The LIST – September 2024
We’ve got some tasty tidbits headed your way this month!
“September showed up right on schedule and lasted a whole month.” – Jenny Wingfield
🍂 Don’t You Love This Crisp Fall Weather? OK, OK. But I do love the fact that every passing day gets us one day closer to the “cold” front that will change everything! Until then, let’s support our local restaurants during this slower time and dine indoors!
💡 I’ve Got An Idea! Is there a place you’ve wanted to try, but those season crowds kept you away? Of course, there is. There may be a few trailing Savor Sarasota deals out there. Why not make a res today?!
🍾 SOME THINGS TO CELEBRATE! – We’ve got some great things to celebrate in September. All you have to do is get out there and do it!!
All Month Long! – National Bourbon Heritage Month (Hive Bar, Circo)
All Month Long! – National Chicken Month (Yoders, Dutch Valley)
September 5 – National Cheese Pizza Day (Capo Pazzo, Valentino’s, Malmosto)
September 9 – National Weiner Schnitzel Day (Siegfreid’s, Schnitzel Kitchen)
September 14 – National Eat a Hoagie Day (Faiccio’s, Piccolo’s Italian Deli)
September 18 – National Cheeseburger Day (OUR LIST HERE!) 🍔
September 25 – National Lobster Day (The Lobster Pot, Lazy Lobster)
September 28 – National Drink Beer Day!! (99 Bottles, Calusa Brewing)
🆕 We Have Some New Additions 🙌
YES! We did it! I mean, this may not be that big of a deal. But promises made, promises kept!
Taverna Toscana (1301 6th Ave. W. – Bradenton (941) 357-7772)
Top Chef Fabio Viviani opens his vision for what Tuscan Italian cuisine should be. They’re aging their own steaks on-premises! It’s a big, open dining room with a great bar to mingle and meet some new friends! – MENU HERE
The Duo – Döner & Deli (5049 Ocean Blvd. (941) 298-9660)
I think we’ve said all that needs to be said about this new Siesta Key Village kebob shop. In case you missed it (I hope that’s not the case), you can read our FIRST LOOK article RIGHT HERE!
Bulgogi House (1472 Main St. (941) 559-5678)
Korean BBQ right in the heart of downtown Sarasota. There are lots of options here. There’s stuff that the kitchen cooks for you. AND stuff that’s DIY cooking right at your table. This is a fun place for a group!
😢 SOME SAD NEWS. Even though we added some brand-new spots, we lost a few over the past month, including one of my personal favs (according to our monthly LIST posts, it was one of yours too). A fond farewell to Osteria Southside. Southside Village will miss you. And I’ll miss the Meatball Salad. 😔
Also, Lakewood Main Street’s Hana Sushi Lounge will no longer be serving up creative and delicious rolls, sushi, and sashimi. Yes, there are other options, but I’m sure their fans in LWR will miss them.
The dineSarasota.com restaurant database now stands at: 393 restaurants!
I know why you’re here. You’re anxiously waiting for the September Top 10. We won’t make you wait any longer…
🏃 Let’s Run it Down!
#5 Lenny’z Pizza & Island Bar (6645 Midnight Pass Rd. (941) 260-8879)
• Where: Siesta Key
• One Sentence: Pizza, pizza, oh, and pizza! 🍕
#4 Mouthole Smashburgers (2637 Mall Dr. (941) 746-4653)
• Where: Gulf Gate
• One Sentence: Delicious smash burgers – Get in there and say HI to Ray and Nikki! 🍔 – SAMPLE MENU
#3 Vino Vino (2063 Siesta Dr. (941) 354-0234)
• Where: Southgate
• One Sentence: Cozy atmosphere, authentic Italian cuisine.
