New Tampa Dining Survey Results: The Best Places For Dessert!

Naya Navas loves making carloads of kids smile. Here she is serving a chocolate ice cream Twirl with Oreos, and a Cookiewich with Reeses Pieces. 

1. Twistee Treat 
8810 New Tampa Blvd.
(321) 445-9103
TwisteeTreat.com

If you drive by New Tampa’s Twistee Treat on just about any night, you are likely to encounter an overflow line in the drive through. That’s a testament to the variety and flavors offered by the familiar “Big Ice Cream Cone” on the corner of BBD and New Tampa Blvds.

The 25-foot cone-shaped building serves up tasty ice cream on cones, in cups and between cookies (below left), to name just a few ways to enjoy it. Whatever you choose, however, seems to agree with local sweet tooths — in an area with some very good competition, Twistee Treat is No. 1 according to our readers.

Its Twirls — with the ice cream of your choice topped with more than 15 different kinds of cookies and candies of your choice — are among the most popular items.

Twistee Treat also has Waffle Tacos made to order, Cookiewiches (we got ours with Reese’s Pieces), brownie sundaes and banana splits, as well as shakes and slushies.

With the exception of cakes, if you can make it with ice cream, Twistee Treat can make it for you, with the kind of endless varieties that might also explain the long lines.

After all, a carful of kids can make choosing between nearly 30 flavors of ice cream to put on more than a half-dozen different cones with a variety of toppings an adventure, but a tasty one at that. — JCC

2. Cold Stone
17519 Preserve Walk Ln.
(813) 977-0024
ColdstoneCreamery.com/stores/21217

“Welcome to Cold Stone” might be four of the happiest words you can hear. Once inside, the ice cream parlor serves up delicious and creamy ice cream (mmmm, butter fat!) prepared with your favorite toppings (like Oreos, Kit Kats and M&Ms….or just a shmear of regular old peanut butter), on a cold stone while you watch. You can get regular ice cream flavors, but the signature creations, like a Birthday Cake Remix, Cookie Minster or Mud Pie Mojo, are the most popular way to go and perfect for any movie night at home.

And while ice cream with mix-ins is king here, Cold Stone may be almost as well known for its crazy-good ice cream cakes as well. The Cake Batter Fudge (above) or Cookie Dough Delirium might change your life.— JCC

3. Bruster’s
20303 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
(813) 907-7458
Brusters.com/newtampa

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is a long-time staple of New Tampa, having survived the Frozen Yogurt Wars of the early- to mid-2000s, and it is always among the dessert favorites in our reader survey.

Why? 

The ice cream is creamy, rich and delicious and the choices are seemingly endless. No, really, you might spend as much time choosing your ice cream as you do eating it. There are more than 30 flavors, and all kinds of ways to order — cones, shakes, sundaes, mixers, pies and on and on and…— JCC

The rest of your 2021 NT Dessert Top 10:
(4) Smallcakes
(5) The Cake Shop
(6) Grain & Berry
(7) Dunkin’
(8) You Do The Dishes
(T9) Ice SSSScreamin’ & Coffee Speaks & Tea Talks

(Updated) Crash on S.R. 56 Kills Two

Johnna (left) and Jody Seifert.

Two Wesley Chapel residents were killed Wednesday afternoon in a two-car accident on S.R. 56, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

According the the FHP report, the driver of a 2017 Nissan Rogue was traveling eastbound on S.R. 56 when it turned left at the intersection of Lajuana Blvd. It was struck by a 2017 Honda Accord driven by a 17-year-old from Wesley Chapel driving westbound.

Upon impact, the Nissan Rogue overturned. A 52-year-old man — who was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle — and a 56-year-old woman (who was wearing a seatbelt and removed from the vehicle by a passersby) suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.

The 17-year-old was wearing a seatbelt and is seriously injured.

According to a GoFundMe page set up by Mindy Gammage, those killed in the accident were Jody and Johnna Seifert, and they were the victims of “reckless street racing.” The GoFundMe page urges people to “please take two minutes to discuss with your children the dire importance of safe driving.”

The initial FHP report makes no mention of any speeding. The report does ask that any witnesses to this crash contact the FHP by calling 813-558-1800.

The GoFundMe page says the Seiferts are the parents of three children: a son, and two daughters that graduated from Wiregrass Ranch High. Johnna Seifert was the social media marketing manager at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Trinity and owned Johnna Seifert Photography, which specialized in golf events. Jody Seifert was the executive director of XUDE Hospitality, a property management company.

The Seiferts have been married 22 years.

You can donate HERE.

New Tampa Dining Survey Results: The Best Latin Restaurants!

Camila Jaramillo (left), Maria Burbano and Melissa Acosta serving up chips and salsa, the popular chicken fajitas and a steak burrito during lunch at Cantina Mexican Grill & Bar.

