Thanks Again, Dr. June!

By Gary Nager

I am proud and honored to have now made two appearances on “Cooking Up Advice with Dr. June,” which airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m., on WTTA-TV (Channel 6 on BrightHouse Networks cable systems in New Tampa, Channel 14 on Verizon Fios systems).

During my most recent appearance, which will air on Sunday, September 13, I  got to “rap” with Dr. June and four other guests (including Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce 2015 Ambassador of the Year Valerie Rudmin; see page 12) about relationships while sampling some delicious seafood at the Zephyrhills location (at 5039 1st St.; 782-7770) of The Great Catch Seafood by Taste of Boston. 

Both locations of the Great Catch, which also has a restaurant at 1930 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (U.S. 41) in Lutz (948-9800), are owned by George Illes (see photo, left, with Dr. June), who owned Taste of Boston in the Shoppes at New Tampa (across S.R. 56 from the Wiregrass Mall) until closing it a few months ago.

Although fans of Taste of Boston’s full belly clams will be happy to know that both Great Catch locales feature all of George’s authentic New England seafood specialties, as well as a pretty delicious New York strip steak (the latter of which I enjoyed on the air with Dr. June and her other guests), I know I’m not the only one who was saddened by yet another good locally owned, sit-down restaurant leaving either of our distribution areas. 

I also wanted to correct a mistake that appeared in our last “Nibbles & Bytes” column. My first appearance on “Cooking Up Advice With Dr. June” was recorded at a beautiful model home in the new Avalon Park West community off S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, NOT in Watergrass (off Curley Rd., also in Wesley Chapel). I truly apologize for my mistake. We’ve done business with the builders/developers in both Avalon Park West & Watergrass, but that’s an ugly faux pas I simply shouldn’t make. 

I really enjoy rapping with Dr. June & her always interesting friends and hope to continue to be invited back.