Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Moves To Raymond James Stadium! 

For many years, New Tampa’s annual “Relay For Life” would bounce back and forth between Freedom and Wharton high schools, raising funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. (ACS). 

Coming out of Covid, when the event had to be held virtually, organizers have had to consider new ways to make the event exciting and increasingly successful. 

Last year, New Tampa joined forces with other areas to host the North Tampa Relay For Life, and this year, North/New Tampa has combined with South Tampa, East Hillsborough, and the Fishhawk/ Bloomingdale area to form one giant event. 

Called the “Relay For Life of Greater Tampa Bay,” this year’s event will be held at Raymond James Stadium beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, carrying on throughout the night, and ending at 5 a.m. on Sunday, March 3. 

Relay for Life is always a free event to attend, where the community comes together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against this dreaded disease. 

While this year’s Relay will be a large combination of people and events that have previously taken place all over the Tampa Bay area, New Tampa still will be well represented. 

“We have 19 schools from North Tampa participating, plus businesses, churches and community partners,” says Tori Millington, one of the event leads. 

Tori is a 2017 graduate of Freedom High. She has been participating in Relay For Life since she was just a kid. It was 12 years ago when she first walked alongside her mom, Carol, whose childhood best friend was battling cancer at that time. 

“I fell in love with the event,” says Tori. “And more and more people in my life were affected by cancer.” 

Unfortunately, Carol’s best friend, Claire, ultimately lost that battle, as did Tori’s grandfather. 

Those events — and the influence of Relay For Life — have touched Tori deeply. So much so, in fact, that she is now a medical student at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, studying to be an oncologist. 

“We say we Relay for a world with more birthdays,” says Tori. “Right now cancer is a big deal and scary, and holds a lot of meaning. But one day, we’ll live in a world where cancer is in the history books.” 

She says money raised from the event not only funds research, but also services for patients, such as transportation to appointments, wigs and makeup, and even hotels for family members while they are undergoing treatment. 

“Participating in Relay has made me realize how much work needs to be done and how it takes every dollar we’re raising to help every single person along the way,” says Tori. “They don’t need to worry about treatments while they’re going through them.” 

As an undergraduate honors student at UCF, she started doing research to fight cancer in new and innovative ways. In April, she’ll present that research in San Diego, CA, at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research. 

She explains that her research looks at a molecule that has a high level of cancer cells and identifies the genes that transport it. Hopefully, this could lead to a therapeutic drug that would block the transport system, depleting the cells of that molecule. 

“I’m very proud of Tori,” says Carol. “She’s always known that she wanted to be a doctor and she’s followed through and become so involved.” 

Carol and Tori (photo, above left) emphasize that the Relay is not a race — it’s more like an all-night party. While some team members do walk the track throughout the event, for the community, it’s a free event with performances, games and food, plus a free dinner for survivors and their caregivers and a ceremony to honor those who have been lost. 

Survivors and their caregivers also walk the first lap (top photo), and a luminaria ceremony is held at 9 p.m. 

While the Relay will run all night, there are security checks as it gets later into the evening, so it’s recommended that the general public come out to experience all the fun from 3 p.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday. 

(L.-r.) Abby, Natalie & A.J. Glass at the 2023 Relay for Life at Freedom High. All photos provided to the Neighborhood News.

One of the many team members who will be out at the event is Freedom High senior A.J. Glass, who is heading up the school’s team sponsored by its Math Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta. 

Like Tori, A.J. has been involved with the event for years, first participating when he was just nine years old. 

Back then, his aunt Kimberly Gonzalez led a team of participants at Clark Elementary, so he joined her team. Now, Kimberly and A.J.’s mom, Natalie Glass, lead a team at Freedom together, and A.J. is the captain of the team.

“The event itself is so fun and exciting,” says A.J. “It really is a celebration and [the goal is] to fundraise as much as possible. It brings people back year after year. This year, being at RayJay, it will be on a much larger scale and hopefully it will be that much more fun.” 

