SRQ DAILY Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"We are pleased to welcome Lakeside Bites as another must-try restaurant in Downtown Wellen's dining scene. It nicely complements the waterfront vibe patrons love about The Yard."
Few things represent the American spirit like the automobile and the hamburger. At Ford’s Garage, these two cultural icons unite. “Ford’s Garage is your neighborhood burger and brew joint inspired by the heritage of the Ford Motor Company. Founded in 2012, the original Ford’s Garage opened in Fort Myers, Florida, less than a mile from Henry Ford’s winter home,” says Tom Jones, Garage Partner for Ford’s Garage Sarasota, located in University Town Center. “Today, as an official licensee of the Ford Motor Company, the restaurant pays tribute to America’s most iconic automobile brand by offering a truly historic dining experience, right down to the nostalgic auto shop uniforms and the hand-hammered copper bar top at each of the locations.”
Even if you’re not a car enthusiast, you’ll enjoy the playful and creative touches in the restaurant’s design. “Ford’s Garage is designed to transport guests to a 1920s service station. The restaurants are decked out with unique memorabilia, like vintage vehicles, fixtures, gas pumps and a Model A car suspended above the center bar. Playing further into the theme, servers wear mechanic shirts, blue shop towels are used as napkins and the door handles are made from fuel pump nozzles,” Jones adds.
Against this backdrop, guests enjoy tasty burgers made with Black Angus beef, bison, or a vegetarian option. The burgers come topped with delicious sauces, aged-cheeses and other toppings, and their artisan buns are branded with the Ford’s Garage logo. Jones recommends sampling one of the 12 Burgers of Fame, each named for a different influential member of the local community. Don’t miss the Jiffy Burger, which honors Dustin Dahlquist, the principal of Lakewood Ranch High School, and features American cheese, applewood smoked bacon, chopped romaine and creamy peanut butter. The American Standard Burger, named after Sarasota Ford Owner Matt Buchanan, is also a crowd-pleaser and includes American cheese, chopped romaine, tomato, red onion and pickle planks. Both burgers are served on a fluffy brioche bun.
Whether you stop in to ogle the vintage Model A over a burger and fries or pass the time chatting and eating with loved ones, Ford’s Garage is a terrific pit stop. “Nostalgia brings diners to Ford’s Garage,” says Jones, “but it’s the menu that keeps them coming back.”
Ford’s Garage Sarasota, 295 N. Cattlemen Road, Unit #1, Sarasota, 941-803-3673, fordsgarageusa.com. 
Fords Signature burger with bison, Tillamook sharp cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, Bourbon BBQ sauce, chopped romaine, tomato and red onion on a brioche bun. Photo Courtesy of Fords Garage.
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. After a captivating evening at Tzeva’s first wine dinner in the series A Journey of Flavors, the restaurant will host a second wine dinner on Friday, September 29 at 6:30 PM. Returning and new guests will savor modern Mediterranean cuisine exquisitely prepared by Executive Chef Ken Shiro Lumpkin while sipping hand-selected wine pairings. The new four-course menu will feature: Sebastian Silvers with melon, charred stone fruit, yuzu mignonette and smoked trout roe. Paired with Kettimer, Pinot Bianco, Alto-Adige, IT; Rabbit crepinette with Marcona almonds, Thai basil essence, pickled dried apricot, caramelized green apple and Castelvetrano olives. Paired with Markovitus Xinomavro, GR; Slow cooked veal breast with Petrichor Farms mushrooms, walnut sauce, strawberry, Florida grapefruit, saffron pasta, fava beans and crispy speck. Paired with Campo Al Mare, Supertuscan, Bolgheri, IT; Gateau Basque with black cherry jam, vanilla custard, bonfire toffee, meringue and cassis. Paired with 1818 Inspiration Billecart Salmon, Champagne, FR. Tickets for A Journey of Flavors can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, September 29 · 6:30 - 9:30pm, 1255 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
At Mademoiselle Paris, as a French restaurant and bakery, we are serving French food and wine but we want also to share French culture and especially gastronomy linked to the “Art de vivre a la Francaise”. As wine lovers, we organize every month a wine tasting, in a specific region of France, the most popular one being Bordeaux. The menu is designed by our chef Arnaud Wallet and is related to the region. We also do wine tastings on specific grapes like Chardonnay trying to point out the difference between a French wine and for example an American wine.
