Stonewood Is Again Our Readers’ Favorite Restaurant In New Tampa!

Tampa Palms Staple Stretches Streak To 10 Years In A Row! Noble Crust Regains #1 Spot In Wesley Chapel! 

 The thing that’s perhaps most amazing to me about Stonewood Grill & Tavern’s 10-year run as the #1 Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa is more than just the delicious food, the always-happening bar or even the amazing people who work there (photo) — although all of that is true. 

As the person who tabulates our readers’ votes every year for the Dining Survey & Contest, the thing that always stuns me is that not only has Stonewood always received the most first-place votes, it also regularly receives the most 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th-place votes, too. And, no matter which other excellent local restaurants finish 2nd and 3rd each year, whether you count total votes or use my point system to score the results, Stonewood has still come out ahead by a wide margin. 

In other words, our readers have loved the place since it opened and, every year, people who never participated in our annual Reader Survey before, as well as many of the newcomers to our area, hear about Stonewood’s quality from their friends, try it for themselves and agree that it’s the best or at least one of the best restaurants in our area. 

And yes, that starts with both the food and the people. Executive Chef Danny Manzur (far left in photo) and operating partner Dennis Diaz (far right) bring not only years of experience to the Tampa Palms Stonewood, but also a shared understanding of how to manage people. 

For example, when I told Dennis that Stonewood had won again this year and that we needed to take pictures of at least him and his top management, he turned it into a previously unplanned pre-holiday breakfast party for his entire appreciative staff. He had them come in hours before the restaurant opened for the day and Chef Danny, kitchen manager Gary Zimmerman (2nd from right) and their kitchen staff got the grills fired up early to create three of the new dishes on the menu for our photo shoot. 

“We appreciate that the Neighborhood News readers continue to rank us #1,” Diaz told the staff before we took the photo above. “I know it’s because every one of you is just as committed to being the best as we are. And, I thank all of you for that!”


2025 Dining Survey & Contest — Your #1-#10 Favorite Restaurants In New Tampa! 

1. Stonewood Grill & Tavern 

17050 Palm Pointe Dr., Shoppes at The Pointe, Tampa Palms 

(813) 978-0388 • StonewoodGrill.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 

(813) 475-4857 • EatViaItalia.com 

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. 

3. Kobe Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse 

17641 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., North Palms Village 

(813) 680-5800 • KobeSteakhouse.com 

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 

(813) 252-3004 • FatRabbitPub.com 

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. 

5. Cali at Tampa Palms 

17004 Palm Pointe Dr., Shoppes at The Pointe 

(813) 975-1222 • EatCali.com 

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. 

6. Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine 

17515 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. 

(813) 978-1225 • LiangsBistroTampa.com 

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. 

7. Mr. Dunderbak’s Biergarten und Brauhaus 

14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Oak Ramble Plaza 

(813) 977-4104 • DunderbaksBeer.wordpress.com 


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. 

8. The Grill at Morris Bridge 

10920 Cross Creek Blvd., Cross Creek Commons 

(813) 388-5353 • TheGrillatMorrisBridge.com

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. 

9. Box of Cubans 

17512 Doña Michelle Dr. 

(813) 632-9021 • BoxofCubans.com 

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! 

10. Acropolis Greek Taverna 

14947 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Oak Ramble Plaza 

(813) 971-1787 • AcropolisTaverna.com 

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. 


2025 Dining Survey & Contest – New Tampa Top-25 

1. Stonewood Grill & Tavern (photo) 

2. Via Italia Wood Fired Pizza & Bar 

3. Kobé Japanese Steakhouse 

4. Fat Rabbit Pub 

5. Cali Tampa Palms 

6. Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine 

7. Mr. Dunderbak’s Bier Garten 

8. The Grill at Morris Bridge 

9. Box of Cubans 

10. Acropolis Greek Taverna 

11. Minerva Indian Restaurant 

12. Ha Long Bay 

13. Michi Ramen 

14. Johnny C’s Italian Eatery 

15. Sushi Café 

16. Frammi American Grille & Italian Food 

17. Don Julio’s Mexican Restaurant 

18. Cantina Mexican Restaurant 

19. Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli 

20. Las Palmas Latin Grille 

21. Cappy’s Pizza 

22. Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi 

23. The Little Greek 

24. Bayscape Bistro 

25. Thai Ruby 

Stonewood Grill Hosts Its Own Celebration Of Dave Rathbun 

I remember very clearly the day Bella Brave general manager Tina Stormer called to tell me that my friend and former long-time Stonewood Grill & Tavern managing partner Dave Rathbun had passed away at the age of 69.

