Town News

Tampa Catering | Catering Company in Tampa Bay | Chef on the Bay

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 22:53:19 GMT

Catering in Tampa Bay just got a lot more Fabulous

Chef Charlie has a passion for food and a knack for catering. If you are planning a small office event or a wedding reception of 200 guests, Chef on the Bay can deliver a gourmet experience tailored to your individual taste. Every detail is impeccable from preparation to presentation. Make the next office event you plan special. With their in-home cooking service, they can provide dinner for you and your guests. Chef Charlie offers a weekly lunch menu with items that will make your mouth water. Chef on the Bay has an exotic food selection as well as an assortment of menu items such as Grilled Portabella, Crab Cake Burgers, and Ultimate Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomato accompanied by homemade soups. Chef on the Bay offers a catering experience with incredible flair and flavor such as the fresh homemade bread baked daily. Next time you plan a catering event in Tampa Bay, make sure to give Chef Charlie a call. You will be pleasantly surprised and wowed at how she can turn your event in to a culinary experience.

Chef on the Bay
http://www.chefonthebay.com
Clearwater, FL
727-286-8131

Bloomsday Tampa 2012 | O'Brien's Irish Pub In Brandon Florida

Wed, 30 May 2012 12:33:51 GMT

In Honor of the Great Writer, James Joyce

You know an Irish pub is a true, legitimate Irish pub if it celebrates the writer, James Joyce. Now, the English majors out there know Joyce as one of the titans of twentieth century literature, the artist who changed the model of the novel pretty much by announcing he could tell a story any damn way he pleased. The Irish folks know him as one of their own, a conflicted Catholic who liked joking around – and who loved Ireland.

Always a Great Place to Meet, Regardless of the Occasion

Bloomsday is the day selected by the Irish world to celebrate Joyce. Here’s the thing. It’s not on Joyce’s birthday and it doesn’t mark Joyce’s death. It’s on June 16. Why? Well, the entirety of Joyce’s extremely long masterpiece, “Ulysses,” takes place on a single day, and it’s June 16, 1904. Okay, so we explained June 16. Now, why Bloomsday? Where did that come from? Well, Leopold Bloom, an ad salesman, is the main character of “Ulysses.” So the Joyce aficionados decided every June 16 would be the day to celebrate Joyce, and they decided to name it after the main character in his most famous novel. You know these folks are readers. Only with true readers are the works more important than the author.

There once was a man from Beirut ...

Now, you know O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, which is at 701 W. Lumsden Road, in Brandon, is a true Irish pub because it is, as far as we can tell, the only one celebrating Bloomsday 2012 on June 16 in the greater Tampa Bay area. There will be a lovely dinner that evening, a pint or two, traditional Irish music and a limerick competition (Joyce was famous for his puns). Local artists will also have on display paintings and sculptures, and you may buy a piece of art you like if you so desire. If you are interested in going, or in entering the limerick competition, go to the web site: Bloomsday at O'Brien's

O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill
701 West Lumsden Road
Brandon FL 33511
813-661-9688

Mangroves SoHo Restaurant in Tampa Holds Anniversary Party

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:07:48 GMT

Sixteen Years of Good Food and Good Times

In the restaurant business you have to be good, maybe great, to survive. Mangroves SoHo qualifies. It’s been in Tampa for 16 years, and, to celebrate, the chic enterprise is holding a special anniversary party on June 8. For starters, Mangroves SoHo is bringing in for entertainment a couple of artists who have quickly established themselves among the top acts in their fields in west central Florida. One is Lisa Casalino, who, in the span of a couple of years, has transformed herself from a former teacher and real estate agent into one of Tampa’s top jazz singers. Her phrasing is dead-on, and she can swing with the best of them. The other is Dj Dmz, who routinely mixes dance beats for Mangroves SoHo. Another draw for the anniversary party is a cool gesture by Mangroves SoHo -- complimentary cocktails from 8 to 10 p.m.

You should come. Mangroves Tampa has always been a beautiful club and restaurant, with a décor that may remind you of Miami’s South Beach. But it now has a new look, with new colors, new lighting and newly-designed walls. This is another reason to come to the anniversary celebration. Structurally, the place is still its magnificent self. As many know, it’s one of the few places with two levels of dining – PLUS outdoor dining – and a 60-foot stain glass lighted bar that has become legendary. The menu has become legendary, too, with a nice mix of quality seafood and beef selections, prepared with passion and grace. Mangroves SoHo is located at 208 South Howard Ave. in upscale Hyde Park. Like we said, you should come.