He says that while some high school students only show up because they are looking for service hours, they can’t help but leave with an appreciation for both survivors and caregivers and a better understanding of the ultimate goal of all the fund raising. 

Relay For Life of Greater Tampa Bay is free and open to the public. For more information, visit RelayforLife.org/tampabayfl. 

Meet Award-Winning Realtor® Dee Strom Of Florida Executive Realty 

Let Realtor® Dee Strom (left) of Florida Executive Realty in Tampa Palms, who lives in New Tampa and specializes in homes in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Land O’Lakes and Odessa, help you buy or sell a home. (Photos provided by Dee Strom) 

Dee Strom, a multi-award-winning Realtor® at Florida Executive Realty (FER) in Tampa Palms since 2014, says she transitioned from hospitality management at the suggestion of her husband, Michael. She sought guidance and turned to Debbie Pearson, a friend and seasoned realtor at FER with 25 years of experience, who became her invaluable mentor. 

Dee expresses gratitude to Debbie, stating, “I have yet to work with an agent as wonderful and knowledgeable as she is. I am blessed to have learned from the best mentor and company.” 

In a unique move, Dee interviewed with FER Broker (Doug Loyd) before obtaining her real estate license and became the first agent he brought on who didn’t yet have a license. A USF business graduate, she initially entered the real estate field as, “a driven individual who saw nothing but success.” Marriage and motherhood followed, transforming Dee into one of the busiest working moms at the company. Dee commends Florida Executive Realty for its family-friendly environment, allowing children in the workplace and enabling moms like her to run successful businesses. 

Highlighting her experience and commitment, Dee asserts, “I have been a Realtor for over a decade, selling more than $20 million of real estate annually, placing me in the top 1% of the nation. My real estate business knowledge and experience put me far above most other agents.” 

In fact, Dee has been named FER’s “Agent of the year” each of the last three years. She says that building a solid relationship and chemistry with your Realtor is key in the real estate business. Both buyers and sellers should collaborate with a Realtor they genuinely connect with, like and trust. Dee’s work schedule is based on her client’s availability, not the other way around. 

“With me, you get me, and it’s a one-stop shop. As a Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LRE) member, I market my listings locally and globally and receive relocation clients who move to our local area. I also assist my clients who move out of state and refer them to a Realtor they can trust in all parts of the world.” 

What To Expect… 
Let Realtor® Dee Strom help you find the home — and the living room — of your dreams, too. 

As for what she expects the local real estate market to be like in 2024, Dee notes that recent interest rate decreases, have improved affordability for prospective buyers. She predicts an uptick in local real estate sales later in the year and a return to more moderate growth in pricing compared with the post-Covid period. Although she covers all of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, Dee says her primary focus is on New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Odessa. 

Here is one recent trend Dee has noticed: As new construction continues to grow, younger Millennial buyers are seeking homes featuring wellness amenities like lap pools and gyms, with proximity to healthy restaurants. 

She takes pride in offering clients a substantial referral network for lenders, insurance providers and vendors. 

“I always say my clients are in good hands, not only with the real estate transaction but everything in preparation before selling or purchasing their home,” Dee says. “For example, packing and moving aren’t easy, so I have them focus on that, and I take care of the rest, literally.” 

Devoted to her clients, Dee shares her husband’s favorite anecdote about her: 

“Pregnant with my first daughter, Sloane (4), I had my computer in my lap negotiating in the hospital bed. After she was born, as soon as I was released from the hospital, I asked him if it was OK to go show a property, and off I went. As you can see, I am dedicated to my clients….” 

Dee uses a restaurant analogy to describe why someone should work with an experienced, well-rounded Realtor for buying and selling. She explains that selecting the right Realtor is like choosing a steakhouse. Going to an average chain restaurant, there’s only about a 50/50 chance your steak will be cooked correctly. One time may be good, while another is an awful experience — both the meal and the customer service. 