The first phone call I made immediately after I told Jannah was to current Stonewood Grill managing partner Dennis Diaz to ask him what, if anything, he planned to do in order to give all of Dave’s seemingly thousands of long- time customers and friends an opportunity to pay their respects and share their love for Dave.

Apparently, I wasn’t alone. When I asked Dennis how many people had called to ask him the same question, he said “Everybody! But, I don’t know his family or even how to get in touch with them.”

I didn’t either, but I found Dave’s step-daughter Emily Barreira on Facebook and told her that although I knew Bella Brava — where Dave was working the last year+ — was planning a “Celebration of Life” for him at the restaurant located off S.R. 54 near the Veterans Expy., I was concerned that most of his Stonewood customers would not be in attendance at that event.

So, I asked Emily to talk to her mom (and Dave’s truly beloved widow) Gina to see if it would be OK for me to put together a second Celebration of Life for Dave. She got back to me and said it would be fine to do that and that she and her mom would try to be there for it.

As we reported last issue, the Bella Brava event was an amazing recap of Dave’s too-short life, which also included his three brothers and two sisters and what seemed to be at least 300- 400 people — including a few of his New Tampa “peeps.” Among those in attendance were Dennis Diaz and Stonewood’s executive chef Danny Manzur. Together, we set the date for Stone- wood’s “In Remembrance of Dave” event for two weeks later — July 28 — which I announced on the front cover of our last New Tampa issue.

Although I was hoping to hold the event sometime after 5 p.m., Stonewood needed to hold it at 1 p.m., and although that time may have kept the attendance down somewhat, what took place was exactly what I had hoped for — a wonderful celebration of a deeply loved man, with great food provided mainly by Stonewood but also by some of the attendees and of course, great stories about a man they all knew and loved.

So, somewhere between 60-70 people came three hours before Stonewood opened on July 28. There was food and bar stools and booths filled with people, with some of the plaques, awards and photos Dave received over the years.

And, Emily and Gina were not only on-hand (they are in the top photo, with Stonewood’s Danny Manzur, far left, and Dennis Diaz, far right, and several other of the restaurant’s employees who helped make the event a success), they also brought along the memory board that also was on display at the Bella Brava event.

The Neighborhood News sponsored the opening round of drinks and one of Dave’s long-time customers brought along a remembrance guest book that most of the people in attendance signed.

Everyone talked about how Dave always knew not just everyone’s name, but where they preferred to sit, what food and drinks they usually had and more than a lit- tle info about each person’s job, family, etc.

“Dave definitely had a gift,” said long-time customer and friend Debby Amon. “He was just such a wonderful man.”

Many of those on hand at the Stonewood event knew Dave from when he worked at the Carrabba’s Italian Grill on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace before he helped open Stonewood.

Here are just a few excerpts from the “In Loving Memory of Dave” guest book. I honestly can’t read all of the signatures, so I won’t include any of the signers’ names here — but you all know who you are and what you said:

“We lost a truly remarkable man – someone whose presence lit up every room, every shift & every heart that walked into Stonewood. As GM, he wasn’t just a leader, he was the heartbeat of the place. He had a gift for making everyone feel seen & valued – whether you were a longtime customer or a first-time visitor. He never met a stranger & he never let a day go by without a warm smile, a gentle hug, or a kind word. His employees adored him, not just for how he led, but for how he cared. He built a family, not just a team & that love ran deep. His joy was infectious, his heart was enormous & his legacy is etched into the lives of everyone lucky enough to know him. We will miss him dearly, but will carry his light forward. It was an honor to call him our friend.”

“I grew up in [the Rathbun family’s] neighborhood. Every year when I’d do the food drive, David was so wonderful & charitable. Always had a smile on his face & told us to come to Stonewood. He & his generous spirit will be missed.”

“We experienced Dave’s kindness & generosity of spirit on many occasions. He has served as an example in our lives for what it means to live your faith with simplicity & authenticity. Dave had the heart of a true angel. All his employees always commented that he was the best boss they ever had & we know why.”

