Vol. 9, Issue 3, March 2021
®
Your community. Your magazine. ™
The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila
Osaka Sushi and Grill Has Re-Opened Its Dining Room! By Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi There’s no doubt the global pandemic has hurt the Tampa Bay restaurant industry tremendously. Fortunately, Osaka Sushi and Grill, one of Carrollwood’s top destinations for the freshest sushi in town, has remained strong thanks to the local community’s incredible support. “I am incredibly thankful for the support we’ve received from our loyal customers; we couldn’t have made it without you,” says Owner Xing (pronounced Sing) Lin. “We have recently re-opened our dining room, and we would love to welcome you and
your loved ones back to dine-in with us. We’ve made a few exciting additions and changes to the menu that I hope everyone will enjoy.” Xing and his friendly staff make all the necessary sanitizing precautions to keep you and your family as safe as possible from COVID-19. All tables and booths are constantly cleared up, disinfected, and sanitized. There’s an appropriate amount of distance between each dining section to avoid overcrowding, and all staff wears masks regularly. Rest assured that you’ll always be in good hands, at Osaka Sushi and Grill. Local Guide Lisa H. says, “The food See “Osaka” on page 16
20 Minutes to Fitness Offers Quick Muscle-Building Strength-Training Workout to Carrollwood Community By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Conveniently located in the heart of Carrollwood, 20 Minutes to Fitness is nothing like a sweaty, big box gym that you force yourself to work out for hours every day. After thirteen years of having their successful studios in Sarasota, Florida, partners Virginia Phillips, Al
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor................................................5 La Vid Fine Wines & Vinoteca Quenches Thirst For Local Independent Wine Shop and Bar in Carrollwood.......................................................8-9
Roach, and Angela Begin opened their Carrollwood location in 2017. Their goal was to be a health and fitness resource for any age and any fitness level and provide 20-minute one-on-one personal fitness training once a week under the watchful eye of an experienced coach. “We are the anti-gym. We do
See “20 Minutes to Fitness” on page 12
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Spring Kitten Season Has Arrived, and Shelters need Your Help! In some of my previous editorials, I’ve talked a little about how COVID19 had negatively impacted many of our local businesses, particularly in the entertainment and restaurant industries. I wanted to take this opportunity to bring to your attention an organization that is very close to my heart, and that is in desperate need of your help; St. Francis Society Animal Rescue. A little over a year ago, I fostered several adult cats and kittens through St. Francis, and it was one of the most beautiful and most meaningful experiences of my entire life. In the process, I not only learned a lot about myself, but I also fell in love with two amazing cats that are now part of my furever family of four, and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I have officially accepted the title of “Crazy Cat Lady For Life,” and it’s not a bad one when you consider the incredible amount of kitty kisses, head bumps, and unconditional love you’ll get from them! And don’t worry about the shedding; cat hair is happy people’s glitter. Recently I received the following email from St. Francis Society Animal Rescue; “It happens each Spring. Thousands of homeless and abandoned kittens are born in the Tampa community. Helpless, hungry, and often sick, they depend upon strangers’ kindness to help take them in and save their lives. This year’s kitten season arrived just a few weeks ago and has already begun filling up St. Francis Society foster homes. Sadly, due to the struggling economy, this spring, we have also received many calls from owners facing eviction and are desperate for placement of their pets. We want to help them, but we can’t do it alone.