“But, when you dine at a high-end steakhouse, like Ruth’s Chris,” she says, “the steak is perfect every single time and the customer service is always excellent. We frequent Ruth’s Chris; we have had the same server for over 10 years. Real estate, like dining out, is about developing relationships.” 

She adds, “My clients are like family! Without the proper knowledge, experience and resources, many agents out there do not know what should be known. We are working for buyers and sellers completing the largest purchase or sale of their lives.” 

Dee is proud that the majority of her business comes from repeat clients and referrals. She highlights a recent review she received out of the blue from a repeat client. 

The review said, “You will always be part of our family in the Tampa area, as everyone loves ‘Dee,’ the person and mom. I truly admire your work ethic and professionalism in handling your real estate business while juggling a growing family. You set high standards for others to emulate and follow, but only a select few can accomplish. By now, it should be paying off for you. In the business world, you are very rare… I now call it ‘The Dee Factor’ — a balanced combination of real-estate knowledge, professionalism, elegance, poise, perseverance, hard work, sales techniques, great attitude, well-spoken and charming. And, on top of that, someone who is more interested in the well-being of a satisfied customer than a simple commission check. That’s a major key to success. Well done.” 

“This is why my job is so fulfilling,” Dee says. “and I will do it a thousand times over.” 

Dee values the connections she makes with her clients, emphasizing her commitment to their lives well beyond the closing. Her overarching goal is to redefine and elevate the real estate profession and eliminate some of the horror stories of low-level representation. 

“We, Realtors, can change the public’s perception and reality of what real estate agents and brokers do for their clients to match other highly respected professions,” she says. “One client at a time.” 

Dee lives in New Tampa with her husband Michael, a Tampa Police Officer for 20 years, and daughters Sloane and Stella. When not surpassing client expectations, she and her family enjoy swimming and cooking out. 

Realtor® Dee Strom is based at Florida Executive Realty’s Tampa Palms office (15802 Amberly Dr.) For more information, visit DStrom.floridaexecutiverealty.com, search “DeeStromRealty” on Facebook, call (813) 525-7851.

Water & Traffic Highlight Viera’s Latest Town Hall Meeting In Tampa Palms! 

District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (at podium), with representatives from the Tampa Water Dept. at the Jan. 24 Town Hall meeting Viera hosted at Compton Park in Tampa Palms. (Photos by Charmaine George).

On Jan. 24, at Compton Park in Tampa Palms, District 7 Tampa City Council member and New Tampa resident Luis Viera held what he says is about his 70th Town Hall meeting in the seven years he has served on the Council, and although there were a variety of questions asked, many of his answers referred to the “current political will” in the City of Tampa. 

Viera brought along representatives from the City of Tampa Water Department, including director Rory Jones, to this latest Town Hall, to provide updates on and answer questions about the city’s current watering restrictions, the smell and taste of City of Tampa water and more. 

But, following short presentations by Viera, Jones and Water Dept. environmental specialist Julia Palaschak, the crowd of about 50 or so people asked a number of questions about parks, sidewalk cracks, funding for mass transit and other transportation projects and what Tampa is doing to bring more affordable housing within the city limits. 

In other words, it was a pretty typical Town Hall event for Viera, who started the meeting by going over his recent accomplishments in New Tampa, including getting our area $10 million worth of recreation improvements — the expansion of the New Tampa Recreation Center, the addition of the city’s first-ever All Abilities Park and the recent opening of the new City Park facility located between Freedom High and Liberty Middle School that is a partnership with the Hillsborough School District. 

Viera also discussed his intent to put a modular medical-only emergency unit in K-Bar Ranch in order to improve slow response times in the only area of New Tampa that is still growing. 

Julia Palaschak of the Tampa Water Dept. 

