SRQ DAILY Apr 2, 2024
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"All of the recipes that we have on our menu are family recipes from either ourselves or one of our employees."
Even though we live in a thriving tourist destination, it can be easy to forget to take some time off to rest and recharge. On Anna Maria Island, The Cheesecake Cutie and Cafe welcomes travelers and locals looking to kick back, relax and partake in some light and delicious fare.
Opened in 2020 by husband and wife team Kane and Jennifer Geils, The Cheesecake Cutie and Cafe was inspired in part by Jennifer’s friends, who encouraged her to start a business selling her outstanding cheesecakes. “The cheesecake recipe is my mom’s; it’s 40 years old in our family,” she says. “I used to remember watching her make it by hand.” Jennifer left her full-time job in early 2020, and she and Kane fell in love with the cafe’s current space on Anna Maria Island and relocated from Orlando to the Gulf Coast to open the eatery later that year. Since then, the establishment has grown to become a go-to stop for delicious cheesecakes, like the Blueberry Lemon, but also muffins, sweet and savory flatbreads, breakfast goodies, sandwiches and salads.
To start your day off right, try the Tom’s New Yorker sandwich, made on a bagel shipped in overnight from New York City. The dish features three scrambled eggs and cheese, but we recommend adding some fresh vegetables, a specialty of the cafe, and meat, like bacon or ham. The sandwich’s portion size is generous, and every bite is delectable. Pair it with a cold brew coffee, roasted and infused with cheesecake graham cracker crust by Java Dawg Coffee, for the ultimate comfort breakfast. For lunch, sample the Cordon "Ramsey" Blu sandwich, with rotisserie chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, arugula and house Dijon mustard on a pretzel roll. The Dijon pairs beautifully with the chicken and arugula. If you’re in search of veggies, order the Backyard Garden Flatbread, laden with spinach, bell peppers, Greek olives, red onion, tomato, goat cheese and mozzarella. This shareable meal is so good that you might find yourself sneaking extra slices from your dining companions. On a hot day, opt for the chicken salad, made with herbs from the cafe’s onsite garden, or the Old Bay Shrimp Salad.
Whether it’s a sandwich dreamed up by Kane or a cheesecake made with Jennifer’s mom’s recipe, every dish has a story behind it. “All of the recipes that we have on our menu are family recipes from either ourselves or one of our employees,” she adds. “Everything we do is our own.” While local restaurants like Kiwi Style Fish and Chips and the Freckled Fin carry the cafe’s cheesecake, you’ll have to make the trek to Anna Maria to experience everything the menu has to offer, as well as Jennifer and Kane’s contagious enthusiasm and hospitality. Trust us, it’s well worth the drive.
The Cheesecake Cutie and Cafe, 3324 E. Bay Dr., Holmes Beach, 941-779-2253, cheesecakecutie.com. 
The Tom's New Yorker Sandwich, Cordon "Ramsey" Blu Sandwich, Backyard Garden Flatbread and Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake. Photo by Laura Paquette.
Since it opened last year, Osteria 500 at Waterside Place has become a favorite destination for authentic Italian cuisine and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Now, the restaurant team has even more to be happy about.
The Lakewood Ranch restaurant won second place last week in the Pizza Napoletana Division of the International Pizza Challenge. The Challenge, judged blind, was a highlight at this year’s International Pizza Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, which saw pizza chefs from across the world and at the top of their game competing. Osteria’s Pizza Chef Cesare Di Iorio made the pizza that earned the eatery second place, beating out over 100 other pizza chefs over the two-day competition. Pizza Napoletana isn’t crispy but is soft and chewy. There are two varieties of this dish: the Marinara and the Regina. The Marinara features San Marzano tomato sauce, garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil, while the Regina has San Marzano tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella, basil and parmesan. Di Iorio made the Regina variety for the competition, and guests can get a taste of it during their next meal at the restaurant.
“People from all over the world come, but mostly famous pizza chefs and big names from Naples, Italy go there and compete,” says Peppe Del Sole, one of Osteria’s owners and Di Iorio’s uncle. “This is our second year competing. The first year, Cesare Di Iorio arrived sixteenth, and this second year he arrived second in the world. We are really happy to announce this to our customers. To come second is really nice.”
Osteria 500, 1580 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota, 941-866-8962, osteria500.com.
