Photo provided by The Coolinary.

Saunter up to the second floor of a Main Street hidden gem for your first taste of Fall. This American infused, Hungarian classy-cool restaurant keeps their standards high with innovative dishes using healthy, gourmet ingredients and locally sourced as much as possible. In lieu of the autumnal equinox this past weekend, warm your belly and soul with Coolinary’s seasonal vegan soup—a sapid recipe of pumpkin—made with pumpkin oil for the broth and garnished with pumpkin seeds on top. It certainly helps that The Coolinary’s owner and Sommelier István Bottyan is available to guide you through your meal with insightful information on the cuisine and the wines to pair. For this seasonal dish, a glass of the Hungarian red wine, Aldas (Bulls Blood) is recommended for a full-body flavor that perfectly combines with the spices and notes of the soup de harvest.

Other gourdful specials this season include a mixed green salad with butternut squash, corn, pea and grilled chicken breast, as well as pan seared cobia with cauliflower, butternut squash and cabbage. Or feast your fork into a skirt steak with cheesy Florida red potatoes, asparagus and butternut squash puree. Regale any one of these dishes with a handcrafted Coolinary cocktail—perhaps the Aperol Spritz—made of the Italian aperitivo and topped with prosecco and a slice of orange.

Don’t fight the flavors of Fall and embrace the season of savory surrenderings. This must be the time to mention there’s a cheesecake as well… Eat, drink and be merry friends. 

Photo provided by The Coolinary.

The Coolinary Restaurant & Bar, 1343 Main St., Sarasota, 941-312-4773.