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
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.
Stonewood Grill and Tavern once again tops publisher Gary Nager’s Top 25 list of restaurants in New Tampa.
Every year, 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) New Tampa and Wesley Chapel the previous year. Some of you love my opinions; others…not so much.
Even so, most people I meet out in our neck of the woods tell me they agree with my choices more than they do those of the readers year after year.
But, having waited until after the coronavirus outbreak hit home here in Florida to give you my list of favorites for 2019 surely didn’t help matters any, as several of the eateries listed on pages 32-37 of this issue were closing, at least temporarily, rather than be open for takeout and delivery only, per Florida Gov. Ron De Santis’ order on Mar. 20.
Sadly, there’s no doubt that some on this list may not be able to weather this storm and may close permanently. Until that happens, however, please support as many of the still-open eateries on my list as you can. I know Jannah and I will.
I’m glad I got to sit down to a perfectly seared ahi tuna appetizer, a tender medium-rare filet, and a flavorful grouper piccata at my (and our readers’) favorite restaurant in New Tampa — Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms — shortly before DeSantis gave his order.
As for the rest of my New Tampa top-25, please read on! — GN
1 — STONEWOOD 17050 Palm Pointe Dr., Tampa Palms | (813) 978-0388 Even though it hasn’t always been my #1 favorite restaurant in New Tampa, there’s no doubt that Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms has been near the top of my list since the day it opened nearly two decades ago.
Stonewood continues to serve the best (and best variety of) steaks (like the 9-oz. filet mignon pictured below) in New Tampa and it also offers a daily “market catch” (like the fresh grouper piccata, with sauce on the side and perfectly sautéed spinach, right) and other specials (like lollipop rib lamb chops…mmm) that have kept it near the top of my list every year.
New GM Matt Passardi — who previously ran the Grillsmith in the Shops at Wiregrass — and his staff usually also keep their guests happy at New Tampa’s most-happening bar scene, but of course, covid-19 has shut down the bar and Stonewood’s elegant dine-in experience, at least for now. My suggestion? Get it to go while you can!
2 — THE FAT RABBIT 16029 Tampa Palms Blvd. | (813) 252-3004 The day The Fat Rabbit opened a few very short years ago, I was impressed with the look and feel of the place as a bar hangout, but I was thrilled when I sampled the food the first several times. Even though I’m not so much a wing aficionado as I am a foodie, many in our area agree that The Fat Rabbit has the best wings anywhere — blackened with a side of the Fat Rabbit cilantro sauce are my faves — as well as great burgers, “taters” (try the garlic sweet potato) and grown up grilled cheese. But, adding a Catch of the Week (blackened mahi-mahi above) moved the Rabbit way up on my list.
CICCIO CALI Shoppes at The Pointe 17004 Palm Pointe Dr. | (813) 975-1222 The Ciccio Restaurant Group has created one of the most successful slates of local eateries in the entire Tampa Bay area, with concepts like Green Lemon, Daily Eats, Ciccio Water and Better Byrd (look them all up), but Ciccio Cali has been the only one in our area since Lodge closed in the former Ciccio & Tony’s location in City Plaza. But, I have always credited Ciccio Cali as the first to bring “bowl culture” to New Tampa. The menu has been simplified, with multiple “bowl style” options (the “Lean & Clean” with tuna is my fave), plus crisp-crust pizza and famous wrap sandwiches (the Cali Club is my fave).
4 — ACROPOLIS GREEK TAVERNA Oak Ramble Plaza 14947 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 971-1787 Although I spend a lot less time these days south of Tampa Palms on BBD, it never takes much to convince Jannah to go to (or take out from) Acropolis. Part of another successful Bay-area mini-chain, Acropolis features authentic saganaki cheese flambé and artichoke and spinach dip appetizers, a tender shish (filet) and chicken kabob duo, savory loin lamb chops and our favorite entrée — the thin, crisp, lightly fried Athenian fish pictured above. And, even though Acropolis doesn’t have a true Greek dressing, the Greek salad also is outstanding with its creamy Acropolis Greek dressing.