Pizza Chef Cesare Di Iorio of Osteria 500 placed second in the Pizza Napoletana Division of the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas last week. Photo Courtesy of Osteria 500.
After the sold-out March Murder Mystery Dinner Series, The Original Wolfie’s and Rascal House has partnered again with Pineapple Kitchen for another adult interactive mystery comedy dinner show. The Murder Mystery Dinner will take place on April 17th, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at 1420 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, Florida. You’ve Been Invited To The Opening Night Party: Bilinski & Rosenbloom Present “Summertime for Wolfie” 1930’s New York City Broadway is buzzing about the new hit show. Everybody that is anybody has been invited to The Pineapple Theater for a pre-show party. But before the curtain goes up, the mystery begins. Dinner party guests are encouraged to come dressed in 1930's-style gangster or flapper costumes and will be assigned a character upon arriving. The Wolfie's Menu: Appetizer-Choice of house salad, caesar salad, or chicken noodle soup.Entree-Choice includes two sides off the dinner menu, pan seared Scottish salmon, pan seared with white wine, fresh lemon, butter, and fresh herbs, chicken schnitzel, pounded thin, breaded, and fried golden brown, sliced hot brisket, served with warm brown gravy, marinated grilled vegetable tower, portobello mushroom, zucchini, yellow squash, roasted red peppers, sliced red onions , all grilled, layered and garnished with a balsamic glaze. Dessert-choice of chocolate, coconut, or strawberry sky-high cake. Dinner & show time: April 17th, 2024, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm. Purchase Tickets: Seats start at $95++/person (Tax and Gratuity added to seat price).
Norman Love Confections (NLC), specializing in exquisite, hand-crafted chocolate masterpieces, artisanal baked goods, gourmet desserts and gelato, announces a grand re-opening event to celebrate the relocation of its Sarasota chocolate salon. The new salon remains within University Town Center (UTC) and is now located next to Trader Joe’s at The Shoppes at UTC at 8109 Cooper Creek Blvd., University Park, FL 34201. The grand re-opening event will take place on Monday, April 1 at 11:30 am. The first 25 people to arrive will receive complimentary swag bags. The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce will commemorate the event with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which will feature remarks from Chef Love and Norman Love Confections CEO Lisa Fisher. Live entertainment and complimentary refreshments will follow the ceremony. For more information, visit www.normanloveconfections.com.
Bring your kids to your local Hooters Restaurant on Monday, April 15th and they will receive a free kids meal. One free kids meal per paying adult, for dine in only. Kids meal choices include grilled cheese, wings, boneless wings, burger sliders and mac & cheese. Kids meals include a side and beverage.
Beloved tour Psychic Sundays returns with new tour guide, Deni Dreazen, after death of psychic Michael Newton-Brown forced tour to end in October 2022. “Deni is a well-known Sarasota tarot reader, teacher, hypnotist, and psychic medium and we are delighted to have her take on this wonderful tour as a guide,” said Tammy Hauser, CEO Discover Sarasota Tours. “I looked high and low to find a guide who could deliver authentic evidentiary mediumship during the tour, as well as share information about our rich metaphysical community in Sarasota. Deni is just this right blend of skilled practitioner, teacher, and warm inclusive guide,” she added. Psychic Sundays begins with orange and pineapple mimosas at the Trolley Cottage Gift Shop located at 1826 4th Street, and then includes an energy exercise where guests learn to focus on what they feel (energy) but cannot see. Guests then board Dolly The Trolley for a two-hour tour to learn more about the metaphysical community in Sarasota as well as the many different divination tools healers use. These tools may include bodywork modalities such as acupuncture, reiki, sound healing, massage, or acupressure or they may focus on the spiritual arts of palm reading, tarot, crystals, mediumship, tea leaf reading, or pendulums. During the tour, guests learn about Spirit University where they can study and about our Metaphysical Chamber of Commerce where they can find like-minded colleagues and teachers. Next, they visit Pixie Dust a metaphysical store on Main Street, walk in meditation on one of 7 labyrinths in Sarasota and participate in an immersive sound bath at Crocker Memorial Church. During the tour, Deni also provides mini tarot readings and a Spirit Gallery session. The tour runs every other Sunday from 1-3 and is $48.99 plus tax/handling fee and can be booked on our website: DiscoverSarasotaTours.com.
