October 10, 2025

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FIRST LOOK – Tommy Bahama

Tommy Bahama relocates and reopens on St. Armands Circle!

🆕 Welcome to Tommy 2.0! Most times in life, at least in my personally limited experience, the sequel never seems to fully measure up to the original.  

Trying to recapture the magic isn’t quite as simple as it sounds. Lightning in a bottle is indeed a tricky concept. 

🎥 Movies That Did It: The Godfather Part II, The Empire Strikes Back, and Bride of Frankenstein.  

🎶 Albums That Did It: Nevermind, The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle, and The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.  

I’m guessing that you have your own list. ** If you don’t, get on it! **

When it comes to the restaurant game, it’s just as difficult. Or maybe even more so. At least with films and music, it’s out there forever, and it has the opportunity to grow on you over time. Restaurants don’t have the luxury of time. Make it now or… 

🌀 An Anniversary We’d Rather Not Celebrate. Just about a year ago, Helene and Milton tore through Sarasota and left SO much damage in their wake. And that damage wasn’t just physical. There’s a bit of hurricane PTSD still bouncing around the area. 

St. Armands Circle was one of the areas that got hit pretty hard. That and Siesta Key seemed to carry the brunt of the battering. They’re both low-lying and prone to flooding. Siesta has come back pretty much all the way. St. Armands still has a few things on the to-do list to check off. 

It’s been a part of “Circle Life” since 1996. That’s fast approaching thirty years! Doing anything for nearly three decades is an achievement. In the restaurant biz, it approaches legacy status. 

When the storms forced the original location to shutter, it was decision time. Reopen or relocate. Tommy chose the latter, but it wouldn’t be a long-distance move. 

Recognize this storefront? Yes, I’m sure that almost 100% of you remember this location as Shore. Retail downstairs, dining up. The building would turn out to be the perfect fit for a Tommy redux. 

Let’s take a look at the brand-new St. Armands home of Tommy Bahama… 

🟰 THE BASICS     

• WHAT: Tommy Bahama’s 

• WHERE: (465 John Ringling Blvd | 941- 388-2888)    

• WHEN: Lunch & Dinner Daily  

• GET MORE INFO: Tommy Bahama’s Website | dineSarasota Info Page 

🤷 WHAT’S THIS PLACE LIKE? 

As you would expect. Tommy didn’t miss a detail. Yes, Shore was already a pretty great restaurant space, but TB added their own special touches. 

There is SO much fantastic outdoor dining space here. A great view of the comings and goings of John Ringling Boulevard awaits diners at the front deck. 

Inside, happy hour seekers will not be disappointed. Tommy Bahama has always had one of the better happy hours around. And that won’t change! It still runs 3PM-5PM daily in the bar. 

📝 Want a look at what you can expect from a TB HH? We wrote about that a little while ago. – READ OUR TOMMY BAHAMA HAPPY HOUR PIECE HERE! 

📄 WHAT TO ORDER? 

The view is great and all, but the food (and drink) has to be the star of the show. 

To get things started on a good note, one of their delicious craft cocktails would do the trick. 

We went for this Frozen Mai Tai. I can’t imagine an icy creation that would be more perfect on a hot Sarasota summer day (or evening)! 

An appetizer always gives you time to savor your adult beverage without feeling like you have to abandon it to dive right into your main course. 

We picked the Mussels (they were a special). But the World-Famous Coconut Shrimp is always available. 

For the main event, there are lots of great options. 

This Macadamia Nut Crusted Snapper shows off all the goodness of a fresh Gulf seafood catch. 

Or for something a touch lighter, the Lump Blue Crab & Avocado Salad hits all the right spots. Lots of blue crab mixes with the creaminess of the avocado. I am sure this refreshing salad will be a warm-weather favorite for years to come. 

🍔 YES! Tommy still has their All-American Burger. You didn’t think they would just ditch that delicious, meaty treat, did you? Of course, we included this burger in our A Burger A Week series. If you missed it, you can READ IT HERE!

Of course, it would only be fitting to wrap all of this up with something sweet. 

What could be more tropical or define TB cuisine than an over-the-top Pineapple Crème Brûlée. WOW! 

If you’re saying, “Hey, all of that looks tasty for sure, but what else can I go for?” We’ve got you covered – SEE THE WHOLE TB MENU HERE! 📃

👀 SOME RANDOM OBSERVATIONS 

Yes, there is a Tommy Bahama clothing store directly beneath the restaurant. You might want to check that out if you’re waiting for your table or maybe for a friend to join you. Parking on the circle used to be tough. But the newish St. Armands parking garage is just a few quick steps from the restaurant. 

✅ BOTTOM LINE  

You can expect the same delicious food and level of service that you have come to know and love. If you like outdoor dining, this Tommy Bahama restaurant has front and back deck options for you. Right now would be a great time to check things out. Once season gets here, getting in will be MUCH harder. Better to strike while there’s a seat at the table! Enjoy. 

~ LH 

📌 ODDS & ENDS 

⚡ A New Look. Well, that didn’t take long! Michael’s On East has reopened after the shortest redo shutdown ever! Only the Michael’s crew could pull off an indoor transformation in the time it takes most of us to just approve the drawings. Congrats to the MOE folks. A FIRST LOOK is on the way! 

🧀 Time to Get on “Board.” Have you always dreamed of being able to create one of those almost too gorgeous to eat charcuterie boards? Well, now your dream may be within reach. THUR OCT 16^TH is the day for your training to begin. Tzeva (located at the Art Ovation Hotel) will be hosting a Charcuterie 101. This is a hands-on class. So be ready to roll, fold, and tuck some meats and cheeses to create your very own edible masterwork! – INFO & TICKETS HERE! 

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🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️ 

Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info. 

📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2025 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖 

🥃 NATIONAL MEZCAL DAY @ KOLUCAN – INFO & RES HERE! 

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🧑‍🌾 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 

EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS 

EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS  

EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS 

EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Florida Farmer’s Market – DETAILS 

THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS 

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Did you miss a story? Here are some of our past Bites – SB ARCHIVE 

Do you love our A Burger A Week pieces? – HERE’S THE FULL ARCHIVE 🍔 

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