Let’s just see how well you’ve been paying attention.

We’re going have a little fun this summer, AND you are too! We’ve got some free food to give away from some of our great Sarasota restaurants. Sounds like a good time already, right?

Here’s the deal. We’re going to post a picture of a specials board from a local restaurant. All you have to do to win is figure out where those specials come from. Easy. Well, if you’ve been paying attention to your surroundings it should be a snap.

Sometimes we’ll give you a few clues. Other times you’re on your own. Before we get going, let’s review the rules. Take it easy, there’s only one.

One entry per person. That means make your guess a good one.

If you’re ready we should get started. Ok, let’s have a look…

You know you’ve seen that board before. But, where? You can tell a lot just by some of the dishes listed. Here’s a clue. This place has been serving great casual food since 1995. So, they’re not one of the new kids on the block. And, it’s equally as popular with locals as it is with visitors.

I’ve probably said to much already. Now it’s your turn. Ready to make a guess? If you are, here’s a link:

CLICK TO ENTER YOUR GUESS

We’ve got two $25 gift certificates up for grabs! We’ll take the first two correct entries and set them up with $25 in free food.

Good luck. We’ll have the results soon…

UPDATE: We have winners! Details soon.

A brand new Sarasota restaurant leaps to the top

We have been publishing dineSarasota.com online for just over eleven years now. For the past eight and a half of them we have been posting our LIST of our most searched for Sarasota restaurants. That’s 101 monthly editions if you’re counting. In statistical terms, it’s a pretty descent sized sample.

In all that time, we have NEVER had a brand new, freshly minted Sarasota restaurant open up at number one. That is until we complied our April 2013 top 20. WOW, I sound like Casey Kasem! (I’m not sure that’s such a good thing.)

In April, the Seidensticker families new venture, Louies Modern, started off at the top of our rankings. Now just for clarification. We have had restaurants that were already open jump from off the list to the top in one big jump. When it happens, it usually has something to do with a news report or some television exposure. But, never has a restaurant that has just opened their doors debuted at number one.

Hats off to their management team and PR folks for getting the word out early about a place that is sure to be a Sarasota dining hotspot for years to come.

TOP 10

1. Louies Modern N
2. The Old Salty Dog ▲
3. Mattison’s Forty One ▲
4. Kacey’s Seafood & More ▲
5. Trader Vic’s Island Bar & Grill ▼
6. Shore Diner ▲
7. LaStella’s on Clark N
8. Libby’s Café & Bar ▼
9. Munchies 420 Café ▬
10. M & M European Deli N

▲ Up from last month
▬ No change from last month
▼ Down from last month
N – New addition this month

For the full April 2013 LIST click here.

In other news… The M & M European Deli makes their first appearance on the LIST coming in at number 10. The Old Salty Dog jumps up twelve places and Kacey’s Seafood & More pegs up eleven spots.

Just under the top 10 line was Made. Which moves from nineteen in March to eleven this past month. The kitchen is putting out some great dishes at Main and 301. You should try it. We’ve heard they are going to be introducing some new menu items into the mix. All little something for everyone.

That’s a lot to digest. As usual, we couldn’t put it together every month without you. Thanks for using the site. Keep clicking!

Who really needs a reason for a party anyway?

Who would have thought that the hard fought victory that the Mexican army achieved over the French one hundred and fifty years ago would morph into an all out margarita chugging party? Certainly not Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza. That would be surprising.

Cinco de Mayo. That’s the fifth of May to us north of the border, has become a time to celebrate the rich history of the Mexican people. Some here in the U.S. are under the misguided impression that Cinco de Mayo is the equivalent of our 4th of July. Sorry, just a rumor. Mexicans celebrate their independence day on September 16th.

But, just because most of us have no idea what the day represents, that shouldn’t mean that we can’t have a good time. Right? I mean if you’re looking for examples look no further than March 17th.

