Every year, in the issue after we report the results of our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest, I always feel compelled to give you my dining favorites, including all of the restaurants that opened in (or very near) Wesley Chapel and New Tampa the previous year.
As someone who remembers when Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Waffle House and Brewmaster’s Steakhouse (the original tenant in Vallarta’s spot in the Village Market plaza) were the only “restaurants” in Wesley Chapel outside of Saddlebrook Resort — and who has sampled every new place to eat since then — I do feel uniquely qualified to provide you with my annual list of favorites in both of our distribution areas.
And, even though quite a few new eateries opened in our distribution areas in 2021 after the reader voting ended, my top-25 “survey” lists aren’t quite as different from the readers’ lists this year as they have been in previous years, especially here in Wesley Chapel.
1 — TREBLE MAKERS
6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.
The Grove at Wesley Chapel
(813) 406-4371
Even though a number of local chain restaurants made it to my top-25 list of Gary’s Favorites in Wesley Chapel for 2021, I am still someone who most appreciates great mom-&-pop eateries. And, as someone who has been observing, enjoying and writing about the local dining scene for 28 years next month, I just have to say that of all the mom-&-pop places that have opened in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa (at least those that are still in business) since I bought the Neighborhood News in 1994, Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant truly is my #1 favorite — now for two years in a row!
In order to be at the top of my Favorites list, a restaurant has to specialize in the items that I appreciate most when Jannah and I go out to eat, whether for lunch or dinner.
First of all, we love sharing a great steak (Jannah prefers a filet, but I also love the New York strip).
Second, our favorite places always have to have great fresh fish on the menu, too. You can keep us coming back for more with grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi or the amazing wahoo bianco — it’s my favorite new dish in Wesley Chapel for 2021 — so thanks to Treble Makers Executive Chef Kevin Maggard for staying creative.
Co-owners Jamie and his brother Joe Hess and Lee Bevan also are to be commended for sticking to their guns with providing an affordable, yet upscale, fine dining experience with great food, located in Wesley Chapel proper, despite all of those chain restaurants and having to fight through the worst pandemic of all of our lifetimes.
An, while Treble Makers is still also an entertainment destination, especially on weekend evenings, you owe it to yourself to check it out during the day or any night other than Friday or Saturday, when Jamie admits that the service can be slower due to the sold-out nature of most of those dueling piano shows.
Jannah and I have enjoyed those shows, but most of the time, we just visit for a great meal. My favorite appetizers are the sesame-crusted seared ahi tuna appetizer, the potato gnocchi with smokey Alfredo sauce and the sweet & spicy fried calamari.
In addition to the delicious, tender steaks and the wahoo, our favorite entrées are the coconut curry grouper (which doesn’t really taste like curry at all; I told Kevin and Jamie they should just rename it coconut grouper), the savory penne alla vodka (to which we add the most tender grilled chicken) and my new favorite grilled double lollipop lamb chops. All are amazing.
I also really enjoy the diver scallops and bruschetta chicken entrées, but it’s hard to sample everything on the menu because we love all of these items so much. I don’t think we’ve had any of the handhelds on the menu other than the brisket/chuck blend cheeseburger and the blackened chicken sandwich, which also are among the reduced number of menu items available on the lunch menu at reduced prices. Our favorite sides are the Brussels sprouts and the garlic mashed potatoes.
In other words, Treble Makers is my back-to-back Favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel for good reason.
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner. For dinner & show reservations or more info, call (813) 406-4371 or visit TrebleMakersofWC.com. `
2 — GRILLSMITH
2000 Piazza Ave #100
The Shops at Wiregrass
(813) 907-1900
Speaking of fresh fish, Grillsmith’s “short trip” fish entrée has elevated the Tampa-based mini-chain to near the top of my rankings since it was first added to the Grillsmith menu a few years ago. We’ve had everything from grouper and mahi to corvina and amberjack since then and we’ve never been served anything but nice-sized portions of fresh, delicious fish. We’re also really fond of the smashed cauliflower side, as well as the crunchy tuna appetizer, the lemon feta chicken, port wine filet and the outstanding service we always receive at the spacious bar. I also enjoy the skirt steak chimichurri entrée and the desserts, and Grillsmith currently has “Fireside Flavors” like white chicken chili and burgundy braised beef tips. The Sunday brunch menu is outstanding, too.
3 — FALABELLA FAMILY BISTRO
6027 Wesley Grove Blvd.
Suite 105
(813) 428-6957
Congrats to owner Steve Falabella, his family, GM Adrian Luna and the staff of Falabella Family Bistro, my favorite new restaurant to open in Wesley Chapel in 2021. Steve also managed to open his second local pizza place — 900º New York Pizza — adjacent to the Bistro in The Grove, all while turning the Bistro into the favorite Italian restaurant in The Chap. With delicious Italian specialties like beef short rib ragu, Sam’s meatballs and the spaghetti with white clam sauce shown above, plus amazing desserts (amazing cheesecakes, tiramisu, etc.) by Evelyn Barreno of 7 Layers Bakery, if the Bistro adds a fresh fish dish other than salmon to the regular menu (I loved the mahi-mahi special), the Bistro could move up in my ratings.
