September 26, 2025

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The Suncoast Café is Filled with Surprises!

This Venice hidden gem should not be missed!

Sometimes your dining experience is all about the food. And other times it’s all about the place. This is, without question, a real combination of both! 

⛵ I’ve done a fair amount of Caribbean travel over the years. Living here in sunny FLA makes that way easier than if I were situated in, let’s say, Duluth, MN. 

One spot that hasn’t popped up on my travel bingo card yet is St. Lucia. This little eastern Caribbean Island sports a population of around 180K. (📝 That’s about the same size as Boise ID, and Knoxville TN.)  

What it lacks in people density, it more than makes up for in flavor. Creole, French, British, and East Indian influences all come together to make the food of this Windward Island really sing! 

🧑‍🍳 Enter Chef Tony! Tony is a talented Chef. He is also a character of the highest order. His fun-loving, easy-going style puts you at ease from the moment you meet him. His big, outgoing personality almost masks the fact that he is a serious culinarian. 

The Bob Marley quote that adorns the kitchen hood vent really says it all about Tony and his place. “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be alright.”  

This is Chef Tony’s office. It’s small. But it is ALWAYS bustling. His dishes have caught the attention of locals. (Tony’s chili is award-winning and famous in the Venice area!)  

Outside of Tony’s little slice of paradise is a constant reminder that yes, you CAN get there from here!  

I will be the first to admit that when some friends (Kyle and Chad) invited me to experience everything that is the Suncoast Café (400 Airport Ave. E. | 941-484-0100), I was, well, a little skeptical. But curiosity got the better of me. And I’m SO glad that it did! 

😋 Let’s Talk Food!  

There are options at Chef Tony’s little slice of island life. They serve only breakfast and lunch. But boy, do they pack in the possibilities. It’s lunch for us. 📝 If you happen to go for breakfast, please shoot us a short review. Thanks! 

We started things off strong with some of Tony’s Award-Winning Chili. OH – We couldn’t pass on the Conch Chowder! We’ve got that Caribbean vibe going strong now! 

A Cuban Sandwich isn’t really a test of international culinary skills, considering it was created here in the States. There are so many variations to this delicious handheld. Tony stays pretty true to the original. 

I ate half and took half home.  

💁 PRO TIP – To reheat your leftover half sandwich, preheat your oven to 325°. Wrap your sandwich in foil. Place directly on the oven center rack for about 10-15 minutes. Enjoy! 

What’s next?  

How about a Reuben Sandwich made with house-made corned beef? I know this isn’t a deli. But this measures up pretty nicely to any other Reubens I’ve had around town. You can also get this made with turkey or fish. That means you can have it “your way.” 😋 

Tony’s tiny kitchen cranks out some pretty delicious food. We figured we should have something that tests the St. Lucian influences that are liberally sprinkled throughout the menu. The Chicken Creole would be an excellent barometer! 

This version checks all the boxes! Super satisfying and complex. Venice isn’t quite St. Lucia, but a few tastes of this island dish will transport you to the “Helen of the West Indies”! 

📝 Don’t pass on the Pineapple Cole Slaw. That hint of pineappley sweetness really makes this little side sing!  

➡️ Time For The Big Wrap Up! Yes, we’ve come to the part in our program where we at least attempt to tie up all of the loose ends. Here we go… 

If you’d like a super unique lunch (or breakfast) experience, the Suncoast Café will deliver that! I mean, it’s really worth the trip just to rub elbows with Chef Tony. The sandwiches are good-sized. If you have a dining partner, do a “mix and match” and share your half! 

It’s busy here for lunch, even off-season. Get there a little early for a window seat and a view of all of the Venice Airport action! 

If you’d like to really tell Chef Tony just how much you loved your meal, a bottle of Appleton’s goes a long way! 😜 🥃 

~ LH 

📌 ODDS AND ENDS 

🆕 TB’s Back in Town! Tommy Bahama’s made its long-awaited return to St. Armands Circle. This past Wednesday was opening day at TBs new Sarasota location. 

Yes, you can still get Tommy’s World-Famous Coconut Shrimp. And, YES, their signature Happy Hour is back too! – MAKE A RES HERE! 

We are going to have a complete look at what you can expect from your experience at the new location in the weeks to come. But until then, just know that this simply delicious and cooling Frozen Mai Tai will be waiting for you!… 

Just in case you missed it:  

OUR TOMMY BAHAMA BURGER FEATURE 

OUR TOMMY BAHAMA HAPPY HOUR FEATURE  

🙏 Partake with a Purpose. There are still a few days left in September. That means a bit of time left on the calendar for you to do some good when you eat out.  

This month, all of Watershed Hospitality’s restaurants are participating in Dining with Gratitude 2025. This is a nationwide program that “supports and celebrates food service workers in Florida and across the nation.” It’s held in partnership with the Giving Kitchen.  

Enjoy an Espresso Martini at Cask & Ale, Pie on Main, Blasé Martini Bar, or 3.14 Pi Pizza, and a portion of the sale will be donated. Or, if you happen to be at Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood, a purchase of a dozen specialty oysters will get the job done, too! 

“Dining With Gratitude is not just about raising critical funds for crisis grants; it’s about celebrating the spirit of generosity essential to the heart of the food service industry.” – Giving Kitchen’s Founder, Jen Hidinger-Kendrick. 

📕 Congratulations Are in Order! Congrats to our book winners, Suzanne, Sarah, Tim, Wendy, Debbie, and Bob! We appreciate everyone who tossed their name into the hat. Thanks for entering and for reading! 

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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 📖 

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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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