As long as we’re going to celebrate, let’s do it right. And doing it right means food. After all, this is a dining site you’re reading. There are so many examples of fantastic traditional Mexican cuisine we could highlight. But, why not pick one that we can all agree on. Guacamole.

There are lots of great interpreters of Mexican cooking here in the U.S. But, no one has a better understanding of the food and how it combines with the culture than Chef Rick Bayless. Rick is a true master of the art of Mexican cuisine. And, if you ever have the opportunity to sample the fare at his Chicago restaurants, Frontera Grill, Topolobampo or XOCO it will all become crystal clear.

So, to get your Cinco de Mayo festivities off to a great start, how about about a little REAL guacamole.

Check out Rick’s fantastic guacamole recipe: Guacamole Tomate Deshidratado (Sundried Tomato Guacamole).

Sometimes seeing is believing. Rick really knows his guac.

Since this is dineSarasota, how about a few suggestions on where to locally go for some Cinco de Mayo celebrating.

TWO SENORITA’S RESTAURANT
1355 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-366-1618

EL TORO BRAVO
2720 Stickney Point Road
Sarasota, Florida 34231
941-924-0006

AZTECA
1551 Main Street
Sarasota, Florida 34236
941-917-004

MI PUEBLO
8405 Tuttle Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-9303

If we missed your favorite Cinco de Mayo hotspot, sorry. But, please feel free to add it in the comments section. We would love to hear!

It’s true. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

What: Lobster Scrambled Eggs
Where: Half Shell Oyster House (1991 Main Street, 941-952-9400)
Cost: $11.00

There isn’t a whole lot that’s more luxurious (food wise) than lobster for breakfast. Let’s face it, lobster is one of those foods that just oozes class. Even though, you could recently purchase a whole Maine lobster for around $9.95 a pound. Price doesn’t figure in to it. It is one of those foods where the cost is not totally linked to the experience. Lobster is rich, not matter how much you paid for it.

I love breakfast. And, if it’s even possible, I love brunch even more. Eggs are obviously one of the Sunday brunch staples. But, lobster? I think not. Lobster is a treat anytime it shows up on a menu. Especially and usually unexpectedly at brunch.

Main Street’s Half Shell Oyster House has put both of those ingredients together in an amazingly delicious way. Their Lobster Scrambled Eggs are a simple and elegant treat. Especially, if you enjoy an occasional brunch-time indulgence. Here’s what I’m talking about.

Do I exaggerate? Look at those huge chunks of rich, delicious lobster. You would think you’re in Maine at the height of lobster season. Is it worth a second peek? Why not…

Lobster front and center!

All of the artfully crafted words can’t make you taste what’s on the printed page (or screen). So, that leaves the final part of this Sarasota Food Find up to you. I’ve done the finding part for you. Now, all you have to do is the enjoying part!

Need more info? Have a look at The Half Shell Oyster House on dineSarasota. Just click the logo and you will magically transported.

If you have your own Sarasota Food Find that you would like to tell us about, drop us an email. If you’ve been to the Half Shell Oyster House, leave a comment and tell the world what you think.

Just when you think the dining space on Siesta Key was about as full as it could possible be…

Exit Taste of Asia, enter Senor Siesta. It sounds like stage directions from some obscure B flick. But, it’s not. It’s culinary reality. It is part of the ever evolving (and revolving) dining that is Siesta Village.

Last month Taste of Asia closed their doors in preparation for their South Tamiami Trial opening later this spring. And, in their place/space, rises, Senor Siesta.

The sign says “Latin Cuisine”. That has wonderful possibilities. With such a large array of delicious regional dishes to choose from, Senor Siesta has the opportunity to really wow our taste buds. Or, they could take the safe route and stick to what’s already been done around town. Let’s hope they opt for the former. Be creative, have some fun, put something out there that will get this town talking! That’s my two cents, now down from my soapbox.

So far there is no digital trail. No website, Facebook page or Twitter following. But, I’m sure that’s all coming. We’re not sure when the doors will swing open on this tiny dining space. But, they are working feverishly behind the brown butcher paper windows.

