Sarasota Restaurant and Food News
Restaurant, Food and Wine News in Sarasota, Florida

Restaurants In Sarasota has moved our news feed updates to Facebook which are embedded below. You don't have to be a Facebook subscriber to read the blog entries.

Search For A Restaurant

Search by keyword, street or name

Latest News



 

News Archive

(Sept. 1, 2010): The Table will be opening in two weeks on Phillippi Island in the former fish wholesale building near Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar. Pedro will be back in the kitchen and Rafael in the front of the house, along with many of the former staff from Hillview St. If they stick to the food they had at Hillview St. which made them popular, they will be successful.

(Sept. 1, 2010): 1603 N Tamiami Trl. A location that has housed a number of Italian restaurants and even a hookah lounge, (Aristo) is scheduled to open Oct. 1 as El Pescador.

(Sept. 1, 2010): Rumor has it the Irish Rover is planning on opening in downtown Sarasota. Their Gulf Gate location has closed.

(Sept. 1, 2010): Solarzano's Italian will be open shortly in Gulf Gate across the street from the former Brocollini Italian restaurant.

(Sept. 1, 2010): UPDATE: Shaner's has taken over the former Horse Feathers location in downtown Sarasota. Shaner's has closed the location at Clark & Beneva.

(Aug. 19, 2011) Zante Gyros opened yesterday in Gulf Gate.

The big move is on after 1/4 century at their old location. Patrick's is opening the first weekend in May at 1481 Main St. in downtown Sarasota. Just the opposite end of the block from their previous home of 25 years and 4 months.

The great burgers will be back and look closely at the decor which will be a tribute to various Sarasota arts events and organizations. Being next door to Mattison's City Grille and across the street from The Gator Club should add more excitement to the already busy Lemon and Main area.

Under construction in the old Pattelini's Pizza location is the 5 Pointes Deli. If the sign's promise holds true, it will be nice to see a deli open up at that end of Main St. It's just next to the old Patrick's location. Part of the construction includes adding seating and an entrance in the small lobby adjacent to the restaurant as well as moving the front door back about 10 feet to allow room for outdoor dining.

With the opening of a new Patrick's comes the closing of the nearby Olive Tree Cafe & Bar 1454 Main St.. It started with a lot of promise, but rumors of staff problems and inconsistent food led to another untimely restaurant closing.

Executive chef Ryan Boeve and pastry chef Arthur Lopes, both formerly of Zoria, are back at the new Pomona Bistro & Wine Bar at Citrus Square in Downtown Sarasota. The restaurant promises to use local ingredients from nearby farms and fishermen for their menu. The restaurant wine list features wines from California, Oregon, France, Italy and Spain.

The Table, formerly in Southside Village on Hillview Street, will be returning to the Sarasota food scene. They will be located on Phillippi Island on South Tamiami Trail. Good luck to Rafael and Pedro. We'll keep you updated on their opening plans.

Congratulations to Tommy Kouvatsos (Village Cafe) and George Nikias (Millie's) on the opening of their new restaurant Legacy Sarasota Grille. A soft opening was held Sunday Nov, 8, 2010. Several hundreds guests attended and enjoyed food from the new restaurant's menu. While there are some items that will be familiar to patrons of Big Al's (that previously occupied the same location) there are a number of new items. Despite the crowd at Sunday's opening, food seemed to be coming out of the kitchen at a good pace. The operator's previous experience in restaurant management was obvious. Good luck in your new venture.

Is Gulf Gate Sarasota's Little Italy?
With the opening of Dolce Italia in Gulf Gate the total number of Italian restaurants and pizza restaurants on Gulf Gate Drive, Gateway and Superior Avenues now numbers 8. In addition to this new business, the other Italian offerings in the couple of blocks between US 41 and Stickney Point are:
 • Broccolini Restaurant
 • Il Panificio Gulf Gate
 • Oh Mamma Mia
 • Piccolo Italian Market and Deli
 • Pontillo's Pizzeria
 • Rico's Pizzeria
 • Sal's Pizzeria & Pasta House
So when you have a craving for some prosciutto, pizza, pasta or cannoli, just head over to Gulf Gate.