“Dave was a man unlike anyone we have ever met. Truly special. He touched people’s lives in ways that left an everlasting impression.”

“Dave was the dearest person we met upon relocating to Tampa. While we were new, Dave made us feel like old friends, or better yet FAMILY! And, to Dave’s family, thank you for sharing Dave with us!”

“Dave trained my sister when she started as a waitress for Carrabba’s. I saw him frequently through the Stonewood days & more recently played golf with him & learned of his transition to Bella Brava. You can’t ask for a better guy or restaurant manager. His spiritual growth was very inspirational to me. We have been spiritual brothers since. You will be doing great things up there!”

“Emily & Gina – We loved Dave so much. From years ago at Stonewood to our long conversations in Publi to always visiting him at Bella Brava.”

Dave Rathbun Remembered Fondly At His ‘Celebration Of Life’ 

The memory board of Dave displayed during the celebration of Life

Join Us When The Former Proprietor Also Will Be Celebrated At Stonewood Grill On Monday, July 28, 1 P.M.-??? 

 Even though I had met David (“Dave”) Rathbun when he managed the Carrabba’s Italian Grill on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace, I didn’t really get to know him until 2002, when he opened the first Stonewood Grill & Tavern in the Tampa Bay area. 

There weren’t a lot of great restaurants in our area at that time — heck, there weren’t a lot of restaurants, period — but Stonewood became New Tampa’s favorite restaurant pretty much from the day it opened and there’s no doubt that Dave had as much to do with it as the restaurant’s steaks and seafood. 

The way Dave seemed to remember everyone’s name after one or, at the most, two times meeting them, the way he made sure his instant slew of regulars always got their favorite table or seat at the bar — literally everything about the guy was warm, funny and genuine. He was the very definition of the word “hospitable” in the hospitality industry. 

(L.-r.) Emily Barreira, Gina & Dave Rathbun (Photo provided by Emily Barreira) 

I didn’t know that Dave’s wife Gina was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, better known to many as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) for the first several years she was stricken with it, and it wasn’t because Dave didn’t talk about Gina. It was because he constantly talked about how wonderful she was, what a great mom she was to her daughter (and Dave’s beloved stepdaughter) Emily and what a talented artist Gina was. The first time I found out Gina was ill was when Dave asked if I could publish an article about her in the paper to show some of her art, which I did and I wish I could’ve found the issue with that story before I went to press with this issue. 

Now, mind you, Dave Rathbun never asked me to write anything about Stonewood. He literally had never asked me for anything until that day. And, for the first time ever, I saw pain behind his ever-present, infectious smile. 

When Dave left Stonewood, a lot of people were heartbroken. There were some who told me that they couldn’t keep going to their favorite place if Dave wasn’t there anymore. 

The next time I heard from Dave was in 2023, when he had accepted a position as a manager at Bella Brava New World Trattoria in The Hub at Bexley (off S.R. 54 in Lutz) , which opened a few months later. He introduced me to general manager Tina Stormer and made sure the Neighborhood News was on-hand for Bella Brava’s “Friends & Family” pre-opening and introduced us to co-owner Thomas Sanborn, who was the original chef at Stonewood when Dave opened it. 

Dave seemed to thrive in his new position at Bella Brava, but in April, he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that affects the kidneys. Suddenly, after years as Gina’s primary caregiver, Dave was receiving dialysis treatments three days a week for several weeks. 

In June, Dave decided to work a full shift at Bella Brava, even though Emily — who is a nurse with two degrees — was concerned that her stepdad wasn’t fully recovered from his weeks of dialysis treatment. He just loved the work. 

But, when Dave got home, he told the caregiver that he wasn’t feeling well. He went to sleep…and never woke up. 

At only age 69, the man who loved his wife for 28 years and had taken care of her for the last 17 years as she struggled with ALS, was gone. 