During these wine tastings, we introduce the specific region or grape and talk about tourism and the vineyard. We introduce each domain, trying to pick family businesses and every wine. Each time we also introduce a restaurant we recommend in France and we share a little bit of France's Culture and history.
We use PowerPoint support to illustrate with pictures and graphics and to give more interest in our presentation. The cherry on the cake we have a quiz and we offer bottles of wine tasting to the best participants. All in all, this is a lot of good food, good wine, and a lot of fun: a good philosophy of Life!
Loire Valley Wine Tasting Dinner:
Thursday, September 28th at UTC location
Friday, September 29th at the Anna Maria location
Pompano Trailhead
Stay out of the kitchen and head to the Pompano Trailhead where you’ll find 12 lighted pickleball courts, a half basketball court, grills, tables, a pavilion and playground. With plenty of parking and amenities for The Legacy Trail users starting their journey from the North, the newly-opened Pompano Trailhead is a happy place for exercise enthusiasts.
601 S. Pompano Ave., Sarasota.
Sage Restaurant is pleased to announce its first wine dinner of the season scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. Presented by executive chef Christopher Covelli, the evening will consist of a six-course dining experience, expertly paired with wines from the Napa Valley ZD Wines. John Buckey, national sales and tasting room manager of ZD wines, will be in attendance and guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with him. Limited to only 50 guests, the six-course meal will begin with passed appetizers of cucumber with smoked salmon and crème fraiche vegetable phyllo cups and tuna won ton tacos. The evening will continue with tomato tart and basil-infused goat cheese mousse; pan-seared u-10 scallop with truffle-scented duxelles; raviolo stuffed with prosciutto and cannellini bean puree, and braised short rib with potato carbonara and seasonal mushrooms. Guests will conclude their meal with a specialty dessert. Throughout the evening, each course will be expertly paired with wines from ZD, including 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Library Select and 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. The all-inclusive wine dinner is $295 per person, which includes tax and gratuity. For reservations, call Sage Restaurant at 941-445-5660 or email admin@realmrestaurants.com.
Lakeside Bites, the newest addition to The Yard in Downtown Wellen, is dishing up fresh-caught Florida seafood, paninis, rice bowls and super casual fare. Located in one of The Yard’s three retrofitted shipping containers, the eatery recently opened and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. “We’re pleased to welcome Lakeside Bites as another must-try restaurant in Downtown Wellen’s dining scene,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing at Wellen Park. “It nicely complements the waterfront vibe patrons love about The Yard.” Lakeside Bites is the latest Downtown Wellen venture for Jamie Albano and Ryan Lane, the proprietors of the adjacent Kind Vibes Outfitters. “The menu highlights local fresh ingredients and affordable prices,” said Albano. “We plan to have local seafood nights and stay open late for cornhole nights, concerts and events. We have a great chef from Baltimore, Chef Hans Baumgartel, who has helped us build a really cool concept in Downtown Wellen.” As an ultra-casual eatery with food served counter-style, Lakeside Bites will offer a variety of dishes to enjoy in The Yard’s outdoor dining area or while wandering the pedestrian-friendly downtown. The menu includes gator and chicken bites, veggie fried rice bowls, loaded tots, fries and an array of paninis – from Cuban and chicken parmesan to peanut butter, Nutella and marshmallow. Just-caught blue crab, fish and seafood are courtesy of the local commercial captains Albano has met since opening a bait shop in Kind Vibes Outfitters. “It’s super fresh. I’m a native Floridian and there’s only one way to do seafood – fresh,” he said. The restaurant expands on Kind Vibes’ popularity as a spot to grab a cold Florida craft brew, a rod and reel and enjoy sunsets and fishing on Downtown Wellen’s 80-acre Grand Lake. It’s also a natural fit for Albano, who previously owned Central Avenue Oyster Bar in St. Petersburg. Kind Vibes Outfitters also offers on-site kayak, paddleboard, bicycle and e-bike rentals. Lakeside Bites joins Claw & Co. and Atlanta Braves-affiliated Pop Dawgs in The Yard, a playful family-friendly environment for casual outdoor dining, games and activities.
Pictured: Lakeside BBQ Bowl with Shredded Pork. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Bites.