How YOU can Help Save A Life! SEND FOOD - Our cupboards are bare! Our last food drive was in October, and not surprisingly, it has all been used. We are desperate for kitten food, formula, and other supplies and would be so grateful if you could help send us some items from our Wish List on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ genericItemsPage/1TFI4A04OIAJ3 FOSTER AN ADULT CAT - Sadly, we currently have very few volunteers who can foster adult cats. If you have a spare bedroom or bathroom, please consider fostering an adult cat in need. As mentioned above, there are so many cats looking for homes due to evictions and economic hard times. For more information, please visit https://stfrancisrescue.org/#/rescue-ui/ volunteer.” As I sat there with my three adopted cats in my bed, I told myself I wanted to help spread their message. And what better way to do that than to dedicate my editorial to bringing awareness into their selfless, caring cause. You don’t have to leave your house to be a hero for an animal in need! P; please visit https://stfrancisrescue.org/ for more information. If you’re active on social media, please follow them on Facebook at: at https://www.facebook.com/ StFrancisSocietyAnimalRescue You can also email me directly if you’d want more information about my personal experience volunteering with adult cats and kittens! I’d be happy to answer any questions. If you are concerned about a loose animal, unleashed dog, abuse, or neglect of an animal, please contact the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center (813) 744-5660. Till next time,
Carla Dubis Tedeschi
6 MARCH 2021
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La Vid Fine Wines & Vinoteca Quenches Thirst For Local Independent Wine Shop and Bar in Carrollwood By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Trying to decide what determines a good wine brand can be overwhelming in a big box shopping store or liquor chain. When Certified Sommelier Victor Manuel and mother/business partner, Rosa Quintela opened La Vid Fine Wines & Vinoteca in November 2020, they wanted to create an intimate shop and make the process a personal one. La Vid offers only the bestin-class Spanish and Portuguese wines, beers, and vermouths, as well as other global wines of distinction and specialty food products from the Mediterranean. “We specialize in Iberian wines (Spain and Portugal) and vermouths. We do sell other European and new world wines. We also carry food products like tuna, Sardines, anchovies, high-end vinegar, chestnuts, almonds, oils from Spain and Portugal,” said Victor. “We were excited to share our wine culture with Carrollwood and offer something different because people were- pun intended- thirsty for a local nonfranchise concept.” The dark garnet walls are adorned with Spanish portraits of bullfighters and dancers. A guitar sits alone, waiting for someone to strum next to the long bar covered in Portuguese
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cork. With walls dressed in rows and rows of wine, food and wine displays decorated with Spanish pottery, set up conveniently throughout the shop, the specialized retail and wine bar in Carrollwood feels welcoming, warm, and inviting. Victor said the personal attention he gives to every customer and the carefully curated selection makes La Vid stand out from other wine concepts. “We are a smaller operation, so it permits us to have that one-on-one with the customers. We also are willing to order anything that they want,” he said. “We are glad to cater to their needs. Customers can shop with confidence. I bring in products that are classic
examples of what textbook Iberian wines are all about.” Having worked regularly with wine in the hospitality industry, his interest was furthered when he was given a book about wine. “I wanted to try all the wines featured in the book,” he explained. “I wanted to know more.” Once he experienced the different wines, a seed was planted and began to cultivate. Victor went through rigorous training and exams to become a Certified Sommelier. An idea for opening his own shop formed. “I had my own perspective and, with my experience, the tools to establish a successful business, learning from great
Certified Sommelier Victor Manuel people who’ve been in the business for years,” he said. “I don’t have this knowledge to want to keep to myself. I want to share with people. I want this to hub for people to learn about wine. I want to reach anybody who’s willing to taste something new and exciting.” With ancestors from Spain, he said the idea to specialize in Iberian wines came easily. “Maybe it’s preprogrammed in my DNA because of my Hispanic heritage. It’s two parts – a personal side and a cultural one. Both great grandparents came from Spain, and the crest that we use here is actually an adaption of our family’s coat
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of arms. On the cultural side, Spain is a country that produces wines that can rival any kind of style of wine that exists in the world, and Portugal has such a vast variety has wines that there is no typical style. It’s a very exciting time in wine across the board, but especially in the Iberian peninsula. The quality of wines we are getting is punching way above its
weight.” Victor explained that the wines aren’t made in huge, mass qualities. “It’s more of a finite product. A lot are unfiltered and unrefined. Though not always listed on the label, many are organic or biodynamically grown. I try to source the most talented producers to offer the best products that I can, which
allows us to have a wonderful selection for the same prices you’d pay at a grocery store or chain liquor store. You’re getting a much better product, and you’re also buying and supporting local,” he said. Not only can customers purchase wine from the retail shop, but they can also order from a menu of different varieties of Spain wines, beers,
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and ciders at the wine bar. Here, conveniently, customers can also enjoy the wine and food products they purchased in the retail shop. During the pandemic, La Vid follows CDC guidelines of sanitization, masks inside the shop, and social distancing to protect customers and staff. “Putting a business sense plus passion and knowledge behind our shop is our secret recipe. We’re passion-driven. We want you to experience the essence of Iberia here.” La Vid Fine Wines & Vinoteca is located at 14610 North Dale Mabry Highway. The business is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 11 pm. The shop features a hospitality night on Sunday. Visit lavidwines. co or follow on facebook. com/LaVidWines to learn about upcoming classes and tastings. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments for consultations are available.
