Stonewood Tavern, New Tampa, FL

**Update: The manager of Stonewood contacted me personally to apologize for the staff oversight. He stated he would be using my email as a training tool and asked I return to the location at a later date to see what if any changes had been made. I hope to visit during April. I am always impressed with any establishment who takes criticism constructively and look forward to my next visit

Date: 03/09/2010
Time: Dinner
Type: Restaurant
Where: 17050 Palm Pointe Dr, Tampa, FL 33647
Party: 1 female

Immediate Impression:
Absolutely no where to park but once inside was not very crowded. The bar and dining room are very dark.

Service:
I sat at the tail end of the bar, next to the service station. At first, my impression was favorable - one of the bartenders assisted me with their drink specials and let me know happy was ending soon. I was please with the bar staff, but the waitstaff really needs to be more aware of their surroundings and what they say to one another with patrons around. Not only where their conversations rude, obnoxious and condescending, but their continual bumping into my chair and putting their arm over my food without excusing themselves was irritating.

Menu/Food:
The menu was very inclusive - something for everyone. I began with their smoked salmon appetizer, which although sweeter then the menu lets on (who would have thought dill mustard seed sauce would be sweet) was delectable and well portion. This could have easily fed 3 people.

My salad - Mediterranean Salad w/o pine nuts - was really great - although again, the dressing was a little too sweet. All of the vegetables were fresh and crisp, and the presentation made you feel you were getting a good value (although for the price, I would say it wasn't ample).

For my entree I ordered a 7oz Medium Rare Sirloin Steak with Rice Pilaf and vegetables. The vegetables were great - again, crisp, fresh and cook correctly; the rice "pilaf" was nothing more than yellow rice and pepper; but the steak was excellent. Cooked to the perfect temperature w/o any overwhelming spices or additional salt.

All the food presented around me looked fantastic.

Price:
Pricey - happy hour wine, appetizer, salad and entree, after tip was $50 even.

Final thought:
Although I wasn't disappointed, there are better steak/fish joints in my area, which I would be more likely to frequent than Stonewood. But if I were to go again, I would definitely sit at the bar, the waitstaff may be nice to your face but they say nasty things behind it!

Pita Republic, Wesley Chapel, FL

Date: 03/03/2010
Time: Dinner
Type: "Fast" Food
Where: The Cypress at BBD & County Line Road, Wesley Chapel, FL
Party: 1 female

Immediate Impression:
Brand Spanking new - has an odd sense of emptiness, and really quiet!

Service:
Found out it actually was the establishments first day and I was only their 15th customer, so I will cut them some slack. Honestly, the two gentleman were attentive and lively, and their complimenting me on my beauty definitely helped!

Menu/Food:
Pita sandwiches, regular cold-cut sandwiches and wraps. I went with their Mediterranean wrap on a sun-dried tomato wrap. YUMMY and HUGE!!! I was only able to eat half my sandwich. The warm bread melted my feta cheese which made the sandwich even better.

I didn't eat in so I didn't order anything else, but I will go back to try their other items.

Price:
Moderate - but there are always coupons in the mail, I recommend using them.

Final thought:
I love finding good eats close to home; I will definitely go back soon. Hopefully they will stay busy, its a tough neighborhood for food joints

Byblos Pitas, North Tampa, FL

Date: 02/28/2010
Time: Lunch
Type: "Fast" Food
Where: 2734 University Square Drive, Tampa
Party: 1 male, 1 female

Immediate Impression:
This place makes me happy! The colors are so vibrant, the space is very open with good light.

Service:
Since this is a "fast" food establishment - by that I mean strictly counter service, I really didn't anticipate much. However, the young man, and the owner, were very helpful and checked in on us to ensure we were enjoying our meal and all was well.

Menu/Food:
Middle Eastern style "fast" food - pita sandwiches, salads and traditional side dishes. I quickly learned the establishment served Lebanese style middle easter food - which does have its variant from other regions.

My guest orderd a Gyro Pita fully loaded, and I ordered the Chicken Shwarma with a side of Hummus. The chicken took a while to prepare - but boy, was it worth it.

I have to say it - I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! My food was not only large portioned, but tasted spectacular. For my pita, the server recommend adding, lettuce, tomato, garlic paste and pickled turnips - yes, I said pickled turnips! I had him dump on some cucumbers and roll it up. Instead of it being a messy fall in your lap standard pita sandwich, at Byblos they wrap them up like burritos, which are much easier for transport. This sandwich was fantastic - I didn't want to stop eating it.

I didn't try the Gyro but my guest was ranting and raving about how good the yogurt dressing was and the gyro meat tasted.

My "side" of hummus was a full half cup and came with pita chips - this came home with me.

Price:
Cheap - and they are running a special where after 5pm all pitas are $5! And for you anglos - they do have French Fries.

They also have FREE wifi and Beer - $2.95 for your first and $1.00 for each subsequent.

Also, they let us finish our meal and THEN pay - it always feels good to be trusted.

Final thought:
I am going to come here as often as possible; the food is fast and healthy. The services is prompt and amicable, and the atmosphere is conducive to a relaxing meal. I could see myself setting up my laptop and enjoying a calm late afternoon there. I am sure this place gets pack at lunch - so be warned.

Hope they open more of these locally - I will definitely have to try their full sit-down restaurant in South Tampa - Byblos Cafe.