The LIST – December 2023
Let’s take a look at our last list of 2023!
Words: 935 = Reading Time: 3.5 minutes
🥳 IT’S HOLIDAY TIME! Either you’re ahead of the holiday curve, or you’re about to be swallowed up by it. Hopefully, it’s not the latter. I’m sure you’ve got a list (just like me) and are working through it.
⭐ Let’s wrap up 2024 on a high note. I’m certain there are a few Sarasota restaurants on your personal to-do list that you still need to get to. I know I’ve got a few last ones to squeeze in.
🆕 WE PROMISED. Last month, we mentioned that we would take care of some of the backlog of database additions. Well, we got to some of it!
L’Opera Bakery Bistro (2336 Gulf Gate Dr. (941) 922-2253). A French bakery AND bistro all rolled up into one nice, tidy little package. They have a fantastic menu for breakfast and lunch. Pick up a baguette or some croissants to go! 🥐
Pigfish (5377 McIntosh Rd. (941) 777-5220). Chef Steve Phelps introduces us to his version of elevated, casual, and sustainable seafood. It’s a menu filled with delicious options. This is NOT your average fish sandwich. 🐠
By The Bay Bistro (3976 Destination Dr. (941) 444-1940). If you live near or happen to find yourself in the Osprey area, this is a nice lunch spot. Featuring pastries, sandwiches, espresso and more. Try a Berlin Currywurst!
Wolfie’s Rascal House (1454 Boulevard of the Arts (941) 554-4311). OK, yes, they opened. And they temporarily closed (nobody said this business was easy!). But now it seems like they’ve shaken off the opening night jitters, and they’re rolling. This is like a 3 for 1 special – The Original Wolfie’s, Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House, and Wolfie’s Box Office (carryout). 🎬 We’ve got a FIRST LOOK piece coming for you soon!
📕 DINING BOOK UPDATE! Yes, we’re pushing the 2024 edition over the finish line. Should be in local bookstores and online in the next few weeks. We’ll send out an update when it hits the street!
📈 THE LIST
Last month was a big one for the dineSarasota.com website. Tons of traffic! Thank you all for that. We appreciate you using the site. This month’s Top 5 has some of your favorites. The Top 25 is a real potluck of local places. (Be sure to check out this link below!)
HERE WE GO!
#5 Capo Pazzo (2053 Reynolds St. (941) 487-8677)
The Capo buzz is REAL. It’s so unusual to have a place that has built a social media presence so quickly. And the medium being what it is, there are fans, and there are skeptics. Check it out for yourself. After all, you know your taste buds better than anyone!
#4 Florence and the Spice Boys (4990 S Tamiami Trl.)
You would think that most hummuses are created equal. Wrong! Spice is in that name, and spice is what they bring! Haven’t been yet? HERE’S THE MENU
3# Wolfie’s Rascal House (1454 Boulevard of the Arts (941) 554-4311)
See above ⬆️ I’m ready for my Corned Beef and Pastrami “Duet”. And, of course, a slice of Sol’s killer cheesecake! 🍰
#2 Shebeen Irish Pub & Kitchen (6641 Midnight Pass Rd. (941) 952-3070)
If Irish music, flavors, and hospitality are your thing, then Shebeen is your spot! Grab a Guinness and settle in for some Slow Airs. 🎶🍀
#1 Beso (30 S. Lemon Ave. (941) 279-2999)
If you can’t make it to Beso for dinner, they’re open at 1PM on the weekends. They make some pretty great Paella. You should make it a point to get there before the end of ‘23.
➡️ THE BEST OF THE REST
Osteria Southside is in at number six. Followed by the newly opened Pigfish. SK’s Ophelia’s on the Bay makes our Top 10 for the first time in a while! Then it’s just added L’Opera and, finally, longtime Sarasota favorite Alpine Steakhouse. A little bit of variety right there!
🗒️ HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE TOP 25 FOR DECEMBER 2023!
We’re close to calling it a wrap for another month AND another year! Boy, this one flew. ⏲️
Here are a couple of random things…
🥪 Michelle’s Brown Bag Café is moving! They’re leaving their longtime home in the lobby of the Wells Fargo Building and moving up the street to the former Fresh Start Café space. That’s at 630 South Orange Avenue. Should be open sometime in February 2024!
Block 15 Cork & Craft just opened! It’s in the spot that Grand Cru formerly occupied. Find them at 1528 Main Street. Stop by and wish Mel and Tom good luck. Cheers! 🍷
📩 Thanks for all of the email and messages over the past year. We love getting them, and we’re happy that you’re engaged enough to send them. Keep ‘em coming!
🎁 Let’s put a bow on this edition of the list. As always, we’ve got a few pieces of Sarasota food and restaurant news that you might have missed. We cherry-picked the good ones for you! You’re welcome!
😃 Thanks for reading. Please come again!
📰 IN THE NEWS –10 INTERESTING STORIES!
2️⃣ Pacific Counter Aims to Simplify the Sushi Process
3️⃣ National Restaurant Association Predicts Top Food Trends for 2024
4️⃣ The Perfect Prohibition-style Cocktails Around Sarasota
5️⃣ Rainy Day in Sarasota No Match for O’s Turkey Distribution
7️⃣ New Monthly Pop-Ups Explore Sarasota Art Museum Exhibits Through Food
8️⃣ Sarasota Deli That Shuttered Two Days After Its Debut Reopens
9️⃣ Popular Craft Beer Franchise Plans to Expand to Manatee County.
🔟 The Food Lover’s Guide to Sarasota
🧑🏻🍳 HEY CHEFS AND RESTAURANT OWNERS! 👩🏻🍳
We want to feature one of your recipes in our popular Make it at Home series. Drop us a line and we’ll give you the details! INFO HERE🌟
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD EVENTS 🗓️
Here are some upcoming local food events that we think you might find interesting. All you need to do is make that reservation. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
⭐⭐ If you have an event, we’d like to help you spread the word. Let us know! (EMAIL IT)
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2023 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – SOUTH AFRICA
🚶🏻 TASTE MAGAZINE WALKING FOOD TOURS OF BRADENTON – INFO
WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
Yes! Things are finally starting to pick up a bit in the local food event department. Our calendar is filling up little by little. ⬇️
DEC 1-3 – Siesta Key Seafood Festival – INFORMATION
DEC 3 – Feast Upon the Fields – INFORMATION
DEC 6 – Holiday Champagne Tasting – Michael’s Wine Cellar
DEC 6 – Toy’s For Tot’s Progressive Dinner – TASTE Magazine
DEC 7 TO 11 – Annual Hanukkah Menu – Madfish Grill
DEC 9 & 10 – Breakfast with Santa – GROVE Restaurant
DEC 14 – Côtes du Rhône Wine Tasting – Mademoiselle Paris
DEC 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration – Pier 22
DEC 31 – Sharky’s New Year’s Eve Beach Bash – Sharky’s on the Pier
DEC 31 – New Year’s Eve Masquerade – GROVE Restaurant
DEC 31 – New Year’s Eve Gala – Selby Gardens
FEB 4 (2024) – Farm to Fillet Event – INFORMATION
🧑🌾 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
THIRD THURSDAY NIGHT – RADD Night Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
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