He also talked about his public safety master plan to study the needs and potential cost of adding more police officers and firefighters throughout the city. And, he also mentioned being happy that the resurfacing of Tampa Palms Blvd. was finally finished and that his next 33647 road resurfacing project to get done is New Tampa Blvd, in West Meadows, although he admitted that it will be hard to get that project funded without a proper revenue source. 

After his introductory message, Viera turned the floor over to Jones, who basically said he brought his team of water experts, including Palaschak, to the meeting to give a status update on the city’s new outdoor watering restrictions that went into effect on Dec. 1, 2023, which limits home irrigations to one day per week. 

Palaschak said, “The great news is that although no one wanted to go into the holiday season with a water shortage, all of you have responded and we can clearly see that our daily water use has come down. That is a very good sign to us that our customers listened to us and have done a good job of protecting the Hillsborough River and all of our water resources. And of course, you’re surrounded by such great water resources here, with all the wetlands and wellfields.” 

She added, “And of course, with El Niño being here now, this is a great time to turn your irrigation system off. But, if you’re struggling with that, I just want to tell you that one of our specialties is to come to your house. We do a very thorough job of looking at your water use history, at your property and especially, how to use your seasonal irrigation settings.” 

About Parks & Sidewalks 

Viera then turned the meeting over to questions from the audience. He mentioned that it was not intentional that all of the recent parks and recreation projects he got the city to build in New Tampa happened to be located in Tampa Palms. 

Resident Leslie Morris (in red pants) asks Councilman Viera about sidewalk cracks left behind by the contractor who resurfaced Tampa Palms Blvd. 

“I have had people in other parts of New Tampa say to me, ‘Why does Tampa Palms get everything?’ And, I’ve also had people on one side of Tampa Palms asking, ‘Why does everything go on the other side?’ But the truth is, it just happened that way, both the side of Tampa Palms that it’s all on and where all of the projects are located in New Tampa.” 

Viera also touted the completion of the Tampa Palms Blvd. resurfacing project, but at least two Tampa Palms residents mentioned that the contractor left behind a number of cracked sidewalks. 

One of those was resident Leslie Morris, who said she was told that because the sidewalks were cracked but weren’t “displaced,” there was nothing that could or would be done about the cracks. 

Viera responded that, “Unfortunately, a lot of times, contractors do shoddy work,” and although he hadn’t really heard any complaints about the Tampa Palms Blvd. project before, “Sidewalk cracks are usually the type of collateral damage you get with those types of projects.” 

On Affordable Housing 

Up next was a question about affordable housing in Tampa, to which Viera responded that, “Affordable housing is one of the biggest questions, not just in Tampa but in all of Florida. Inflation is even worse here in Florida because everybody is moving here and increasing that demand, causing an explosion of housing costs. I voted ‘No’ in City Council on rent control. I would love it if I could wave a wand and say, ‘That’s it, you’re not going to put rents up higher than this,’ but it’s not going to work. We’ve seen to it that 30% of our Tampa CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) budget goes to affordable housing. And, I’m working right now to try to get veteran housing in East Tampa and accessible housing for people with disabilities, but we also need market incentives. We never really did anything on affordable housing in the city outside of the CRA but now we’re doing that, which is a big change because we do have an affordability crisis here in Tampa.” 

On The ‘Political Will’ 

When asked about funding for things like light rail and additional police and firefighters and transportation, Viera’s response to many of the questions was that in order to fund those important public safety items, “There has to be a funding source and I don’t think that, with the kind of inflation we’ve got, that the political will is there to raise taxes to fund them.” 

One of the funding sources for transportation Viera mentioned was the twice-passed-and-twice-struck-down penny transportation sales tax. He mentioned that there currently is more than $500 million being held in Tallahassee that was raised from the first transportation tax passed by voters countywide in 2018. That tax ultimately was declared to be contrary to Florida law by the state Supreme Court, so the legislature is deciding what to do with that tax money. 

