SRQ DAILY Jun 6, 2023
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"We just want guests to relax, feel like they are on a little getaway and waste the time away"
There’s nothing like a great local cafe, where patrons can nibble tasty bites, sip fresh-brewed coffee and enjoy a brief respite from their lives. At Baby Brie’s, a family-owned cafe in the Towles Court neighborhood, Sarasotans can take refuge in a cozy and welcoming setting.
Husband and wife Sarah and Cory Kukral opened Baby Brie’s in 2022, naming the restaurant after their young daughter, who they’d nicknamed Baby Brie. “The name was a fun play on words,” says Sarah. Like the cafe’s name, its location holds a special place in the family’s hearts. The Key West-style building evokes Old Florida, with a delightful wraparound porch, garden patio and bright and tropical interior. “You forget that you’re in the city,” she adds.
The menu features a wide variety of tasty and healthy selections, as well as locally roasted coffee. They offer quinoa bowls, salads and a light breakfast. Delectable brunch favorites like french toast, egg platters and Belgian waffles are crowd favorites. Sandwiches are also popular choices. “The Baby Bella is our bestselling sandwich, topped with grilled eggplant, pesto, baby bella mushrooms, roasted red peppers and mozzarella on artisan sourdough.” Those looking to go green will enjoy the Apple Cranberry Salad, featuring fresh greens, crispy bacon, dried cranberries, blue cheese, candied pecans and fresh sliced apples. It’s served with raspberry walnut vinaigrette, and guests can add their choice of protein.
Baby Brie’s pastries and baked goods draw in customers with a sweet tooth. Sarah raves about the almond and chocolate scones baked in-house, and taste like an Almond Joy candy. Pair a scone with one of the cafe’s signature coffees, such as the Nutter Fluffer Latte, made with marshmallow and peanut butter flavoring, or the Caribbean Getaway Latte, infused with caramel and coconut. Both options can be made hot or iced. The Chocolate Covered Orange Frappe satisfies sugar cravings while providing a refreshing break from the Florida heat.
With its idyllic garden setting and scrumptious fare, Baby Brie’s has become a community staple. “We just want guests to relax, feel like they’re on a little getaway and waste the time away.”
Baby Brie’s, 1938 Adams Lane, Sarasota, babybries.com. 
A pastry at Baby Bries. Photo courtesy of Baby Bries.
Wink Wink Modern Lounge is thrilled to announce a special Father's Day Brunch event on June 18, 2023 from 11:00 am EST - 2:30 pm EST. Located in the Rosemary District, our vibrant establishment is the perfect destination to honor and spoil the extraordinary fathers and father-figures in our lives. Father's Day is a time to express gratitude and create lasting memories with our beloved dads. At Wink Wink Modern Lounge, we have curated a one-of-a-kind brunch experience to make this day truly exceptional. With our funky contemporary decor, warm ambiance, and exceptional service, we invite families to indulge in an unforgettable culinary journey. Our expert culinary team has crafted an exquisite menu featuring a delightful assortment of dishes that will tantalize every palate. From mouth watering appetizers to delectable mains and delicious cocktails, our Father's Day Brunch offers a range of flavors that will leave dads feeling truly cherished. Whether your dad prefers classic favorites or desires to explore new delights, we have carefully designed a menu that caters to diverse tastes and preferences. To ensure an exceptional experience for all our guests, reservations are highly recommended. Families are encouraged to make their reservations early to secure their preferred time and guarantee a memorable celebration for their fathers.
Wink Wink Modern Lounge's Father's Day Brunch, Sunday, June 18, 2023, 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM, 1290 Blvd of The Arts, www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1266172&restref=1266172&experienceId=174229
Just in time to help with staying cool during hot summer days, First Watch has released two new iced coffees to its permanent brunch menu. To bring these coffees from idea to execution, our culinary team procured honey from over 35 unique producers across the country, along with fresh mint and farm-fresh cream to create the Mint Mocha (which tastes like a Thin Mint!) and Honey Caramel Crunch flavors. These coffees join the new limited-time summer menu featuring: A tres leches French toast topped with fresh strawberries – truly a Hispanic dessert meeting an American breakfast staple, Carnitas breakfast tostadas topped with a roasted, sweet summer corn salsa, a smoked, hand-pulled brisket hash reminiscent of a backyard barbeque (for breakfast), and the return of the PSL of summer, Watermelon Wake-Up fresh juice.
