March 20, 2026

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🎪 Welcome to Circus City! There’s no escaping it. If you’ve spent any time at all in Sarasota, you will quickly realize that the circus is woven into the fabric of our Gulf Coast city. The title is well deserved.

The biggest and most obvious circus connection is John Ringling. I mean, the man not only has a beautiful art museum and mansion that bears his and his wife Mable’s name. But he also has a giant bridge named after him! 🌉

Then there is the “Greatest ‘Little’ Show on Earth.” Yes, that’s the nickname of our very own Sailor Circus. It’s a place where some of our local school-aged kids can learn what circusing is all about. They put on some super impressive shows under the small big top over on Bahia Vista.

🤸‍♀️ Let’s not forget Nik Wallenda. He still walks the wire and thrills locals with balancing feats that are sometimes heart-stopping and always entertaining!

You’re probably saying, “Yeah, all of that is great, but what’s the link to our Sarasota food scene?”

Let’s start with an oldie, Bob’s Train. This restaurant is comprised of four authentic Ringling Circus railcars. And they still serve John Ringling’s favorite brew, Spaten!

🆕 Now for a newie! Out on Lido Key in the recently renovated Holiday Inn sits the newest salute to Sarasota’s circus culture, Ringside. Housed in the brand-new Cirque St. Armands boutique hotel, Ringside hits a super nostalgic note with its circus-esque interior and simple charm.

👀 Let’s take a look at the new Ringside…

The entrance to the restaurant (and the hotel) is located on the back side of the building. There’s a parking lot. This is a major bonus. We all know about the parking headaches, not only on the barrier islands but pretty much anywhere around town.

Once through the doors, a throwback lobby area awaits.

There are cozy places to relax if you’re waiting for your partner in dining.

If you’d rather sip while you wait, a cute little lobby bar (The Midway Lounge) can serve you whatever your taste buds might be aching for.

🍸 As long as we’re reaching for the nostalgia theme here, a Sidecar or Sloe Gin Fizz might be appropriate. OH wait, how about a Grasshopper! 🦗

OK, maybe it’s too early in the day for a cocktail. But it’s never too early to engage your brain cells. This chess set may be more for show than go. But it does look like it’s waiting for some action! ♟️

I know, I get it, you’re not here for fun and games, you’re here for the food!

The same sentimental feel carries over from the hotel into the restaurant. They do, however, have a dining room feature that is genuinely unique. It’s head-scratching and oddly intriguing all at the same time.

This is Ringside’s version of “Private Dining.”

Yes, that is your very own secluded dining space. Those curtains open and close depending on the level of secrecy and intimacy you’d like. I’ll let your imagination take it from there. 😉

Of course they have food…

We took a couple of dishes out for a little test drive in our tiny circus car. 🚗

The Grilled Scottish Salmon (farm greens, Florida citrus, honey roasted beets, heirloom tomatoes, goat cheese, toasted pistachio, creamy white balsamic vinaigrette) is the perfect amount of food for a lunchtime meal. Salmon is an ideal protein for midday. Salads are everywhere and on every menu. This one is worthy of your consideration.

If something a bit more substantial is calling your name, this Smoked Salmon and Avocado Flatbread was on the specials board the day we visited. This pizza-like dish will do the trick if you need a little fuel for the rest of the afternoon.

✅ The Bottom Line. Ringside is an elegant addition to the Lido/St. Armands dining scene. The menu is small, and that means fewer choices, but it also means more attention to the items that are available. Is this an everyday place? Probably not. Is this a place to meet a friend for an upscale lunch or dinner that will let you unwind and not feel rushed? Absolutely!

Ringside Info: 
🗺️ Address: 233 Benjamin Franklin Dr. 
☎️ Phone: 941-413-5992 
📋 VIEW THEIR MENU HERE 
🌐 DINESARASOTA PAGE | RINGSIDE WEBSITE 

~ LH

📋 End Notes –

(a) Old-timey drinks are all the rage right now. The throwback to a time before everything was “seltzered” is kind of refreshing. The Sidecar is a Prohibition-era cocktail. Super easy to make, too. It’s 2 oz Cognac or Brandy, 1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec, ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice. Add a sugared rim. That’s it!

(b) One of our readers, Rick F. (and his group), recently enjoyed a meal at Ringside. He was nice enough to forward us some tasting notes. Here’s what Rick thought: “For main courses, it was grouper, scallops, 14 oz NY Striploin, and lamb. Loved them all! Normally, you get 2-4 lamb chops. We were surprised that the serving was two racks of three chops, relished it!”

(c) In 1927, John Ringling moved the winter home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Sarasota from Bridgeport, Connecticut. Seems like a no-brainer now. I suspect that the only people “wintering” in Connecticut are from Maine! 😁

(d) Yes, there is a Circus Ring of Fame! And, of course, its home is Sarasota. More specifically, St. Armands Circle (just down the road from Ringside!). AND, it has more than 150 inductees! If you’d like more details, CLICK HERE.

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📌 ODDS & ENDS

🍺 Bottoms Up! Our favorite Sarasota taproom, 99 Bottles, was just named one of the Top Five Beer Bars in the Country by the USA Today! And it was the only one in Florida that made the cut. Congrats to Owner Mark Tuchman and his crew on the well-deserved honor. Cheers!

🌽 Healthy + Fun. Looking for something a little bit different to do with your Saturday? If so, consider… SAT MAR 28TH – Gamble Creek Farms is hosting their Spring Healthy Harvest Festival! That means live music, local vendors, a kids’ bounce house, and beer & wine tastings. Spring may not be your “traditional” harvest time. But it does seem like a good excuse for an all-ages party! – MORE INFO! (This is a Facebook page link.)

✈️ Postcard from Paella-Dise. Are you longing for some culinary travel? Wouldn’t you just love to see Spain with one of Sarasota’s best chefs as your tour guide? If it’s YES and YES, then this is the moment you have been waiting for. Chef Steve Phelps of Indigenous will be hosting a small group of eager diners for a “Gastronomic Journey thru Spain.” This is certain to be a fantastic trip with unbelievable food. It also has a tiny signup window (Until March 31st) – HERE’S MORE TRAVEL INFO!

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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 2026 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖 

📋 MENU OF THE MONTH!! – Claudie’s – MENU 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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