1. Cantina
10032 Cross Creek Blvd
(813) 406-4856

Owner Yecid Cardenas opened Cantina Mexican Grill & Bar six years ago with the idea of filling what he saw as a hole in New Tampa’s dining options with a fusion of old Mexican cuisine with what he says is “new era” Mexican cuisine. After some mixed results when he first opened, Cardenas now has achieved one of his goals:

Cantina is this year’s top choice with our readers in the Latin category of our annual survey.

Cantina rose to the top of the charts this year with an improved and packed menu, and the consistency also was much improved. Cardenas also says many more people were exposed to the restaurant (which is tucked away behind a Shell station on the corner of Cross Creek Blvd. and Kinnan St.) due to a pandemic-influenced increase in to-go orders, and more customers equaled more votes.

“We try to do the same thing every day,”  he says. “We want to be consistent. These are ‘Grandma’ flavors here, with new era fusion.”

The menu is extensive and varied. One of the stars of the menu is the 12 oz. ribeye served up a handful of different ways — you can get it topped with ranchero chile sauce or chorizo and fries, for example. The carne asada steak is another of the most popular dishes, along with the fajitas, and of course, the tacos and burritos. There are a host a seafood choices available, as well.

A bar with 12 different Mexican beers and, of course, tasty margaritas, complement your meal, which according to our readers, is the best Latin choice around. — JCC 

2. Las Palmas
6431 E County Line Rd #104
(813) 803-3903
LasPalmasLatinGrill.com

Las Palmas has now had two locations in New Tampa — three if you count the food truck it currently is operating out of after a fire late in late 2021 damaged its County Line Rd. store — and it has always remained something of an under-the-radar local favorite, thanks to its award-winning Cuban sandwiches and a variety of delicious Latin-infused pork and chicken dishes.

The roasted pork entrĂ©e is a favorite, and you can try the vaca frita, or crispy beef (although “fried cow” is the literal translation) as an entrĂ©e or in a taco. And, while owner/chef Ramses Garcia says the menu at the truck is being expanded, the sides — yellow rice, black beans, plantains, etc. — are still the perfect complements to whatever meaty dish you choose, and don’t forget a Tres Leches dessert.—JCC

3. Tijuana Flats
17501 Preserve Walk Ln #103
(813) 975-0483
TijuanaFlats.com

For a large chain, Tijuana Flats has a pretty simple recipe but is regarded for having some pretty good food. The regular burritos and dos tacos (hard or soft shell) are good, the nachos are enough for two and the chicken tinga burritios and tacos have a little extra kick. 

Speaking of a little kick, one of the fun things about Tijuana Flats is the wide variety of different salsas, which are always worth trying out and comparing.

Locals also are raving about Tijuana Flats’ new wings, available with red chili rub, “bangin’” sauce, chipotle BBQ and smack jalapeño lime varieties.

Although tucked away off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just north of I-75 in Highwoods Preserve, Tijuana Flats continues to draw a good local crowd, and is always a fun spot to be on Cinco de Mayo. — JCC 

The rest of the 2021 Latin Favorites with our readers:
(4) Chipotle
(5) Lima
(6) Don Julio
(7) Moe’s
(8) Chili’s
(9) Cross Creek Deli 

New Tampa Dining Survey Results: Your Favorite Asian/Mediterranean Restaurants!

Sean Kim serves up two of Liang’s Bistro’s most popular dishes — the sesame chicken and some cheese puffs. (Photo: Charmaine George)

1. Liang’s Bistro
17515 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
(813) 978-1225
LiangsBistroTampa.com

If you’ve never been to Liang’s Bistro, you may be the only person living in New Tampa (or Wesley Chapel, for that matter) who hasn’t. You also may be one of the few local residents who didn’t vote this year for what has been the Favorite Asian restaurant with our readers pretty much every year since it opened in North Palmas Village, in a former Burger King location off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

Liang’s features amazing appetizers like the amazing Liang’s BBQ ribs and pork-and-veggie egg rolls, but also has its fried signature entrĂ©es, Mongolian beef, Thai-style wok dishes with basil, yellow, green and red curry, and both Japanese and Vietnamese-style fried rice, as well as Chinese and Singapore-style fried rice, and Singapore and pad Thai noodle dishes.

Liang’s also offers smaller-portioned Lunch Combo specials with Sichuan, Thai curries and even Korean BBQ wok classics (with your choice of white meat chicken, beef or shrimp. There also are excellent vegetarian dishes like Thai basil tofu, Buddha’s delight with mixed veggies and more.

And yes, you can enjoy a sit-down meal at Liang’s, with beer and wine.— GN

2. Acropolis
14947 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Oak Ramble Plaza
(813) 971-1787
AcropolisTaverna.com

Although new owners Stacy Esposito and her husband Eddie Nasr probably weren’t concerned about our Reader Dining Survey when they took over the ownership and management of New Tampa’s Acropolis Greek Taverna, they were determined to return what always had been one of New Tampa’s favorites to its former glory, after dropping out of the top-10 with our readers for the first time in a decade in 2020.

Well, even though it has always been in the top-5 Greek, Mediterranean or (this year) Asian favorites, Acropolis is back, as it is back up to #5 Favorite overall with our readers, with its delicious Greek specialties, from appetizers like spanakopita (above), saganaki (flambéed cheese) and grilled octopus, to entrées like lamb lollipops, whole red snapper, Athenian fish and more.

