As the holiday season approaches, it starts to feel like every gathering revolves around food. While there’s nothing wrong with indulging in Thanksgiving feasts or holiday sweets, it can be a relief to take a break from heavier fare and eat something that tastes good and makes you feel good. These salads are sure to satisfy your appetite while still tasting absolutely sensational.

VILLANI & CO.

Tropical Shrimp and Scallop Salad 

Downtown Wellen Park has become quite the hotspot, in part because of its burgeoning restaurant scene. Villani & Co. is one of the flagship restaurants in the area, and it’s become a hit with locals and visitors alike. The Tropical Shrimp & Scallop Salad has long been a lunchtime favorite, and has recently been added to the dinner menu as well. Chef Michael Leopold starts with a mixture of hand-selected greens and mixes them with pickled red onions, cucumbers and a combination of fresh berries (typically strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, but it always depends on what looks good).  “Then we add fresh pineapple and toasted coconut, so that gives us our tropical vibe,” Leopold says. “I also like to use goat cheese because I think it’s important to get a nice creamy note to go with all the sharp, acidic fruits.”  The salad is dressed with a house-made sweet-chili mango vinaigrette, then topped with three large shrimp and three nicely seared scallops, all cooked to order. 

Villani & Co, 19790 Wellen Park Blvd. Suite 101, North Port, 941-584-4434, villaniandcowellenpark.com. 

EVOQ

Chicken and Kale Salad 

Combining the nutritional benefits of kale with the savory flavor of chicken, EVOQ’s Chicken Kale Salad allows you to indulge your palate the healthy way. This vibrant dish includes hearty, fall-friendly ingredients like sweet potato and fresh apples, boosted by nutritious elements like avocado and hard-boiled egg. These elements are rounded out by a creamy green goddess dressing, making every bite a vacation for the senses. EVOQ’s Chicken Kale Salad is a balanced option that energizes you without sacrificing flavor. “Whether you want to try something new or keep dinner healthy, this salad is perfect for any occasion,” says chef Ryan Ward.

EVOQ Sarasota, 100 Marina View Drive, Sarasota, 941-260-8255, evoqsarasota.com. 

BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT 

Farm Salad

The Beach House Restaurant prides itself on using sustainable and locally-sourced ingredients, and the restaurant’s farm salad is the perfect showcase. With ingredients including mixed greens, hothouse cucumbers, pickled onions, strawberries, feta cheese and citrus vinaigrette, this salad will wake up your senses with its combination of sweet and tangy flavors. Candied pecans add a touch of seasonal flair. “It’s light, refreshing and colorful,” says Daniel Sullivan, regional manager of Beachside Hospitality Group. 

Beach House, 200 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach, 941-779-2222, beachhousedining.com.

MAXIMILLIAN'S CAFE

Raspberry Pear Salad

If you love salads and you don’t know about Maximillian’s Cafe, you’re in for a treat. This small, family-owned cafe is open for lunch Mondays through Fridays, and specializes in sandwiches and salads, with a salad menu that’s more extensive than what you’ll find in most places. Eni Lauw, who owns the eatery with her husband Nick, is very particular about the ingredients they use. “We always make sure we have good, fresh vegetables, fruit and meat,” she says. “If it doesn’t look good, I don’t want that one.” The Raspberry Pear Salad is a great example of their creative flavor combinations. Spinach and mixed greens are tossed with crunchy candied walnuts, sliced Asian pears, dried cranberries, fresh raspberries, tomatoes, blue cheese and fat-free raspberry vinaigrette and topped with grilled chicken. But while they’ve put a lot of thought into their menu items, Lauw is happy to customize any menu item. In fact, many of her regular customers have put together their own salads. “You just have to say Joe’s salad or Derek’s salad and we know what to make,” she laughs. 

Maximilian’s Cafe, 1695 10th Street, Sarasota, 941-330-0245, maximillianscafe.com. 

JACK DUSTY

Blackberry Pecan Salad

You can always count on the team at Jack Dusty to put together drinks and dishes that are perfect for every season. The Blackberry Pecan Salad is no exception. What seems like a simple salad is really a symphony of harmonious flavors and textures. The smooth, velvety texture of the whipped honey goat cheese contrasts against the crisp crunch of the apples and candied pecans, while fresh blackberries and pomegranate add a refreshing aspect to the dish. A house-made maple-syrup vinaigrette brings a sweet and tangy element to the dish. As always, the ingredients are locally-sourced whenever possible.

Jack Dusty, 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, Sarasota, 941-309-2266.

CIAO BELLA AT ORGANIC FARMER'S TABLE

Sunshine Salad

Giulia Salustri opened Ciao Bella at Organic Farmer’s Table in December of 2022 with a mission to showcase locally-sourced organic ingredients. The Sunshine Salad features arugula and spring mix, sweet strawberries, tart green apple and nutty jicama shavings, topped with a blueberry poppyseed vinaigrette dressing. It’s sweet and indulgent, yet light and refreshing. “We make all of our dressings homemade from scratch, so there are no preservatives,” Salustri says. “Just simple ingredients.”

Ciao Bella at Organic Farmer’s Table, 14 North Lemon Avenue, Sarasota, 941-362-3276, organicfarmerstable.com.

BOCA SARASOTA 

Broken Salmon Salad 

“We think of ourselves as a friendly, local hangout where everything is done with passion and thoughtfulness,” says Bill Milner, general manager of Boca Sarasota. The Broken Salmon Salad is the perfect encapsulation of that philosophy. This flavorful and creative salad starts with a fresh spring mix with a bit of romaine mixed in. Each additional element brings a new layer of flavor. You get freshness from the cucumbers, tanginess from the pickled radishes and a touch of heat from grilled shishito peppers. Then of course there is the tender and citrusy salmon baked fresh every day. The salad is topped with everything bagel croutons made in-house, and the chef-driven house-made champagne vinaigrette will put you in the mood to celebrate.

Boca, 19 South Lemon Avenue, Sarasota, 941-256-3565, bocarestaurants.com. 

CLASICO

Kale Salad

The Kale Salad at Clasico is quintessentially autumnal, packed with hearty ingredients that are bursting with flavor. Earthier elements like black quinoa and brussels sprouts are brightened by sweet notes like corn, candied walnuts and tart dried cherries, while crispy pancetta and shaved parmesan round out the dish with a brinier note. “Most of the salad ingredients are made in-house, including the candied walnuts, quinoa, creamy parmesan dressing, crispy pancetta and roasted corn,” says Nino Wardrip, director of operations at Clasico. “There is a lot of individual preparation for the separate ingredients that go into the kale salad.”

Clasico Italian Chophouse, 1341 Main St., Sarasota, 941-203-5115, clasicosrq.com.