We’ll all keep our eyes on the progress. More to come…

Aside – I’m counting on this place to be good. I’m going through withdrawal from the loss of my regular serving of Lum-Plings.

Classic retro feel gives way to modern American cuisine.

First off, this is not a restaurant review. This is more of a coming attraction. You remember those from the movies theater. They were the precursor to the over produced trailers that you see now. This coming attraction carries with it the same classic and simple feel reminiscent of the 50’s. Think Mad Men cool. Don’t believe me? Here’s the inspiration.

That’s what I’m talking about.

On Wednesday, April 3rd, Louies Modern will open their doors to the public. Louie’s addition is helping to quickly solidify the west end of Main Street as one of our premier dining destinations. Designing the restaurant space itself must have been a labor of love for the Seidensticker family. To transform the bottom of a downtown parking garage into something this swanky and chic takes some real vision. Or, in this case maybe the ability to look back in time. FYI – That’s Steve’s Dad, Louie in the photo above (I’m not sure who the couple in back are).

I was lucky enough to snag an invite to a little test drive on Monday night. Here’s a small sample of some of inspired modern American dishes that populate this mouthwatering menu.

Scrapple Scotch Quail Eggs (I could have eaten a dozen of these bite sized beauties)
Sweet Onion-Scottish Salmon Hushpuppies (An inventive take on a classic side)
Spicy Tuna Roll (What sushi? Yes sushi and delicious)
Boneless Beef Short Rib “Bourguignon (One word, WOW!)

Oh, I wanted the Wood Oven Manchego Mac N’ Cheese with a Goldfish Cracker crust. But, I figured I would have to save a few tasty surprises for next time. I really wanted it though!

The dining room sports the very popular open kitchen design. There is lots of room to maneuver in the room. So many restaurants will try and cram three too many tables in that space. Not this time. You don’t feel like you’re eating with the table next to you. Who needs stock tips from some guy you don’t know anyway?

Do they have wine you ask?

You’re joking, right? Of course, they have wine. A great selection, as you would expect. Hand made cocktails were a signature of the era represented here and Louies bar delivers. Lavendula Collins anyone? I love a good beer selection. This one runs the gamut from Duvel Belgian to Bell’s Oberon all the way to a two buck PBR!

Since this isn’t a restaurant review, I’ll stop right there. Because if I go on it will turn into one rather quickly. But as a public service, I should mention that they will open for dinner starting Wednesday April 3rd at 4:30pm daily. Lunches will begin on Monday April 8th. At some point in the future they will be serving a Sunday Brunch.  And, as a big bonus they have an outdoor Barista Bar that serves coffee and light bites starting at 7am! That also opens on Monday April 8th. WOW! They sure have a lot going on down there.

Oh, one more thing you should know before you arrive. The dress is a touch more casual today than it was in Louie’s day. Tuxedo NOT required.

If you want to check out the rest of the menu, of course we’ve got it. CLICK HERE.

1289 North Palm Avenue
Sarasota, Florida 34236
941-552-9688

There is more to the 17th just than green beer.

Who doesn’t love a good St. Patrick’s Day celebration? Trick question. The correct answer is everybody loves a good St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Or, more accurately, everyone I know.

In my previous Chicago life, March 17th was a HUGE deal. I mean when the city dyes a major waterway green, that typically signals a big event.

My day would include bag pipe music, more than a few Black & Tan’s and of course three or four servings of corned beef and cabbage. To me the holiday is just not complete without lots of cured, slow cooked meat and wedges of green leafy cabbage.

But, we’re not in Chicago now are we? Nope, we’re in sunny SRQ. That little detail shouldn’t stand in the way of a delicious St. Patty’s tradition. Luckily, there are lots of places in town for you to get your fix.

Exhibit A. That mouthwatering plate above. Yes, that’s one of our local CB&C’s. You can get that beauty at the Old Salty Dog on Siesta Key. At “The Dog” they do it right. Slow braising their corned beef in hearty Guinness stout until it is at it’s flavorful best. Then it’s slice and serve time!