Where are people spending their money? According to an American Express study of cardholder spending, the wealthy are spending more in fast food restaurants today. As reported in The Wall Street Journal, the "ultra-affluent" are spending 24% more at fast food restaurants than a year ago while other consumers are only spending 8% more on fast food. According to American Express: "...ultra-affluent consumers nationwide increased spending in quick service restaurants by 24%, compared to a 12% increase for this group in fine dining spending. When compared to smaller spending increases in other categories, it is interesting for the food and beverage industry to note that less expensive restaurants have caught the attention of this particular consumer group."

Bob's Boathouse returning? Rumor has it that the folks behind Bob's Boathouse, formerly at the end of Old Stickney Point Road on Siesta Key, are involved in the plans for a new restaurant to be built on the site of the former Carl Black GMC dealership on Phillippi Creek. Stay tuned for more details!

According to published reports, Libby's Cafe & Bar in Southside Village has filed a lawsuit against a Lakewood Ranch based magazine due to a rumor they published recently claiming that Libby's was planning on closing. According to Libby's owner, that is not true. RestaurantsInSarasota.com has visited Libby's many times and judging by the crowds one wonders how the rumor could have started in the first place.

Fast Food Restaurants Dish Up Unhealthy Marketing to Youth; Researchers Release Unprecedented Report on Fast Food Nutrition and Marketing
According to a study from Yale’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, the fast food industry spent more than $4.2 billion on marketing and advertising in 2009, focusing extensively on television, the Internet, social media sites and mobile applications. According to the study, preschoolers see 21% more fast food ads on TV than they saw in 2003, and somewhat older children see 34% more.

The Olive Tree Cafe & Bar opened on Main St. in downtown Sarasota. Owner Tony Tannus says it will be a Mediterranean cuisine offering Lebanese and Israeli foods featuring hummus, baba ganoush, etc. Tony says they'll even have mama ganoush!

More and more cities and towns have banned smoking. Now Boston joins the trend as smoking is banned at all indoor workplaces citywide, including some 700 bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Watertown, Saugus and Framingham have also gone smoke-free, joining a growing number of cities around the country. New York City is enforcing its ban. In Massachusetts, 77 communities have adopted total public smoking bans, and many others have partial bans. While public health officials, many nonsmokers and smokers alike say they'll appreciate the fresher air in Boston now, business owners and patrons are concerned about loss of business and ambiance, and what they feel is an infringement on their rights.
Tax receipts in Florida showed that business at restaurants actually increased after Florida's indoor workplace smoking ban went into effect several years ago.

 

Openings & Closings

Restaurants Opening Soon (Scroll Down For Recently Opened & Closed)
Rain Noodle House (The Landings)
Owens Fish Camp (Lakewood Ranch SRQ)
Blu Kouzina (UTC West District)
Calusa Brewing (McIntosh near Clark Rd.)
Osteria Southside (Southside Village)
Banditos Tacos and Tequila (Downtown - Main St.)
Fin & Tonic (Gulf Gate)
Da Vinci German Restaurant (Closed - Osprey)
Pineapple Tequila (Jacaranda Plaza)
Pokehub (Jacaranda Plaza Venice)
3 Bridges Brewing (South Venice)
Wingstop (Expo on Clark)
Buffalo Wild Wings Go (Southside Village)
Trattoria 41 (South Trail)
Fat Point (University Town Center)
Ruth's Chris Steak House (Lakewood Ranch)
Anna Maria Oyster Bar UTC (The Square at UTC)
Twin Peaks (Fruitville Commons)
K88 BBQ (Main Street)
Forked At Waterside (Waterside Place)
Osteria 500 (Waterside Place)
Tostique SRQ (South Lemon - The Mark)
BESO (South Lemon - The Mark)
Jersey Mike's Subs (Pelican Plaza)
Kiku Sushi & Grill (Osprey, FL)
Cafe Arts (Rosemary District)
Screaming Goat Taqueria (Downtown)
Yard House (UTC Drive & N. Cattlemen)
Boo's Icehouse & Dog Hall (10th Street)
Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar (UTC)