“I hope at least a portion of it will go to fund transportation projects,” Viera said. “But I’m sure there’s going to be some kind of compromise where the legislature will want to use a lot of it for tax breaks, too. But, nearly three out of every five voters in the county voted for the tax. How do we get that money back? We probably have to wait until the political climate is right.” 

Viera also said he was happy to finally get funding for his public safety master plan in this year’s budget. 

“I know we need a significant increase, for example, in the number of police officers in the city. The public safety master plan will show what our needs are for police and fire and what it will cost to fund them. Then, we have to have a very frank talk about that.” 

New Tampa Business Briefs — Checking Out What’s New & Planned In Tampa Palms! 

Research & Photos by Joel Provenzano 

A view of the pool at the New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes rental community.

Although the only community in New Tampa where significant numbers of new single-family homes are still being built is K-Bar Ranch, there also are at least three current construction projects in Tampa Palms — one with new for-rent apartment homes, while the other two are commercial sites, one being a new office building and the other a new self-storage facility. The commercial projects are both adding to the Tampa Palms Professional Center, located on Primrose Lake Cir. off Commerce Park Blvd. 

New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes 

Located across Tampa Palms Blvd. from the Emerald Pointe townhome community near Lowe’s, there is a new rental apartment community that only recently had a monument sign erected announcing that the new development is called — even though it sounds more like a description than a name — New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes. 

New Tampa Palms, which is being developed by Tampa Palms Area 3 developer Warren Kinsler (who also developed the nearby Compton Place apartments), is a gated, resort-style rental community with a total of 402 spacious one- and two-bedroom apartment residences in 17 total buildings. 

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom “Palm Springs” model apartments at New Tampa Palms are all 1,264 sq. ft., and currently range in price from $1,705-$1,845 per month, depending upon location. 

The new monument-style sign at the entrance to that community. 

There also is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom “Palm Bay” model that offers 1,333 sq. ft. of living space currently ranging in price from $1,805-$2,245 per month, as well as two different two-bedroom, two-bath apartments — the “Palm Shores” model (1,409 sq. ft.), with rents now ranging between $1,905-$2,025 per month, and the “Palm Gardens” model (1,571 sq. ft.), with rents currently between $2,205-$2,325 per month. 

The rents for all of these different units currently are either $1.35 or $1.40 per sq. ft. and every unit has a patio or balcony with extra storage space, and ceiling heights of 9-16 feet. The residences feature gourmet kitchens with rich, dark wood custom cabinetry, granite countertops, gooseneck faucets, breakfast bars and pantries, walk-in closets and laundry rooms with full-size washers and dryers in every home. 

The community also offers a clubhouse, resident lounge, catering kitchen and fitness center, as well as a luxurious swimming pool (top photo), sundeck, veranda, pergola, al fresco dining and outdoor lounge areas with firepits. There also is a private community lake that offers nature trails, a walking path and a spectacular centerpiece fountain. New Tampa Palms also provides convenient resident parking with EV charging stations and is pet-friendly with a dedicated dog run. 

The community is expected to begin leasing and providing tours for prospective tenants either as you’re receiving this issue or shortly thereafter and the leasing agent we spoke with said that tenants could begin moving into the first two completed buildings by the middle of this month. In addition, for a limited time, New Tampa Palms is offering both one month free on a 13-month lease, plus a $1,000 move-in credit. Also remember to ask for the community’s special offer for first responders, active military, veterans and health care professionals. 

For leasing and more information, call (813) 513-1548 or visit RentNewTampaPalmsFL.com. 

Medical Office & Self-Storage 
The location (in yellow) of the planned self-storage facility in the Tampa Palms Professional Center on Primrose Lake Cir.

The Tampa Palms Professional Center, a large, multi-building complex located off Commerce Park Blvd., across from the New Tampa Recreation Center, Freedom High and Liberty Middle School, has been around for more than a dozen years, but still continues to occasionally add more along Primrose Lake Cir. (named for the Primrose School of Tampa Palms at the northern end of the complex), including a new self-storage facility located near both the Primrose School and the Discovery Village assisted living facility (see map right). 