And of course, Acropolis offers a great full liquor bar, weekend entertainment and an outdoor hookah lounge. — GN

3. Sushi Café
18051 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.
The Walk at Highwoods Preserve
(813) 977-7800

New Tampa residents who love great sushi have fewer options today than they did when Sushi Café opened several years ago, but many of you still turn to Sushi Café for great, creative and fresh sushi, plus Japanese specialties and more.

Sushi CafĂ© was not only the #3 Asian or Mediterranean restaurant in New Tampa with our readers this year, it also finished as the #8 Favorite Restaurant overall, it’s highest-ever finish in our survey.

Although I’ve never sampled the Hawaii roll pictured above, we have enjoyed everything from the unique tuna tataki to the soft shell crab roll, plus entrĂ©es like the chicken katsu, teppanyaki (although not made at your table) favorites like filet mignon and chicken and the Japanese-style fried rice.  And yes, beer, wine and hot and cold sake are served. — GN

The rest of your 2021 NT Asian/Mediterranean Top 10:
(4) Kobe
(5) Thai Lanna
(6) Little Greek
(7) Koizi
(8) Thai Ruby
(9) Michi Ramen
(10) Minerva & China Wok

Nibbles & Bites: New Restaurant on Cross Creek, and more!

The Grill At Morris Bridge Opens On CC Blvd!

For those who have been hoping for a great new restaurant to open in the location that was originally Beef O’Brady’s on Cross Creek Blvd. at Morris Bridge Rd., The Grill at Morris Bridge is off to a pretty good start since hosting its friends & family event on December 18 and opening the following day.

Yes, the location has had a couple of Italian restaurants open and close over the last couple of years, but co-owners (and brothers) Frank and James Gouveia are hoping that great food, premium liquor, an outstanding 250-bottle wine list (with some bottles only $25) and a casual, but elegant atmosphere will help The Grill succeed where those others failed.

Frank (photo) says he spent more than 20 years in the wine business, so he definitely knows how to pick great grapes, but he also is thrilled to have an outstanding Executive Chef — Daniel Friley — creating a unique menu with a great variety of starters, entrĂ©es and desserts. Both the Gouveia brothers and Friley are from Massachusetts and the menu definitely is New England-inspired.  

For example, the starters include a zesty authentic New England clam chowder and stuffed giant clams known as quahogs, plus non-New England options like excellent Chesapeake crab cakes with a roasted padron pepper remoulade, charcuterie boards and more.

We’ve also gotten to sample some great entrĂ©es, including a tender and delicious filet mignon au poivre with potatoes au gratin and fresh asparagus and a pan-seared black grouper served with herbed butter broccolini.

There’s also a 10-oz. NY strip, a blackened chicken tscoupitoulas, a grilled dry aged pork chop, fresh Atlantic salmon and more.

For dessert, try Chef Daniel’s house-made creme brulĂ©e or Key lime ginger cheesecake.

And, while Jannah says The Grill’s cosmopolitan was one of the best she’s ever had, please also check out The Grill’s outstanding fine wine selection, too. 

The Grill at Morris Bridge (10920 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open for lunch (at 11 a.m.) and dinner (until 9 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 10 p.m. on Fri.-Sat). It is open for dinner only Mon.-Tues. For more info, visit TheGrillatMorrisBridge.com or call (813) 388-5353. — GN 

Mint Cocktail Café Also Open In Palms Connection!

We first told you a couple of months ago about the Mint Cocktail Club, located in the Palms Connection plaza at 2810 E. Bearss Ave.Mint, which opened last month, is owned by Cody Jay, who also owns the Bearss Tavern & Tap in the same plaza.

Well, Mint is a beautiful, self-proclaimed  “Tropical Hideaway” with some unique drinks — many made with the variety of quality rums available, although I loved the tropical High Tide (the yellow drink in the far right pic), which is made with banana-infused bourbon, toasted coconut, pineapple and lime — and what appears to be a great “sneak preview” menu. 

Although our bartender Nia assured us that the menu will be expanded, Jannah and I really loved the queso frito appetizer, which is a lightly fried, crispy-coated Mexican cheese with guava rum and a slightly spicy papaya salsa. 

While Mint definitely caters to USF students with some free-drinks on Ladies Nights, it should also attract New Tampa adults of all ages.

For more info, visit MintTampa.com or call (813) 219-3478.— GN

Provisions Opens 2nd Location On Bearss Ave.

Congratulations to owner Dana Morris on the opening of her second location of Provisions Coffee & Kitchen (the first is in the KRATE Container Park in The Grove at Wesley Chapel) in the Palms Connection plaza at 2816 E. Bearss Ave. The new location, which opened last month, is larger and will have a slightly larger menu than the KRATE location, but you can get the tasty fried chicken biscuit sandwich above at either location. 

For more info, visit “Provisions Coffee & Kitchen” on Facebook. —  GN