Recently Opened or Closed
Royal Peacock Indian Kitchen (Sarasota Crossings)
Divan Turkish Cuisine (Gulf Gate)
Tralia (Gulf Gate)
Off The Wagon (Closed - Venice)
Stella's Greek Cuisine (Riverview Plaza)
Wings N Weenies (Closed - Fruitville)
Wine Making Pantry The Good Grape Wine Bar (Closed - Clark Rd)
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (Closed - Fruitville)
Bella Vino Italian Maeket (Osprey, FL)
The Breakfast Company 2 (The Landings)
Meshugana Deli (Clark Rd.)
Mission Organic (Formerly Island Organics - Venice)
The Toasted Yolk Cafe (Southgate - Siesta Row)
Smack Dab On The Bay (The Bay Park)
Tortas Locas & Bakery (Ed Smith Area)
Local Spot 941 (Venice Gardens)
The Chateau Sarasota (Southgate)
Wally's Pour House (South Venice)
Food+Beer (4th St. Downtown)
Vernona Gourmet (Closed - St. Armands)
Bayside Grille (Closed - Nokomis)
Farm House (Closed - Clark Rd.)
Reef Cakes (Closed - Southside Village)
Bay Leaf Indian (Osprey - Blackburn Plaza)
Barra Cevichera Peruvian Food (17th St.)
3155 Evies (Clark Rd.)
Mia's Vietnamese Cuisine (Stickney Point)
Ibis Pub & Grill (Square South)
Organic Farmer's Table (Downtown)
Project Coffee (Rosemary District)
Yogurtology (Closed - Southside Village)
Kellys Roast Beef (Square at UTC)
Red Plum (Gulf Gate South Trail)
Pho-Licious (Courthouse Centre)
Florence & The Spice Boys (Landings)
Dalmoros Fresh Pasta To Go (St. Armands Circle)
Ventura's Italian Kitchen And Wine Bar (Whitney Beach LBK)
Primo Ristorante (Closed - North Trail)
BurgerFi (Closed - UTC)
Bayou Tavern (Closed - LBK)
Post Kitchen and Bar (Shops at University Center)
Cava Mezze Grill (University)
German Cuisine (Sarasota Square)
Faicco's Italian Heros and Grill ( Webber & Beneva)
Maestrale Restaurant (South Trail)
Villa Venezuela (Beneva & Clark)
Breakfast at Victoria's (Closed - South Trail)
Turmeric Indian Bar & Grill (Cocoanut Ave.)
Food + Beer (Venice Island)
Ionie (Moved to 1st St.)
Hot Chikn Kitchn (Bahia Vista)
Al Forno De Libano (UTC N. Cattlemen)
Snook Haven (Closed - Venice)
Pazzo Southside (Closed - Hillview)
Bacres European Coffee And Bakery (North Trail)
Irish 31 (Closed - Southgate)
Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ (Jacaranda Plaza Venice)
Famous Philly Cheesesteaks (Downtown)
Lily Cafe (Closed - Landings)
Blue Pineapple (Name Change from Big Olaf Dream)
Palermo Pizza (Closed - South Trail)
River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen (St. Armands)
La Villa Mexican Grill (Longboat Key)
Grandpa's Schnitzel (Stickney Point)
Sofia's Restaurant (Lakewood Main St.)
Origin Craft Beer And Pizza Cafe Landings (The Landings)
Yokoso Ramen (Beneva Village Shoppes)
Fiorella Modern Bistro (Swift Tuttle)
Baby Brie's Cafe (Towles Court)
Pub 32 (Closed - South Trail)
Rasoi Indian Kitchen (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Bodhi Tree Cafe (Closed - Downtown)
Steak N Shake (Reopened - Cattlemen)
Brewburgers Back Porch (Publix Plaza Venice Island)
St. Armands Oyster Bar (St. Armands Circle)
New Dynasty (Closed - South Trail)
Hot Sands Oasis Tiki Bar (N. Beneva)
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House (Blackburn Pt. Osprey)
Boccatta Bistro (Fruitville Downtown)
Restaurante Rio De La Plata (N. Lockwood Ridge)
Lucarelli's Restaurant (Formerly Defina's - Venice)
Crisp & Green (Venice Bypass)
The Overton (Closed - Rosemary District)
Newk's Eatery (Closed - University)
Sands on Miami (Venice Island)
Zoes Kitchen (Closed - University)
Taco Bus (Closed - South Trail)
