Recently the staff at the Osprey Observer was invited to visit TBD@301, a new café. This gem, which stands for Tea, Bowls and Desserts, stands tucked away in a shopping center at 3840 US Hwy. 301 S. in Riverview (across from the Publix plaza). This new business is well worth the stop, and once you do, you will want to return again and again.
The owners, Isabella Rosal and her husband Jerwin, along with his brother JP Rosal, founded TBD@301 to create an impact on the human food experience, embracing diversity, creativity and fun at the same time.
Dylan Chadwell, TBD@301’s tea guru, hosted a tea class for us. An expert at blending teas, he helped us decide what ingredients to include in our individually created blends. We learned what positive effects the different types of herbs offered.
All of the teas are organic. “We pledge to bring tea lovers an exceptional experience with the best loose leaf teas nature has to offer, by sourcing the highest quality teas with passion and integrity,” said Chadwell.
Tea blending classes take place once a month, usually on the third Saturday of the month, online or in-store. Take home your self-blended flavor for the day. The fee includes your kit comprising of your tea (2 oz.), mixing kit, manual/instructions and tea bags. The fee is $35 per person. Group rates are available for a minimum of seven people. Visit the café or www.tbdcafe.com/events to sign up.
Many tea blends are available for purchase as well as offered on the menu. Be sure to include some Bobo (tapioca balls) in your tea. The most popular teas served are the Lychee Dragon and Thai teas.
The in-house chef, Maria Holliman-Katipunan, has a culinary degree with Filipino roots. Her delicious Chicken Adobo is the most popular menu item.
We tried the Pancit, Filipino style noodles called ‘bihon’, along with Lumpia, a Filipino style egg roll, cooked and made in-house. It is the Monday special. It was my first time trying this and the flavors worked amazingly well together.
Don’t forget dessert. If you are too full after the meal, take some home with you. For something different, try the Matcha Green Tea Cheesecake. Gluten free cheesecakes and edible cookie dough are available.
A fan of the Paradise Oolong Tea with Boba, Melissa Hartmann returns often. She said, “It’s nice to have a nice refreshing lunch and be able to go back to work energized.”
It is not just the food and drinks. According to Isabella, “Team TBD is constantly making efforts to implement ways to contribute to a better community.”
The staff wants to make sure you get what you deserve, in the most economical, efficient and sustainable way possible. Five cents from each cup sold goes to g3 life applications. As a member of the responsiblecafe.org, a 20 cent discount is given if you use your own cup.
Can’t get out for a meal? Delivery services are available through Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 420-0013 or visit www.tbdcafe.com.
