March 15, 2024

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FIRST LOOK – The Green Orchid

What’s Happening at the Selby?…

Sarasota has a secret garden!  

I’m not talking about a tiny plot tucked away in someone’s backyard. I am talking about a full-on garden. 

Above is the visual proof that this garden does indeed exist. Need more? OK, here you go. 

Tomatoes, squash, kale, and celery all growing under the watchful eye of Camille VanSant. Camille is the founder of Operation Eco Vets. And, as you can see from the results above, Camille is an expert at playing in the dirt. 

❓ At This Point, I’m Guessing You Have Two Questions. 

1️⃣ Where does this secret garden live? 

AND 

2️⃣ Where in the world does all of that delicious produce go? 

The answer to question number one might surprise you. This bounty of fresh veggies is growing on the roof of one of the newly constructed buildings on the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens grounds. 

Here’s the answer to question number two… 

The roof of the brand-new Green Orchid is home to this garden hideaway. And when you think about it, it makes perfect sense.  

Since 1973, Selby has long been home to a semi-urban oasis. Plants of all shapes, sizes, and origins make their home on this 15-acre plot at the corner of Mound and Orange. It just fits that they would start growing things for the plate. 

👀 Let’s Take a Look at The Green Orchid. 

🟰 THE BASICS  

• WHAT: The Green Orchid 

• WHERE: 1534 Mound St. (941) 265-8194 

• WHEN: DAILY, 11AM TO 3PM (Gardens admission required) 

• GET MORE INFO: Green Orchid Website | dineSarasota Info Page 

🌿 This Unique Breed of Restaurant Doesn’t Happen by Accident. No, it takes an expert hand (or two!) to guide it into existence. And then comes the harder part: operating it.  

These experts have been creating culinary success stories in our Sarasota restaurant community seemingly forever. Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini. Yes, the same local hospitality duo behind Michael’s On East, Michael’s Wine Cellar, and the new Ora event venue. (📝 I don’t know where they find the time and energy for all of it. Cloning is a definite possibility here! 😃) 

🪟 10,000 FOOT VIEW   

A World First, Right Here in Sarasota. Being “green” is one thing. Taking that vision to the extreme is quite another. The Green Orchid aims to be the first net positive energy restaurant in the world. Yes, In The WORLD! 🌍 

Helping to make this possible is a nearly 50,000 square-foot solar array sitting on top of the recently constructed Selby parking structure. ☀️ 

After a morning of strolling through the Selby grounds, The Green Orchid is an inviting retreat. It’s a comfortable place where you can sit back, relax, and share a meal with friends or family. 

🤷🏻‍♂️ WHAT’S THIS PLACE LIKE?   

• It has a light and bright dining room. Even sitting inside, you have that “outside” feel. Some places that try to achieve this type of atmosphere can come off as sterile and cold. Not this dining room. The air is open and inviting. 

• Yes, you can sit in the “actual” outdoors if that’s your thing. Lots of umbrellas provide the shade that you’ll need during the hotter Sarasota months. 

• They also have a small bar if you’re solo or just want to make a new friend. Food has a unique way of stirring conversation. We all have food opinions, right? And we’re usually not shy in sharing them. 

📄 WHAT TO ORDER?   

Here’s where Camille’s rooftop garden comes into play. The menu has a little bit for everyone. Most of the vegetables used in these dishes come from the garden a couple of floors above. It will be hard to beat the freshness you get from picking your veggies right before they are used! 🍅 

Want to Explore the menu on Your Own? 

📃 HERE A LINK TO THE GREEN ORCHID MENU!  

The Greens & Bowls are obvious choices considering the garden above, but this menu is packed with creative and delicious options. 

The Handhelds & Mains section ranges from lobster rolls to flat iron steak to street tacos. Yes, there is literally something for everyone and for every taste! 

📷 PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS   

👀 RANDOM OBSERVATIONS 

• As you would expect from any restaurant that Michael and Phil oversee, the service is first class. My server, Dennis, could not have been better! 

• They have a burger on their menu! No, we don’t have time to add it to the burger list. Maybe we’ll just do this one for “extra credit.” 🍔 

• Parking is easy. The new Selby garage makes this once challenging situation a piece of cake. 🚗 

• You will need to have admission to the gardens to dine at The Green Orchid. Or you can just become a Selby member and go whenever your little heart desires!  

• They offer a pretty expansive wine list for a lunch-only place. But given the operators, it’s the least surprising discovery of the day. 🍷 

• They are only serving lunch at the moment. They do have plans to possibly open for dinner in the future. We’ll let you know if/when that happens. 

✅ BOTTOM LINE 

The Green Orchid is probably the most unique restaurant setting in town. It offers diners the opportunity to enjoy a stroll through a beautiful garden setting and then enjoy a menu crafted using some of the most hyper-local ingredients available. The combo makes for a memorable meal. Add this to your To-Do List! 

~ LH

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🗓️ 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 – TOKOYO 

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. ⬇️ 

MAR 15 – Papa’s Pilar Rum Dinner – Pier 22 

MAR 16 – Grand Tasting Brunch – Florida Winefest & Auction 

MAR 20 – Banfi Wine Dinner – Michael’s Wine Cellar 

MAR 21 – Prestige Wine Tasting – Mademoiselle Paris 

MAR 22 – Austin Hope Wine Dinner – GROVE Restaurant 

MAR 23 – The 30th Annual Tropical Nights: A Pirate’s Life – INFORMATION 

MAR 31 – Easter Brunch – GROVE Restaurant 

MAR 31 – Easter Brunch – Kolucan 

APR 12 – Porter Winemaker Dinner – Cafe Gabbiano 

MAY 5 – Cinco de Mayo – Kolucan 

🧑‍🌾 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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