5 — LAS PALMAS LATIN GRILL 6431 E. County Line Rd. | (813) 803-3903 Speaking of amazing fish, owner/chef Ramses Garcia serves our area’s flakiest, tastiest merluza (like snapper) a la Rusa, as well as award-winning Cuban sandwiches and traditional specialties like ropa vieja (shredded beef), picadillo (ground beef) and arroz con pollo (chicken & yellow rice), and I really love the steaks — palomillo (in sour mojo sauce, with onions), churrasco (skirt steak with chimichurri sauce) and sautéed vaca frita (crispy beef). But, the lechon asado (tender roasted pork), masitas (pork chunks) and special pork chops (above) are my faves. You can’t go wrong with Ramses’ wife Ana’s award-winning tres leches dessert, either!
6 — BAYSCAPE BISTRO at Heritage Isles Golf Club 10630 Plantation Bay Dr. | (813) 994-3445 Former Wharton High culinary teachers Eddie and Lourdes Bujarski have created an impressive restaurant inside the Heritage Isles GC clubhouse. With a more extensive menu, Bayscape would finish even higher on my list, because it’s hard to beat for breakfast, lunch and dinner,. There are great wings, burgers, salads and sandwiches, but my faves are the dinner “signatures” like country fried chicken and slow-roasted, top round roast beef with brown gravy pictured above. It’s been a while since Jannah and I stopped in for dinner and Friday night karaoke, but the last time we were there during the week, the chef-made pasta bar was incredible.
7 — FUSHIA ASIAN BISTRO Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15317 Amberly Dr. | (813) 903-6705 If you still haven’t tried Fushia, you’ve been missing one of New Tampa’s best-kept secrets. Fushia may not serve traditional New York-style Chinese food, but it features many dishes I love you won’t find anywhere else in our distribution areas. I’m partial to the pan-fried pork dumplings, but Fushia has a large menu of dim sum (served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. only) appetizers, plus all-you-can-eat Chinese hot pot and Korean BBQ, but my faves are the yang chow fried rice, the spicy yan jian pork, dry pot chicken and the beef with Chinese broccoli shown above.
8 — THAI RUBY Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15319 Amberly Dr. | (813) 558-0570 As Thai restaurants go, Thai Ruby is the most beautiful Thai place in New Tampa and also has the best food, especially since Sukhothai closed a couple of months ago. The spring rolls, ginger chicken, the spicy Thai combination fried rice (with chicken, beef and pork), the Siam chicken, filet of grouper and soft shell crab are all top-notch and Thai Ruby may have the largest selection of veggie dishes you’ll find anywhere (I love the steamed broccoli with carrots, green beans and snow peas), but this is the place I go when I have a craving for crispy duck, whether its the tender roast duckling shown above or the “fancy” duck with sweet & sour sauce.
9 — KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Pebble Creek Collection 19601 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 994-6600 For those who crave the teppanyaki (hibachi) table experience in our area, you won’t find a better choice than Kobe. And, even though Jannah and I usually sit at the bar rather than share a table with families with young children, you get the same great meal, just without the show. Kobe definitely has the best-quality filet mignon, sirloin steak and chicken of any Japanese restaurant in our area, and you can even get pepper-crusted tuna tataki hibachi, as well as beautiful-looking surf-&-turf combos with lobster, shrimp and scallops that I (sadly) am not able to enjoy. The sushi is really good, too.
10 — LIANG’S BISTRO ASIAN CUSINE 17515 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 978-1225 Even though I prefer many of the entrées at Fushia a little more than the main dishes at Liang’s, there’s no doubt that this is a very nice, upscale Chinese (with other Asian options) restaurant with very good food. My favorite entrées are the steamed (with mixed veggies) or Liang’s crispy fish, the sizzling Shanghai steak and Sichuan chicken, but I love Liang’s for its New York-style BBQ spareribs, the teriyaki wontons and especially, the crispy egg rolls shown above. The item Jannah and I take out most often, though, are Liang’s awesome sautéed string beans, but I order them in a spicy chili sauce, rather than the usual oyster sauce. So good.
