Hospital That Will One Day Be The Largest In Wesley Chapel Gets Ready To Open Apr. 21 With A Hiring Event
Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital — Opening April 21!
With everything that’s coming to Wesley Chapel this year, perhaps the biggest addition is the Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital, which has tabbed Tuesday, April 21, as its scheduled opening date.
The new hospital — the third in Wesley Chapel (AdventHealth WC and BayCare WC are the others) will open with 102 beds, with room to expand to 300 beds in the future, which would make it Wesley Chapel’s largest.
In anticipation of the hospital’s opening, Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, located less than a half-mile away from the facility, hosted a hiring event which attracted hundreds of potential employees — everyone from nurses and nursing support professionals to allied health and support staffers.
We also got to meet many of the hospital’s team leaders, including (l.-r. in the right photo) talent acquisition manager Richard Pelaia, chief nursing officer and assistant vice president Susan Dolezal, chief financial officer and assistant VP Tanya Knepp, director of human resources Jennifer Alexander and Richard Matte, the assistant VP of business development & non-clinical operations.
Charmaine also got drone photos of the cleared land for the two large medical office buildings to be built on the hospital’s campus (above left), which should begin going vertical soon.
Saturday, January 17, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. – New Tampa Jazz Nights: Chuck Redd with La Lucha. At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Catch world-renowned vibraphonist and drummer Chuck Redd, joined by “Best of the Bay” jazz trio La Lucha. Redd emerged on the jazz scene at 21 as the drummer for guitarist and bossa nova pioneer Charlie Byrd, and recorded and toured with notable artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, and more. Tickets cost $10-$35 depending upon seat selection. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit TampaJazzClub.com.
Sunday, January 18, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. – “New Tampa Unplugged: Alexis Carra.” At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Tampa native and musical theatre maven Alexis Carra returns to the “New Tampa Unplugged” stage after earning glowing praise for her heartfelt hometown performance last season. Her entertainment career has spanned from the Broadway stage (“Wicked,” “Sweet Charity” & more) to Hollywood (“Mixology,” “Two & A Half Men”). Tickets $17.50-$25 depending on seat selection. Select tickets are available for $10 through NTPAC’s Affordable Art commitment. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. Or, to purchase tickets visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events/new-tampa-unplugged-alexis-carra.
Only lasting about a year was Mo Cookies, the cookie store that replaced my beloved Urban Sweets at 5903 Goldview Pkwy., Unit #103, in the KRATE at The Grove container park in Nov. 2024.
Already claiming that spot as its own is Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake (photo, above), which has an original location on 56th St. in Temple Terrace and a newer location at 19406 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa. As we told you in Apr. 2025, “the “Twisted Rolls” at the dessert location are an Eastern European treat made of dough and sugar that is rolled around a stick and then baked in an oven until hot and semi-crispy…then dipped in a variety of glazes and rolled in one of nine different toppings. Like the other locations, the Twisted Rolls at the KRATEs also will serve ice cream, crepes, cheesecake, waffles, pancakes, coffee and smoothies. For more info, visit TwistedRollsChimneyCake.com.
What else can you say about the restaurant that has been our readers; favorite for ten years in a row and close to 20 times in its 20+ year history?
Stonewood is an elegant, upscale restaurant with a happening bar crowd and some of the best steaks and fresh seafood in our area.
The top photo is of the new grouper Giovanni, which is a limited time special that is served with a tomato cream sauce and butternut squash ravioli. Yum!
To the right is the delicious new baked brie with a raspberry glaze, fresh fruit and nuts served with crispy toasted bread. And of course, Stonewood serves some of the best prime rib (above, right) among its #1-rated steaks..
And, although Stonewood is a mini-chain, now with seven locations, we are fortunate that the chain’s executive chef Danny Manzur, who creates many of Stonewood’s seasonal dishes, is based at the Tampa Palms location. Congrats!
2. Via Italia
8644 Hunters Village Rd., The Village at Hunter’s Lake
Our readers have placed Via Italia in their top-3 in New Tampa every year since it opened, so clearly the restaurant being sold by original owner Roberto Maganuco to Sanjay Patel in early 2024 hasn’t affected what our readers think of New Tampa’s largest selection of fresh pasta dishes, like the spaghetti con zucchine e gamberetti (shrimp) shown above.
Via Italia also serves outstanding woodfired pizzas, salami and cheese platters, appetizers like four different kinds of bruschetta, two different capreses, polpetta della nonna (grandma’s meatballs), chicken wings and the suppli’ al telefono (Arborio rice croquettes with premium shredded mozzarella, hand-milled pomodoro sauce and cut basil) shown here.