4 — ZUKKU-SAN SUSHI BAR & GRILL
25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz
(813) 419-1351
The second year of Zukku-San being open on the north side of S.R. 56 hasn’t done anything but confirm for me why we loved it so much in the first place. From the most creative and delicious sushi (try the bluefin tuna options) and the appetizers like the chicken and beef tenderloin yakitori shown above, the gyoza dumplings, Japanese spring rolls, tempura and more, to the best chicken teriyaki entrée (served with amazing fresh, sautéed veggies) and the best Japanese-style fried rice, and its full liquor bar, it should come as no surprise that Zukku-San is again my favorite Asian restaurant in Wesley Chapel. And, later this year, the owners of Zukku-San will open Ato Sushi Burritos & Poké Bowls in the KRATE Container Park at The Grove.
5 — FLORIDA AVE. BREWING CO.
2029 Arrowgrass Dr.
(813) 452-6333
Although the menu is missing some of our favorite items, what remains available at Florida Ave. Brewing Co. still keeps it near the top of my rankings. And, with the opening of what may be the largest microbrewery in Florida in 2021, Florida Ave. is only getting more popular. The restaurant’s cutely named specialty burgers are tasty, but you can still order a plain bacon cheeseburger with fresh veggies (photo) — and you won’t regret it. Florida Ave. also has crispy wings, a great chicken club sandwich and popular Korean-style bibimbap bowls (now available with a variety of protein options, from chicken and bulgogi shaved prime rib to salmon and vegan Beyond burger), plus beers, ales, hard seltzers and ciders and a full-liquor bar.
6 — NOBLE CRUST
28330 Paseo Dr.
Shops at Wiregrass
(813) 703-2602
I would be lying if I said that so many of you voting for Noble Crust in this year’s Reader Survey didn’t convince me to take Jannah there a little more often towards the end of last year. Although I enjoy a lot of Noble’ Crust’s ever-changing menu items, my favorites are still the house-made gnocchi, the unique beef and pork meatball appetizers (there’s even Impossible meatballs available now), as well as the chicken fried chicken parm (picture, right) entrées. And, I believe the fried chicken and waffles are outstanding, too. We also enjoy Noble Crust’s oven-baked pizzas, although we usually go for the entrées. We wish the bar area was a little bigger, but it offers an amazing selection of ultra-premium liquor and a great, fun vibe.
7 — BLUEFIN JAPANESE RESTAURANT
6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.
(813) 803-4709
Based on the rankings shown on this page, BlueFin was my second favorite new restaurant to open in Wesley Chapel in 2021. It also qualified as my second favorite Asian restaurant in Wesley Chapel, behind Zukku-San. And for good reason. This newcomer offers completely different takes on its large sushi and sashimi menu, and its gyoza dumplings (photo), and veggie tempura, soft shell crab, chicken teriyaki and steak fried rice are all outstanding. We also really enjoy the hibachi-style filet mignon, chicken and scallops, the fried pork or chicken katsu and the overall vibe of the place, which is located directly next door to Treble Makers in The Grove. There’s also a great variety of beer, wine and sake.
8 — OMARI’S GRILL
Lexington Oaks Golf Club
26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.
(813) 907-7270
Omari’s Grill at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club may have dropped a little in my rankings this year, but not because the quality of the food has slipped at all. The problem is that, like many restaurants nationwide, Omari’s has greatly reduced the number of choices on its menu, including several of mine and Jannah’s favorites. The good news is that you can still get co-owner/chef Anass El-Omari’s perfect grilled mahi-mahi topped with mango salsa, crispy, but tender chicken parmigiana, filet mignon with cream sauce and Cajun pasta with andouille sausage, but only as Friday night dinner specials. The burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches (photo, right), wings and salads on the regular menu are all as good as you’ll find here.
9 — TOP SHELF SPORTS LOUNGE
AdventHealth Center Ice
3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd.
(813) 953-1032
When Top Shelf first opened at what is now called AdventHealth Center Ice, it was a best-kept secret as far as being a place with great food and a rockin’ full-liquor bar scene for watching Tampa Bay Lightning games. Well, the word is out now, as Top Shelf is almost always packed, especially for Bolts games, but the food is still outstanding. Top Shelf still has some of the best wings, burgers and bar food around (you can even get delicious mixed veggies as a side), and has added new menu items like the brisket quesadilla (pictured) and ahi tuna and Havana bowls. The true Canadian-style poutines are super-popular, as are the craft beers from owner Keelan Cottle’s own 81Bay Brewing.
10 — CHUCK LAGER AMERICA’S TAVERN
2001 Piazza Ave, Suite 175
Shops at Wiregrass
(813) 820-4500
Now in its second year, it didn’t take much for this third link in a new, small chain with a menu inspired by celebrity TV chef Fabio Viviani to surpass its predecessor (Primebar) in its space at the Shops at Wiregrass. Chuck Lager is a beautiful restaurant with a great vibe and a unique menu that has caught on with locals, even though it opened deep into the pandemic. Jannah and I love the Fabio’s meatball sub and Cajun grouper taco (pictured) handhelds, as well as the chicken parmesan, pork chop Milanese and Italian steak entrées and the sautéed baby broccolini is amazing. There also are great burgers, flatbreads and salads. Try the bourbon flights, featuring everything from Redbreast to Hotel Tango. Smooth.
12 — The Hungry Greek
13 — Bonefish Grill
14 — Bubba’s 33
15 — Glory Days Grill
16 — Outback Steakhouse
17 — Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant
18 — Umu Japanese & Thai
19 — Arroy Thai
20 — Rice-n-Beans
21 — 900 Degrees Woodfired Pizza
22 — Amici Pizza
23 — Capital Tacos
24 — Texas Roadhouse
25 — Brooklyn Water Bagel
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