China 1 (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Baby Paul's BBQ (Closed - Downtown)
Sarasota Brewing Company (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Fork & Hen SRQ (North Trail)
A Good Day Cafe (Closed - Osprey)
Peru 941 (Downtown)
Screaming Goat Taqueria (Moved - Gulf Gate)
Joseph's Pizza (Nokomis)
Mr. Wok (Palmer Ranch)
Food Mine (Whitfield)
3 Pepper Burrito Co. (Closed - Downtown)
Kacey's Seafood And More- Lockwood Ridge (Formerly Lazy Lobster)
Reyna's Taqueria (Sarasota Square)
Cafe Baci (Closed - S. Trail)
Humay Sushi (Closed - Downtown)
Pizzolo Pizza (St. Armands Circle)
Whiskey Barrel (Closed - St. Armands)
Blue Rooster (Closed - Rosemary District)
Popstroke Sarasota (UTC East District)
Lobstercraft (St. Armands)
Coco's Bistro (Sarasota Crossing)
Angelina's Pizza & Subs (Formerly Fat Daddio - Gulf Gate)
Abondanza Italian Deli (Venice Island)
Cafe Longet (Closed - Venice)
Goodfellas Wine Making Pantry (Closed - Clark Rd.)
Burritos Mexican Grill (Closed - Gulfgate)
Kore Steakhouse (Waterside Place)
Flirt Sushi Lounge (Downtown)
Bamboo Garden (Northridge Palmer Ranch - Formerly NY Chinese)
Sommers Dutch Family Restaurant (Closed - Cattlemen)
Fire Fresh Grill (Closed - Downtown)
Off The Hook (Gulf Gate)
Panificio South (Closed - Reynolds St.)
Five-O Donut Co (Mall at UTC)
Poppo's Taqueria (Closed - Landings)
Shiny Gumbo (Gulf Gate)
Meliora (Hillview St.)
Traphouse Seafood and BBQ (Closed - Bahia Vista)
The Beach Club (Siesta Key - Kitchen Closed)
Dix Coney Cafe (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Jersey Girl Bagels (Market at UTC)
Bohemian Delicious (Cattlemen)
Good Liquid Brewing Company (Waterside Place)
Healthy To Go (Gulf Gate)
Brooklyn Bagels and Deli (Cattlemen)
Leaf & Lentil (Closed - North Trail)
Sophia's Tuscan Cafe (Closed - Landings)
India Cafe (Closed - Downtown)
Pizza Gorda (North Venice)
LQ Restaurant on Main (Downtown)
Red Lobster (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Smoqehouse (Closed - South Trail)
Prime Steakhouse (Venice, FL)
Blvd Cafe (Rosemary District)
Georgie's Garden Cafe (UTC Sarasota)
Stiks (Formerly Taste of Asia - South Trail)
The Parrot X-Press Grill (Closed - Bee Ridge)
Gold China Chinese Take Out (Closed - Palmer Ranch)
South Philly Cheesesteaks (Closed - Main St.)
Kurtos Chiney Cake (Moved to Main St.)
Mademoiselle Paris (Main St.)
481 Gourmet (Rosemary District)
Mission BBQ (University)
Cuccina Gloria (Closed - Nokomis)
Cassariano Italian Restaurant (Lakewood Ranch)
White Buffalo Saloon (Closed - Ashton Rd.)
Brew-Za-Bagels (Venice Island)
Opus (Gulf Gate)
Angelo's Limoncello (Closed)
Cafe Amalfi (Stickney Point)
Cassariano UTC (Closed)
Oasis Cafe Mediterranean Cuisine (Closed - South Trail)
Crisp Waffle Company (St. Armands)
Seabar (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Chef Rolf's New Florida Kitchen (Closed - Southgate)
Sead and Bean Market (Venice Ave.)
Paya Thai Curry (Nokomis)
Joyland (Locckwood Ridge & University Manatee County)
Smack Dab on Siesta (Siesta Beach Concession)
Food+Beer (Bradenton)
Freskia Pita (Closed - Sarasota Crossing)
Kazu 2.0 (Closed - Gulf Gate)
1507 Pizza N' Brew (Downtown)
Thomas German Bakery (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Honeycomb Cafe (Closed - South Trail)
Cooper's Hawk (Fruitville Commons)
Paramo Coffee (Lockwood Ridge)
Blase Bistro (Closed - Hillview)
Peruvian Grill by Maemi (Moved to Clark Road)
Ford's Garage (UTC)
