The LIST – July 2024
We’ve got some hot summer restaurant suggestions for you!
“The noise from good toast should reverberate in the head like the thunder of July.” – E. V. Lucas
🥵 The Sun is Out! And it’s not going away for a while! Not a bad time to enjoy some of Sarasota’s best indoor dining!
Last month, we ran a list of some monthly food holidays. You liked it, so we’ll keep on doing it for a bit. Here’s a list of some fun food things for July and some places where you can indulge…
🥳 SOME THINGS TO CELEBRATE!
All Month Long
🍧 National Ice Cream Month (Kilwin’s SK & SAK)
🌭 National Hot Dog Month (Tony’s Chicago Beef & Doggystyle)
July 6 – National Fried Chicken Day (Fork & Hen & Yoder’s)
July 14 – National Macaroni & Cheese Day (MADE)
July 14 – Bastille Day! (C’est la Vie! & Mademoiselle Paris)
July 19 – National Daiquiri Day (The Daiquiri Deck)
July 26 – National BagelFest! (Palm Avenue Deli & Jersey Girl)
July 29 – National Chicken Wing Day (SKOB & Food + Beer)
July 30 – National Cheesecake Day (OfKors Bakery)
🆕 We Have Some New Additions
I’m not sure what happened this past month. But we definitely got a little burst of energy. We’ve added a bunch of new places. Five, in fact!
Cuba 1958 (1766 Main St. (941) 280-1958)
Brand-new. Downtown. This is the former Flavio’s on Main space. It’s been re-imagined inside and has a menu that is sure to bring a smile to the face of every local Cuban food lover. They’ll make fans fast! FIRST LOOK coming soon. – MENU
Naked Farmer (215 N. Cattlemen Rd. (941) 870-9412)
“Farm to Table Healthy.” Their words, not mine. Mini chain. A good assortment of ingredients to create some delicious bowls. I know that these kinds of places are super popular right now. If this is your “thing,” add it to your mix! – MENU
Lenny’z Pizza and Island Bar (6645 Midnight Pass Rd. (941) 260-8879)
Goodbye City Pizza – Hello Lenny’z! I’m glad there’s still a pizza spot in that south Siesta Key plaza (Shebeen, Miguel’s & Toasted Mango will be happy for the company!). Yes, they’ve got pizza. And a whole lot more. If they can get the pizza right, this will be a super popular Siesta Key spot! 🍕 – MENU
enRich Bistro (5239 Manatee Ave. W. (941) 289-1299)
One of the most talked about Bradenton openings this year (so far…). Chef Rich Knowles is making a name for himself and his globally influenced dishes at his Manatee Avenue bistro. I mean, they have Seared Quail and serve Hatfield prime pork! – MENU
Jo’s To Go’s (941) 313-7147
This one is a little different. Chef-prepared, ready-to-eat meals to go. Menus change weekly. A perfect option for somebody who would like expertly prepared meals delivered right to their door. (Another great option for this is Zildjian Catering! They’ve been doing this for years.)
The dineSarasota.com restaurant database now stands at: 340 restaurants!
📝 If there is one that we’ve missed, or you know a place that just absolutely needs to be included, DROP US AN EMAIL!
Time to get to the main event!
🏃 Let’s Run it Down!
We’ve got some interesting stuff going on here. A re-invented Southside Village mainstay AND a re-located Sarasota burger favorite both hit the Top 5 this month! Congrats! 🎉
#5 1818 Grill (1818 S. Osprey Ave. (941) 955-1818)
• Where: Southside Village
• One Sentence: American “Bistro” cuisine located in the former Knick’s Tavern & Grill space. – MENU
#4 Shebeen Irish Pub & Kitchen (6641 Midnight Pass Rd. (941) 271-4714)
• Where: Siesta Key
• One Sentence: Come for the Irish food, drink, and music! ☘️ – MENU
#3 Mouthole Smashburgers (2637 Mall Dr. (941) 746-4653)
• Where: Gulf Gate
• One Sentence: One of the best smash-style burgers in town! 🍔
#2 Beso (30 S. Lemon Ave. (941) 279-2999)
• Where: Downtown
• One Sentence: Great for food-loving, fun-loving groups – MENU
#1 Osteria Southside (1812 S. Osprey Ave. (941) 361-3200)
• Where: Southside Village
• One Sentence: Chef Michael Calore always makes your visit worthwhile!
