Archive for the ‘News’ Category

“No Name” Oyster Bar Opens on Siesta Key

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

"No Name" Oyster Bar

This past weekend Siesta Village was crowded with vacation families, locals enjoying one of the first warm days in months and college Spring Breakers. Something else happened in the village this weekend that was a little more under the radar. The very soft, soft opening of what I’ve been calling the “No Name” Oyster Bar.

Wedged in between The Hub Baja Grill and Blu Smoke Island Grill is a new addition to the local Siesta dining and drinking scene. The building was most recently the rental office for the Tropical Breeze Resort. It was just transformed into a great casual place to meet for a drink.

"No Name" Oyster Bar

Ultimately, it will be more bar than restaurant. When it’s fully up and running, they plan on serving a limited raw bar menu. That should include fresh oysters and clams as well as some steamed items. The details on their menu will be coming soon.

In the meantime, you can stop by for an ice cold beer and check out Siesta Village’s newest place to soak up some island lifestyle. The “No Name” Oyster Bar (I’m calling it that until something better comes along), should be a hit with locals and visitors alike. Oh, if you would like to suggest a “real” name, leave a comment here or drop us an email.

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A Gingerbread Mansion That’s Fit For The Ritz

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Ca d' Zan Gingerbread Mansion

What’s six feet long, four feet wide, three feet tall and contains 6,000 delicious pieces? The answer is a gingerbread mansion that you have to see to believe.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Pastry Team headed by Pastry Artist Mae Cavazos have constructed an edible masterpiece. A replica of one of Sarasota’s most famous and recognized historic sites, John and Mable Ringling’s Ca d’Zan mansion.

Just in time for holiday viewing this amazing reproduction is a sight to behold. The structure contains more than 200 golden sunflowers, 75 sea dragons and shell plaquettes, 60 starflowers, 130 scroll and leaf panels and 50 minute flower panels.

The detail is unbelievable. Every little element seems like it has been accounted for. “I feel like I’ve assembled a giant 6,000-piece, 3-D puzzle,” said Cavazos, “I can only imagine how the real architects must have felt back in 1924 trying to piece together all the glorious details and Venetian-Gothic architecture that make this mansion so magnificent.”

The made to scale gingerbread likeness is on display through the holidays at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. The hotel is decked out in all of it’s holiday splendor and the Ca d’Zan is the icing on the cake, so to speak.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34236

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Blu Smoke, Urban Reef and Sangria Make THE LIST

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Penne alla PuttanescaLots of changes in our monthly tabulation of Sarasota’s most searched for restaurants. There are five new entries, a swap at the top and some big downtown representation.

Four brand new places and one old Sarasota favorite make THE LIST this month. The re-opened Sangria Tapas Bar starts it’s climb back up the charts at number 15. While the First Street Chop House, Braza, Blu Smoke and Urban Reef make their dineSarasota LIST debut.

A change at the top in December as Cafe Gabbiano re-takes the number one spot dropping last months favorite Munchies 420 Cafe down to number two.

Downtown Sarasota was well represented in this months tally with seven restaurants making the cut. That makes for a great opportunity to get a little holiday shopping done and have a nice downtown meal all in one trip!

Here’s this month’s top ten:

  1. Cafe Gabbiano
  2. Munchies 420 Cafe
  3. Solorzano’s
  4. Sand Dollar Restaurant
  5. The Old Salty Dog
  6. Yoder’s
  7. Wild Hog BBQ
  8. Pei Wei Asian Diner
  9. First St. Chop House
  10. Braza Brazilian Steakhouse

You can click the links below for the full online or printable version of this months list.

THE LIST Online Version

THE LIST Printable Version

If you visit any of the restaurants that made this months list, be sure and leave a comment or post a review on dineSarasota.com so others can benefit from your dining experiences.

Just in case your wondering where you can get that mouth watering Penne alla Puttanesca shown above, it’s from Oh Mamma Mia! which has newly opened in Gulf Gate. You can see more delicious images from the restaurant by clicking here.

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The Best Food & Drink Award Winners Announced

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Creative Loafing SarasotaWho has the best sushi, best hamburger or best pizza in town? You’re about to find out.

Sarasota weekly, Creative Loafing is out with their Best Of The Suncoast issue and we have a list of the winners from the all important Food & Drink category. This years winners run the gamut from new places to old standards. They represent the latest Sarasota hot spots and a few local secrets.

Have a look at some of the highlights:

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
MoZaic

BEST CHEF
Rick Monroe, Sun Garden Café

BEST SUSHI
Yume Sushi

BEST LUNCH
Simon’s Coffee House

BEST DESSERT
Yoder’s Restaurant

BEST LOUNGE
Ivory Lounge

Creative Loafing will be hosting a Best of the Suncoast awards party Friday, October 23rd at the Rustic Grill. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. The event is scheduled from 8pm to 1am and is sure to be a fantastic time. It’s your chance to run elbows with some of the best of Sarasota’s culinary scene.

For a full list of the 2009 Best of the Suncoast, Food & Drink awards winner CLICK HERE.

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Pei Wei To Start Serving Sarasota

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Pei Wei Asian DinerIf Asian style cuisine is your thing, then circle Monday September 28th on your calendar. That’s the day that Sarasota gets their first taste of the new Pei Wei Asian Diner that is set to open in University Park.

For years there had been rumors swirling around the Sarasota dining scene that the legendary P.F. Chang China Bistro chain would open a restaurant here. Well, as it turns out that was sort of right. Pei Wei is owned and operated by P.F. Chang and like their parent company they also serve fantastic food.

They will be offering their customary high quality Asian cuisine in a comfortable, quick and casual dine-in or take-out environment. Their menu pulls from five Asian countries: China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

“We are excited to offer Sarasota a taste of our contemporary Asian-inspired cuisine,” said Jesse Mehaffie, local operating partner for Pei Wei Asian Diner.  “We look forward to serving local residents and being part of their great community.”

Operating hours will be: Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm. Friday through Sunday 11am to 10pm.

They currently are running a Ramen Recipe Face Off. You can participate by visiting the Pei Wei Facebook fan page. That sounds like a delicious contest worth entering.

Pei Wei is going to make a great addition to our already vibrant Sarasota restaurant and dining scene. Why don’t you head on over for lunch or dinner then let us know what you think.

Pei Wei Asian Diner
8511 Cooper Creek
University Park, FL 34201
941-359-8570

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