Bijou Garden Café, an iconic downtown restaurant offering fine dining with an intimate and inviting ambiance in the heart of Sarasota’s theatre and arts district since 1986, has announced the extension of its summer prix fixe menu now through the first week of October. Guests can continue to enjoy the summer prix fixe menu for $49 per person. The promotion, which now runs through Oct. 7, includes a choice of two courses along with a glass of wine. Taxes and gratuity are not included. Diners have the option to select an appetizer and main entree combination, or a main entree and dessert, from the restaurant's summer seasonal menu. The portions for the prix fixe option are slightly smaller, but guests can choose to upgrade their main entree for a small additional fee. The restaurant will debut a new fall menu in October. The full summer menu is still available during the special promotion. Summer appetizers include Costa Rican yucca cakes with mango salsa and chipotle aioli, flash-fried oyster mushrooms with smoked paprika cream sauce, and cucumber and avocado gazpacho with fresh crab and roasted tomatillos. The summer main courses include rack of lamb with smoky apricot glaze, rosemary potatoes and zucchini rosettes; orange miso salmon with daikon medley, snap peas and soba noodles; shrimp and scallops over cilantro jasmine rice with green coconut curry sauce, among others. The full menus are available online at BijouGardenCafe.com/menu. To make a reservation, visit BijouGardenCafe.com or call 941-366-8111.
Pictured: Orange Miso Salmon. Photo courtesy of Bijou Garden Cafe.
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner is encouraging anyone not already registered to vote to celebrate National Voter Registration Day by doing just that: registering to vote! Tuesday, September 19 is National Voter Registration Day, a day dedicated to getting every eligible American registered to vote for their next election. Since 2012, more than 5 million Americans have registered to vote on National Voter Registration Day. “Registering to vote is the first step to casting your vote and having your voice heard at the ballot box,” Turner said. “My hope is that every eligible voter in Sarasota County will register in time to participate in coming elections.” Registering to vote is quick and easy, and can be done online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, by mail or at one of three convenient supervisor of elections office locations in Sarasota, Venice or North Port. Turner points to a busy 2024 election year as motivation to get registered. “There are three statewide elections in 2024—the March 19 Presidential Preference Primary, the August 20 Primary Election, and the November 5 General Election,” he said. “With 70 offices up for election in 2024, it’s important for citizens to participate in the electoral process to have a say in the races and issues that affect their lives.” Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration or aren’t sure how to register. Turner urges Sarasota County residents to avoid being part of that statistic by registering to vote now. “Florida law requires that individuals be registered at least 29 days before the next election,” he said. “So, although 2024 seems like a long way off—don’t wait! Register to vote and be election ready.” Among other requirements, to register to vote in Florida you must be a citizen of the United States of America, be a Florida resident and be 18 years old. In addition, 16- and 17-year-olds may pre-register to vote. More information can be found by visiting SarasotaVotes.gov or by calling 941.861.8619.
ONE BREW AT A TIME | Beloved Sarasota chef Darwin Santa Maria is opening a new brewpub after buying back his brand, September 2023.
This monthly gathering of car enthusiasts brings together automobile lovers from every walk of life, not to mention a wide array of spectacular cars. Bring your own vehicle (all makes and models are welcome) to show off, or check out the hundreds of cars on display. Each month, the event sponsors a different charity, and attendees are encouraged to donate $10 to benefit the charity. The event, occuring on the second Sunday of each month, will feature live music, complimentary coffee and more. To learn more, visit facebook.com/carsandcoffee941. Sarasota Cars and Coffee, The West District at University Town Center near Ford’s Garage, 295 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota.
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 us this summer for a Bistro Pop-Up Night. Enjoy an after-hours gallery tour, live music and a 4-course dinner curated by Executive Chef Kaytlin Dangaran. The Bistro fare is inspired by the regional fruit stands and farmers markets of Florida, and emphasizes local produce, healthy proteins and artisanal specialty items. Dinner reservations are available for 6:30PM. Private tour will begin one hour prior to dinner, at 5:30PM. 4-Course Dinner: $100/person, 4-Course Dinner with Wine Pairing: $130/person. 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
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.
