2011 continues to fly by so fast that it looks like a blur passing you on Tamiami Trail. Week #44 is in the books and you’ve been searching for restaurants on dineSarasota.com. Would you like to know what is getting the most looks? Of course you would.

Here’s our most search restaurants for the week just past.

I think we have all the bases pretty much covered with our Top 5.

If you would like to have a peek at the full list for October 2011, you can check out out HERE.

Over the years I’ve associated Bob Marley with a lot of things. Coffee was not among them.

Every year at this time in May, you can find a who’s who of the restaurant trade all gathered in one place. Chicago Illinois. More specifically, McCormick Place. That’s the site of the National Restaurant Association’s annual restaurant show.

If you own a restaurant and are looking for equipment, food or industry technology, you can find it here. Not only can you find it here, but, it will chase you down a showroom aisle waving a free sample at you.

Yesterday, I had a chance for an insiders view of what you will soon be experiencing at your favorite place to dine. As I sampled my way through thousands of vendors one thing became crystal clear. If you didn’t come with a game plan to navigate your day, you’ve lost before you’ve even downed that first slice of mini pizza.

Let’s take a look at some of what the show had to offer.

Yes, bacon is still hot. Our fascination with the smoky, salty and sweet meat continues. There were lots of venders with smoked products, but, bacon still out shines them all (as you can easily see by the soft glow of the bacon beacon).

If you can’t find amazing food displays here then something is very wrong. Sid Wainer and Sons really pulled out all the stops at their booth. A recreation of an actual food specialty store. Pretty great.

Food trucks have been a culinary craze for a while now. There was even a TV reality show last year (once that happens, it’s officially a craze). It looks like this mobile food fad isn’t going away any time soon. And, that’s OK with me. This is one food trend I hope sticks around past the usual flame out point.

As you would imagine there was a lot of food to sample. I mean a lot! Lines for some of the more popular places like Nathan’s, Dietz & Watson, Vienna and Idahoan Foods snaked down the aisle or around the booth.

Speaking of lines, Coca Cola had plenty of them. Check out their latest drink dispensing machine. 125 different flavors out of one machine! Pretty amazing. The unit holds 25 concentrated drink cartridges that when mixed in proper proportions, makes over one hundred Coca Cola product flavors. As you would imagine, all the standard Coke brands are represented. So, calm down, no one is going to take away your plain old boring Diet Coke.

Bob Marley’s son, Rohan, has started a coffee company. Who would have ever thought that? They use Blue Mountain coffee beans for their product and it’s surprisingly good. Bob’s daughter, Karen, was on hand the day I was there to talk up the product and sign a few autographs. Sure it’s a crowed marketplace, but, they have a story that might set them apart.

As you would imagine, there was tons of tech. From new point of sale systems, to customer paging to high tech valet systems. Groupon had a nice presence, as did Google and Living Social. All trying to demonstrate why their platform brings people in the door of your restaurant.

After six hours of floor walking, I was done. I had managed to cover most of the two giant show floors. I was tired and full, but, satisfied that I had gotten a pretty good look at what’s coming straight to your local eatery. I was ready to head out, complete with a ten pound bag of handouts to sort though later.

The National Restaurant Show really is a complete look at the industry. Around every corner of this show is a new food to sample.  And, it’s your job to try most of it. I mean, it is in the name of “journalism” and I wouldn’t want to let you down.

Looking for more things food, cooking and restaurant related? Then check out cookbookman.com.

We’re heading in to the homestretch with our final 4! Our next place is a Sarasota tradition of sorts. It’s located in the Pinecraft neighborhood. That’s a part of Sarasota that doesn’t really get tons of press.

Looking for some classic Midwest comfort food? Then a trip to Yoder’s is overdue. It’s the mecca of meatloaf, fried chicken and of course delicious homemade pie. Not kidding here. I know some people whine about the line during season. Those folks must having something WAY more important to do than wait for the perfect slice of coconut cream. The line moves fast and it’s worth it!

Last year, Yoder’s had the distinction of being featured on the Travel Channel’s, Man vs. Food. That’s amazing exposure for a little Amish restaurant. Usually, I post some food photos here. But, how about a look at the TV segment instead.

