Arepas are the star at Tampa's recently opened La Mansion de la Arepa. At 10011 W. Hillsborough Ave., La Mansion is a casual dining spot that features plenty of seating, TVs and a black-and-red color scheme.
It's doing up the popular Venezuelan sandwich that is the arepa in 14 varieties — shredded chicken with mayo and avocado, scrambled eggs with diced tomato and onion, and fried mortadella, cheese, cabbage, tomato and house sauce included.
There's also a selection of cachapas (often described as pancakes made with corn), patacon (a sandwich that replaces bread with fried green plantains), Venezuelan-style burgers, tequeños (cheese sticks) and grilled specialties like steak and yuca fries.
• Earlier this month, Casey's Craft Bar Kitchen debuted to Lutz in handsome digs where The Vine formerly operated at 17667 N. Dale Mabry Highway. Guests will feast upon chef Marc McDaniel's globally influenced dishes such as grilled shrimp and grits, tuna tartare, steamed buns and apple cinnamon bread pudding. Pair it all with the restaurant-bar's lineup of craft cocktails, wine and draft beer during happy hour, or while listening to live DJ tunes.
• In Seminole Heights, Ebisu Sushi Shack, which CL covered in June, is opening its doors Aug. 5. The restaurant at 5116 N. Nebraska Ave. will feature chef sushi rolls and Japanese dishes during lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. A beer and wine license will follow shortly after the launch.
• Tampa's Westshore area has gained a newly relocated neighborhood bistro. Café European now serves homemade soups, salads, pressed sandwiches and desserts at 3343 S. Westshore Blvd. Other menu items from the indoor-outdoor Westshore Center eatery's kitchen are fish and chips, quiche and a signature burger, plus daily specials and to-go dinners.
• Dunkin' Donuts will be the latest coffeehouse chain to jump on the cold-brew coffee train come next month. On Aug. 1, the brand plans to debut its "ultra-smooth, full-bodied" cold brew, meant to be served black, in small, medium and large cups. This cold cousin to Dunkin's iced coffee follows other recent additions to the menu, including a macchiato, dark roast coffee and limited-time summer flavors like Almond Joy.
This article appears in Jul 28 – Aug 4, 2016.