Mangroves SoHo
208 S. Howard Ave
Tampa, FL 33606
813.258.3302

Golf Summer Camps Kids Tampa Bay - Silverado Golf Course Zephyrhills

Tue, 29 May 2012 14:14:30 GMT

Golf Summer Camps for Kids in Zephyrhills, Florida

Listen up young golfers. There's a really cool juniors' golf camp at the resplendent Silverado Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills later this month. It begins June 25th and runs through June 29. There might be a second camp, but that's not assured, so if you're interested in improving your game, we advise you sign up as soon as possible. The camp begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until noon. Kids from 8 years old to 15 can participate. It costs $150 per young golfer, and, to guarantee your spot, you need to pay in advance. The camp is limited to 24 players. The price of the camp covers golf instruction, lunch, and, on the last day of camp, a 20-foot ice cream sundae. That's not one 20-foot ice cream sundae for everyone. Everyone's got to share. To sign up, best call the Pro Shop at (813) 788-1225.

Pasco County Marina has Customer Appreciation Day | Hudson FL

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:30:47 GMT

Boaters, Party Down. Come To Customer Appreciation Day

Okay, boat owners in Pasco County. Listen up. On Sunday, May 27, Skeleton Key Marina is having a special “Customer Appreciation Day.” It begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. It’s sort of a pot-luck affair, with customers chipping in. One is already promising to roast a pig. Another is bringing pasta salad. There will also be hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids. And music, courtesy of a professional sound system. “The customers get to know each other and we’re welcoming new customers, to let them know what we’re all about,” said Jeff Schuyler, the marina harbor master.

BYOB. But they'll provide the fun

Also welcome are boat owners who buy fuel from Skeleton Key Marina, and who may keep their vessels in nearby canals. “It’s going to be a nice party,” Schuyler said. “You can’t miss us.” The food is free, but it’s BYOB in the alcohol department. “Bring your cooler with you and have some fun,” Schuyler said. Skeleton Key Marina is at 6300 Clark St. in Hudson, and is closer to the Gulf of Mexico than any other marina in Pasco County. To learn more about the marina, go to: Pasco County Marina

Best Graduation Cakes Tampa Bay | A Better Cheesecake Clearwater FL

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:14:22 GMT

Graduation Cakes Tampa Bay | A Better Cheesecake Clearwater

It's graduation season. Ceremonies are in full swing – especially at high schools. There are at least 18 high school graduations in Pinellas County in June, and some 27 in Hillsborough.

Now, we know some parents believe they should be the ones celebrated for their children getting that diploma. Oh, how parents have tolerated their teens – their surliness, their leaving everything to the last minute, and, with the girls, the inexplicable bursting into tears. But let’s face it. If your kid is getting that high school diploma, he or she has had something to do with it. What's wrong with a good pat on the back, after spending years pointing a finger in their faces? And what better way to pat them on the back than to order a special cake for them? You know they already like sugar. Have lived off sugar, frankly, for the last four years, if not longer.

This is where Carolyn Janssen comes in. Janssen is the owner of A Better Cheesecake, a long-time bakery specializing in cakes that's located at 2519 N. McMullen-Booth Road in Clearwater. Janssen was once an artist and she brings an artist's flair to her concoctions. We know your teen is primarily interested in the sugar and icing on the cake, but Janssen can transform its shape into virtually anything without sacrificing its delicious taste. She's done cakes in the shape of flip flops, poker tables, cars, pigs, sunglasses, and, yes, she has put together cakes topped with a graduation cap, with a diploma attached. We're sure if you wanted your cake to represent your alma mater's mascot or insignia, she could probably do it in her sleep. Her customers already know this. Last year, she did separate cakes for a pair of graduating twins and in years past for graduating triplets. If you are not one of her customers, you should obviously become one.

Graduation Cakes Clearwater | A Better Cheesecake of Tampa Bay

"A Better Cheesecake" of Clearwater also makes wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and cakes for pretty much any occasion. For more information on this awesome bakery, visit this link: Clearwater Bakery

A Better Cheesecake

2519 N Mcmullen Booth Rd Ste 507
Clearwater, FL 33761
727-725-2295

Don't forget to click and use this printable coupon on your next cake order.

