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In This Issue
Once again, it is Home of the Year Competition time. Aerodynamic digital
files with formidably-sized attachments replaced what used to be piles of judging binders as the steady stream of entrants began closing in on the 6th annual call for entries. Under top secret cover, the judging materials arrived at the desks of our five national judges: Gary Smith, AIA LEED AP, Rick Koze of Kay Builders, Bruce Sparano, AIA, Leesa Ann Nero, ASID and Eric Watson, AIA. This year’s two juried categories, Overall Home Under $1 Million and Overall Home Over $1 Million, were eagerly contested by top local firms. The work speaks volumes about the innovation, craftsmanship and design being put into the “art of the abode” by passionate architects, interior designers and builders. Diversity of character and design style distinguish this year’s winning projects and will get you hooked on fresh ideas for your special home retreat.
Turning from the design of the home to the design of downtown, two new downtown Sarasota organizations have joined the Downtown Improvement District (DID) in pursuing a vision for the success of this vibrant shopping, dining and cultural destination. Surrounding our offices on South Pineapple, the energy of downtown is palpable. When visitors come into town, they can’t believe we have found a way to preserve and stimulate a walkable downtown chock full of edgy retailers and creative, independent chefs. SRQ Media Group took a leadership role when it was selected by the DID to execute a major holiday and visitor marketing program that wrapped this past month. The somewhat venerable Downtown Partnership makes way for the formation of the Downtown Sarasota Council (DSC) in alliance with business titan The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. You’ll hear phrases like “partners in action,” “focus on consensus” and “excellence” as speaking points on their agenda, led by longtime downtown community-quarterback Roxanne Joffe. Acing the retail perspective and maximizing on-the-ground tactics is the newly formed Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA), comprised of retailers and business leaders such as developer John Simon and Lotus owner Wendy Getchell, who heads up the group. One thing is clear: no one is sitting on the sidelines.
I have to admit that the number of exotic cuisines appearing on my “wish list” for local restaurants is quickly dwindling. Pho Cali, and its exceptional pho, scratched “Vietnamese restaurant” off the list a few years ago and this year, I can look forward to happily checking off Indian cuisine as well. In this month’s “Adventures in Dining” installment, we explore Sarasota’s explosion of Indian eateries with the tender lentils of Gateway, veteran Tandoor’s Dahl Makani potato cakes topped with chickpeas, onion, tomato paste, yogurt, tamarind and mint chutney and the nutty notes of the Shrimp Shahi Korma at Daawat, the old stomping grounds of Canvas Café.
If you had the pleasure (and forethought) to snuggle up in multiple layers and sweaters at the 3rd Annual Forks and Corks Grand Tasting at the Ringling Museum, you were in for a treat. From saucy short ribs to a piping hot butternut squash soup sprinkled with seasoned nuts and seeds, memorable bites abounded. Please don’t talk to me about the Mayan chocolate cake with dulce de leche and coffee cloud from Bijou Café—this lovely indulgence was snapped up pronto and I missed out on my slice. Enjoy the blissful moments of March in our pages and we’ll welcome you again next month for the “Best of SRQ Local” readers awards!
Another month. Another adventure. Enjoy.
—Lisl Liang, Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director
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