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“20 Minutes to Fitness” - Story Continued from page 1 not want to be lopped in with the big box gyms because we’re not. We’re health and fitness studios. It’s always oneon-one, and everything is by appointment. Clients move weights very slowly to force their muscles to do the work versus momentum and gravity; therefore, it is much safer than traditional strength training. So safe that doctors refer their patients because they know we will take good care of them, “ explained Virginia. “We chose Carrollwood because it’s a beautiful area with a lot of people, the right demographics for what we do.” In her forties, Virginia regularly competed in bodybuilding. She knew the danger of overexertion working in a gym. When she and her husband researched the proven science behind the strengthbuilding methods employed by exercising following a specific protocol for 20 minutes, they knew this was a niche that they could fill. “We realized people no longer have to spend hours at a gym to get the same or better results. We wanted to create this fitness company that could fit into anyone’s lifestyle that’s safe for any age,” Virginia explained. Angela relayed her favorite story about an older client who had difficulty once seated, getting back up from the floor. “I love how we help our clients. It’s very rewarding to
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see people achieve their goals,” she said. “We had a client who wanted to be able to get down on the floor and play with her grandkids and be able to get up off the floor without having to struggle or have her grandkids help her. After time in the program, she came in so excited and said, ‘watch me’ and proceeded to get down on the floor and got right back up. She said, ‘I can do that now because of 20 Minutes to Fitness.’ I have clients come in my door all the time telling me how they can do things that they couldn’t do before, that their bone density scan came back and it’s improved, or just someone who says, ‘I have to tell you how amazing this place is, how it’s changed my life.’
That makes me want to come to work every day.” Using scientifically based strength-building methods, a 20-minute training session using state-of-the-art highend equipment, originally designed for physical therapy patients, equates to a workout up to three or more hours in a traditional gym. The studio is kept at 68 degrees, so the workout is sweatless. This is perfect for the busy professional who wants to do an effective, efficient workout on a lunch break and return to work. “Our average age is 50s to 60s, and we certainly have younger 40s and older. My oldest client is 96,” she said. “We have 70 and 80-year-olds who understand this is a safe
place to be, and they want to stay mobile. If you’re not doing something to combat losing muscle tissue as we age (sarcopenia), you’re going to lose it. That threatens mobility, all your organs, because muscle pulls the blood flow and oxygen to all of our organs. We want to reverse sarcopenia.” Virginia explained that so many people who discovered 20 Minutes to Fitness lacked the energy to go for a walk, play with their children or grandchildren, try to juggle a family, and work full-time. “As soon as you start doing strength-training and building muscle, very quickly you realize you have more energy. You feel better. Your balance is improved because you are no longer
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losing your core and quad strength. You start losing body fat and start to tone up because you are increasing muscle tissue that is metabolically active. Muscle burns twenty-four/seven. Muscle is key to controlling diabetes, increasing bone density. There are lots of benefits to building muscle and strength training.” Virginia encourages her clients to have a substantial breakfast, not just coffee, before working out. “When you don’t have fuel, it doesn’t work very well. We talk about nutrition because we want them to have a great workout, get more energy, and get the results that they are looking for.” During a complimentary one-hour orientation appointment, guests can experience several pieces of equipment to understand what it is like to work out on the specialized equipment and why it is so effective. “They learn the benefits, the effectiveness of it and not spending hours in the gym and getting hurt. Overtraining is never good. It’s not allowing your body time to rest and recover. If you are going to take your body to peak performance, allow anywhere from 3 to 6 days of rest and recovery.” Unlike a gym, where CDC guidelines may not be as easy to enforce, at 20 Minutes to Fitness, staggered appointments ensure the staff has time to disinfect between clients, and CDC protocols are stringently enforced. “Even though the Florida government