Pictured: Psychic Tour attendees enjoying Discover Sarasota Tours Psychic Sundays.
Azara Ballet, a non-profit professional dance company, completed their inaugural year of performances and community outreach here on the Suncoast with very impressive numbers. Azara Ballet is a professional contemporary ballet non-profit company. Azara Ballet dedicates efforts to revitalize the ballet culture by emphasizing mental and emotional well-being. Azara embraces body positivity and celebrates individuality. Azara’s outreach programs focus on neurodivergent and under privileged communities, welcoming them in curated dance classes that encourage expression through the universal language of movement. In celebration of the professional and statistical success of Azara Ballet’s inaugural year, they are co-hosting their 2nd Annual Gala on April 21, 2024, 6-9pm with Harvest House Life Enrichment Center, 3650 17th St, A delicious catered meal by Curated Catering with an open bar and live performance entertainment will be on tap This will be a very special evening of emotional storytelling, positive community impact, and the celebration of success for Azara’s debut season as a professional danc company. This Gala directly benefits Azara Ballet 501(c)(3), its professional dancers, performances, and community outreach programs. For more information about Azara Ballet, visit AzaraBallet.org. For interview requests, please contact Lis Begin at 727-243-6965 or Lis@BeginProductions.com For gala tickets, please link to https://www.azaraballet.org/performances.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat (Andy Sandberg, Artistic Director and CEO) today announced Tony Award winner Rachel Bay Jones and returning Hermitage Fellow Kavita Shah will perform at the 2024 Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner on Sunday, April 14th. Rachel Bay Jones is best known for originating the role of Heidi Hansen in the original Broadway cast of Dear Evan Hansen, for which she won a Tony Award, Emmy Award, Grammy Award, and Lucille Lortel Award. Acclaimed for her versatile ability to bring comedic, dramatic, and character roles to life, Jones has garnered praise for her performances in Stephen Sondheim's Here We Are, Diane Paulus' Tony Award-winning revivals of Pippin and Hair, and Michael John LaChiusa’s First Daughter Suite and Hello Again. She received rave reviews for her performance as Diana in The Kennedy Center's revival of Next to Normal, directed by Michael Grief. Jones can be seen on television in major roles on Young Sheldon, The Good Doctor, Modern Family, and more. On film, she starred opposite Julia Roberts in Ben Is Back, opposite John Leguizamo in Critical Thinking, and in Bob Trevino Likes It, which recently premiered at SXSW. Jones will be accompanied by her longtime collaborator and Broadway veteran Randy Redd. The special evening will also feature a musical performance from returning Hermitage Fellow Kavita Shah, an internationally renowned composer and performer who has been has been praised by NPR for her “amazing dexterity with musical languages.” Shah’s musical talents have taken her to concert halls and communities around the world. This year's Hermitage Greenfield Prize will be awarded to playwright and theater artist Deepa Purohit.
ERES Companies, a leading vertically integrated commercial real estate provider, proudly announces its milestone celebration of ten years of exceptional performance. From humble beginnings, ERES has emerged as a powerhouse in the industry, expanding its footprint nationally and internationally while maintaining its commitment to personalized, small company values. Established in 2014 ERES embarked on its journey with a vision to redefine the commercial real estate landscape in secondary and tertiary markets by offering unparalleled expertise coupled with a dedication to client satisfaction. Over the past decade, ERES has transformed from a single-office operation in Denver, CO to a network of nine strategically located offices across the United States and internationally (now headquartered in Sarasota, FL). Their focus has grown to include opportunistic markets of all sizes and ERES Capital, the company's investment and development platform, was opened in 2019. What began as a team of three dedicated professionals has blossomed into a robust workforce of over 100 employees, each contributing their unique talents and passion to ERES’s success. With a diverse team of experts spanning various disciplines within the industry, ERES offers clients custom-tailored, comprehensive solutions. Whether it’s pioneering innovative buildout projects, facilitating seamless transactions, providing strategic advisory services, managing portfolios, or heading Capital projects, ERES has left an indelible mark on the global real estate landscape. As ERES commemorates a decade of success, the company looks forward to continuing its legacy of innovation, collaboration, and unparalleled services for many years to come. To learn more about ERES, its service lines, markets, and capabilities visit www.erescompanies.com/about-us.
