Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

Biting into the fifth croissant donut, all you can think is, “This is too good to be legal.” Oh, but it is. Opening today off Ringling Boulevard on the strip between the Sheriff's Office and Shamrock Pub, Five-O Donut Co. is upping Sarasota’s donut game big-time. The latest from baker mastermind Christine Nordstrom (of Sift Bakehouse fame), this police-themed donut shop takes cheeky aim at the old officer-pastry pairing from the décor to the jargon, but for Nordstrom’s first foray into the world of donuts, the true focus is just great taste. Divided into regular offerings—Sarasota’s Finest—and daily inventions and requests—The Most Wanted—the array at the counter can be daunting, but the croissant donut always satisfies. Beginning with laminated croissant dough (heavy on the butter and flaky when eaten), the donuts are hand-cut into squares and holed before deep-frying. Simple enough, but the real magic comes with Five-O’s signature vanilla bean glaze, rounding out the rich croissant flavor with a decadently sweet finish.

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

Five-O Donut Co., 2241 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, 941-960-1370.