If you’re partial to your corned beef served between two pieces of bread they can do that too. Check out their monster Reuben.

It will be hard to wait until Sunday. That is a fact!

There are a few other Sarasota spots that make my unofficial St. Patrick’s Day Guide Corned Beef and Cabbage. Feel free to sample/all of these.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-346-5443

Sam Snead’s Tavern
1830 Osprey Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-906-7771

Libby’s Café + Bar
1917 Osprey Avenue
Sarasota, Florida 34239
941-487-7300

Shamrock Pub
2257 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-952-1730

Pub 32
8383 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34238
941-840-1385

The Old Salty Dog
5023 Ocean Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-349-0158

Good things come in small packages…

What: Cedar Wrapped Sustainable Salmon
Where: Libby’s Café + Bar (1917 Osprey Ave., 941-487-7300)
Cost: $22.00

Don’t you just love a little mystery with your meal? If it’s the right kind of intrigue it can add a whole new element to your dining experience. Granted, it can go the complete opposite way too. But, not this time.

Just what is hiding underneath that paper thin piece of cross marked cedar? Well, that’s the mystery. And discovering it’s secret will yield a delicious reward for the effort. Mark my words.

Anyone who has spent any amount of time at the grill has attempted to cook something on a cedar plank. Usually some type of seafood. Usually salmon. My attempts have met with varying levels of success. I can see to it that the fish is cooked properly. That’s not a problem. The wild card seems to be the amount of charred wood flavor that is imparted to the flesh of the fish.

Sometimes, the result is a beautifully fragranced piece of seafood that tastes like it was kissed by the wood. Other times the end product tastes like you’ve just burned down your grand mothers cedar closet and were forced to ingest it. Not good.

Libby’s Café + Bar seems like they have found a unique solution to this problem. It involves gently wrapping a flawless piece of salmon in a thin cedar wood shell. Then grilling this little package for just the perfect amount of time. Look what you get when you know what you’re doing…

Libby’s Cedar Wrapped Sustainable Salmon. It’s served with a maple Dijon glaze and some expertly grilled asparagus. Beautiful, right? I didn’t exaggerate did I?

Sustainability is one if those culinary buzz words of the moment. But, this cause is one worth pursuing if we want to leave some food to eat for generations to come. If you can enjoy a delicious meal today and not stress out the ecosystem of the future all the better.

Here’s the dineSarasota Food Find moral of the story. Feel free to eat as much of Libby’s Cedar Wrapped Sustainable Salmon as you would like. Your conscience will let you sleep like a baby.

Need more info? Have a look at the Libby’s Café + Bar on dineSarasota. Just click the logo and you will magically transported.

Is there a great food find that you are dying to tell us about? Have you been to the Libby’s Café + Bar? Leave a comment and tell the world what you think.

“People who come back from heaven all say the same thing… Try the gumbo”.

Gumbo. Just say the word and watch me start to drool. Everybody has his or her favorite. And, I’m sure there are as many variations as you would care to count. But, there’s only one that could get me to make a forty minute car ride into the city for absolutely no other reason.

In the Chicago loop, next to the “el” tracks on Wabash, tucked away on the seventh floor of an otherwise ordinary looking downtown professional building, is my personal gumbo mecca. The place is appropriately named, Heaven on Seven.

It’s housed in an old school Chicago building. A small convenience counter selling newspapers, gum and assorted sundries greets you when you make your way through the revolving doors. An attendant still directs you to the correct elevator. Even though the only place to go is up.

When you reach the seventh floor and the elevator doors push back you can only hope that the line of other salivating diners doesn’t stretch the full length of the hall. Usually it does. It’s a small space, compared to the mega eateries opening today. The line does move.

There’s usually a way to avoid the wait. It’s not a big insider secret. The counter. Yes, a full on coffee shop counter. And, most times there’s one vacant seat. You can settle in to a cramped stool, order a cup of gumbo and a jalapeño corn bread muffin and watch the frenetic pace of a Chicago dining landmark.