11 — FULL CIRCLE PIZZA Pebble Creek Collection 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 994-3700 Don’t get me wrong…even though I find the deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza shown above very tasty, I’ll never say I like it as much as the New York-style pizza I grew up with. And, even though I know that deep-dish and thin-crust Chicago pizza is a big reason why many locals love Full Circle, I’m actually a much bigger fan of the other delicious menu items owner/chef Freddy Nova and his wife Julia have added since taking over the place in 2017. My favorites are the chicken and broccoli in garlic and oil and the meatball and chicken parmigiana subs.
12 — SUSHI CAFE The Walk at Highwoods Preserve 18015 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. | (813) 977-7800 For anyone who’s asking, for my money, Sushi Café has the best sushi in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel. With a huge assortment of sushi rolls, including some truly unique options like a Pacific fusion roll with spicy tuna, crunch, cucumber and avocado on top, plus a wide variety of sashimi, Sushi Café also has one of the best spicy tuna tataki appetizers in our area (photo). I also really enjoy the “hibachi from kitchen” entrées, like the filet mignon and chicken options, even though (especially because?) there are no teppanyaki tables. I also recommend the crispy chicken katsu and chicken and veggie tempura.
13 — GINZA 6417 E County Line Rd. | (813) 907-1688 When you’re looking for the best value for your money in our area, I believe that Ginza has to be in that conversation, especially for lunch Monday-Friday, which costs only $12.95 for adults ($6.95-$8.95 for kids 4-14) for all of the sushi, appetizers and entrées you care to eat. Even at $21.95 for adults and $8.95-$12.95 for kids for dinner, it’s a great value, especially when you consider the quality of the unlimited egg and spring rolls, pan-fried pork dumplings and dishes like the spicy Mongolian chicken shown above (the Mongolian beef also is top-notch). And, while Ginza’s sushi may not be quite as good as Sushi Café’s, I do enjoy Ginza’s white meat fish sashimi, California roll and others.
14 — KOIZI ENDLESS HIBACHI & SUSHI Shoppes at The Pointe 17012 Palm Pointe Dr. | (813) 971-1919 Anytime you get into a discussion with a local about which endless hibachi and sushi restaurant they prefer — Koizi or Ginza — things can get a little heated. Koizi is $1 less for adults for lunch ($11.95) and dinner ($18.95)and it actually does have teppanyaki tables (above), I just have long felt that the quality of most items, especially the appetizers, is better at Ginza. Even so, the hibachi filet mignon, New York strip steak and chicken are all pretty good and there is a great variety of sushi and sashimi available. The teriyaki and black pepper chicken are also pretty good options .
15 — WOODFIRED PIZZA Palms Connection 2822 E. Bearss Ave. | (813) 341-2900 The first woodfired pizza place to open in (or near) either of our distribution areas is known for its high-quality pizza ingredients, as well as owner Peter Taylor’s unique pizza names — like my favorite Pizza Raquel, which features house-made fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, grana padano cheese and olive oil, to which I usually add either pepperoni, fire-roasted sausage or Italian-style meatballs (Peter’s “carnivore” pizza has all three) and fresh spinach. The wood-fired meatball appetizer and wings also are delicious, and I’ve yet to sample the wood oven petite (4-oz.) filet mignon, but the classic Caesar, Greek and iceberg wedge salads are excellent, too.
16 — LITTLE GREEK New Tampa Center 19022 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 972-0707 Although it’s a completely different kind of eatery than Acropolis, Little Greek also has really good Greek food, as evidenced by the crowds that usually are in line (but always moving; great service!) during lunchtime. In addition to the only true gyro sandwiches (photo) and platters in New Tampa, this still-growing small chain (with around 30 locations in Florida and 50 total in six states), also features excellent steak, chicken, salmon and even lamb skewers, spanakopita, falafel, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and hummus and the only true Greek salad dressing in zip code 33647.