Clasico Italian Chophouse is proud to introduce "Nocturne” the enchanting late night bar that adds a touch of mystery and allure to the culinary scene in Sarasota, Florida. Nestled within Clasico's elegant establishment, Nocturne invites guests to embark on an unforgettable journey into the world of after-hours indulgence. Step into our bar and be transported to a realm where sophistication meets excitement. The carefully crafted atmosphere exudes an air of intrigue, drawing patrons in with its dim lighting, stylish decor, and a palpable energy that sets the stage for an extraordinary evening. The late night bar at Clasico boasts an extensive selection of handcrafted cocktails, curated to please even the most discerning of palates. Talented mixologists masterfully blend premium spirits with fresh ingredients and imaginative flavor combinations, resulting in craft libations that are both visually stunning and delightfully complex. From classic favorites like Old Fashioned or innovative creations like the Meet Your Maker (a Tom Collins/Manhattan blend,) Nocturne’s cocktail menu is a testament to artistry and creativity. In addition to the exceptional cocktails, Nocturne offers a thoughtfully curated wine and spirits list and a full late night menu hand designed by our award-winning chef. The knowledgeable staff is always on hand to guide guests through the selection process, ensuring a truly personalized and memorable experience.. Nocturne at Clasico Italian Chophouse is open from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM, Thursday through Saturday, providing an enticing haven for those seeking a memorable late night experience. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.clasicosrq.com.
Pictured: Chris Wright, Bar Manager.
Nestled inside the Art Ovation Hotel Autograph Collection, Tzeva features modern Mediterranean cuisine with Israeli influences that shine in beautifully plated dishes full of bright colors, unique flavors, and global spices. Thursday, June 1, Tzeva began offering can’t-miss Happy Hour promotions that will take your taste buds on an evening trip to the Mediterranean. The Happy Hour Menu features $10 small plates such as Charred Octopus, Grouper Shashlik, Falafel and more, which are great to share among friends and family, or savor for oneself. To help guests unwind and relax into their seats, Tzeva is also offering $10 glasses of white and red wines as well as 50% off bottles. People will want to say “cheers” at Tzeva every evening.
Tzeva, 1255 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota, Happy Hour Daily from 5 PM - 7 PM.
Submissions are being accepted for the sixth annual Sunset Photo Contest managed by Triple 3 Marketing. Participants can submit a single photo before the September 2 deadline. The photo must be taken between January 1 and September 1 anywhere in Florida’s Gulf Coast region. Photo editing is permitted. The submitted photo can include the sunset alone or with people, pets, other wildlife, trees, watercraft or anything else in the foreground. The photo entry should be emailed as a jpeg file to randy@triple3marketing.com. Five local judges will select the 7 winning photos based on beauty and visual impact. The winning photos will be showcased in the fall editions of Englewood Healthy Living and South County Healthy Living coming in October. The 2022 contest winners included Rachel Wells, Marie Laforge, Shane Fowler, Katie Sontowski, Laura Roy-Fink, Alison Belsan Horton, and Patti Campbell. Fowler is the contest’s only three-time winner. Marie Laforge and Laura Roy-Fink submitted winning photos in two prior contests.
Pictured: Shane Fowler winning photo from the 2022 contest.
Mark your calendars for the most delicious time of the year in Sarasota, the 18th annual Visit Sarasota County’s Savor Sarasota. Beginning Thursday, June 1st through Wednesday, June 14th, visitors and residents alike will be able to wine and dine their way around Sarasota area restaurants relishing multi-course meals. Savor Sarasota restaurant week is a two-week dining program that offers artfully crafted prix-fixe menus for both lunch and dinner. Lunch menus feature a two-course menu for $25 per person, and dinner menu features three courses for $40 per person. Many restaurants will also offer menu upgrades and wine and spirit pairings to elevate the experience. Visit https://www.visitsarasota.com/savor-sarasota/restaurants for an up-to-date restaurant list.