GattiTown Clearwater and Pinellas County Sheriff Has Safety Day

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:18:32 GMT

GattiTown and Pinellas County Sheriff's are Promoting Safety at a Fun Place

Everyone knows GattiTown Clearwater is a good place for kids to let loose and have some fun, but the folks there also want to do their part in helping kids be safe. To that end, the business is teaming up with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for a special safety day this Saturday, as part of the sheriff’s office’s "Live Safe" program. There will be two educational safety presentations at GattiTown, one at 11 a.m. and another at 12:30 p.m. Typically, deputies tell parents and children to be on the look-out for certain behaviors, so the children can remain safe. But they manage to mix in some fun, too. For instance, the kids will leave their fingerprints on a card and have their photos taken. Then, cards with the child’s name, fingerprint and portrait will be given to the parents. This is all free. There's something else that's free, too – the kids' buffet. To get that, an adult has to pay the adult price to eat at the buffet. It’s a killer deal.

Sharon Britton Tampa Art Exhibit | Urban Body clothing on display too

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:29:07 GMT

Art, Jewelry, Clothing, On Display at Salon!

Sharon Britton, an intellectual property attorney, didn't start painting until a couple of months ago. It came about through happenstance. Her 5-year-old daughter wanted an art show at the house, and Sharon, being the conscientious and fun mom she is, obliged by buying a bunch of supplies. At some point the family decided to do one painting together. Then Sharon discovered a kind of yearning in herself: She wanted to paint something on her own. She did one bright, fantastically-colored painting, then another, and she really hasn’t stopped since. Her husband and two children are enthralled with her work, naturally, but so are some connoisseurs.

On the evening of May 24, you can check out Britton’s art work at Kensington Salon and Spa at 715 S. Howard Ave., Suite 100, in Tampa. There’s a special showing, from 6:30 p.m. to 9, with a complimentary glass of wine. Though showcasing Britton's work is the evening’s primary purpose, there will be a couple of other things you can take in. There will be some clothing on display, courtesy of Urban Body Clothing, which is next door at 711 S. Howard Ave., Suite 100, and whose products we’ve featured a couple of times on townspree.com. And there will be some jewelry on display, courtesy of stella and dot. One more bonus. If you go, you will receive a 20 % off gift voucher for any services you might purchase in the future at Kensington’s.

Summer Camp at Children's Salon in Tampa

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:14:45 GMT

Tampa Sweet & Sassy offers Summer Camps in 2012

Sweet & Sassy has always been one of our favorite small businesses. You see, mothers bring their daughters here so the daughters can get little makeovers, you know, mini-manicures, cute little haircuts, that kind of thing. Stephanie Diaz, who runs the Sweet and Sassy at 14361 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, enjoys letting little girls be princesses for the day.

Glam Week Summer Camp Details

Starting June 12, she'll be starting a summer camp called Glam Week. It runs Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and each day has a theme. You can drop your daughter off for just one day of the week if you’d like, or she can go all four days. These glam weeks go on until Aug. 17 , so it’ll work if you don’t have anything planned for a particular week, or if you just want to drop your kid off for a couple of hours so you can go get a facial yourself. It costs $35 if you want to drop your daughter off for a day, and $129 for the four-day packages. Oh, and while we are on the subject of cool deals, we’d like to mention that every Tuesday, anyone four years old or younger gets a haircut for $10. And Tuesday through Friday, if a parent pays for a haircut for one child, the price of the second haircut is cut in half.

Have any additional questions?

Sweet & Sassy of Tampa (Citrus Park)
14361 N. Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa FL 33618
(813) 963-5437

Tampa Bay Area Cleaning Service Starts Helping Veterans!

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:05:11 GMT

Veterans Recuperating from Medical Conditions Get Their Homes Cleaned for Free

With Memorial Day fast approaching, we thought we’d give some props to Maid To Order, which has just expanded its philanthropic non-profit venture to include veterans. (Memorial Day, as you remember, is a time to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers.) Now, Maid To Order, a house-cleaning business, has long helped breast cancer patients, through its non-profit “Love Thy Neighbor,” by cleaning the women’s homes for free. “Love Thy Neighbor” also accepts donations of services from other businesses, in case the breast cancer patient needs some help with some other problem, like, say, a leaking faucet or a dirty carpet. This month, the folks who run Maid to Order have decided to expand “Love Thy Neighbor” to include veterans undergoing medical treatment. (We realize they can’t offer this service to able-bodied veterans, too, since such a move would drive the family-owned business into bankruptcy). If you are a business or a person who wants to help either breast cancer patients or recuperating veterans, there are a couple of ways to reach out. You can contact Maid To Order at (727) 384-6243 or office@mailtoorderfl.com, or you can make a donation at the Love Thy Neighbor website

Serving Pinellas and Hillsborough

Learn more about: Made to Order Inc
(727) 384-6243(MAID)
http://www.maidtoorderfl.com

Free Seminar in Tarpon Springs on Health and Fitness.

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:50:50 GMT

A Free Seminar to Help You Look and Feel Great.

