"Napoleon, give me some of your tots"... I'm sure the good folks at Ore-Ida aren't quite quaking in the tater tot making boots. But, maybe they should be. No, I'm not suggesting that the tots you see pictured below will be in your local supermarket frozen food section … [Read more...]
Cinco de Mayo, A Celebration of…
Who really needs a reason for a party anyway? Who would have thought that the hard fought victory that the Mexican army achieved over the French one hundred and fifty years ago would morph into an all out margarita chugging party? Certainly not Mexican General Ignacio … [Read more...]
Sarasota Food Find- Mozzarella Fella
Sarasota Food Find- Mozzarella Fella The Special What: The SpecialWhere: Mozzarella Fella (1668 Main St., Downtown. 941-366-7600)Cost: Varies There is something about the word itself, Special. It just sounds out of the ordinary. It rolls off the tongue in just that, … [Read more...]
Sarasota Food Find | Dutch Valley Restaurant
Sometimes you find food. Sometimes food finds you. What: Cobb Salad Where: Dutch Valley Restaurant (6721 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-924-1770) Cost: Small $8.25, Large $9.99 What can you say about the mighty Cobb Salad that hasnt already been said a thousand times? How … [Read more...]
Sarasota Food Find | The Broken Egg
Sometimes you find food. Sometimes food finds you. What: Cuban Roll Where: The Broken Egg (140 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key, 941-346-2750) Price: $ 8.49 When most people in this town think Cuban Sandwich the reflex response is The Columbia, And, thats natural. They do … [Read more...]
Sarasota Food Find | Coyne’s Pier 28
Hey, its time to find some great Sarasota food! What: Coynes Famous Crab Cakes Where: Coynes Pier 28 (8200 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota 941-921-0028) Price: $24.00 First, does the following sound vaguely familiar? Second, no, this is not a Mad Lib. Ready, here goes. … [Read more...]
Sarasota Food Find | Zante Gyros
Nothing beats discovering a great dish! What: Chicken Gyro Where: Zante Gyros (6500 Superior Ave., Sarasota, 941-404-2099, Gulf Gate) Price: $5.95 There arent many people (at least that Ive run into) who dont love a good gyro every now and then. Obviously, it cant be … [Read more...]
Taste + Tech = Carmel Cafe
When technology meets food the results can be delicious. I love toys. Especially tech toys. The more light and buttons, the more better. At least in my eyes. The device doesn't even have to be all that useful. I just love to play with stuff. I also love and appreciate great … [Read more...]
How To Build The Perfect Sandwich
The pursuit of perfection is a noble cause. Even when its just a sandwich. A quick history lesson. Does the name John Montagu ring a bell? No. Well, how about his more popular moniker, the 4th Earl of Sandwich? Yes. Now youve got it. Since the 18th century when The Earl … [Read more...]
The Missing SKOBwich? | Sarasota Restaurants Journal
Sometimes great items never make the REAL menu. Have you ever walked into a place, sat down at the bar (or table) and looked over at another persons plate to see what theyre having? Of course you have. We are all naturally curious, especially when it comes to our … [Read more...]
It’s Famous For A Reason
This is not going to be a deep philosophical Sarasota food post. I know youre used to that here. Hope you're not disappointed. This one is quite simple. Actually, it can be condensed into two words. Famous Italian If you havent been to the Main Bar Sandwich Shop in awhile, … [Read more...]
Adult Education, Island Style
Who said learning cant be fun? Class is now in session. Im going to teach you a new word today. Some of you may know it. But, I feel fairly confident that for most of you (and me) it will be an addition to your already extensive vocabulary. Ready. Here we go. Falernum - … [Read more...]
Savory Is The Perfect Word
I love food that has a history. Even if its not my history. I always marvel at the sheer volume of stories that can be told through food. It might take the form of a frequently re-lived family tale that is rooted in a particular dish. Or, it may be a meal that triggers … [Read more...]
Grilled Cheese Takes Center Stage
The humble grilled cheese gets a necessary elevation. Its supposed to be all about the burgers. And, mostly it is. When you have the word burger prominently featured in your name it had better be. But, what happens when a alternative menu item is as good as the featured … [Read more...]
Fleming’s Steakhouse: Lump Crab Louis Wrap
I was flipping through a pile of old images from some of our Sarasota restaurants and came across some from a Flemings Steakhouse photo shoot I did a while back. This is their Lump Crab Louis Wrap. I had forgotten what a great appetizer it was. I thought I would dust off a … [Read more...]
The Concept of New and a Sarasota Restaurant Tradition
Sometimes always looking for the latest things obscures your view of the best things. Youve seen it. I know you have, because I have. A hand written note. A fancy, digitally produced graphic. Or, just blank butcher paper over a storefront window. All of the above say the same … [Read more...]
When Is A Scallop More Than A Scallop?
A good riddle can be as satisfying as a great dish. They both leave you wanting a little more. When I was young I had the same collection of books that most kids growing up in the early sixties had. Lots of Dr. Seuss and the like. Seuss was great, dont get me wrong. There are … [Read more...]
Innovation and Invention Hits The Sarasota Food Scene
Why isn't there an acceptance of creative cuisine the way there is an acceptance of ordinary cuisine? That should be fixed. Those of you who know me personally or who visit dineSarasota.com on a regular or semi-regular basis know one thing. I don't like to write restaurant … [Read more...]
Is This The Best Goat Cheese Salad In Sarasota?
I thought I had seen or eaten just about anything that could contain or be made with a piece of goat cheese. I was wrong. The menu description is so inviting Two warm goat cheese pillows encased in puff pastry on a bed of romaine, apple and nuts. Honey vinaigrette. A house … [Read more...]
dineSarasota Gratuitous Food Foto of the Moment (#3)
Coming soon to downtown Sarasota. Nancy's BBQ. We can't wait to enjoy Nancy's great food in her new permanent location! More details soon. … [Read more...]
dineSarasota Gratuitous Food Foto of the Moment (#2)
All of a sudden Gulf Gate is turning into the newest Sarasota dining hotspot. This is what you can expect at Veg. … [Read more...]
I Have This Camera…
Sometime around the beginning of 2010, I decided that dineSarasota.com needed some better food photos. Not that the shots I was posting were horrific or embarrassing, but, I thought that the great food that was being prepared in our local restaurants deserved a little better … [Read more...]