With roadside beginnings, Trust Me BBQ now operates at 8811 U.S. 301 S. in Riverview as a brick-and-mortar barbecue and jerk grill.
Owners Lenae and Roger Trusty’s popular Jamaican-inspired barbecuery — whose tagline is “you have tried the rest, now taste the best” — cooks up a casual lineup that highlights offerings such as jerk chicken, spare ribs by the half, slab or sandwich, pulled pork, and crowd-pleasing sides (think cabbage, potato salad and rice ‘n’ peas). There are also simple selections for kids and “meal deals” of sausage, ribs, chicken, beef and pork.
Order inside, then enjoy your spread at one of the outdoor picnic tables.
• Cafe Masala is the latest St. Petersburg restaurant to feature authentic Indian cuisine. Within the Ibis Walk plaza, right next door to the newly opened, fast-casual Freshii , the restaurant at 10324 Roosevelt Blvd. N. carries an array of eats, including chicken vindaloo, aloo baingan, dal makhani and garlic naan. The dishes are served in a cozy, modern setting.
• South Tampa sushi enthusiasts should head to the quick-service Sushiyaki at 3838 W. Neptune St. The restaurant, featuring a sleek, minimalist interior, has more than just sushi, though. Its varied lineup ranges from stir-fries and bowls to sashimi and platters. Twenty-plus sushi rolls, starters like gyoza, the house spicy tuna bowl and, surprisingly, s’more, chocolate mousse and banana cream “sweet jars” are among the offerings.
• For eaters seeking more Asian grub, Clearwater has a fresh spot to frequent thanks to Ken Sushi & Asian Bistro . The bistro is sandwiched between other tenants inside a long plaza along bustling Gulf to Bay Boulevard (2801, to be exact). Thai, sushi and Asian fusion are its specialties.
Whether folks choose sushi bar or booth seating in the red-and-black dining room, they’ll nosh on colorful, expertly plated dishes like spicy seaweed salad, salmon tartare, the Pirate roll with coconut shrimp tempura and Thai red curry.
• Madeira Beach’s Mad Beach Craft Brewing Company , part brewery, part entertainment hub, is working to debut a kitchen at its John’s Pass Village headquarters.
The restaurant expansion led Mad Beach to preview a couple of its Caribbean and Southern-influenced brewpub tastes during the annual John’s Pass Seafood Festival back in October. (And word is, they’re hiring!)
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2015.