By B.C. Manion
There’s a new restaurant in Land O’ Lakes at a familiar spot.
Mosquito Grill and Bar has taken the space formerly known as Rapscallions.
Besides new ownership, the restaurant at 4422 US 41 is getting a makeover — one room at a time. The menu is new, except for a few old crowd favorites at Rapscallions.
The owners chose a name that would prompt conversation, said Mark Nixon, one of Mosquito’s new partners.
“We were trying to be different; to stand out a little bit,” Nixon said. He added, “Good or bad, people are talking about the name. I hope it raises enough curiosity that they will come check us out.”
Chad Bille, Mosquito’s general manager, added, “Come and see what the buzz is about. It only takes one bite. … The menu has changed. Everything is scratch cookin’.”
Nixon said they are using as much local produce as possible.
“We’re trying to stay on the cutting edge of that,” Nixon said. “Fresh is always better.”
Menu items include everything from gator bites to fish tacos to barbecue pulled pork to Danish ribs and country-fried venison. The menu also serves a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, seafood entrees, sandwiches, pasta dishes, steaks, pork, chicken and desserts.
However, the restaurant has toned down its wings. It no longer serves the version known to be so hot that they were featured on an episode of Man vs. Food.
“We still have the biggest wings in town,” Bille said. “That hasn’t changed.”
The restaurant has also added pizza — a selection that has proved to be a popular choice with patrons.
Lisa Richardson, an electrical contractor in Land O’ Lakes, was dining at Mosquito recently and planned to give the pizza a try. She’s been coming to the restaurant for about 10 years and likes the changes so far.
“The atmosphere is a lot brighter, a lot cleaner,” Richardson said. “They changed the ladies’ room. They painted it,”
The renovations are a work in progress, Nixon said.
Mosquito has a new game room and its patio, which overlooks Lake Bell, has been given a fresh look with black metal furniture.
Future outdoor plans call for adding a grill, bar, music and a tin roof over the patio.
The aim is to create a “Key West feel, casual fun,” Nixon said.
The changes are being made gradually, and the restaurant is staying open during the makeover.
“We’re going to have to attack one room at a time,” Nixon said. “Every single day there’s a change being made.”
Nixon expects the transformation to take about a year.
Besides the patio, the interior will get some new touches.
The furniture will be replaced. The carpets are being ripped out and the concrete floors are being stained. The walls are also being dressed up.
The restaurant has changed its hours and it plans to have live music seven days a week, Bille said.
The kitchen will be able to accommodate patrons who want to grab a late dinner, play some pool and listen to music, Nixon said.
“Our kitchen will be open until midnight during the week and 2 a.m. on weekends,” Bille said.
Regulars will notice familiar faces serving their food.
Nixon said the owners kept the workers because they value the relationships staff members have with patrons.
“A lot of people come here to see their regulars as far as the bartenders and the servers,” Nixon said. “They have a rapport built up. I think that’s important to keep that going.”
The restaurant has a large bar, which draws a regular crowd, Bille said.
“We’ve got a bar that’s like Cheers,” Bille said. “Everybody knows everybody’s name. We have people who come every day. We’re a tight-knit family.”
Lutz resident Cindy Greco, who was eating at the restaurant recently, is glad to see the same servers and bartenders. She’s also pleased to be able to listen to live music.
“We were in dire need of entertainment in the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes area,” Greco said. “They’re offering entertainment seven days a week. This fills the void.”
Rose Stowers and her husband, Michael, who live in Land O’ Lakes, were recently grabbing a bite at Mosquito. They’re pleased about the extended hours.
The Stowers are also glad that their son, who works in the kitchen, was able to keep his job.
“I was a little worried that they were going to let the folks go,” Rose said.
Nixon envisions people hanging out on the patio, wearing flip-flops and enjoying a meal.
“It’s going to be a good positive thing for the area,” Nixon said. He added, “At the end of the day, the ultimate goal here is to provide a really good service and great quality, so people want to keep coming back.”
Mosquito Bar and Grill
Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight
Full liquor bar and live music
Reservations are accepted
For more information, visit mosquitogrillandbar.com