Noodle bar set for Seminole Hard Rock; Lime gets new name

TAMPA — Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa welcomes all guests, but especially folks who savor Asian food: A noodle bar is coming in the soon-to-open Jubao Palace.

By year's end, "beef pho, roast duck, baby bok choy, XO seafood fried rice and more will be quick-served at the bar," said Gina Morales, public relations manager. Small plates start at $4; noodle dishes and soups average $10.

Executive chef Bill Gideon and vice president of operations Bill McNulty "taste-tested" many Asian restaurants in Central Florida to develop the menu, Morales said.

"Noodle bar customers can sit and watch preparation from 15 bar stools," Morales said. "Staff will be able to converse in all the major Asian languages." The Rock and Raw Sushi Joint remains open upstairs in the Fresh Harvest restaurant.

Jubao Palace, the Asian-themed gaming complex, has two other names: Ju Bao Ting (Chinese) and Quan Tim Vang (Vietnamese). All more or less translate to "parlor for seeking gold." A dozen-plus tables will feature games most popular among Asian players, including mini-baccarat, Pai Gow poker and Pai Gow tiles.

Jubao Palace noodle bar will be open noon to 2 a.m. daily; call (813) 627-7625.

These Legos make problem-solving fun

Children from preschool to age 11 build Lego brick bridges, buildings, machines and more at Bricks 4 Kidz, an after-school, holiday and summer camp now sharing space with Kokol Arts Studio on Bay to Bay Boulevard.

Christiana Moseley, 33, left a career in medical sales when she bought the Lego brick learning franchise. Already, she is teaching problem solving and critical thinking skills in more than 20 schools.

"They might spend the first 10 minutes learning about the invention of the airplane, then 35 to 40 minutes actually building one with motors and battery packs," Moseley said. Students use STEM skills — science, technology, engineering and math —- as they follow step-by-step instruction manuals, working in pairs to learn cooperation and teamwork."

"After they enjoy the finished product, it goes back in the kit for next week's projects," she said.

Fees vary, sessions generally run 10 weeks, and all materials are provided, Moseley said.

Bricks 4 Kidz, 3318 W Bay to Bay Blvd.. For details, visit www.bricks4kidz.com/tampa or call (813) 466-9355.

New name, same menu at the Lime

The countdown has begun: The Lime announces its new name at midnight on New Year's Eve.

The S Howard Avenue restaurant and bar received a cease-and-desist letter a few months back, said partner Matt Lanza, informing them that Ruby Tuesday owned the rights to the name. Apparently, he said, "they trademarked the Lime about a year before we opened in 2006."

For help with rebranding, the owners made "Rename the Lime" a contest. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram led diners to a website where 700 entries were eventually received.

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"Only the name changes, not the menu," said Lanza, 30. "Fresh, healthy, modern Mexican food like my mother makes." Tableside guacamole and fiesta bowls are most popular.

The winning entrant (we're still brainstorming," Lanza said) will receive a $1,000 Ciccio's Restaurant Group gift card, which can be used at all six locations: the Lime, Ciccio's & Water, the Lodge and Daily Eats in South Tampa; Ciccio's Lodge in New Tampa and Ciccio's California in St. Petersburg.

"We'll toast the new name with tequila at midnight New Year's Eve," Lanza said. There's no cover charge that night, and free appetizers from 10 to 11 p.m.

Visit thelimetampa.com or call (813) 868-5463 .

Send tips about new businesses to Amy Scherzer at ascherzer@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3332.