A new restaurant will replace the former Mosquito Bar & Grill, a waterfront restaurant on Lake Bell that closed down nearly four years ago.
Renovations are underway to upgrade the kitchen and modernize the building at 4422 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
“We don’t know what the concept will be,” said Mike Faehner, a Clearwater-based attorney.
(Kathy Steele/Staff)
Faehner is listed on state records as the registered agent for the property’s owner, 4422 LOL Blvd. LLC.
Market research is being completed, Faehner said.
Whatever the final concept, the restaurant will be locally owned and operated. There are no plans for a chain restaurant, he added.
In 2014, someone posted a message on Mosquito’s marquee board that Hooters planned to open there in 2015. Hooters’ representatives quickly scotched the speculation.
The lakefront property has seen two restaurants come and go in the past decade.
Mosquito Bar & Grill opened in 2012, soon after the popular Rapscallions shut down.
But, Mosquito’s menu of gator bites, fish tacos, barbecue pulled pork and country-fried venison met with mixed reviews. Hot wings – a signature dish for Rapscallions – stayed on the menu, but with a milder sauce.
In 2011, Rapscallions’ very, very hot hot wings garnered the restaurant a feature spot on the Travel Channel’s former show, “Man vs. Food.”
Host Adam Richman took the dare of the Davy Jones Hot Wing Challenge for an honored spot on Rapscallions’ “Wall of Pain.”
Fame was fleeting for the restaurant, however.
Within a year, the property’s owners, C of Pasco Inc., headed to foreclosure.
The restaurant shuttered in 2012.
Mosquito buzzed to life soon after, but its short life ended in 2013.
The building has sat empty since then.
Current property owners bought the site from Centennial Bank in December 2014, according to county records.
A new restaurant finally is on the way.
“Stay tuned,” Faehner said.
Published January 11, 2017