Opa! Opa! (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Selva Grill At University Town Center (N. Cattlemen)
Figaro Bistro (Hillview St.)
Doggystyle (Downtown)
La Violetta Market & Kitchen (New Location)
Ka Papa Cuisine (Southside Village)
Nutritious You (Crossings at Siesta Key)
The Waterfront (Closed - South Trail)
Lickity Splits Shops (Boatyard Stickney Point)
Vino Bistro (Rosemary District)
The Italian Takeout (Longboat Key)
The Lunchbox Sarasota (Northgate)
Station 400 (Closed - Landings)
G's Southern Kitchen (Closed - Bobby Jones Golf Club)
Little Saigon Bistro (Beneva & Webber)
Mega Tropical (Closed - Beneva & Webber)
IHop (Closed - N. Washington)
Lido Island Grill (Lido Beach Concession)
Atmosphere Italian (Sarasota Commons)
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (University Town Center)
Arcade Monsters (St. Armands)
Kojo (Downtown)
Origin Craft Beer and Pizza Cafe UTC (UTC)
Chaz 51 Steakhouse (Bird Bay Plaza - Venice)
Bento Cafe (UTC Mall)
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits (The Landings
Island Fin Poke Co. Sarasota (Bee Ridge)
Brine Seafood & Raw Bar (Gulf Gate)
Beauty of Sprouts (Moved - N. Orange Ave.)
Ruby Tuesday (Closed - UTC)
Barnacle Bill's (Closed - Downtown)
Bob Evans (Closed - 14th St. W Bradenton)
Ham Heaven & Devil Dogs (Closed - Clark Road)
Blue Moon Grill (Closed - Bahia Vista)
Fusion Gourmet By Chef Razo (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Acropolis Sarasota (Closed - UTC)
Nancy's Bar-B-Q (Closed - Downtown)
Duff's Original Buffet (Closed - Bradenton)
Pita's Republic (Closed - UTC)
Pita's Republic (Closed - Fruitville)
S'Macks Burgers & Shakes (Closed - Southgate)
TooJay's (Closed - Southgate)
Seven on Venice (Closed - Venice Ave.)
Rivera Maya (Closed - Cocoanut)
Punta Sur (Closed - Beneva)
Limoncello (Closed - Cattlemen)
Kumo Japanese Steakhouse (Closed - Venice)
Kruk's Philly Steaks (Closed - Landings)
Umbrellas (Closed - Downtown)
Mexico Lindo (Closed - St. Armands)
1812 Osprey (Closed - Southside Village)
Omelette and Company (Closed - S. Trail)
MacAllisters (Closed - Lakewood Ranch)
Lemon Tree Kitchen (Closed - Downtown)
Daily Bird (Closed - Downtown)
Zeno's Boardwalk Sweet Shop (Closed - St. Armands)
Surf Shack (Closed - St. Armands)
Peach's (Closed - 26th St. Bradenton)
Peach's (Closed - Cortez Rd. Bradenton)
Jason's Deli (Closed - University)
Denny's (Closed - Venice, FL)
Angelino (Italian Tradition) (Closed - Rosemary District)
Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria (Closed - Siesta Key)
Sweet Tomatoes (Closed - Landings)
Cannon's Steak House (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Pino's (Closed - Shops at Siesta Row)
Tokaj (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Fork My Life (Closed - Gulf Gate)
Cafe Roma (Closed - Hillview)
Tela's Bistro (Closed - Bee Ridge)
Doughbie Brothers Pizza (Closed - University Park)
Prague (Closed - Downtown)
Luna Rossa (Closed - Southgate)
Kruk's Philly Steaks (Closed - University Parkway)
Bravo Italian Mediterranean (Closed - Southgate)
Mojo's Paladar Real Cuban (Closed - Venice)
Barnacle Bill's (Closed - North Trail)
Norma Jean's Sports Bar (Closed - Fruitville Rd.)
62 Bistrot (Closed - Hillview St.)
Smashburger (Closed - University & Tuttle)
Li'l Nancy's at the Ranch (Closed - Relocating Lakewood Ranch)
Brasa & Pisco (Closed - Lockwood Ridge)
Chicken Kitchen (Closed - University Parkway)
Burger & Beer Joint (Closed - UTC Mall)

Copyright RestaurantsInSarasota.com All Rights Reserved