temporarily closed us during the early pandemic, when we were approved to reopen, we knew we could control how many people we have in the studio. We control the social distancing,” Virginia explained. “Every one of our team members is compassionate and dedicated and wants to help our clients improve their quality of life. They are extremely qualified, or they wouldn’t be with us. We’re all a family, and that’s something I never want to lose. We have each other’s back. We are so passionate about what we do and how we change people’s lives. Our clients talk to us about it all the time, and we’re just grateful for it.” Angela added, “We have a great staff and a great atmosphere. It truly is a family here, and that’s the wonderful thing about this place. For people who say that they don’t have the time, my initial reaction is, do you have time to be sick or not have energy? This really helps. I tell people all the time, come in and try us. You never know what you can achieve until you come in, talk with us, and see for yourself.” 20 Minutes to Fitness is located at 11610 North Dale Mabry Highway. The studio has no contracts nor membership fees. Clients can purchase sessions in quantities of 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48. The studio is open by appointment Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 7 pm, and Saturday, 8 am to 1 pm. To learn more, visit www.20minutestofitness.com or call the studio at 813.664.8888.
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“Osaka”
- continued from page 1 at Osaka Sushi is excellent, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about what they serve, the place is super clean, including the restrooms! Overall fabulous ambiance. They are practicing COVID-19 safety guidelines and social distancing. And prices are affordable for excellent quality and a creative menu.” With their convenient location in the Palms of Carrollwood Shopping Center just south of Ehrlich Rd and Dale Mabry Hwy, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy some of the best sushi in Tampa Bay, and even if you do, it will always be worth the drive! Recent customer Kim N. visited Osaka Sushi 3 weeks ago, and shares this in her 5-star review, “My daughter and I were in Tampa yesterday…we stumbled across this gem, and although we live in Brooksville,
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we will drive to Tampa often for the Sushi at Osaka Sushi and Grill. It was some of the best I have ever eaten. The establishment was impeccable and clean, and the staff was amicable.” At Osaka Sushi and Grill, the food is almost too beautiful to eat, yet I promise you that it tastes even better than it looks! Every dish looked like a work of art and tasted like a masterpiece. During my last visit, I got
to enjoy a wide selection of the freshest sashimi, including snapper, yellowtail, white tuna, red tuna, and salmon; and a couple of special sushi rolls that were the perfect combination of salty, sweet, and crunchy! The Carroll Wood Roll had crispy shrimp tempura and cucumber on the inside and was topped with eel, avocado, and eel sauce. I highly recommend it if you’re into sweet and crunchy! But my personal favorite roll of the
day was the Bonzai Roll. This delicious premium sushi roll had eel, avocado, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, krabmeat, caviar, and eel sauce, a total explosion of perfectly paired ingredients! Even though sushi may be the popular choice for regulars, it isn’t the only thing on the menu. Osaka Sushi and Grill offers a fusion of JapaneseAmerican for those wanting a different dining experience. Let’s be honest, and not everyone enjoys sushi or the
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idea of “raw” fish. Because of this, Xing and his creative chefs strive to offer many scrumptious options; so everyone in your party can enjoy a delicious meal at an excellent price. From soups and salads to fresh seafood, steak, noodles, hibachi meals, and more, there’s definitely something for everyone to enjoy at Osaka Sushi and Grill! Osaka Sushi and Grill offers Happy Hour specials
from Monday Through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 pm where guests can enjoy $2.00 Sushi and Sashimi, $3.00 - $5.00 Sushi Rolls, 2 for 1 draft beers, $5 house wines, and more! Hibachi Specials are also available during happy hour. Carry out or get your order through UberEats and Doordash Today! Osaka Sushi & Grill is located at 14428 N Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa. They
are open Mon. - Thurs. 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.; and Sun. 12 p.m.
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- 10 p.m. For additional information, please call (813) 968-8877 or visit www.OsakaSushiGrill.com.
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