2024 BEST OF SRQ LOCAL PARTY | Join us on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 5-8 pm at the Aloft Hotel in Downtown Sarasota to taste and experience some of this year's "Best of SRQ Local" restaurants and cocktails. Share a hip evening with our area’s passionate localvores and foodies.
Connect with local business owners at every Thursday at Oscura. Lets Connect is a community of collaborative business professionals from the Manatee and Sarasota County areas. RSVP on Eventbrite to attend, admission is free.
Siesta Key Rum runs free year-round tours for guests to learn the story of the craft distillery, the awards they have won and the secret to how they make their rums taste so good. During our 30-45 minute tour we will discuss the following topics: history of Siesta Key Rum, an overview of the awards our small company has won, what makes our rums taste so good, the rum-making process from mashing and fermentation to distillation, barrel aging and bottling of our rums. After the tour, we welcome you to sample a freshly made Siesta Key Rum cocktail, stock up on your favorite rums and browse our gift shop. 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota.
Join your friends, after-work buddies and the team at Geckos for our new Late Night Happy Hours. Every Friday and Saturday from 10 pm to Midnight, we will offer food, wine, cocktails and beer specials sure to prolong your weekend fun. Join us and ask your friendly barkeep or server about our Late Night Happy Hours. ONLY at Geckos on Hillview Street in Southside Village. GeckosGrill.com.
Join us for live jazz at Sarasota Art Museum, hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, featuring Hot Club of SRQ, and extended hours in the galleries, Bistro, and SHOP. Sip on refreshing cocktails and enjoy small bites in the Bistro. Each second Thursday of the month features a different style of jazz, from straight-ahead to free jazz, bebop to swing-programmed in partnership with Jazz Club of Sarasota. Galleries are open until 7 pm on Jazz Thursdays. Learn more and purchase tickets at sarasotaartmuseum.org.
Longtime friends Chef Charles Amherst of Chaz 51 Steakhouse in Venice and Barbara Gerdeman, co-founder of Creative Liberties Artist Studios in Sarasota, have joined forces to create a series of interactive live art dinner showcases called A Taste of Art. The first of these events takes place Thursday, February 1, 5:30-8 p.m., at Chaz 51 Steakhouse, 549 US 41 Bypass N, Venice. The events will continue on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. Guests who visit Chaz 51 on these evenings will be able to witness the creation of captivating works of art in real-time. To make a reservation, call Chaz 51 Steakhouse at 941-484-6200. To find out which artists are scheduled for February, check out the calendar at CreativeLiberties.net.
Fresh Fridays is dancing its way into April and ready to sweep downtown Sarasota with a dance revolution on Main Street, its new location for the new month. The popular downtown community event is throwing a block party boogie on April 5, from 7-10 pm, between Palm Avenue and Pineapple Avenue, for their newest event, Dance Dance Downtown Sarasota. Attendees will enjoy electrifying live music from Society Hill, power up with fresh fuel from local restaurants, and bust a move with a special dance activity for the event. Guests can stay up to date by following Fresh Fridays on their social media channels or by visiting their website at www.downtownsarasotadid.com/fresh-fridays.
Kids and kids at heart can enjoy fun art and nature activities on Saturday mornings, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on March 23, April 27, and May 25. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to noon each day, and participation is included in admission to the Gardens, which is always free for Selby Gardens members. These Family Saturdays celebrate the current exhibition on view, Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia OKeeffe. Several activity stations with different art-focused projects will be set up in the Ann Goldstein Childrens Rainforest Garden during each monthly event. The goal is to invite kids of all ages to explore the artwork of Yayoi Kusama and Georgia OKeeffe through activities that also connect them to the natural environment. Admission to Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus is $26 for adults, $11 for ages 5 to 17, and free for children 4 and under. Tickets may be purchased online in advance at selby.org. Selby Gardens members always receive complimentary admission as well as discounts for guests. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit selby.org.
This community-centric luncheon will showcase Conservation Foundations local impact and the urgency and importance of land conservation here in our region. In celebration of twenty years of protecting Southwest Floridas land and water, the not-for-profit land trust asked individuals from across their conservation community to share their thoughts in a new 20th Anniversary video series. Featuring interviews with prominent community members and leaders reflecting on twenty years of collaboration and conservation, this compelling retrospective will premiere at the April luncheon. Immediately following the video premiere, Christine P. Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation will moderate a panel of local experts sharing their unique insights into land conservation, the environment, and our community. This captivating program takes place at 11:30 am on Tuesday, April 9, at Michaels On East. Individual tickets are $50. Sponsorships start at $500. Tickets and sponsorships are available now at conservatonfoundation.com.