Since I don’t spend as much time in Chicago as I used too, I sometimes get an uncontrollable urge for their thick, super rich, Andouille laden stew. Especially around this time of year. But, at Heaven on Seven “It’s Mardi Gras All the Time”.

I have been mostly disappointed with all other surrogate gumbos I currently have access to (although some have come close. I couple of my favorites are listed at the end of this post). I figured this year I should try my hand at creating the real thing.

Back in 2000, chef/owner Jimmy Bannos put out a cookbook containing some of the restaurants signature dishes. During the planning and editing process, someone made the very unselfish decision to include the world’s best gumbo. Thank you.

Lucky for me I had a signed copy my wife gave me years ago sitting on a shelf in the kitchen for just this very occasion.

As I read through the recipe it became immediately clear that making great gumbo doesn’t happen by accident. This isn’t for beginners. The recipe itself includes no less than four ingredients that have their own individual recipes (something like, see page 134). No one said this would be a stroll through Jackson Square.

I’ve got a great old cast iron Dutch oven that was just meant for this dish. I figured it would be best to approach the process in two parts. I made all of the side recipes and prepped on the first day. On day two, I put it all together.

Usually, I would post the recipe here. But, it’s pretty widely available in print and on the web. You can find it without too much trouble. So instead, here’s the recipe for the Roasted-Garlic Puree that you’ll need for the finished product.

Roasted-Garlic Puree

Ingredients
1 cup, garlic cloves, peeled
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Method
Preheat oven to 300. Place all of the garlic in a small ovenproof dish. Cover completely with the olive oil. Cover dish with foil and place in oven. Roast 1 hour or until garlic is soft and golden brown.

When finished strain the garlic from the oil. Place the garlic in a blender or small food processor. Puree until smooth. Add a small amount of the infused oil to get a nice pasty consistency. Store the finished puree in a small container and top with a thin layer of the oil. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. It will keep for a few days. You can store the infused oil separately. The oil would be an amazing base for a great Caesar salad dressing.

There a lot of ingredients in the gumbo recipe. So, be careful to follow the directions carefully. Double check.

Here’s my finished gumbo in all of it’s rich deliciousness.

I have to say it was right on! It turned out great. I was shocked at how close it was to the restaurant version. Amazing! Oh, you can’t have Jimmy’s gumbo without a corn bread muffin or two.

If you don’t want to go to the effort to make the original version you can still get a damn good bowl right here in Sarasota. These are my favorite local gumbo spots.

HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE
1991 Main Street
Sarasota, Florida 34236
941-952-9400

LEE ROY SELMON’S
8253 Cooper Creek Boulevard
Sarasota, Florida 34201
941-360-3287

Do you want to own a copy of Jimmy’s Heaven on Seven Cookbook? Click the book jacket below to you can order one of your very own.

Recipe adapted from: Roasted-Garlic Puree, The Heaven on Seven Cookbook, Jimmy Bannos and John DeMers ©2000, Ten Speed Press

It’s that time of year once again. Time to reveal our top 100 restaurants for the year just past. What a fantastic year for Sarasota dining. WOW! A lot of great new restaurants have burst onto the scene offering a wide array of taste tempting dishes. There were some closings of course. But, for the most part 2012 was a good year for our local dining community. Let’s just say this, it was delicious and diverse.

In the coming weeks we’re going to put a pencil to all of this data and bring you the ins and outs of the 2012 Sarasota dining year. Consider this just the first installment.

I hope your favorite Sarasota restaurant made our 2012 top 100.