Are you feeling bad about the way you look? Are you feeling depressed or low-energy? Many people think they know what to do and never incorporate it into their lifestyle. Are you making a good faith effort with diet and exercise, but you’re not getting the results you want? You need help with some professional advice. On the morning of May 19, in Tarpon Springs, two professionals will be at PMR Elite Fitness & Massage in Tarpon Springs to help you. Connie Russo, the owner of PMR, is a licensed massage therapist and a certified personal and group fitness instructor. The other professional is Gloria Constantas, who is a licensed hypnotherapist and a counselor. The pair are giving a free seminar that begins at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 10 a.m. Connie and Gloria will talk about the benefits of exercise, strength training, aerobics, good nutrition, as well as other things. In short, they’ll tell you how to reshape your body – and your lifestyle. Connie will inspire you as she instructs you how to stretch and perform certain exercises. If you go, be sure to wear comfortable clothes and gym shoes, and bring a towel and water bottle.Remember. This is a free event. There will be door prizes, and specials on training sessions, massages and foot detoxification.

PMR is located at 40735 U.S. 19.

Local Art Show 2012 in Tampa Bay | Featuring Beck Gallery of Lutz FL

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:38:16 GMT

Take a Short Trip to the Napa Valley in Tampa at Toast Wine and Café with Beck Gallery....

Tana Brackins, the owner of the Beck Gallery in Lutz, went to the Napa Valley last September and, in the course of four days, took 900 photographs. That’s right. Nine hundred photographs. We divided 900 by four and realized Tana took on average 225 photographs per day. If, like many people, Tana slept eight hours a day, she took roughly 14 photographs an hour, or about one every five minutes. Yikes.

Right now, Tana is going through her output to select 20 to 25 black-and-white shots that will be featured at a special event, on May 26, at the Toast Wine and Café bar at 14921 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Tampa. It’s not just the art that should be a draw. There will be fine wine and cigars, too. Here’s the tie-in, as they say: Nice photographs of the Napa Valley, taken during the so-called “crush” season, when the grapes are harvested, that will be on view as wines from small producers from the Napa Valley are offered by Toast Wine and Café. Get it? This special melange of pleasures will be offered twice the 26th – from 1 to 3 p.m., and from 8 to 11 p.m. Go, and transport yourself to the Napa Valley. Oh, and it's free (except for the cigars). For more info:

http://www.thebeckgallery.com/upcoming-events

Mother's Day Tampa Bay 2012 | Florist in Tampa | Brunches in Tampa

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:51:52 GMT

Mother's Day Brunch and Flower Recommendations for Tampa Bay 2012

Ah yes, Mother’s Day. It’s the day we recognize our mothers for the gentle heroes they are, the ones we turned to for some understanding when we did something wrong, who brought us chicken soup when we were sick. Mother’s Day is also the day mom can out-and-out refuse to cook, with obvious justification. So why not take her to brunch? And buy her flowers while you’re at it. We’ll first suggest restaurants, then florists, then anything else we can think of.

The Garden Shed Florist in Clearwater FL

One of our favorite florists in the area is the Garden Shed Florist in Clearwater. It has a wide variety of blooming and green plants, as well as fresh arrangements. If you have an arrangement delivered (in the city of Clearwater, more or less), mom gets a free Mother's Day Mylar balloon. You can call them at (727) 725-0841 or 1-800-652-3444. The Garden Shed also has a great web site, through which you can place an order. It's http://www.mygardenshedflorist.com/

A-Bow-K Florist & Gifts

Want flowers delivered in Lutz? You might want to try A-Bow-K Florist & Gifts, at 17420 U.S. Highway 41 N., in Lutz. They have a whole bunch of special bouquets for mom, with everything from pink roses to fresh spring flowers. You can call them at (813) 949-5683 or 1-800-505-5683.

Downtown Tampa Florist

Downtown Tampa? Try Downtown Tampa Florist at 705 W. Platt St. We like the lavendar love bouquet, the passionate purple tulips, and the daisy daydreams. They have some cool extras like stuffed animals and chocolate specials. You can call them at 1-888-325-8056 or order at their web site at http://www.downtowntampaflorist.net/mothers-day-flowers-97c.asp?topnav=TopNav

Now we'll get into the Mother's Day Brunch recommendations in Tampa

The Columbia Restaurant - Ybor City - Tampa, FL

Naturally, the Columbia Restaurant is having Mother’s Day specials at its six locations peppered throughout the state of Florida. The three we’re recommending – because they are in the area – are in Ybor City, in St. Petersburg at The Pier, and in Clearwater Beach on Sand Key. If you went to any of them for Easter brunch, you know what quality to expect. One of the Mother’s Day entrées that has our collective mouths watering is something the Columbia calls the mahi-mahi “Torremolinos” – a grilled piece of boneless mahi-mahi topped with Gulf shrimp, sundried tomatoes and caper saffron sauce. It’s served with snap peas and yellow rice. To make reservations, go to http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/reservations.asp. At the Columbia Cafe, on the Riverwalk in Tampa, which is open, you can see the water, but there are no Mother's Day specials.