Tiny quickly organized a Celebration of Life in Dave’s honor and memory on July 14 and an estimated crowd of 300-400 people showed up to hear his family and closest friends talk about what a wonderful husband, father, brother, friend and manager of people he was. Here are a few excerpts from the speeches given about Dave that day: 

Dave’s stepdaughter Emily Barreira & her mom & Dave’s wife Gina Rathbun (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Gina (Emily read a letter from her Mom to her husband Dave): “From the moment David came into our lives, he became a second father figure to Emily, loving her as if she were his own. He was endlessly dedicated and loyal not just to me, but to our whole family. He showed his love through his strength and unwavering support by always putting us first. David, you carried your confidence and kindness with you. Wherever you went, your compassion touched countless lives, and your love will always remain alive in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege to know you. But, you left me so fast and unexpectedly. I love you more than you will ever know, and I will miss your radiant smile everyday. Your love is the lasting legacy you left with me and your family. Your kindness was a true gift to everyone who had the chance to know you.” 

Emily: “David always had a favorite story that he love to share. When I was four years old, I was sitting out in the living room with him watching TV. My mom came over and reminded me that it was time to go to bed. I looked up at her and said, ‘No, mommy, I can’t go to bed. I’m watching baseball with my ‘little stepdaddy.’ From that day on, that’s what he was to me… my little step daddy. He instantly became my bonus dad at a very young age and supported me throughout the rest of my life.” 

Dave’s brother Paul Rathbun

Paul (Dave’s brother): “When I was 16 years old, and we lived in Boston. David, John myself and Dave’s friend Tim took us to see the Trammps, a disco band in the seventies, and they were pretty hot at the time. There were a lot of problems with that evening, not the least of which was that four of us were under age. The five of us were invited on stage to sing the finale, “Disco Inferno” with the group. It was amazing. Okay, it was the seventies. Dave loved his family, He loved the restaurant. He loved the people he worked with. He loved his customers. He just loved people. 

“Dave loved reading his devotionals. A recent one he shared was, ‘He’s Preparing a Place for You.’ Jesus promised that he’s preparing a place for us, a place where we will be with him forever. It’s not the size of the room or how fancy it is. It’s about being in his presence, where there’s joy, peace and love that never ends. Dave, you have fought the good fight. You finished the race. You have kept the faith. Well done, my brother.” 

Dave’s brother John Rathbun

John (Dave’s brother): “He and I talked about the power of positive thinking — in the things you do, the things you say, the things you think — it all determines your destiny and the energy you give off to people. Dave greatly valued his family, connecting with his creator, and mentoring his coworkers. He loved his customers and obviously, his friends, and many of his customers became his friends. 

“The French have a phrase “‘Joie de vivre,’ which means “the joy of life.” I think Dave possessed that. He put a lot of effort into his relationships with his coworkers and his customers. and he brought a lot of joy to you guys and, to be honest, you brought a lot of joy to him, too.” 

Dave’s close family friend Tim

Tim (Dave’s long-time friend): “Dave had gone to school for physical education but when he moved here, he was going to nursing school and he was working in an Italian restaurant (Lorenzo’s). And I would come down from Tennessee to visit and you could just tell that he loved it. I soon realized that he all the things that he could do as a P.E. teacher, he could do in the restaurant business. 

“He mentored so many people and was a great coach. He was so inspirational to so many people. I’ll never forget that we were working on a paint crew here in Florida. I was going to school, and I’m borrowing money to go to school and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. And I was really beating myself up and I had one conversation with Dave and he said to me, ‘Timmy, don’t worry about it. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. You’re smart, you’re a hard worker and people like you. Just focus on doing the best that you can every day and treat people around you the way you want to be treated, and you’ll be successful.” 

Dave’s friend Kelly Barnett

Kelly (another long-time friend): “I worked at the Olive Garden in New Tampa, right across the parking lot from Stonewood. Dave and I had worked together like 30 years before that, and we end up working right next to each other. So, one day I was eating there and I’m just watching him. 

“I knew what he was like, but I never got old to watch him work a dining room. He knows everybody by name. And he knows something about each of them. It’s not like he’s just out there saying, ‘Hey, how’s your dinner?’ And the person I was with was also in the restaurant business. And they said, ‘Oh my God, he’s like the Mayor of Stonewood!” 

Bella Brava Bexley GM Tina Stormer (with Emily & her husband Ryan Barreira)

Tina (Bella Brava GM): We closed the restaurant today so all of our employees could be here to celebrate Dave. He was the definition of hospitality at its best. They called him ‘Diamond Dave’ for a reason. If he didn’t know who you were when you walked in, he would definitely know you by the time you left.” 