Tampa Palms Professional Center developer Garrison (Gar) Urette says that the proposed three-story, 105,726-sq.ft. self storage building with 760 units has not yet pulled a permit but, on Dec. 21, requested a design exception from the City of Tampa Zoning Dept. to allow for eleven total parking spaces, rather than the 39 the city’s Land Development Code would normally require. 

We will update this story when we have additional information. 

The new 8,233-sq.-ft. medical office building (label in yellow) now under construction in the Tampa Palms Professional Center is located between the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel & The Woman’s Group on Primrose Lake Cir. 

Much further along, however, is a new 8,233 sq.-ft. medical office building to be located on Primrose Lake Cir., between the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel and the building that is home to The Woman’s Group. Although we weren’t able to reach the owner and general contractor for the project, Roberto Saez of Design & Construction Innovations, LLC, before we went to press, the permit with the City of Tampa appears to divide the building into four separate suites, each with their own entrances. 

In addition, on the title block of the site plan, one of the buildings is labeled “Derek Dental,”, but Gar Urette says he isn’t sure if the building had any officially signed tenants at our press time, so we won’t speculate as to who the tenant might be without confirmation from Saez. 

We also were told by a member of the construction crew that one of the suites may be a pharmacy for The Woman’s Group, but we had no confirmation of that as we went to press. What we did find, however, is an access agreement between the two property owners that has easement rights and shows that the building that is under construction and the Woman’s Group building will be sharing the existing parking lot. 

For more information about either of these projects or about spaces available for lease at the Tampa Palms Professional Center, call (813) 876-7697 or visit TampaPalmsCenter.com. 

Lima Peruvian Cuisine — New Specials, Same Delicious Food! 

Please tell owner Oscar Escudero that you want his new Ceviché Lima added to his regular menu, which already features favorites like the Lima Wrap sandwich (below, right) and the Tallarin Saltado de Mariscos (bottom). (All photos by Charmaine George) 

If you’ve somehow still never sampled Peruvian food — despite having an outstanding Peruvian restaurant right here on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. — I implore you to go visit Lima Rotisserie Chicken & Peruvian Cuisine in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center. 

Lima, which is owned by Oscar Escudero, who was raised in Lima, Peru, continues to add amazing new dishes, thanks to Oscar’s passion and his happy supporting cast. The food at Lima is a fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisines, since Peru is on the west coast of South America and located directly across the Pacific Ocean from China, which means that in the same place you can find several varieties of authentic Latin ceviché, you also can find wok-sautéed lo mein-style noodle and fried rice dishes. 

If that sounds too good to be true to you, trust me, it’s not. And, if that combination doesn’t make your mouth water, trust me, it should. I named Lima my Favorite Latin Restaurant in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel for 2023 because no other place in either of our areas offers a wider variety of uniquely spiced and tasty dishes. And, feel free to research why Peruvian food has been named as the best Latin American cuisine and among the favorite cuisines in the entire world by several trusted sources. 

If you like pot roast, you should definitely try Lima’s Asado de Res con Ensalada Rusa.

Speaking of unique, not only does Lima offer vinegar-and-lime-marinated ceviché options like shrimp, mussels and calamari, as well as my favorite Ceviché de Pescado (raw white meat fish), Oscar recently added — as a special only, at least for now — his own twist on the classic dish that he calls Ceviché Lima, which adds a savory golden pepper sauce to the fish and two types of corn kernels, as well as a generous helping of flash-fried calamari. The sauce is so delicious that not only does it give the ceviché itself a delightfully different flavor, with just a hint of spice, it also may be the best dipping sauce for fried calamari I’ve ever tasted. I told Oscar that I would tell my readers to ask — no, make that demand — that he add Ceviché Lima to the regular menu, so please feel free to do just that! 