Bon Appetit Restaurant Mother's Day - Dunedin, FL

Some of those Columbia restaurants have waterfront views – like the one at The Pier in St. Petersburg. One restaurant in Pinellas County that has a killer waterfront view is the Bon Appétit restaurant in Dunedin, from where you can see St. Joseph Sound, Honeymoon Island, and Caladesi Island. The Mother’s Day buffet, which runs from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., is in the Crystal Ballroom, and the selections are tremendous, whether it’s the breast of chicken with marsala sauce, or that old stand-by, roast prime rib of beef au jus. It’s 44.95 per person, plus gratuity and tax. If you prefer a sit-down dinner, there’s that, too, in the dining room, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. The rack of lamb with the pistachio crust looks yummy. To make an online reservation, please go to: http://www.bonappetitrestaurant.com/reservation.html.

SHOR Restaurant Mothers Day - Clearwater Beach

Another spectacular view is available at the SHOR restaurant, located on the second floor of the resplendent Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa (The address for both hotel and restaurant is 301 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach). We’re guessing the street is called Gulfview Boulevard because, you know, you can see the Gulf of Mexico from it. In any event, SHOR’s is offering a Mother's Day brunch. It lasts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Price for an adult is $45; for a child, $21. There will be a seafood bar, a vegetable and bruschetta station, a soup station, made-to-order omelets, and old war horses like prime rib and turkey. You can call the restaurant at (727) 373-4780 or make a reservation online by going to the restaurant’s web site at http://www.shorgrill.com/hpr/shor/en/clearwater/events_specials.html

Island Way Grill Mother's Day - Clearwater Beach

Down the street is the Island Way Grill, at 20 Island Way, Clearwater. There mom can also get a view of the water, though it’ll be the Intracoastal Waterway she’s staring at and not the Gulf of Mexico. The Mother’s Day buffet runs from 10 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. It’ll have a breakfast and lunch feel to it in the beginning and then switch over to a dinner feel at around 3 and 4 p.m. It’s a tad more extravagant than the typical Island Way Grill buffet. There will be four different cuts of meat (and, if’s anything like the Easter Sunday brunch, there will be a pig roast), along with a pasta station, sushi rolls, peel-and-eat shrimp, and crawfish, as well as salads, fruits and an array of desserts. The cost is $31.95 for an adult, and $12.95 for children ten years old and under. To make a reservation, call the restaurant at (727) 461-6617.

Chart House - Tampa, FL - Mother's Day 2012

On the other side of Tampa Bay, the Chart House, which is at 7616 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, also offers a Mother’s day brunch with a waterfront view. It begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 2:30 p.m. For an adult, the cost is $39.95. Children 12 years old and under can eat for $14.95. It'll be a special menu – with entrees including prime rib, pork loin and tilapia with a macadamia nut crust. You can make reservations online at their website, which is http://www.chart-house.com/opentable_form.asp, or you can make a reservation by phone by calling (813) 289 7773.

Rusty Pelican Mother's Day - Tampa, FL

Another restaurant on the Tampa side of the bay, that has a pretty nice view, is the Rusty Pelican, at 2425 North Rocky Point Drive. Its Mother’s Day brunch buffet begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., and if you are interested you better make a reservation now (since the block of time from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. is already taken). It’s $46 for an adult, and children 6 to 10 can eat for $21. There’s a meat carving station, a raw seafood bar, pastas, omelets, and favorites like bananas foster, plus a so-called chocolate fountain, which showcases desserts. To make a reservation, you can either call the restaurant at (813) 281-1943, or make a reservation online at http://tampa.therustypelican.com/rustypelicantampa/contact_us.aspx

Yacht StarShip Tampa - Mother's Day 2012

So far, we put forward some restaurants that have waterfront views. Another option is to dine with the water all around you. You can do that on the Yacht Starship Tampa. There are two brunch cruises, with boarding at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. And there’s one dinner cruise, with boarding at 5:30 p.m. The price for adults is $44.95 (plus tax, port fee and gratuity), and $29.95 for children (plus tax, port fee and gratuity). To make a reservation, go to: http://www.yachtstarship.com/#!special-events