The LIST – February 2024
🗒️ We’ve got some great new restaurants, plus lots of news!
Words: 959 = Reading Time: 3.5 Minutes
❤️ All You Need is Love. Hey, it’s February!
You’ve got Valentine’s Day breakfasts, lunches, and/or dinners ahead. It’s the unofficial start of season here in town. AND it’s Spring Training baseball time! ⚾ What’s not to love, right?…
After all of this unseasonably cold weather, I’m excited to sit in that warming spring sun and take in a game (or maybe 12!). I will absolutely have that first hot dog of the season and maybe even a refreshing adult beverage (or two!). Can’t wait!
📝 Fact or Fiction? I have a friend. He used to work concessions at an unnamed MLB park. He told me when there are back-to-back home games, and you’re at the second of those games, wait until after the fourth inning for your dog. I’ll let you figure it out from there… 🌭
🆕 YES! As promised last month. We’ve added some new places to the dineSarasota database of restaurants. It now stands at a solid 386 Sarasota restaurants! We’ve got some really GREAT choices here!
Let’s get to some of the latest entries, shall we?
Samurai Japanese Fusion (1936 Hillview St. (941) 777-7707) This is the former Pazzo Southside space in Southside Village. Yes, it’s been a few things over the years (Can you say Oceans Blue?). They’ve got some strong neighborhood sushi competition from Pacific Rim. Hopefully, over time they’ll develop their own loyal following. 🍣 – MENU HERE
Divan (6525 Superior Ave. (941) 924-3030) I think this may be Sarasota’s only Turkish restaurant (If there’s another one, it’s flown under my radar). Their Gulf Gate spot is a perfect fit. It’s a quirky culinary location. There are lots of cuisines and styles mixed into that little four-street area. – MENU HERE
Pie on Main (1507 Main St. (941) 217-6370) This new downtown pizza joint comes from the folks who run Pi Pizza on Siesta Key. Similar menu to the place on SK. Look for pizza, their baked wings, burgers, and subs. Should be a popular Main Street pizza stop! 🍕 – MENU HERE
Casami Italian Bistro (1272 N Palm Ave. (941) 260-8502) Last new one for this month. Casami is located right across from Kojo, Bar Hana, and the Palm Avenue Deli. Also, there’s easy parking at the Palm Avenue garage. Choose from the regular menu or the weekly rotating special menu. Save room for one of Chef Luigi’s signature homemade desserts! – MENU HERE
📈 THE LIST
⭐ Once again, I just want to say, “Thanks So Much!” The dineSarasota.com website continues to host some terrific traffic. I love that you love using it!
HERE WE GO!
#5 Florence and the Spice Boys (4990 S Tamiami Trl.)
Some of you mentioned that we should add their Le Big Mac Burger to our list. There are actually three Big Mac re-creations in the Sarasota area. Maybe we’ll bundle them into one big, happy burger piece!
#4 Bar Hana (1289 N. Palm Ave. (941) 536-9717)
Back in the Top 5 once again. This cute little cocktail place is perfect for a date or maybe an after-work wind down. Have a Bao Bun to go with that Frisky Flamingo! 🦩
#3 Shebeen Irish Pub & Kitchen (6641 Midnight Pass Rd. (941) 952-3070)
They’ve been a constant in our Top 5 for months on end. I didn’t realize that so many of you were hunting for a great Irish Pub. It’s frankly a little puzzling. I can only say, sláinte! 🍀
#2 Osteria Southside (1812 S. Osprey Ave. (941) 361-3200)
Delicious daily specials! I completely realize that he’s not an Italian grandmother, but Chef Michael Calore’s cooking would make them proud! OH, you need to try one of their Italian sandwiches. Fantastic!
#1 Beso (30 S. Lemon Ave. (941) 279-2999)
It’s Beso one more time! If you haven’t been, it looks like you’ll be in the minority pretty quickly here. If you have been, well, then you know what all the talk is about. Go get some tapas!
➡️ THE BEST OF THE REST
OK, let’s round things out for the month. Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House is just outside the Top 5 at number six (They’re serving breakfast now!). Semi-new pizza fav Capo Pazzo is in at number seven, followed by the brand new pizza place Pie on Main (see above) at eight. Number nine is a favorite of Ringling School of Art students, The Mable (great burger!). Wolfie’s patio-mate Spice Station rounds out the Top 10. (It’s been a while since we’ve seen them. Congrats!)
🗒️ HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE TOP 25 FOR FEBRUARY 2024!
📕 DINING BOOK UPDATE! Last month, we told you we were in the final push to finish our 2024 Sarasota dining book. Well, as I’m sure you’ve heard (or could guess), IT’S DONE! You can get your very own personal copy by CLICKING HERE or by visiting Bookstore 1 Sarasota or either of our local Barnes & Noble locations!
Let’s take this one home! We’ve curated some things we think you might find interesting. Yes, we’ve got some local Sarasota food and restaurant news for you. We have some incredibly talented writers here in town, and we just love to show off their work! ✏️
📰 IN THE NEWS –10 INTERESTING STORIES!
1️⃣ Seven Spots to Get a Great Mocktail
2️⃣ Sarasota BBQ Restaurant Permanently Closing Months After Reopening
3️⃣ At Kolucan, Mexican Culinary Traditions Are Treated with Reverence
4️⃣ Local Writer Larry Hoffman’s Little Sarasota Dining Book Is in Bookstores Now
5️⃣ 6 Historic Restaurants To Visit In Sarasota, Longboat And Lakewood Ranch
6️⃣ Le Mans Kitchen at Sarasota Ford Redefines Fine Dining
7️⃣ Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi To Open Lakewood Ranch Restaurant Jan. 20
8️⃣ In Defining Bars and Clubs, City Asks: Do Restaurants Need Kitchens?
🔟 What It’s Like to Attend a Ceremonial Cacao Circle
🧑🏻🍳 HEY CHEFS AND RESTAURANT OWNERS! 👩🏻🍳
We want to feature one of your recipes in our popular Make it at Home series. Drop us a line and we’ll give you the details! INFO HERE🌟
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD EVENTS 🗓️
Here are some upcoming local food events that we think you might find interesting. All you need to do is make that reservation. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
⭐⭐ If you have an event, we’d like to help you spread the word. Let us know! (EMAIL IT)
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2024 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – NEW ORLEANS
WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
Yes! Things are finally starting to pick up a bit in the local food event department. Our calendar is filling up little by little. ⬇️
FEB 3 TO 10 – 15th Anniversary Special Menu – Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant
FEB 7 – Love at First Bite by Libby’s – Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie
FEB 8 – Murder Mystery Dinner – Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant
FEB 16 – Wine, Dine & Be Mine Wine Dinner – Pier 22
FEB 21 – Annual Black & White Dinner – TASTE Dining & Travel
FEB 23 – Penfolds Wine Dinner – GROVE Restaurant
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY NIGHT – RADD Night Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
🌟 SHARE, FOLLOW, LIKE 🌟
Get information on 350+ Sarasota restaurants on the dineSarasota.com website
Did you miss a story? Here are some of our past Bites – SB ARCHIVE
Do you love our A Burger A Week pieces? – HERE’S THE FULL ARCHIVE 🍔
Yes, we’re on social media! Our Facebook Page, Twitter Feed, Instagram, and Threads
Check out all of our Videos on our YouTube channel!
Refer a friend to Sarasota Bites. That would make us super happy CLICK HERE!
Email us a question, comment, or suggest a story. SEND EMAIL
Leave a Reply