The highly anticipated Sarasota-Manatee Originals Set the Bar Cocktail Competition is back for a 2024 edition, scheduled for Sunday, April 14, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. 25 accomplished mixologists, representing restaurants from across Sarasota and Manatee Counties, will present their innovative concoctions in five distinct spirit categories. In addition to a panel of industry experts, attendees will have the opportunity to sample these creations and vote for their favorites, with the judging criteria encompassing flavor, appearance, bartender presentation, and imagination. The competition is partnered with Children First, a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the healthy development of children and families. All proceeds from a silent auction will benefit this important cause. Tickets are now on sale for $85 each, with a limited number available. At-the-door tickets will be offered at $95 per person, subject to availability. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit eatlikealocal.com/events/setthebar.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to finally bring to the stage the world-premiere musical, Ruby. The show is a musical retelling of the true story of the shocking killing of a White doctor in Live Oak, Fla., and the Black woman, Ruby McCollum, who was accused of his murder. Ruby is a fascinating, powerful story, one that has been touched upon in books and documentary films. Now it finally takes the stage live in what promises to be an emotional musical drama. Performances take place in the Donelly Theatre at 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $50/adults, $20/students and active military. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call the Box Office at 941-366-1505.
Join us for Space Saturday, the first Saturday of every month, as we explore a different topic in the world of astronomy. During Space Saturdays, you will discover an out-of-this-world activity during Backyard Science, formerly Science Sprouts, in The Mosaic Backyard Universe, explore space with a staff astronomer during KidSpace in The Planetarium, and finish your day with an astronomy-themed story during Tales Under the Tree. To learn more, visit bishopscience.org.
Enjoy a day of art and family fun at Sarasota Art Museum. On the second Sunday of each month, we offer free admission for visitors, special performances, and art-making activities for the whole family. To learn more, visit sarasotaartmuseum.org.
Art Center Sarasota presents Through Sorrow into Light by Natasha Dikareva features a new body of freestanding and wall-hanging ceramic sculptures, expressing the perspective of the Ukrainian-born artist on the current sociopolitical climate. Artist Talk on Thursday, March 28, 5:30-7 p.m. To learn more, visit www.artsarasota.org or call 941-365-2032.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new line of live online courses featuring the expertise of Dr. David Miano. In this six-part series, we will study the emergence of the first complex societies in the ancient Near East, beginning with the earliest settlements in the Epipaleolithic period and finishing with the development of the first empire in the mid-third millennium BCE. We will pay special attention to how societies grew across the expanse of time, from small hunter-gatherer villages to large consolidated states, taking a close look at the invention of agriculture, the wheel, bronze metallurgy, writing, literature, and the development of religion and government. To do this, we will rely on material remains, primary source documents, and art, which illuminate the unique features of ancient Near Eastern societies. Enroll now to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to learn from one of the best, live on Zoom. To enroll and learn more, visit mianoacademy.org.
The 2024 Stage III Series lineup at Florida Studio Theatre features three daring plays penned by award-winning playwrights. The third play in the series, White Chip, follows the character Steven. Steven is on top of the world: he is married, has good friends, and is steps away from his dream job running one of the hottest theatres in the country. He also happens to be an alcoholic spinning out of control. Follow his life from first sip to first love, critical hit to critical care, all the way to rock bottom, where he carves an unusual path to sobriety. Part of The Recovery Project, The White Chip is a wry and wild theatrical journey to recovery. Learn more and purchase tickets at FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Prepare for an awe-inspiring journey into the world of birds. The prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year exhibition has landed at The Bishop, showcasing winning and finalist images that capture the beauty, drama, and intricate details of avian life. Travel to remote corners of the globe through stunning photographs: witness eagles soaring, hummingbirds hovering, and penguins waddling. Each image is a testament to the skill and passion of the photographer, offering a unique window into the lives and wonders of these feathered marvels. Beyond a visual feast, the exhibition is a powerful reminder of our interconnected planet and the importance of bird conservation. Prepare to be captivated, and inspired, and leave with a renewed appreciation for the birds that share our world. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit bishopscience.org.
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