In Cheese 101, we take you through over eight cheeses and two wines. There will be a little bit of milk science, cheesemaker stories, and a lot of fun. From fresh to blue, we will introduce you to our most favorite pairings and wine to complement the cheese. Space is limited to 16 people, reserved in advance either by phone, or at the shop. The cheese classes are taught by our trained and enthusiastic cheese mongers. Visit artisancheesecompany.com to purchase tickets. Artisan Cheese Co., 550 Central Ave., Sarasota.
Enjoy SIN Nights for Geckos Hospitality and Service Industry Colleagues. Join Geckos on Hillview Street in Southside Village and let us serve you late at night after your shift on Friday and Saturday nights. We will keep the light on late for you and offer Geckos food and drink specials just for you from 10-Midnight. Come in wearing your uniform or bring in your schedule and enjoy the camaraderie of friends at Geckos on Hillview. 1900 Hillview Street, Sarasota, www.GeckosGrill.com.
Join the Geckos Hospitality Group family of restaurants to celebrate the culinary creativity of your favorite Geckos Grill and Pub Chefs during the annual Iron Chef Challenge. From May 15th to June 11th and June 12th to 18th each of our six Geckos will participate in a weekly special Iron Chef Menu, with several of our Chefs designing delectable and inventive fare, plus some tried and true favorites with a creative twist. The contest is a weekly competition between Geckos Kitchen Creatives and guests may sample what the GHG kitchen pros have up their Chef Jacket sleeves. Whichever Iron Chef Special Menu is the favorite of our GHG guests for the week wins the Iron Chef title for that week and a cash prize with seven Iron Chefs named after the competition knives have been cleaned and put away in June. There will be a Championship Final the week of June 12-18th, with the winning GHG location being crowned the Iron Chef 2023 Champ. All Geckos Hospitality locations, geckosgrill.com.
JFCS of the Suncoast will host a new event, Bourbon and Bentleys, a feast for the senses as guests savor bourbon and barbecue in a downtown Sarasota luxury car showroom. During the June 8 fundraiser, guests will enjoy bourbon tastings in their free souvenir shot glass amid Bentleys, Aston Martins, McLarens and Rolls-Royces inside The Sarasota Studio, a Dimmitt Automotive Group luxury and exotic car dealership. The bourbon, provided by Dive Wine and Spirits, will be paired with appetizers from Bricks Smoked Meats. Cornerstone and Co. will sell additional beverages out of its 1939 vintage truck mobile bar, parked right inside the showroom among the other striking vehicles. Live entertainment will include up-close magic by magician Pete Michael and music by the Future Urban Zoo band, featuring vocalist Terry Tbone Rhodes. The event is for ages 21 and up. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit JFCS-Cares.org. The Sarasota Studio, a Dimmitt Automotive Group showroom, 1518 State St., Sarasota.
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is excited to announce a monthly trivia series this summer at their Bay Preserve headquarters in Osprey on June 9, July 14 and August 11. The free community events will take place from 5pm to 8pm with trivia beginning at 6pm. Each month a different food truck duo will be onsite offering a variety of tasty options the whole family can enjoy. The public is invited to come watch, play, or simply enjoy nature and food with family and friends. Each monthly event will have a different theme with a variety of questions covering categories ranging from movies and music to science and nature. Teams can have up to eight members and multi-generational teams are encouraged. The winning team for each individual monthly event will receive a prize package in recognition of their win. Points will also be accumulated across the series, with the overall winning team receiving their choice of a private, guided hike or kayak trip for up to ten people. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit upon for this outdoor, picnic-style gathering. In the event of rain, the trivia component will be moved to an area under cover. Learn more and RSVP at conservationfoundation.com/events. Conservation Foundation, 400 Palmetto Ave., Osprey.
