You may have been wondering why the Las Palmas food truck is no longer operating in the parking lot in front of the New Tampa Winn-Dixie, just south of County Line Rd. It’s because our friends Ramses and Ana Garcia are getting close to reopening their Las Palmas Latin Grill in the same brick-&-mortar space as it was previously, at 6431 County Line Rd. in the same plaza as LA Fitness and Five Guys.
Las Palmas fans know that a kitchen fire in 2021 closed the restaurant, after which, Ramses bought a food truck so he and Ana could still serve at least some of their delicious, award-winning Cuban-style fare (photos) to their loyal customer base.
And, although our Oct 17 New Tampa issue, when it hits mailboxes, will report that the revamped Las Palmas was expected to be open by the time that issue reached mailboxes in New Tampa (a little more than two years after the two-year anniversary of the fire), the revised reopening date — as reported on Ramses’ Facebook page — is now set for Tuesday, October 24.
For more info, visit LasPalmasLatinGrill.com.—GN
Kobé Japanese Steakhouse Finally Opens!
Like many of you, we have been waiting for about two years for the official word that the relocated Kobé Japanese Steakhouse would be opening in its new location at 17641 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (next to Chili’s Grill & Bar) in New Tampa, a little more than a mile south of its former location in front of the Pebble Creek Collection.
Well, our wait is over, as the new Kobé opened on Sept. 13, and it is definitely a larger, nicer location (previously occupied by two failed Mexican concepts and Romano’s Macaroni Grill before that) than its previous locale and has already been bringing in large numbers of people since that day.
The New Tampa Kobé is one of about a dozen locations owned by members of the same family in the Orlando and Tampa Bay areas.
On our first visit, Jannah and I and photographer Charmaine George and her boyfriend Brendan all sampled not only some great filet mignon, sirloin steak, chicken, shrimp and scallops on Kobé’s teppanyaki table, we also enjoyed great appetizers like pan-fried gyoza (pork dumplings), a seared tuna tataki and vegetable tempura (photo, right) — all of which were excellent. And of course, who doesn’t love fresh hibachi-grilled veggies, lo mein noodles and fried rice? Jannah also said that her “Peachy Lychee” martini from the new Kobé’s full-liquor bar was excellent.
For more info about Kobé Japanese Steakhouse’s New Tampa location, which is open for dinner only Mon.-Sat. and for lunch & dinner on Sun, call (813) 680- 5800 or visit KobeSteakhouse.com. — GN
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