found dancing on the bar when the right songs are being played. And, there’s no doubt that City Grill’s full liquor bar offers much better prices than anyplace at the mall and the atmosphere and food are top-notch.
City Grill (5429 Village Market) is open every day for lunch and dinner and stays open until at least 10 p.m. every night and until at least midnight on Fridays & Saturdays. For more info, including the entertainment schedule, call 973-9988 or visit CityGrill.us.
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