17 — SAKE HOUSE Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15311 Amberly Dr. | (813) 977-3838 This unassuming little sushi bar and Japanese restaurant has previously been called Fong’s Sushi and Sushi Raw, but one thing has remained consistent through all of its incarnations — really good sushi (photo) and specialties like gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) filled with your choice of pork, chicken or shrimp, tempura (shrimp, chicken, beef, scallops, salmon, veggie or even tofu), and beef and chicken teriyaki. The seared tuna tataki appetizer is outstanding, and among my favorite rolls are the tuna trio (spicy tuna inside, red and white tuna on top) and the OZ roll, with fried grouper and spicy crabmeat.
18 — OAKLEY’S GRILLE 17631 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 523-5075 Even though the restaurant hasn’t been owned by anyone with the last name Oakley in a few years, current owner Luca Ammirati is a native Italian who has added a number of specialties from his homeland, starting with authentic fried meatballs served with the tomato sauce on the side. The last time I was in Oakley’s, Ammirati had not yet added penne carbonara, lasagna or penne al ragu (meat sauce), but all three are now listed on his website, so I definitely need to stop in to try them. And of course, Oakley’s still has my favorite bacon cheeseburger and crisp fries in New Tampa.
19 — ISLAND FIN POKE CO. 6417 E. County Line Rd. | (813) 575-8002 This newcomer, which was opened by former New Tampa residents Brenda and Jeff Sproat in late 2019, has established itself as the first Hawaiian-style create-your-own poke bowl place in New Tampa. I love the regular and spicy ahi tuna options as my protein (I usually do two scoops of spicy and one scoop of regular), and there are unique options like spam, octopus, shrimp and tofu, plus veggie options (like regular and spicy pickled veggies, edamame and corn), but as the Sproats say, the thing that sets Island Fin apart are the sauces. I really only need the OG and Island Fire marinating sauces…and an occasional Dole whip dessert.
20 — THAI LANNA & SUSHI Cross Creek Center 10022 Cross Creek Blvd. | (813) 991-0108 For those of you who don’t live off of Cross Creek Blvd., Thai Lanna is another excellent (and pretty) Thai place that also really good appetizers like the Thai spring rolls, pan-fried dumplings (bottom right in the photo) fried calamari and even fried eggplant. There are three kinds of crispy duck, with the volcano duck (with mixed veggies and sweet chili sauce) being my favorite. Try the and crab fried rice! Thai Lanna also has really fresh sushi (cooked shrimp sushi and California roll are shown above), too.
21 — MR. DUNDERBAK’S Oak Ramble Plaza 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 977-4104 When the original Mr. Dunderbak’s was in the University Mall, I thought it was a cool place for German food, even though I really only had roast bee and pastrami sandwiches there. The location on BBD (which has been around the last 15-20 of its 45 years in business) has a much more diverse menu, and I really enjoy German dishes like the crispy jagerschnitzel (available in veal or pork, both are great) shown above, and the kassler rippchen (pork chops). I’m not a big beer drinker, but Mr. D’s biergarten has a huge selection and is always packed. Great European chocolate selection, too.
22 — PETRA MEDITERRANEAN 17503 Preserve Walk Ln. | (813) 898-8991 If you’ve ever had a hankerin’ (as I sometimes do) for authentic beef shawarma hand-sliced off a rotating spit (photo), Petra is the place for you. The authentic Mediterranean/Middle Eastern menu includes a great sampler platter, which includes fried kibbe, falafel, hummus, babaganoush and grape leaves, served with a side of tahini sauce. I also really enjoy the nabulsi fried cheese appetizer, the tabouli, fattoush and Greek salads, as well as the chicken shawarma and chicken and shish (cubed lamb) kebab sandwiches and the Petra mixed grill with shish, kufta (ground lamb) and chicken kebabs.
23 — GLORY DAYS GRILL 17508 Doña Michelle Dr. | (813) 513-7550 When this, our distribution area’s first Glory Days Grill, opened a few years ago, replacing the popular Lee Roy Selmon’s, I will say I wasn’t a big fan. However, when Jannah and I first tried the new Glory Days on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, we recognized that the menu had been greatly upgraded and we have visited both locations quite a bit since then. We love the zucchini fries appetizer shown above, as well as the steak rice bowl, the grilled and comeback chicken entrées, Boston chowda and the 1/2-lb. proprietary blend burgers. Glory Days also has two sizes (7-oz. & 10-oz.) of its tasty “1988” sirloin steak and a great sports bar atmosphere.
