Helene Was Strong. But Sarasota is Stronger
A barrier island restaurant update
This is the point in the month when our regular readers expect us to run down our list of the most popular area restaurants. That doesn’t really seem important, given the events of the past week or so. So, let’s not do that.
Unless you’ve had your eyes closed for the past seven days, you’ve seen or have personally experienced the tragic and heartbreaking effects of Hurricane Helene. A lot of us have been through a bunch of these. But this one hit different.
Its storm surge covered our barrier islands with Gulf water. And when it receded, it left behind a devastation that is tough to imagine. It’s one thing to watch these kind of events unfold from the comfort of your couch or easy chair. It’s quite another to have them roll through your own streets.
Our Sarasota restaurant community has proven itself pretty damn resilient over the years. It’s survived the 2008 economic crisis, a global pandemic, and an untold number of hurricanes and tropical storms. And, yes, it will survive yet another one. But it won’t be without your help. Your Sarasota area restaurants NEED YOU!
Yes, they will need your business. But they also need your support, especially those that are located on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, and of course St. Armands Circle. You can assume that restaurants on any of our barrier islands were impacted in some way.
What can you do? There are online GoFundMe pages. Some restaurants have set up their own donation programs for their employees who are missing shifts and incomes. HERE’S A LINK TO ONE FOR SEVERAL SIESTA KEY RESTAURANTS.
Yes, there is still a ton of cleanup work in progress on our islands. And it will be for a while. But if your favorite place is open, GO! Spend a few bucks, overtip, and say thanks to the people who are serving you.
Here are a few ideas for you! These places are open for business on our barrier islands, and would LOVE to see you. 📝 This IS NOT a complete list by any means. Places are re-opening daily. Check their Facebook page or website for the most up to date info.
➡️ SIESTA KEY
MVP (My Village Pub)
The Summer House Steak & Seafood
Morton’s Siesta Market
Turtle’s on Little Sarasota Bay
➡️ ST ARMANDS CIRCLE
➡️ OTHERS
➡️ ANNA MARIA ISLAND
Mademoiselle Paris
Again, this list is not complete and will be changing daily. If you know of a restaurant that was impacted by Helene and has re-opened since the storm, please LET US KNOW HERE. 📩
⭐ RESTAURANTS – If you’re open and we missed you, please let us know. EMAIL US HERE 📩. We will be keeping this list updated as long as necessary. If you have a fundraising event for your staff, let us know!
📈 JUST IN CASE – If you’d like to see who is on this month’s LIST – HERE’S A LINK TO OCTOBER 2024
⏮️ Last… This was a hard piece to write. Siesta Key is my home. It has been for close to 25 years. It is tragic to watch friends, neighbors, and business owners struggle to save what just a week ago was perfectly fine. Yes, it is true that once you cross the bridge to any of our barrier islands you accept some risk that your life may be upended by Mother Nature. The strength and resilience of the folks who live on these islands is remarkable.
Stay Safe.
~ LH
🗓️ 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 – MAINE 🦞
📆 WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
⭐ THANK YOU SARASOTA MENU – Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood
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! ⬇️
OCT 5 – Sharktoberfest 2024 (Mote Marine) – INFORMATION
OCT 17 – Round Pond Wine Dinner – Michael’s On East
OCT 24 – Whiskey Wars – Michael’s On East
NOV 2 – Rockin’ Lobster (Children First) – INFORMATION
DEC 7 – Lakewood Ranch BluesFest – INFORMATION 🎸
🧑🌾 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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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 🍔
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