Calling all Jeep Enthusiasts! The Sarasota Hooters location is hosting Jeep Night on the third Thursday of the month starting at 6pm. Hooters is giving away raffle prizes during the monthly events. The September 21 raffle prize is a Flashcal For Jeep Superchips Calibration Tool. Congratulations to Shawn Miller who won a Jeep Tow Kit during the August 17 Jeep Night. Upcoming Jeep Nights will take place on December 21. Hooters of Sarasota is located at 6507 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Visit Hooters during Jeep Night and present your Jeep key for 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages and an entry for the giveaway. Jeep Night has become a favorite thing to do for the Sarasota community. From regular customers to Hooters Girls who own Jeeps and Jeep lovers everyone is enjoying this opportunity. For more information, visit www.HootersFlorida.com.
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Sarasota Opera Food and Wine Festival will take place at Sarasota Opera House. Local restaurants will gather to serve tasty bites, wine, and other treats as a benefit for Sarasota Youth Opera. Throughout the event, there will be performances from the Youth Opera chorus and Sarasota Opera artists, as well as raffles and other activities. Tickets are now available for $75 per person and can be purchased online at www.sarasotaopera.org/foodandwinefest, or at the Box Office located at 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236, or by calling the Box Office at (941) 328-1300. All proceeds go to support the Youth Opera and Education programming. This season, Sarasota Opera events are produced by Mary Kenealy Events. Restaurants interested in participating in this event can find registration information at www.sarasotaopera.org/foodandwinefest-registration.
Aquarelle After Hours: Watercolor Workshop with Artist Keith Crowley is part of Lifelong Arts at The Ringling. Lifelong Arts is a new hands-on workshop program for older adults, 55 and up, to gain new artistic skills, gather inspiration from The Ringling’s collection, and build a community together. Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of traditional approaches to layering watercolor, with a focus on the medium’s properties. This series will culminate with a celebration event and exhibition of student work in the Education Building. No prior watercolor experience is necessary; all levels and backgrounds are welcome. All levels and backgrounds are welcome! The program will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout September, from 6-8:30pm. Enrollment is $550 for non-member and $450 for members. A portion of this workshop’s proceeds supports a workshop series offered to Senior Friendship Center at no cost. For more information, or to register, visit www.my.ringling.org.
Head out to Waterside Place for a rocking evening as part of the Lakewood Ranch Sights and Sounds Program. Enjoy a live concert in partnership with Easterseals and EveryoneRocks, featuring artists who are rocking their spectrum. This event is free and open to the public; there is limited seating at the Plaza, but attendees are welcome to bring their own seats. Food and beverages will be available from numerous Waterside Place merchants. For more information on shows, dates, and times, visit lakewoodranch.com/sights-sounds/. Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota.
Visit Fresh Harvest, the newly launched weekly farmers market in Downtown Wellen. Fresh Harvest offers a selection of local goods from nearly 40 local vendors. Fresh Harvest takes place every Sunday in Downtown Wellen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can peruse different vendor booths and stock up on a variety of goods. Vendors will offer a wide variety of locally grown and produced food, including herbs, spices, cut flowers, teas, canned and preserved fruits and vegetables, syrups, baked goods, pickled foods, fresh seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, milk and prepared food and beverages. A limited selection of craft vendors also participate in the farmers market. For a listing of participating vendors and more information on Fresh Harvest Farmers Market, visit wellenpark.com/events/fresh-harvest-farmers-market. Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice.
The 2022 through 2023 exhibition season of Art Center Sarasota concludes with four exhibits, August 24 through September 30. In The Ephemerality of Being, Lauren Mann reflects on the beauty and magic of everyday life in colored pencil drawings that are full of patterns and idiosyncrasies. Artist Iren Tete presents Systems of Entanglement is an installation of ceramic sculptures inspired by forms, materials, and thoughts that exist somewhere between reality, dream, and possibility. In SUPERPOSITIONS, Ry McCullough creates colorful works of collage, sculpture, and wall bound hybrids inspired by the traditions of still life and modernist abstraction. An Abstract View re-examines abstraction and its relevance in contemporary art and is juried by Tre Michel, co-owner of State of the Arts Gallery. The opening reception for all four exhibits is Thursday, August 24, 6 to 8 p.m. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For information, visit www.artsarasota.org or call 941-365-2032.
Explore labor through The Ringlings Working Conditions photography exhibit, running until March 3, 2024. The Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries radically changed the nature of human labor. That era is defined by a global shift from producing goods by hand to manufacturing by machines and technologies that emphasized efficiency. Working Conditions explores the myriad ways in which photographs have communicated ideas about labor since the nineteenth century through examples from The Ringlings photography permanent collection. For more information, visit ringling.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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