Please join us for a second Celebration of ‘Dimond Dave’ Rathbun’s life on Monday, July 28, 1 p.m., at Stonewood Grill & Tavern.

(l-r) Dave’s brother Mark Rathbun, his sister Martha Peddle (with Paul) & his sister Mary DeSantis

Your Favorite New Tampa Restaurant!

Taxes. Death. Stonewood being chosen by our readers as New Tampa’s Favorite Restaurant.

(L.-r.) Tampa Palms location Executive Chef Greg Gonzalez, operating partner Denny Diaz and Corporate Chef Danny Manzur of Stonewood Grill & Tavern invite you to check out what has once again been voted as our readers’ Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa. When new dishes like the amazing Manhattan Strip Steak (below) keep being added to the menu, it’s easy to understand who Stonewood keeps winning. (Photos by Charmaine George)

Despite some changes in operating partners over the years, little else has changed at Stonewood. Since opening in 2002, it has consistently been voted the area’s favorite, even in the face of some tough new challengers like Via Italia and the Grill at Morris Bridge.

This is the sixth straight year Stonewood has topped our survey results, and it has had many other top finishes in the years before that.

Manhattan Strip Steak

It still has a great bar, a superb wine selection and a menu featuring tasty items like cedar plank roasted salmon, sweet tea-brined pork chops, Tuscan chicken and other items you won’t find anywhere else in New Tampa — including the new Manhattan Strip Steak, created by Corporate Chef Danny Manzur, which we got to preview before this thick, tender and juicy strip was added to the regular menu on Jan. 4.

There also are burgers, sandwiches, salads and pastas, as well as crafted bowls featuring poké, Southwest chicken and salmon.  

Its steaks are popular — in fact, Stonewood was the only restaurant in our survey to top two categories, thanks to it also winning Favorite Steak in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel.

With an upscale atmosphere that suits a family or that is perfect for date night, the Stonewood experience continues to be one enjoyed by many. — JC

2. The Grill at Morris Bridge
3. Via Italia 
4. Liang’s Bistro
5. The Fat Rabbit Pub
6. The Brunchery
7. Sushi Café
8. Frammi
9. Fresh Kitchen
10. Lima Peruvian

NT/WC Favorite American Restaurants

1 — TREBLEMAKERS

Coconut curry grouper

In our most competitive category in our 2020 Survey, where the top five vote getters were separated by just a handful of votes, Treble Makers, one of the first new restaurants to open in The Village at The Grove shopping center, sneaked into the top spot as your favorite American eatery in either of our markets.

While that may seem a little surprising when you consider how many restaurants are now located in Wesley Chapel alone, it’s no surprise at all to anyone who’s eaten there — especially if you’ve enjoyed a delicious dinner and stayed for the dueling piano shows on the weekends or for the live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Chef Kevin Maggard’s menu will likely continue to grow and evolve over time, but he already has a lot of favorites from which to choose, including the unique coconut curry grouper and some of the tenderest, best-seasoned steaks in either of our distribution areas. 

I also regularly rave about Treble Makers’ calamari, ahi tuna and diver scallops appetizers. — GN

The chicken wings at Bubba’s 33 are some of the best around.

2 — BUBBA’S 33
The surprise here isn’t that Bubba’s 33 finished #2 in this “Favorite American” category, it was more that Bubba’s only finished as your 17th favorite restaurant in WC despite its great menu and drink and food prices.

3 — BONEFISH GRILL
Bonefish Grill is obviously one of the consistent favorites among our readers again this year, as it finished as both your third favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel and third favorite American restaurant in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

4 — BAHAMA BREEZE
Bahama Breeze Even though a good portion of its menu isn’t necessarily “American” food, Bahama Breeze also was pretty consistent, finishing as your fifth favorite restaurant in WC and fourth favorite American restaurant in both of our markets.

5 — FAT RABBIT
Fat Rabbit in Tampa Palms is a classic American joint. The bar serves ice cold beer, including its own craft brew, the burgers and wings are terrific and the super-crispy tater tots shouldn’t be as good as they are. 

The Next 10, in order of votes: Oakley’s, GrillSmith, Ciccio Cali, BJ’s Brewhouse, Stonewood, Mr. Dunderbak’s, Glory Days, Walk-On’s, Cheddars, Ford’s Garage.