Columbia Restaurant, 411 St Armand’s Circle, Sarasota, 941-388-3987.

Thanks to a recent walking tour with Key Culinary Tours, I find myself enjoying spending time on St. Armand’s Circle in a way that I haven’t in years. I know it’s season and traffic seems unbearable but sometimes the best thing you can do is make like a tourist and enjoy it. On Sunday morning, I joined my family for brunch at Columbia Restaurant and we were pleasantly surprised by the enjoyable meal we experienced. The key is to get there before the crowds start to swell. A table in the open dining room affords excellent people watching and beautiful Sarasota breezes. We shared a pitcher of the sparkling white Sangria de Cava and shared tapas style plates of perfectly char-grilled calamari, and smaller versions of the ever popular and always tasty 1905 salad. The sangria and the salads were both prepared tableside by our charming waiter and we finished our meal with sweet and creamy coconut ice cream served in the shell. Our meal at Columbia felt like a mini staycation, a trip I intend to make more often.

Columbia Restaurant, 411 St Armand’s Circle, Sarasota, 941-388-3987.