After taking on the position of executive chef at EVOQ last October, Chef Ryan Ward revamped the dinner menu (something you’ll be able to read about in the May/June issue of SRQ Magazine). On Sunday, April 20th, diners can also get a sneak peek at some of the items on EVOQ’s soon-to-be-unveiled new breakfast menu too, as part of the eatery’s Easter brunch extravaganza.

“The philosophy of brunch is very much a menu that includes both breakfast and lunch items,” says Ward. “I wanted to have the best of both worlds because I feel like that’s what people are looking for.”

EVOQ’s multifaceted Easter brunch will feature side-by-side stations where guests can get made-to-order omelets and waffles with a variety of fillings and toppings, respectively. The buffet will feature a combination of breakfast food like bananas foster French toast and lunch fare like charcuterie accompanied by locally-sourced cheeses. There will also be two traditional Easter entrees done with Ward’s typical creative flare. First, there’s the sugar and salt-crusted prime rib with mushroom jus, horseradish cream, grain mustard, roasted mushrooms and onion. There’s also an herb-crusted lamb accompanied by mint jelly, cherry jus and tzatziki.

“We use Amarena cherries for our jus and mix it with our demi-glace,” Ward says. “It’s sweet, it’s salty, it’s savory, so it gives the dish a little bit of a twist.

EVOQ’s Easter brunch will be served on Sunday, April 20th between 11:30am-3pm. The cost is $75 per adult and $37 per child. While children are invited to enjoy everything from the full buffet, Ward will also have a separate buffet with more child-friendly fare like chicken tenders and mac and cheese. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

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

The team at Blase/Pi in Siesta Key Village is committed to keeping our beaches clean while also recognizing the Locals & Visitors who join us to partake in this everyday project. We have the tools & the treats to encourage you to be a part of the change and help improve our planet - one bucket at a time! Here's what YOU can do: Grab a pail and a grabber at Blase Martini Bar/Pi Pizza in the Village, fill the pail with litter/debris from our closest beach access, bring the full pail back to us, receive your choice of a free draft Bud Light or Miller Lite OR a slice of our delicious Cheese or Pepperoni pizza. (One drink or slice per person, please) Blase Cafe & 3.14 Pi Pizza & Craft Beer, Martini Bar. 

Spring is here, and we have exciting news from Taste of Spain. Tapas Boxes – Ready to Go, Every Day. We’ve created a delicious variety of Authentic Spanish Tapas, all packaged and ready to enjoy. Perfect for lunch, a picnic, a tapas dinner at home, or a small gathering. 

For more information click here

DiVosta celebrated the grand opening of the HIDEaway Bar & Grille at Talon Preserve on Palmer Ranch in Nokomis with a poolside party featuring live music and free refreshments.  Located on Talon Preserve’s beautiful amenity campus, HIDEaway Bar & Grille offers casual full-service poolside dining and complements the community’s vibrant social and active lifestyle, emphasizing wellness, fitness and fun. One of the most exciting resort-inspired lifestyles in the area, Talon Preserve’s amenities reflect a collaboration between DiVosta, known for luxury resort lifestyle communities, and the area’s top planners, architects and designers. 

To learn more, visit

The Watershed Hospitality Concepts family of restaurants believes in Local Partnerships for the Greater Good. Picture this: an oyster is shucked and enjoyed by a Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar oyster lover. That Lefty’s guest just contributed to restoring the health of our water! At Lefty's our shucked shells take a different path...we collect them in barrels for our partners, The Oyster Boys Conservation. They’re naturally cleaned by the elements of sun and air over several months, preparing them for their next role—restoring oyster reefs. We’ve recycled roughly 41,000 shells so far! So, come enjoy some fresh oysters & get inspired with us when you read the Gulf Coast Community Foundation's report highlighting the successes of our proud partnership with the Oyster Boys Conservation! 

SoFresh, the popular health-focused restaurant brand known for its chef-inspired, high-quality meals, is now under new ownership at its Lakewood Ranch location. William Wolf, an experienced SoFresh franchisee, has acquired the location at 11569 FL-70 #106, marking his fourth SoFresh establishment, alongside his Westchase, downtown Tampa and downtown Sarasota restaurants. Under Wolf’s leadership, the Lakewood Ranch location has undergone a complete remodel, featuring new ordering kiosks, updated décor, seamless app integration, and most importantly, a passionate staff dedicated to providing exceptional service and fresh meals. This location is one of the first SoFresh franchises, making it a significant part of the brand’s footprint. With a refreshed look, an energized team, and delicious food, SoFresh Lakewood Ranch is ready to serve the community with fresh, flavorful, and health-conscious meals. 

Downtown Sarasota lit up last Friday as Fresh Fridays went “Back to the ’80s”—and smashed attendance records in the process. With over 4,000 attendees, the event doubled its usual turnout and reaffirmed the growing momentum of this monthly block party that continues to energize downtown nightlife. Sponsored by the Sarasota Downtown Improvement District (DID) and the City of Sarasota, Fresh Fridays is more than just a party—it’s a celebration of community and a major boost for local businesses.

For more information click here

Art is in full bloom within Suncoast Technical College’s (STC) Adult & Community Enrichment (ACE) program as they launch their popular Spring Art Sale! Known for offering a wide variety of lifelong learning opportunities, ACE takes pride in its thriving arts program — where over 40% of its courses focus on creativity and artistic expression.Due to the overwhelming success of its annual Art Sale – held in December each year – ACE will be hosting a Spring Art Sale to showcase the incredible talents of its students and instructors. This is the second year for the Spring Art Sale.

Thursday, April 10, 10:00am-3:00pm, Building 2, Conference Center at STC’s Sarasota campus (4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota). 

Following a successful run of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to announce the Broadway Series lineup for the 2025-2026 season. The upcoming season promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for audiences with seven Sarasota Premieres and ten Broadway hits that include MJ, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, and Some Like It Hot. 

For ticket information click here.

ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ), Sarasota’s adventurous chamber music ensemble, concludes its ninth season with “Jagden und Formen” (“Hunts and Forms”), a commanding, evening-length tour de force by German composer Wolfgang Rihm.  The concert is Monday, May 12, 7:30 p.m., at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. A post-concert reception will be held in the courtyard of the Opera House. This concert was sponsored, in part, by a grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Single tickets are $30. For more information on ticket packages and single tickets, including student ticket pricing, visit EnSRQ.org. 

Sarasota County Schools invites families to attend its 13th Annual ESE Agency Fair, taking place in North Port for the first time on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Suncoast Technical College – North Port (4445 Career Lane, North Port. The event offers an opportunity for families of students with disabilities to connect with local agencies and organizations that provide a wide range of resources, services, and supports. The fair will also feature prizes, snacks, and helpful information designed to empower families and enhance student success.