Our readers were happy to see Kobe reopen in its new New Tampa location in Sept. 2023, as it was ranked #10 in our 2024 Reader Survey and shot up seven places to #3 for 2025. Serving some of the highest quality Japanese hibachi fare in our area, Kobe finished ahead of Liang’s Bistro (see below) overall with our readers for the first time, but somehow only finished 4th for “Favorite Asian Restaurant.” Go figure.
4. Fat Rabbit Pub
16029 Tampa Palms Blvd. W., City Plaza at Tampa Palms
After coming in at #5 Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa each of the last two years, Fat Rabbit moved up to #4 this year and also finished second for both Favorite Burger and Favorite Chicken in NT & WC and as the #1 Favorite Bar in NT & WC.
Our readers definitely seem to love Fat Rabbit’s food — like the Buffalo chicken sandwich shown here — and craft cocktails. Many readers rave about its wings, sliders and loaded fries and tater tots, too.
There also is now a popular second location on Main St. in downtown Sarasota.
Moving up three spots with our readers this year, Cali continues to be a consistent performer in our annual Reader Survey, thanks to its high-quality fare, like the Hot & Crunchy bowl shown here (with seared ahi tuna). Cali also features hand-tossed pizzas, small plates like garlic & lime edamame and turmeric hummus, plus “chill” salads and more.
Moving down a couple of spots with our readers this year, (perhaps due to a brief closure shortly before our voting began for health department violations), Liang’s is still the go-to Chinese and Asian fusion restaurant in New Tampa, for its outstanding appetizers like egg rolls, NY-style BBQ spareribs and the Thai coconut shrimp shown here, as well as wok-fired classics in a variety of styles — from Korean BBQ to Mongolian to Sichuan & Thai. Although we didn’t have a “Chinese” category this year, Liang’s ran away with the 2025 “Favorite Asian Restaurant” title.
Mr. Dunderbak’s has only missed being in our readers’ Top-10 Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa only a couple of times since moving from University Mall to the Oak Ramble Plaza more than 20 years ago. Its limited menu of deli sandwiches and a few German favorites, like the Jägerschnitzel shown here, continues to attract plenty of votes and its unquestionably huge beer selection and cool vibe keeps Mr. D’s high on the “Favorite Bar” list, too, despite not having full liquor.
I find it hard to believe that The Grill, which peaked at #2 Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa three years ago, has fallen as far as #8 this year. Owner Frank Gouveia and chef Mike Touranjoe continue to offer some of our area’s best steaks, fresh fish and other unique American & Italian specialties — like the pork Milanese shown here — and our readers from New England also always mention their love for its authentic “South Shore bar pizza.” The Grill also has New Tampa’s largest wine list, a happening bar scene and great craft cocktails.
It came as no surprise to yours truly that Box of Cubans was this year’s highest-rated newcomer in New Tampa. So many people have told me how much they love the authentic Cuban sandwiches and dishes like the tasty red bean chicken bowl shown here. It’s also a great place for huge Cuban breakfast sandwiches and specialties, plus some of the best café con leché in our area. If you’re one of the few locals who haven’t yet tried it, definitely go check it out & please tell them I sent you!
After barely making the Top-25 Favorites in New Tampa list in last year’s Reader Survey (it was 23rd), Acropolis jumped 13 spots to return to its usual spot among the Top-10 Favorites in New Tampa with our readers for 2025. I guess it took a year or so for the new ownership — which has beautifully redesigned and opened up the restaurant’s interior and improved on many of the traditional Acropolis favorites (like the always-yummy Athenian fish shown here) — to recapture some of the restaurant’s former customers and attract new ones.
Owner Giovanni Gocaj or Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath invites you to visit his showroom. in the SuperTarget-anchored Northwoods Plaza on BBD Blvd. (Photo by Charmaine George)
Whether you’re looking to replace your old carpeting with luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or tile, or you want to completely remodel your kitchen or bathrooms, Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath, located in the SuperTarget-anchored Northwoods shopping center on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just north of County Line Rd., is a great place to start. Owner and licensed contractor Giovanni Gocaj transformed a former flooring-only store in the same location and opened the doors to the second full-service remodeling destination for his company last year.
With roots dating back to 2004, when his father Luk opened his location in Trinity, the business officially passed to Giovanni in 2011.
“My father came from Albania 20 years ago and opened the business,” says Giovanni, adding that his father is still very much involved in the day-to-day work and continues to collaborate on all projects at both the Trinity and Wesley Chapel locations. “It’s a family thing,” says Giovanni. “Most of my crew also are family members.”