24 — THE BRUNCHERY 17507 Preserve Walk Ln. | (813) 533-7271 For those of us who had been begging for a great breakfast place in New Tampa, owner Stanley Athan’s The Brunchery filled that void. And, even though I prefer fried eggs over easy with crispy bacon to the scrambled egg breakfast shown above, this was such a pretty picture we decided to use it instead. The Brunchery also serves a selection of “Benedict” (poached egg) breakfasts, avocado toast, a lox (smoked salmon) platter, ultimate omelets and an incredible variety of French toast options. I’m embarrassed to say Jannah and I haven’t sampled it for lunch yet, but it offers burgers, sandwiches (including tuna and grilled chicken melts) and salads.
25 — TAMPA PALMS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. | (813) 972-1991 There was a time, like when I first purchased the Neighborhood News 26 years ago, when this beautiful club, Boston Cooker and Hunter’s Green Country Club were the only “real” restaurants open for dinner in New Tampa. But of course, you usually had to be a member to dine at TPGCC, so I really only got to eat there when I attended New Tampa Rotary Club breakfast meetings on Friday mornings — and that club still meets there every week! However, I will say that the times when I’ve gotten to have dinner at TPGCC, the food has always been pretty good, like the filet shown above.
GARY’S NEXT 25 FAVES (in alphabetical order) All of these restaurants are very good, just not good enough (in my opinion) to make my Top-25 in New Tampa. I’m even admitting to liking some “fast food” places.-GN
Al-Sham Palace Aroy Thai Bearss Tavern & Tap Burger 21 Cantina Mexican Grill Cappy’s Pizza Deano’s Pizza & Pasta Don Julio’s Authentic Mexican Five Guys Burgers & Fries Ho King Hummingbird Jerk House Hunter’s Green Country Club Jersey Mike’s Subs Juice Factory Minerva Indian Restaurant Mulligans Irish Pub (at PCGC) Olive Garden Palm Thai PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub Saffron Indian Cuisine Snowrolls Steak n’ Shake Sushi Avenue Taste of NY Pizza Westshore Pizza
*- Notes – Mahana Fresh & Lima both didn’t open until 2020, or they would have made this list.
** – Sukhothai, Vallarta’s (Tampa Palms), and Regina Margherita (previously called Chefs of Napoli) were all on this list before they all closed (with Regina Margherita closing the week we went to press with this issue) and El Pescador, which previously occupied Lima’s location in the New Tampa Center plaza, made my top-50 before it closed.
Grillsmith is one of the Wesley Chapel/New Tampa’s favorite restaurants, according to our Reader Survey. (Facebook)
The results of our annual Reader Survey have been published, and first up:
The Favorite Restaurants.
In total, we had a record number of right around 1,500 ballots cast this year, surpassing our old record of more than 1,200 a few years ago. And the split of the voters was roughly 900 Wesley Chapel ballots and 600 New Tampa votes submitted this year.
One thing that I know helped stimulate more votes this year was the fact there were far fewer categories. For example, the only way to judge who won categories that didn’t appear on this year ballots — like favorite Latin, Asian, Mediterranean and favorite burgers was to see who received the most votes (five faves per ballot) for favorite restaurant in our coverage areas.
Liang’s Bistro, New Tampa (Facebook)
Your favorite Asian restaurant in Wesley Chapel was Yamato Japanese Steakhouse, followed by Bonsai Sushi, Umu Japanese & Thai, Asian Buffet and Arroy Thai. In New Tampa, the top vote-receiving Asian restaurant was Liang’s Bistro, followed by Kobe steakhouse, Sushi Café, Koizi, Sukhothai, Thai Ruby, Thai Lanna and Minerva.
The Latin restaurant that received the most Favorite Restaurant votes in Wesley Chapel was Chuy’s Tex-Mex, followed by Capital Tacos, Los Vallartas, Rice & Beans and Cantina Laredo. Rice & Beans also received more “Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel” votes than any other newcomer, beating out Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar and Blaze Pizza.
