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Mario's freshens up Cellini; Mathnasium flexes math muscles

 
Published Dec. 20, 2012

INTERBAY — The new year brings a new name — Mario's Trattoria and Bar — and a new emphasis on fresh fish and grilled meats to the Italian restaurant formerly known as Cellini.

"After 13 years of being known for pizza and pasta, we are changing to suit the times," said Michael Adamo, who previously partnered with his dad and brother at the Bayshore Boulevard spot near MacDill Air Force Base. Michael and his sister, Marlena Adamo, recently took over the business and renamed it in honor of their father. Photos of Mario Adamo arriving from Calabria, Italy, with his family in 1959 adorn the walls.

"We're keeping the same favorite recipes but adding an antipasta table and lighter fare," Michael said.

Extensive renovations at the 100-seat restaurant include an outdoor patio, a coppertop bar and a ceiling that was raised 5 feet.

And coming in mid January, an onsite bakery, to be called Bake.

"The bakery will sell pastries, Italian desserts and ice cream made right there by a local pastry chef," says Michael, plus cappuccino and espresso.

Starting in a month or so, Mario's will serve Sunday dinner family style, $17.95 for bruschetta, antipasta, choice of three pastas, salad and entree.

Happy Hour features two-for-one beer and wine from 5 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to closing Monday to Friday. Liquor service will be added when a private party room and wine cellar are finished.

Mario's Trattoria and Bar, 5427 Bayshore Blvd., is open seven days a week. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday; 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit mariosbayshore.com or call (813) 835-7531.

Mathnasium equation adds fun

Driving her dyslexic and dyscalculic daughter to the Mathnasium in Carrollwood for math instruction took its toll, said Molly Siegenthaler.

"But it was the only thing that worked," she says of the tutoring technique. "It drastically changed her attitude and confidence."

Siegenthaler felt so strongly about the program that she bought a franchise for south Tampa, along with mechanical engineer Shannon Danielson. They plan a grand opening on S Dale Mabry Highway, near Neptune Avenue, on Jan. 6.

"Both our husbands are engineers," notes Siegenthaler. "We all understand how important it is to be competitive globally as more careers require a heavy math background."

Students in grades 2 to 12 come for help with homework, test prep, SATs, ACTs, "whatever they need," Siegenthaler said. The center offers both remedial and advanced enrichment, "catch up and keep up," she adds, from fundamentals to trigonometry and statistics, using a method tested for 35 years. Private tutoring is also available.

"They have so much fun they are actually learning it," she said. "Lots of strategy and spatial learning games. Kids are super receptive to it."

She compared Mathnasium, open 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Sunday afternoons, to a gym membership.

"The kids can just pop in," she said. "It's like going for a workout."

The center is closed Fridays and Saturdays. "When a lot of kids have sports," she continues.

"Then we reopen Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m., which I expect to be a very busy time for studying before a big test on Monday."

Mathnasium of South Tampa is at 1536 S Dale Mabry Highway. Visit mathnasium.com or call (813) 254-3800.

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