The LIST – May 2024
We’ve got your monthly roundup of Sarasota restaurant info
🌻 It’s May! This is generally the start of a “slower” time around town. Sure, there are events going on. But it feels like a giant exhale after the craziness of February, March, and April.
This season was a busy one. Like a lot of them are these days. If you came to the Sarasota area from your “regular” home, I hope you enjoyed and had a great time. If you live here, well…
The Good News. Our local restaurant community had a BIG season. Nearly everyone you talk to in our Sarasota hospitality industry said the same thing. It was a busy one! Thanks to all of you who got out, braved the crowds, and enjoyed some of what our Sarasota restaurants had to offer.
🆕 We Had Some New Additions
Since the last time we were together, we’ve added a few places. Two are brand new, and the other is an old one that, for some unexplained reason, wasn’t in our database. 🤷♂️
15 South by Napule (15 S. Boulevard of the Presidents (941) 867-8081)
Yes, A LOT of you have the fondest memories of the “old” 15 South. The new 15 South aims to re-capture some of those warm fuzzy feelings. That will eventually include dancing! 💃
The folks at Napule on South Tamiami Trail are behind this great new/old spot. And they’re hoping to make your meal at the new 15 South memorable.
Rose & Ivy (1296 1st St. (941) 343-2122)
What’s In a Name? Rose & Ivy is the former Azul (which was the former Flirt Sushi). Although the name has undergone some changes, the menu remains largely intact. Dim Sum, Sushi, Small Plates, and some nice craft cocktails all have their place.
They have a new management team headed by Kaye Warr. Its home is the downtown landmark I.R. Burns & H.H. Bell Building (📝 Those who have been in town long enough will remember Munroe’s.). It’s a great space inside and out. Good luck to the new Rose & Ivy! 🌹
Don’t Ask What Took So Long! Yes, we finally got around to adding Mad Moe’s to our database. It’s more than a little bit of a mystery why they haven’t been in there for the past ten years. But that oversight has now been corrected. Welcome, Mad Moe’s, to the dineSarasota family! 👪
🏃 Let’s Run it Down!
We’ve had most of these in our Top 5 before. We think you know what they’re all about. So, because we have lots of other “stuff” to talk about this month, we’ll just leave you with a list…
#5 Mattison’s Forty-One (7275 S. Tamiami Trail (941) 921-3400)
• Where: Downtown
• What Can I Eat?: American + Small Plates – MENU
#4 Rose & Ivy (1296 1st St. (941) 343-2122)
• Where: Downtown
• What Can I Eat?: Sushi, Asian Cuisine- MENU
#3 Bar Hana (1289 N. Palm Ave. (941) 536-9717)
• Where: Downtown
• What Can I Eat?: Asian Cuisine + Craft Cocktails – MENU
#2 Shebeen Irish Pub & Kitchen (6641 Midnight Pass Rd. (941) 271-4714)
• Where: Siesta Key
• What Can I Eat?: Irish Fare – MENU
#1 Beso (30 S. Lemon Ave. (941) 279-2999)
• Where: Downtown
• What Can I Eat?: Spanish Tapas – MENU
➡️ THE BEST OF THE REST
Just outside our Top 5 this month are LWR Main Street’s GROVE Restaurant, casual Italian fav Osteria Southside, Tzeva located on the first floor of the Art Ovation Hotel, the Bijou Garden Cafe (they’ll be closed for renovations until the fall of 2024), and finally The Mable (get the burger! 🍔)
🗒️ HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE TOP 25 FOR MAY 2024!
📌 Some Odds and Ends…
🐟 JPan and a 150# Blue Fin Tuna!
Yes, you read that correctly. A 150# fish! Not a bad catch. The JPan location at UTC had a super unique event on APR 15th. If you’re a sushi lover, this tuna-cutting demo was really something.
Miss it? Not to worry. They’ll be hosting another in the fall, and we will make certain that you have enough notice to get it on your calendar if you’re interested in attending.
In the meantime, here are a few pics to help with that mental imaging…
🥳 Happy 36th Anniversary to Michael’s On East!
Thirty-six years of doing anything is an achievement. In the restaurant business, it’s three lifetimes (or maybe it just feels that way!). Congrats to Michael and Phil for keeping MOE always relevant in an ever-changing culinary landscape. Onward to 40!
🍴 Rest Up – June Means Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week(s). The always anticipated culinary Eat-A-Thon will start June 1ST. Just like last year, we’ll have a special page set up so you can be on top of all of the special menus available around town.
📝 YES, we’ll also have that printable checklist like last year. Take it with you and see how many spots you can hit in those first two weeks of June! HERE’S WHAT THE 2023 CHECKLIST LOOKED LIKE.
👍 YES, we have time for some news this month. We’ve kept up to date on things, so you don’t have to. Here are some restaurant, food, and dining stories that we’ve curated for you this month. Bon Appetit!
~ LH
📰 IN THE NEWS –10 INTERESTING STORIES!
1️⃣ Champagne bar, piano lounge to open in downtown Sarasota
4️⃣ Our Food Editor Shares Her Favorite Food Paintings at The Ringling
5️⃣ Popular Sarasota Café Closing Its Doors After 10 Years
6️⃣ 15 South by Napule Announces Grand Opening
7️⃣ Sarasota Brewery Readies Third Location and Second in Lakewood Ranch
8️⃣ Sarasota’s Daiquiri Deck Opens Tropicana Field Location
9️⃣ The Michelin Guide Awarded Two New Stars to Tampa Restaurants Last Night
🔟 Savor a Slice of New York at Capo Pazzo Pizzeria
🗓️ 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 – GREECE
WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
We’ve got a few things for you to do in the next days, weeks, and months. Get out there and take advantage of what our Sarasota restaurant community has to offer! ⬇️
MAY 4 – 🏇 Kentucky Derby Party – The Cottage
MAY 5 – Cinco de Mayo – Kolucan
MAY 16 – Silver Oak Wine Dinner – Mattison’s Forty-One
MAY 16 – Protea Wine Dinner – Fins at Sharky’s
MAY 17 – Patrón Tequila Dinner – GROVE Restaurant
MAY 19 – Party of the Decade Benefit – Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse
🧑🌾 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
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