Philippi Creek Oyster Bar, 5353 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-925-4444

Savor Sarasota is my favorite time of year – not only do some of the better restaurants in town give us a chance to enjoy their fabulous cuisine at ridiculously reasonable prices but it’s a chance to rediscover restaurants we haven’t thought about in years. Case in point: Philippi Creek Oyster Bar. For of those of you picturing fried seafood platters, I’m here to tell you the menu has improved dramatically thanks to the influence of Executive Chef, Pedro Flores (also of the The Table Creekside). For example: the Savor Menu features such delights as Baked Oysters with Bacon Onion Vinaigrette and delicate Salmon with a Bourbon Glaze. The Summer Ahi Tuna Salad with peaches and Valencia orange vinaigrette which features a rub made of coffee, coriander and black pepper is a delightfully satisfying twist on a steak salad. The Fish Tacos with crispy tempura fried snapper, roasted tomato salsa, homemade guacamole, feta, sour cream and Mexican rice are huge and served in blue corn tortilla shells. I’ve never tried feta, fish and guacamole together but I intend to go back, before Savor Sarasota is over, and try it again.

Philippi Creek Oyster Bar, 5353 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-925-4444