Remodeling ‘Bundles’
Giovanni’s customers often benefit from bundled pricing when opting for a full-home remodel. “A complete remodel will get a discount depending on the house size,” he says. This all-in-one pricing model simplifies the process for homeowners by bundling design, labor and materials into a single package.
The company operates without subcontractors, something Giovanni proudly emphasizes.
“Each person we employ specializes in something — flooring, kitchens, or baths — and that’s what they do every day. You’ll never get someone who was randomly hired the day before and doesn’t know what they’re doing.” This hands-on, family-led structure ensures quality control and accountability from start to finish.
The Wesley Chapel location has already attracted many loyal clients, and local awareness continues to grow. Of Giovanni’s 20 Google reviews so far, every one of them is 5 stars out of 5.
For example, in his 5-star review, customer David Paloscio wrote:
“I recently had my bathroom remodeled from Giovanni’s Flooring Kitchen & Bath and they did a wonderful job replacing the whole shower, vanity and toilet. The tiles in the shower look beautiful. The shower, toilet and sink work great and they also adjusted the flooring to fit the vanity, which also was excellent. I highly recommend this company for anyone who wants remodeling done in their home.”
The showroom reflects everything that’s trending in home design.
“Right now, it’s all about the light wood-grain colors and European oak finishes,” Giovanni explains. “We’re also seeing a move away from traditional garden tubs to sleek, free-standing bathtubs (before-&-after photos above and left).” He adds that where people used to use a lot of different colors, monochrome has become the go-to: “Now, it’s all about tone-on-tone and different shades of the same color family.”
When asked to describe the customer experience at Giovanni’s, the owner says his clientele appreciates the smooth, no-hassle process, where customers can choose all of their finishes in the showroom. Design and pricing are finalized as quickly as possible. Installation begins on schedule and the same dedicated crew works on your home until your project is completed — with no interruptions and no bouncing between jobs.
“We commit to timelines,” Giovanni says. “If we say 10 days, it will be done in 10 days.”
The company’s commitment to quality and professionalism is what sets it apart.
“You can buy the most expensive tile or cabinets out there, but if the person doing the job doesn’t know what they’re doing, you’re not going to be happy,” Giovanni says. “We don’t take those chances. We know our crew and their specialties.”
Quality Products
Giovanni’ also is proud of the quality of the products he offers.
“We carry high-end brands like engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank and top-quality tile and fixtures,” he says. “We do not carry mirrors or lights, but we help customers pick the ones they want online, and we’ll install them, too.” Both the Wesley Chapel and Trinity showrooms feature extensive sample displays, giving customers plenty of inspiration and variety.
When it comes to materials, Giovanni is selective and focused on products that last. From exotic hardwoods like Brazilian cherry and Santos mahogany to eco-friendly vinyl plank options, everything the location carries is backed by warranties and is designed to last.
Speaking of eco-friendly, Giovanni is particularly proud of his vinyl plank flooring options, which include:
• Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials, which release minimal harmful chemicals into the air.
• Phthalate-free products, avoiding synthetic chemical additives that are linked to health risks.
• California Air Resources Board (CARB)- Certified selections, which meet strict indoor air quality standards.
These choices and others highlight the company’s commitment to both health and sustainability without sacrificing performance or style.
“When you purchase the higher-end products, you may spend a little more,” Giovanni says. “For example, on a 100-square-foot bathroom, the difference between what you can buy at a big-name store and ours is about $50 to $100. But with ours, you’ll get a lifetime warranty on the materials and installation. It’s worth that few extra dollars.”
From bathrooms (before & after photos in the middle of the page) to kitchens (above), Giovanni’s can remodel your home to your exact specifications. (Photos provided by Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath)
Customer Robert Wilson agrees. In his 5-star Google review, Wilson wrote:
“My wife and I had a leak [at our home] while we were out of town. Our floors and kitchen cabinets were ruined. We stopped in to Giovanni’s just to look around. The attention and knowledge we received from Andy was very attentive and comforting at the same time. The entire process was very easy. I also want to commend their installers. They were informative and meticulous in their work. I would highly recommend this company and look forward to doing business with them in the future with our bathroom remodels.”
Meanwhile, Giovanni says he hopes to expand to four or five locations across the state.
“But, we want to grow in a way that doesn’t sacrifice quality,” he says. “Our eyes are on areas like Riverview and possibly Naples.”
He also notes that he is a licensed general contractor in the state of Florida, “while many others are only licensed and insured in the county. We can help our customers anywhere in Florida — from their design needs, to choosing the right products and completing the job. We are a one-stop shop.”