At the Saltare Mortis In-Studio Series, come take a glimpse into our lives as detectives as we attempt to solve a mystery in a town where crime is next to none. Though detectives in training, we have many tools up our sleeve to help us solve the mystery. But we could use your help. Put your detective skills to the test to help us unmask the criminal. You never know what surprises we will run into along the way. Shows will run in person on June 9 and 10 and July 14 with virtual options on June 19 and July 17. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sarasotacontemporarydance.org.
Project Pride SRQ and Senior Friendship Centers will present the first-ever Silver Pride to celebrate the community of LGBTQ individuals aged 50 and better on June 10 from 12-5 p.m. The free event will feature live music, local vendors, food trucks, all day raffle drawings and more from community partners. All are welcome. Senior Friendship Center Sarasota campus at 1888 Brother Greene Way, Sarasota, https://www.ppsrq.org/.
Geckos Grill & Pub’s Award-winning Trivia-Think While You Drink! If you love Trivia, join the fun at Geckos all year round. All Trivia starts at 7:30pm. We will have prizes, giveaways and specials plus the Geckos made-to-order fare, signature cocktails and hospitality you love. Monday trivia will be held at the Clark Road location in Palmer Crossing and on Tuesdays at the SR 64 location in Braden River Plaza. The SR 64 location will be taking a break from Trivia in October, but will start back up in April. On Wednesdays, trivia will take place at the Hillview Street location in Southside Village. www.GeckosGrill.com.
Join us for Space Night with The Bradenton Marauders on June 10th, 2023, as the Bradenton Marauders take on the Dunedin Blue Jays at LECOM Park. Enjoy a specially-priced ticket just for being a friend of The Bishop. $12 ticket purchases come with a hat and a Pepsi drink voucher. Thank you to The Marauders for partnering with us for a night of science and baseball. LECOM Park, 1611 9th St. W., Bradenton, https://www.milb.com/bradenton.
This month join The Bishop as Bishop After Dark features Love and Lights, A Celebration of Inclusion. Come spread the love with us on Thursday, June 15th. Join us for delicious bites from local LGBTQ-owned businesses while sipping local craft beer and wine for purchase with cash or card. You will be welcomed with a fabulous specialty cocktail before enjoying not one, but two Laser Light shows featuring music artists Lady Gaga and Lizzo. Bring the one you love and your singing voice, as it is time to show our pride. Tickets are $40. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, bishopscience.org.
Florida Studio Theatre kicks off its Summer Cabaret Series with The Surfer Boys,an energetic tribute to the music of The Beach Boys. Featuring such hits as California Girls, Good Vibrations, Barbara Ann, and Surfin USA, The Surfer Boys is filled with the honey-tinged harmonies and unforgettable melodies that defined 1960s California and pop music. The Surfer Boys begins playing June 13 in the FST Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.
There has been a murder in a local hair salon, and it is up to the audience to solve the crime. Everyone is a suspect when the old lady living above Shear Madness salon is mysteriously offed. Join two police officers to piece together the clues behind this strange, scissor-stabbing homicide. Chock full of up-to-the minute spontaneous humor, Shear Madness has slayed the hearts of audiences around the world. Now it is up to Sarasota audiences to outwit the suspects and catch the killer in this interactive comedy whodunit. FST Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
Sarasota, floridastudiotheatre.org.
The Ringling presents a solo exhibition of works by Lorna Bieber in May that includes two new pieces making their debut in the Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Gallery for Contemporary Art. Her artwork first and foremost encourages us to indulge in the pleasures of looking and discovering anew the details of the visual world. Her artistic practice is grounded in appropriating, recycling, and manipulating imagery. The work reminds us of the image world that inundates our daily existence. Our experience of reality is mediated through a barrage of photographic digital images that supplants our connection to the natural world. Yet, Bieber is less interested in a critique of this condition than she is in offering her work as an antidote, a way to inspire viewers and reconnect with our shared sense of wonder. Included with museum admission. The Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, ringling.org.
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