Well I think that about says it all right there. I don’t know what you’re waiting for. Head on over…

YODER’S RESTAURANT
3434 Bahia Vista
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-955-7771

Previous Best of 2010 Restaurants
#20 - Oh Mamma Mia!
#19 - Broccolini’s Restaurant & Catering
#18 - Sangria Tapas Bar
#17 - Blu Smoke Island Grill
#16 - Kumo Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar
#15 - Pegasus Greek Restaurant
#14 - Braza Brazilian Steakhouse
#13 - Voocaray
#12 - Shakespeare’s English Pub
#11 - Wild Hog Barbecue
#10 - Sand Dollar Rooftop Restaurant
#9 –   First Street Chop House
#8 –   Cafe Gabbiano
# 7-    Morocco
#6 -   Solorzano’s Italian Restaurant
#5-   Trader Vic’s Island Bar & Grill

We’ve had bunches of new places open up over the past six months or so. These new Sarasota restaurants have been making a big showing on The LIST.

Even with all of these new places to dine around town, some old Sarasota favorites make this months rundown of the most searched for restaurants on dineSarasota.com. The December list showcases some of Sarasota’s best restaurants.

Here’s the rest of the ten for the month of June 2010

6 – Wild Hog BBQ
7 – The Old Salty Dog
8 – 62 Bistrot
9 – Moroccan Restaurant
10- Cafe Gabbiano

If you’re wanting more, here’s a link to December’s complete list.

COMING NEXT: Our BIG 2010 Year End List. Watch for it!

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.

Nancy's BBQ - Pulled Pork Sandwich

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 representation.

Now, I have this camera. When I bought it last February, my goal was to use some Sarasota restaurants as, kind of, photo Guinea Pigs to improve my photography skills. Thanks to all of you who have let me tromp through your kitchens and dining rooms in search of edible subjects for the past few months.

I have been using the images in our dSDISH newsletter and on the site for the past six months or so. I’ve gotten some great feedback too. Thanks for that. It’s been fun and humbling trying to get that perfect shot.

I’m going to use this space to post some of those images without a lot of fanfare or editorial. My goal is to get these photos of our fantastic Sarasota food out there for you to see. Maybe you’ll be inspired to sit down and eat that dish! Oh, I’m also cooking up a few food contest ideas surrounding some of those posts. So, keep an eye out for that.

So, without further adieu, here is our:

dineSarasota Gratuitous Food Foto of the Moment (#1).

Word of Mouth - Turkey Reuben

Our list of the most popular restaurants on dineSarasota.com is out for September 2010. It seems like Sarasota has developed a taste for New Orleans fare. Two of our creole/Cajun inspired restaurants have made this months list. And one of them, the newly opened Voocaray, comes in at number 3. A huge surge towards the top.

Here’s a look at what Sarasota locals and visitors are checking out on dineSarasota.com

The top ten for September 2010

1. Munchies 420 Cafe
2. The Old Salty Dog
3. Voocaray
4. Yoder’s
5. Owen’s Fish Camp
6. Morocco Restaurant
7. Solorzano’s
8. 62 Bistrot
9. First Street Chop House
10. Sand Dollar Rooftop Restaurant

If you’re wanting more, here’s a link to September’s complete list.

In Chicago, back in the mid-1990′s, New York toy seller, FAO Schwarz tried a new concept. A candy store that was stocked to the gills with every type of confection known (and even unknown) to man. It was called FAO Schweetz. If you were under the age of ten, your eyes would almost bulge out of your head just by walking in the front door. You could smell the sweetness in the air. And, if you were lucky enough to have a cooperating adult, you could stuff a basket with enough sugar to make any respectable dentist jump for joy.

Now, imagine a store packed with every spice, sugar, salt and tea imaginable. That’s what the Spice and Tea Exchange located on St. Armands circle is like. It’s FAO Schweetz for cooks. If you’re looking for that just right flavor to make a dish, chances are you can find it here. It doesn’t matter if you’re a full time professional chef or a weekend dabbler, if you need that special something, a trip to St. Armands circle is in order.

Not sure what you’re looking for? They have a great knowledgeable and helpful staff that can guide you through the dizzying array of choices. On my most recent visit, I was looking for some specialty salts. I love salt and had lots to choose from.

After some window shopping through the “salt aisle” I decided that some help would be in order. I was looking for something a little different. I’ve had all the usual’s; Murray River, Cyprus Black Lava and Hawaiian Red (that one sounds illegal). I even own a block of Bolivian Rose and a micro planer.

A few tastes later, I decided on two salts I hadn’t used in my kitchen. The first was a Black Truffle salt. It had a nice truffle flavor, not to overpowering, but, not to subtle either. I thought this one would be a great finishing salt or even used to season a nice steak. Pretty tame stuff really.

My second selection wasn’t quite as safe. India Black, a type of mineral salt. This was different! This salt apparently has a very high sulfur content which makes it taste like hard boiled eggs. When you first taste it your senses are really fooled. It looks nothing like eggs. In fact, it has a pale pink dusty texture. So when it hits your tongue it’s like “where did that come from!”. Cool.