Speaking of new specials that definitely should be added to Lima’s regular menu, Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I also got to sample Oscar’s Asado de Res con Ensalada Rusa, which is slow-cooked-to-incredibly-tender beef tenderloin in a brown gravy of its own juices, with a side of Russian-inspired potato-and-beet salad. Jannah, who saw the purple color of this entrée’s side dish and immediately thought she wouldn’t like it, said the beef tenderloin was better than my mom’s brisket (pot roast) recipe, which might have started an argument between us if I didn’t kind of agree with her! And, although my wife didn’t love the beet-and-potato salad, Charmaine and I agreed it was pretty delicious, too. Feel free to also beg Oscar to add this one to the menu. 

Other dishes that aren’t new to the menu that we sampled for the first time on our most recent visit include the Lima Wrap sandwich, which is a tasty chicken salad wrap that adds small tomato wedges and cilantro, which gives the chicken salad an unusual zing. The fries were a perfect complement, even though I would order them extra crispy next time. But, since we had some of the Ceviché Lima sauce left over, we all dipped a lot of the fries in both that sauce and the gravy from the Asado dish until all of the fries were gone. Yum! 

And, although the Tallarin Saltado de Pollo (flamed diced chicken breast with sliced onions, tomatoes, scallions, julienned peppers and cilantro blended with pasta and Peruvian-style soy sauce) is still Jannah’s favorite dish at Lima, she and Charmaine both also raved about their first sampling of the Tallarin Saltado de Mariscos, which is the same dish, but with shrimp, calamari, mussels and clams, instead of chicken. And, although I couldn’t sample it because of my hated shellfish allergy (I could eat the calamari and clams, but not in the same dish as the shrimp and mussels), Charmaine said that all of the seafood was cooked to perfection and the flavors all blended amazingly well together. There also is a Tallarin de Carne, which replaces the chicken or seafood with tenderloin tips that I also love. 

Tallarin Saltado de Mariscos.

Similar wok-sautéed style dishes also are available without the pasta — replaced by sides of both white rice and French fries — in Lima’s Lomo Saltado, as well as in Oscar’s Arroz Chaufa (fried rice) with the same protein options as the Tallarin and Lomo Saltado. These also are excellent, but there’s just something about the way the pasta blends with the Peruvian soy sauce that makes it my preferred choice. 

And yes, Lima does feature its perfectly spiced rotisserie chicken, available as chicken-only or with side dishes that include some of the best black beans and rice in town. Other sides include pico de gallo, a zesty house salad, yuca fries and tostones (twice-fried green plantain slices). 

Other appetizers include Papa (boiled potatoes) or Yuca Huancaina (covered with cold yellow pepper cheese sauce) as well as tostones topped with chicken salad, tenderloin tips or shrimp, and choros a las Chalaca (mussels on the half shell topped with pico de gallo). There also are several soups on the menu, including Aguadito (cilantro chicken soup) and two different types of mixed seafood soups. And, there is a variety of other sandwiches, as well as a Lima Bowl (jasmine rice topped with black beans, romaine lettuce, pico de gallo and Lima chicken salad with cilantro house sauce). 

The Cake de Maracuya is light, refreshing and delicious.

Save room for dessert, too, as Lima has a number of new options we hadn’t sampled before, including the refreshing and light passion fruit Cake de Maracuya and Tres Leches de Lucian, which has hints of coffee and caramel. Kids will enjoy Lima’s chicken tenders with fries and Salchipapas, which are fries topped with diced all-beef hot dogs and a choice of sauces. Domestic and imported beer (including Peruvian Cusqueña and Sierra Andina) and sangria also are available for adults. 

Lima Peruvian Cuisine (19062 BBD Blvd.) opens every day at 11:30 a.m. and stays open until 8 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 9 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. & 7 p.m. on Sun. For more info, call (813) 304-0205, visit LimaTampa.com, or see the ad on pg. 43 for 10% off any take-out or dine-in order. Delivery also is available through DoorDash and Uber Eats.