➡️ THE BEST OF THE REST
The Top 10 rounds out in style with First Street’s Rose & Ivy & Southgate’s Vino Vino. Also, Wolfie’s Rascal House, Bar Hana, and the soon-to-be-expanding (UTC) Florence and the Spice Boys. That’s a fine-looking group!
🗒️ HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE TOP 25 FOR JULY 2024!
📌 Some Odds and Ends…
🪽 It Gives You Wings
Yes, that’s a flying pizza oven. It’s eyeing up its landing spot on Mall Drive in Gulf Gate. Looks like that neighborhood will soon be getting a new resident. This yet-to-be-titled restaurant is being opened by the owner of Siesta Key Village favorite Island House Tap & Grill. They’ll be slinging delicious pies and other assorted goodies once the oven lands. Of course, a great selection of craft beer will also be available! Stay tuned for more info… 🍕
🏅 And the Winner is…
Congrats are in order for Michael Klauber, Phil Mancini, and the entire Michael’s On East crew. Wine Spectator Magazine has awarded them the “Best of Award of Excellence” for their outstanding wine program. Keep it going!
🥪 Would You Like That on Rye??
Wolfie’s Rascal House is set to bring some of their giant, delicious deli sandwiches to north Sarasota County. They plan on opening a “Grab and Go Only” location very soon. That should be welcome news to the deli-loving LWR crowd! If you can’t wait, you can always hit the Rosemary District location for a “light bite.” 😁
🎂 Where Does the Time Go?!
Happy birthday to Gecko’s on Fruitville. It is just mind blowing how fast a decade can roll by without you really noticing. Scary! As with any momentous occasion, a party is certainly in order. Gecko’s is throwing theirs on AUGUST 3RD. HERE ARE DETAILS if you feel like joining the celebration!
🧹 A Little Housekeeping. We’re still summer slacking (no judging!). So, if your inbox continues to be a bit light, don’t worry. We’ll pick up the pace when we really get back to it in August. Also, that’s the time we start on our 2025 Little Sarasota DINING Book! Our plate’s going to fill up fast!
That’s a wrap for July. Hope you had fun and got caught up on some local Sarasota food happenings. YES, we have stories this month. Enjoy!
~ LH
📰 IN THE NEWS –10 INTERESTING STORIES!
2️⃣ All Faiths Food Bank Receives Support from American Red Cross for Disaster Response Operations
3️⃣ Net-Positive Dining at The Green Orchid
4️⃣ Savor Sarasota Dishes Up More Than Fine Food
5️⃣ ‘Swicy’ Foods and Doomsday Staples Are Among 2025’s Biggest Food Trend Predictions
6️⃣ At Buffet City, Food Is Fun Again
7️⃣ Clara Robbins Is Florida’s First Female Master Distiller
8️⃣ These 26 Restaurants Have Extended Their Savor Sarasota Menus
9️⃣ Found Family at Inner Compass Brewing
🔟 Dining is a Sensory Sensation at Agave Bandido
🗓️ 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 – SAVOR SARASOTA
📆 WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
😎 GECKO’S SUMMER 2024 MENU – HAVE A LOOK!
🧑🍳 MATTISON’S SUMMER CHEF CAMP 2024 – REGISTER!
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! ⬇️
JUL 10 – Wines Around the World – GROVE Restaurant
JUL 11 – Vin Tour de France – Mattison’s Forty-One
JUL 11 – Veuve Clicquot White Out Party – State Street Eating House
JUL 23 – Blend Wine Dinners – Sarasota-Manatee Originals
JUL 26 – Banfi Five Course 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
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