1 – Yoder’s Amish Home Cooking
3434 Bahia Vista
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-955-7771 | Visit the Website

2 – Munchies 420 Cafe
6639 Superior Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34231
941-929-9893 | Visit the Website

3 – The Old Salty Dog
5023 Ocean Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-349-0158 | Visit the Website

4 – Trader Vic’s Island Bar & Grill
341 N. Cattlemen Rd.
Sarasota, FL 34232
941-378-3900 | Visit the Website

5 – Sand Dollar Rooftop Restaurant
233 Ben Franklin Drive
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-388-5555

6 – Solorzano’s Italian Restaurant
6516 Superior Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34231
941-906-9444 | Visit the Facebook Page

7 – Pegasus Greek Family Restaurant
2833 Bee Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-926-4461 | Visit the Facebook Page

8 – Owen’s Fish Camp
516 Burns Ct.
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-951-6936 | Visit the Website

9 – Café Gabbiano
5104 Ocean Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-349-1423 | Visit the Website

10 – Eat Here
1888 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-365-8700 | Visit the Website

11 – Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay
8875 Midnight Pass Rd.
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-346-2207 | Visit the Facebook page

12 – Mattison’s Forty-One
7275 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231
941-921-3400 | Visit the Website

13 – El Pescador
1603 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-312-4711 | Visit the Website

14 – Seven Hills
7119 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231
941-927-0400

15 – LaStella’s on Clark
3230 Clark Road
Sarasota, FL 34231
941-922-8646

16.Derek’s Culinary Casual

17.Michael’s On East

18.Polo Grill & Bar

19.Yume Sushi

20.Cafe Amalfi

21.Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

22.Little Joe’s Italian Beef

23.Darwin’s on 4th

24.Jimmy’s Sand Trap

25.Duval’s New World Cafe

26.Sunrise Cafe

27.Gentile Brothers

28.62 Bistrot

29.Big Water Fish Market

30.Libby’s Cafe + Bar

31.The Savory Street

32.Oh Mamma Mia

33.M&M Deli

34.Carmel Cafe

35.Canta Rana

36.J. Ryan’s on the Grill

37.Sam Snead’s Tavern

38.Nosh-A-Rye

39.Coyne’s Pier 28

40.Cafe Don Giovanni

41.Elaine’s Cafe

42.Cafe L’Europe

43.Half Shell Oyster House

44.Chutney’s, Etc.

45.Beckham’s On The Trail

46.Pier 22 Restaurant

47.Bonjour French Cafe

48.Gecko’s Grill & Pub

49.Main Bar Sandwich Shop

50.Indigenous

51.Toasted Mango Cafe

52.Bijou Cafe

53.Shore Diner

54.The Greek Taverna

55.Siesta Key Oyster Bar

56.Pomona Bistro and Wine Bar

57.Phillippi Creek Village Oyster Bar

58.Cha Cha Coconuts Tropical Bar

59.Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar

60.Tasty Home Cookin’

61.The Chart House

62.Ocean Blues

63.Ophelia’s on the Bay

64.Tony’s Chicago Beef Company

65.Pad Thai Restaurant

66.Rosebud’s Steak & Seafood

67.Piatti Italian Bistro and Bar

68.Sangria Tapas Bar

69.Breakfast House

70.Mattison’s City Grille

71.Sarasota Ale House

72.Roadside Rib Shack

73.C’est La Vie!

74.The Corkscrew Deli

75.The Cottage

76.Mi Tierra Restaurant

77.Yummy House

78.Pizza SRQ

79.Blu Que Island Grill

80.Harry’s Continental Kitchens

81.The Shamrock Pub

82.Crab & Fin

83.Lee Roy Selmon’s

84.Bistro Figliulo

85.Mozzarella Fella

86.King George Pub

87.Dolce Italia

88.Fresh Start Cafe

89.Karl Ehmer’s Alpine Steakhouse

90.Station 400

91.Tijuana Flats

92.Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill

93.Selva Grill

94.Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill

95.Mozaic

96.The Serving Spoon

97.Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

98.Mediterrano

99.Anna’s Deli

100. Kumo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

These statistics were based on restaurants that have been searched for on dinesarasota.com during the 2012 calendar year. Please do not mistake this for a scientific study. It’s not. As always, we would love to hear and are grateful for your comments. Dine On!