#2 The Duo – Döner & Deli (5049 Ocean Blvd. (941) 298-9660)
• Where: Siesta Key
• One Sentence: Authentic Turkish doner kebabs and more! – MENU
#1 Beso (30 S. Lemon Ave. (941) 279-2999)
• Where: Downtown
• One Sentence: Small plates are great for sharing! – MENU
➡️ THE BEST OF THE REST
Here’s the rest of the Top 10 – Tony’s Chicago Beef (love their beef sandwiches!) is September’s number six. Followed by the Shebeen Irish Pub and Kitchen, Rose & Ivy, dancing and dining venue, Latin Quarters, and finally, Double Deez Chicago Style Hot Dogs (???).
📝 I think this is the very first time in the long and storied history of The LIST that we’ve had two hot dog joints show up in the Top 10 at the same time! Must be a summer thing… 🌭
🗒️ HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE TOP 25 FOR SEPTEMBER 2024!
📌 Some Odds and Ends…
🆕 What’s In A Name?? Names mean a lot. They tell you something about a person, place, or thing. Recently, Meliora had a bit of a shakeup. Don’t worry, Chef Drew Adams is still turning creative and delicious dishes out of the kitchen. But now Edward Zaki from 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen has taken over front-of-the-house duties. They figured a new nameplate would be in order. Actually two! They’ll be making the switch to Adeline (a tip of the hat to Drew’s daughter) for dinner service. And as a little bonus, they’ll be serving lunchtime sandwiches and, yes, their fantastic burger under the banner, little a. More details to follow…
🍺 The Return of Pumpkin Stiltskin! Ah, yes, the surest sign of fall yet. The joyous return of Big Top Brewing’s autumn favorite. And this Pumpkin Ale packs a punch (8.9% ABV!) This is one of those things that might have to grow on you. You should absolutely try one on for size this year! 🎃
📕 Let’s Work on That Book! Our 2025 Sarasota dining book is at the very top of our to-do list for the next 2-3 months. We’re super excited about our 16th annual edition. AND we can’t wait for you to have your very own copy!
⭐ Do You Own or Manage a Restaurant? If you do and would like to have a recipe from your place considered for next year’s publication, then we should talk. Let’s get that conversation started. Drop us an EMAIL HERE!
OK, that’s a lot. Time to wrap this thing up. Thanks for reading. There’s news below. Watch out for kids at those school crossings. Dine out!
~ LH
📰 IN THE NEWS –10 INTERESTING STORIES!
1️⃣ Sarasota Magazine Wins 2024 Magazine of the Year
2️⃣ A Local Restaurant Group Is Organizing a Pair of Upcoming Progressive Dinners. Here Are the Details.
3️⃣ All Faiths Food Bank once again named among ‘Top 100 Best Companies‘
4️⃣ Tap & Toast Mobile Bar Brings Craft Cocktails Right to You
5️⃣ Discover the top crab creations in Sarasota, Anna Maria, and Lakewood Ranch
6️⃣ New Restaurant Opens at Regional Dining Destination Waterside Place
7️⃣ What dish should you order before the Iowa State Fair ends? A gigantic Amish doughnut.
8️⃣ Back Porch Brewing is Now Crafting Great Food Too
9️⃣ Oyster Boys Conservation Turns Two
🔟 The Downtown Sarasota Sprouts Will Open Sept. 6
🗓️ 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 – CUBA
📆 WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
🧀 CHEESE CLASSES! – Sign Up for a Cheese Class – Artisan Cheese Co.
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! ⬇️
SEPT 4 – Austin Hope Wine Tasting – Siesta Key Wine Bar
SEPT 5 – Napa Valley Wine Tasting – Block 15 Cork & Craft
SEPT 8 – Summer Art Mart – Meadows Farm Market
SEPT 13 – Caymus & Truffle Wine Dinner – Cafe Gabbiano
SEPT 13 – Pacific Northwest Wine Dinner – Pier 22
SEPT 19 – South African Wine Dinner – Michael’s on East
SEPT 20 – Les Vins de France Wine Dinner – GROVE Restaurant
SEPT 21 – Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival – INFO 🎶
SEPT 25 – The Blend Progressive Dinner – Sarasota Manatee Originals
SEPT 29 – Blue Fin Tuna Cutting Event – JPan UTC
OCT 5 – Sharktoberfest 2024 (Mote Marine) – INFORMATION
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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