Chuy’s Tex-Mex in Wesley Chapel.
The Latin restaurant in New Tampa that received the most Favorite Restaurant votes was Vallarta’s, followed by Las Palmas (which will finish quite a bit higher on my list next month), Cantina, Tijuana Flats and Chipotle.
And, despite there being several more options, only two Mediterranean restaurants — Acropolis and Little Greek — finished in our readers’ top 40.
Other top-20 surprises this year (at least in one editor’s opinion) included Chick-fil-A (#7 Favorite Restaurant?), Cracker Barrel and Panera Bread.
Here’s your overall winners for Favorite Restaurant:
Steak Oscar at Bahama Breeze. (Facebook)
WESLEY CHAPEL 1. BAHAMA BREEZE Bahama Breeze Island Grille has only been located on the north side of S.R. 56 for two years or so, but the popular chain continues to attract large numbers of visitors — and votes in our annual Reader Dining Survey — each year it has been open.
New general manager Melissa Altamare recently took over for the beloved former GM Jeannie Lafever, but Melissa is a long-time Bahama Breeze employee who helped Jeannie open what we call the Wesley Chapel location.
Melissa is equally as friendly as Jeannie and the bottom line is that a lot of people love the whole tropical feel and menu of Bahama Breeze — even though some locals complain that the restaurant seems somewhat out of place here because it’s not located on a body of water.
Jannah and I have always been fond of Bahama Breeze’s blackened or almond-crusted fresh catch, as well as the burgers and the ahi tuna salad, and I’m a fan of the churrasco steak pictured top left on this page and the braised oxtail and Jamaican sampler platter.
Melissa says her favorite dishes are the habañero wings, the jerk chicken pasta and the “tequila sunburn” glazed salmon (bottom left). “But I keep finding new favorites,” she says. “I really do love our food.”
And, considering that Bahama Breeze took first place for not only Favorite Restaurant but also Favorite Bar in WC (see next page) with our readers by comfortable margins this year, Melissa and her outstanding staff should continue to have big crowds to contend with at arguably our area’s most spacious freestanding restaurant. — GN
2. GRILLSMITH Grillsmith has always been among Wesley Chapel’s most popular eateries since it first opened in the Shops at Wiregrass, but a recent menu upgrade to include a truly fresh catch every day has kept it close to the top on my list as well. Try the mashed cauliflower, too!
3. NOBLE CRUST Noble Crust has stayed near the top of the favorites list for both yours truly and our readers in WC, not only for its unique “Southern Italian” cuisine, but also the great vibe at the bar. I do still wish there were more choices like the gnocchi appetizer, Chicken Fried Chicken Parm and double pork chop entrées.
4. FIRST WATCH First Watch was the only real surprise for me in our readers’ top-5 in WC, not just because it’s only open for breakfast and lunch but also because the parking and wait times, especially for weekend brunch are often unbearable. Even so, I agree that the menu options are unique and tasty.
5. 900 WOODFIRED 900 Degrees Woodfired Pizza also won this year’s “Favorite Pizza in Wesley Chapel” category and owner Steve Falabella’s quick stop in the Shops at Wiregrass has great NY-style and woodfired Neapolitan-style pizza. But, I was glad to see it also get some props as a restaurant because it has yummy pastas & salad, too.
NEW TAMPA 1. STONEWOOD GRILL Stonewood Grill & Tavern’s three-peat as our readers’ Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa should come as no surprise.
Zip code 33647’s most upscale eatery features great steaks and fresh seafood, plus an always-hoppin’ bar area that helped Stonewood also finish as our readers’ second favorite bar or tavern in New Tampa this year (see next page).
For me, Stonewood’s decision to start opening for lunch a year or so ago was a great move. And, even though the menu is a little pricier than what many people want to spend for lunch, the food is great and the quieter, less-crowded atmosphere is perfect for conducting a business meeting or social event.
Jannah and I especially enjoy the seared ahi tuna appetizer, the 6- and 9-oz. filet mignon options, the fresh fish (we shared an excellent grilled grouper on our most recent visit) and the fresh, always tasty veggies.