I really wanted to take home the India Black. But, what could you possibly do with this stuff except freak your friends out by offering them a small taste (blindfolded of course)? My new salt consultant said it would go great in any dish that used hard boiled eggs. Hey, why didn’t I think of that! Tuna salad came to mind. How about potato salad? I think I might miss the actual eggs themselves. Egg salad? No I guess that doesn’t work.

A little after the trip research yielded some additional info. This India Black salt is also called Kala Namak and is used extensively in Indian cuisine. It is mixed into a variety of dishes including chutneys and chaats. Here’s a link to a Tandoori Cauliflower With Mint Chutney recipe that uses Kala Namak.

I am taking that salt home. It’s too interesting to pass up. I’ll write another post when I figured out what to do with it. Stay tuned.

If you’re out hunting for that perfect rub, spice or seasoning, The Spice and Tea Exchange probably has something for you. With literally an endless of combination of spices available it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll come away empty handed. Just wandering through the store and smelling the aromas make you realize that sometime it’s the spice IN life that matters most.

The Spice and Tea Exchange
345 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota, Florida 34236
941-388-1411

We’ve had bunches of new places open up over the past six months or so. These new Sarasota restaurants have been making a big showing on The LIST.

Even with all of these new places to dine around town, some old Sarasota favorites make this months rundown of the most searched for restaurants on dineSarasota.com. June 2010 is a fantastic mix of the old and the new.

Here’s the top ten for the month of June 2010

1. Munchies 420 Cafe
2. Owen’s Fish Camp
3. The Old Salty Dog
4. Yoder’s
5. Trader Vic’ Island Grill
6. Morocco Restaurant
7. Cafe Gabbiano
8. Solorzano’s
9. Wild Hob BBQ
10. Shakespeare’s Pub

If you’re wanting more, here’s a link to June’s complete list.

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I had hopes that this summer season would be different than summer seasons just past. Then the emails came.

The first showed up on May 26th in the form of a post from Creative Loafing Food Writer, Brian Ries. Two downtown Sarasota restaurants were shutting their doors.

The newly opened Urban Reef and the newly re-branded Main Street Oyster Bar (formerly Zoria). I guess they just didn’t catch on.

The next notice arrived on May 27th, this one more surprising than the first. The two story, St Armands eatery Cork, was calling it quits too. That one will leave a big hole on the circle.

What’s going on in our local Sarasota restaurant community?

Way back when (in the summer of 2008), there was a pretty big wave of restaurant closings. But, since the initial burst it seemed like things were leveling off a bit. Back in 2008, everyone was jumping on the “we have to save our local restaurants” band wagon. What about now? Does anybody really care or have we become so used to the headlines in the local press that we don’t really see them anymore?

One of the things that comes into play, at least in my mind, are the choices. Yes, choices. We have tons. By some counts there are more than 300 locally owned and operated restaurant in the Sarasota area. That’s a lot of choices. Especially, when you consider that these numbers do not include one single Olive Garden, Chili’s or Applebee’s. And, as hard as it may seem for some people to believe, an occasional Steakburger or Grand Slam Breakfast is eaten by more than a few of us. So the real number of Sarasota restaurants in much higher than 300.

When you have 300 plus places to dine the loss of a few seems inconsequential (unless it’s your favorite place). It’s just a part of the natural selection process, right? The strong survive and the weak get weeded out from a crowded field. Shouldn’t be a bad thing and in theory it should make the rest of the dining community that much stronger. Then why does it feel so bad when a place you’ve know for years shuts down?

Maybe we feel a little guilty that we didn’t do more to support our favorites while we had the chance. It’s like a death in the family. “Gee, I only wish I would have told Uncle Frank how much I loved his accordion playing”, then BAM, it’s too late. No more favorite sandwich, say goodbye to that salad I used to order and so long prix fixe pricing. You should have said it while they were alive.

But, wait, there’s still hope. We have tons of great restaurants still left that are ready, willing and able to roll out the red carpet for you. And, to make your life just a little easier here a list of some new ones that have opened that you can show a little love.

Oh, Mamma Mia!
Blu Smoke Island Grill
Pineapple Avenue Panini Press
Andrea’s
First Street Chop House
The Box Social
Two Chef’s Casual Dining
Trader Vic’s
The Breakfast House
Michelle’s Brown Bag Cafe

And on…

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals have been promoting our locally owned and operated restaurants for years. Here’s a link to their website for some more great dining ideas.

So, let’s not wait around for the next restaurant to fall. Let’s support the ones that are here now and ready to serve you. Remember Uncle Frank. Don’t starting whining after the accordion playing stops.

(OK, I’m putting my soapbox away now)