In terms of food quality and service, nothing has changed since new managing partner Matt Passardi took over after the beloved Dave Rathbun departed last year, so this favorite 8-location, Florida-based mini-chain can expect to stay at or near the top of our readers’ list every year. — GN
2. CICCIO CALI Ciccio Cali, also located in the Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms (in the same parking lot at Stonewood) should receive all the credit for first bringing “bowl culture” to New Tampa, and also has great pizzas, burgers and wrap sandwiches.
3. LIANG’S BISTRO Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine may not be New York-style or even authentic Chinese food, but that hasn’t stopped it from being the favorite Asian restaurant in New Tampa with our readers virtually every year it has been open. Try the BBQ ribs and sautéed green beans (order ‘em spicy!).
4. MR. DUNDERBAK’S Mr. Dunderbak’s and Stonewood were the only restaurants that made the top-5 in two categories (Favorite Restaurant and Bar) this year, so people obviously love it for more than just its beer variety. I enjoy the tasty schnitzel, sausages and sandwiches, plus German chocolate bars. Sehr lecker!
5. ACROPOLIS GREEK TAVERNA Acropolis Greek Taverna has been the highest-rated Mediterranean restaurant in New Tampa by our readers since the days when it was the only Greek restaurant in New Tampa. If you haven’t tried the saganaki (flaming cheese appetizer), lamb chops, filet shish kabobs, or the Athenian fish, you should.
6. THE FAT RABBIT 7. CHICK-FIL-A 8. VALLARTA’S 9. KOBE JAPANESE 10. SUSHI CAFE 11. GLORY DAYS GRILL 12. LAS PALMAS 13. CRACKER BARREL 14. CAPPY’S PIZZERIA 15. THE LITTLE GREEK 16. BAYSCAPE BISTRO 17. KOIZI ENDLESS HABACHI 18. SUKHOTHAI 19. RED LOBSTER 20. PANERA BREAD
In our 2016 Reader Dining Survey & Contest, the top three restaurants — according to more than 500 readers who submitted surveys — in both of our distribution areas were all part of small local or regional chains and in New Tampa, seven of the top ten also are links in (albeit small) chains. The interesting thing to me was that the larger national and regional chains, which could only receive Write-In votes on our Dining Survey again this year, got fewer votes and points than ever before.
Stonewood Grill & Tavern made it back to the top spot as our readers “Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa.” Last year’s winner, Burger 21, dropped to #3 with our readers and last year’s #5 — Ciccio Cali — moved up three spots to #2. In fact, for the third straight year, the same ten restaurants in New Tampa received the most points from our readers as last year, although once again, the orders of those ten restaurants has changed.
We will be posting winners in individual categories all week, so make sure you check back! For now, here are your overall favorites in New Tampa.
1. Stonewood Grill & Tavern
6. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 7. Mr. Dunderbak’s 8. Oakley’s Grille 9. Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi 10. Vallarta’s TP 11. Café Ole 12. Cappy’s Pizza 13. Thai Ruby 14. Little Greek 15. Las Palmas 16. Mulligan’s Irish Pub 17. Sukhothai 18. Full Circle Pizza 19. Sushi Café 20. Woodfired Pizza (Bearss) 21. Lanna Thai 22. Taste of NY Pizza 23. Casa Ramos 24. Peabody’s Billiards & Games 25. Saffron Indian Cuisine *-Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill was 24th, but has since closed
26-50 in alphabetical order Cantina
Capri Pizza
Chick-fil-A
China City
China Wok
Cross Creek Deli
Fong’s Sushi
Fushia Asian Bistro
Ginza Edndless Hibachi & Sushi
Glory Days Grill
Hawkeye’s NYS Pizza
Ho King
Hoosier’s Grille (Heritage Isles CC)
Hunter’s Green Country Club
Minerva Indian Restaurant
Orchid Thai
Petra Mediterranean Express
Pita’s Republic
PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub
Ruby Tuesday
Season’s Fresh Café
Sushi Avenue
Tabla Indian Cuisine
Tarek’s Café
Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club
Top Thai
