Sarasota diners are getting a first taste of something special. Earlier this month, Zoto quietly opened its doors for an extended soft-opening. Zoto is an izakaya, a Japanese-style bar that serves alcoholic beverages and small, shareable plates designed to complement the drinks. The team behind Zōtō holds multiple Michelin stars, and promises to deliver an elevated experience.

“Our guests can expect a trendy, lively, upscale and upbeat atmosphere,” says general manager Janet Kim. “We hope Zoto will become the perfect spot for date nights and celebrations and an everyday favorite for sushi connoisseurs.”

Atsushi Okawara is the executive chef at Zoto, with three Michelin stars under his belt. He is designing a menu that is traditional yet playful with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu has not yet been finalized: in fact, the purpose of the lengthy soft-opening is to allow the team to fine-tune the details, gauge responses, and determine which dishes will make the menu. Some, though, are already standing out.

“All of the crudo seem to be very popular, especially the hamachi blueberry,” Kim says. This dish consists of thinly-sliced yellowtail, pickled blueberry and garlic ponzu.

“People like the punchy flavors of that dish,” agrees beverage director Benjamin Coutts. “It’s very refreshing with the counterbalance of the fattiness of the fish. And it’s fun to be able to pair beverages with that dish because we’re getting guests out of their comfort zone with more savory, umami-driven styles of sake.”

 Zoto is currently taking reservations on Open Table five nights per week. There is no firm date on a grand opening yet, but it is expected within the next month or two. But there’s no need to wait - come get a sneak peek at what is sure to be one of Sarasota’s most delightful dining destinations.

 Zoto, 190 N. Cattlemen Rd. Unit 5, Sarasota, 941-359-9517, zotosushi.com.

Pictured: Yakitori is another one of the small plates guests are excited about during the soft-opening of Zoto. Provided photo.

We would like to thank you for celebrating Caragiulos' 37 years of tradition and success with us this weekend at 69 S Palm Ave. Due to some unforeseen delays at our new location at 1833 Ringling Blvd, our flagship location, Caragiulos Italian-American Restaurant will remain open for several more weeks. We invite you to join us for a few more meals and shared memories on Palm Ave. Thank You & Stay Tuned! The Caragiulo Brothers 

On Tuesday evening, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) honored its 2025 Hospitality Stars of the Industry Hall of Fame Winners during an evening gala at the Henderson Beach Resort. Among those recognized were Mike Quillen, President of Watershed Hospitality Concepts and Gecko’s Hospitality Group in Sarasota and Bradenton and Cashiers Restaurant Holdings in North Carolina. Michael Quillen grew up Sarasota.  He is President of three independent restaurant groups operating 15 locations across Florida and North Carolina, including Gecko’s Grill & Pub, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, Cask & Ale, Pie on Main, Blasé Martini Bar/Pi Pizza, Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar, Red Barn Bar and Micas Mountain Kitchen. Since opening the flagship Gecko’s Grill & Pub in Sarasota in 1992, Quillen and his partners have cultivated award-winning concepts with over 800 employees, low management turnover, and a hands-on leadership style that emphasizes hospitality, community engagement, and promoting from within.  

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Even classical music has its rockstars. And according to Maestro Troy Quinn, the big three are Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven. The evening’s program will include Mozart's “Overture to The Marriage of Figaro,” Haydn's “Cello Concerto in C Major” and “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.” This concert has something for everyone. “I want everybody to know about The Venice Symphony and how exciting listening to live music can be,” Quinn said. “This is not your old-fashioned, run-of-the-mill, I'm-scared-to-go-to-the-Symphony-and-dress-up kind of orchestra. You're going to have a concert experience that hopefully is going to be transformative and take you to another place and bring you some much needed peace and happiness in a world that desperately needs it.”

Friday, Nov.14, 7:30pm and Saturday, Nov. 15, 3:30 and 7:30pm. Tickets: $44-$84, The Venice Performing Arts Center
1 Indian Ave., Building 5, Venice, Tickets are available now, online at thevenicesymphony.org, through the box office by calling 941-207-8822 or in person at 700 U.S. Highway 41 Bypass North, Suite 4, Venice. 

Celebrating its milestone 40th season, La Musica Chamber Music presents a rare opportunity for Sarasota audiences to hear all six of J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg Concertos” performed in their entirety on Wednesday, December 3, 7:30 p.m., at the Sarasota Opera House, 612 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. This special event, featuring artists from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, is presented outside of La Musica’s regular subscription series. Tickets start at $80. To reserve seats or for additional information, please call 941-347-9656 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.). Tickets for all other concerts in the 40th season may be purchased online at LaMusica.org.  

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announces the newest program in its “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens” series, an ongoing partnership with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens that was established six years ago. This new program, “An Evening of Scenes & Songs,” is scheduled for Thursday, November 20 at 5:30pm, at Historic Spanish Point in Osprey. “An Evening of Scenes & Songs” features two stand-out theater dynamos – Migdalia Cruz, honored as a “legacy” by the DGF Legacy Playwrights Initiative, and Lauren Marcus, hailed as a “rock star” by BroadwayWorld. Join us as these artists share excerpts from their original work in this memorable sunset program. To learn more visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org. 

Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Galleries and Chaz 51 Steakhouse are teaming up again to celebrate local creativity. Their newest collaboration, “Artful Indulgence,” is Wednesday, November 5, 6–8 p.m., featuring more than 60 original works of affordable art, live painting, and a menu crafted to complement the evening’s artistic flair. Tickets are $40 and available at Chaz51Steakhouse.com/artful-indulgence. 

The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC), the non-profit organization transforming 53 acres of City-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a signature public park, celebrated the opening of the restored historic Chidsey Library Building and a new tree-lined Promenade along U.S. 41 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony joined by community partners and supporters. The debut of these new park features coincides with the Three Years and Thriving Third Anniversary Community Celebration, culminating in an ambitious Grand Finale Weekend (Nov. 1–2) featuring a headliner concert by DIAMOND-selling superstar Brian Kelley (first known as the Florida half of Florida Georgia Line) and internationally renowned Ghost Hounds (who have opened for The Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks and ZZ Top). The weekend continues with an all-day, all-out “Best of The Bay” Music Festival showcasing top local artists, including the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Learn more at thebaysarasota.org/calendar.  

Creative Liberties’ November/December exhibition at the Gaze Gallery at ARCOS features new and recent works by Catherine Armbruster and Barbara A. Busenbark, two artists whose work reflects passion, transformation, and connection to the natural world. Armbruster, founder of Authentic Bleu, translates her love of the sea into vivid mixed-media works and upcycled art created from single-use plastics—merging beauty with environmental purpose. Busenbark, an award-winning painter and author of “Uncharted: A Widow’s Journey Back to Life and Love While Traveling the Intracoastal Waterway” (a 2024 Royal Palm Award semifinalist), presents luminous oil and watercolor landscapes inspired by her travels across Europe and beyond. Together, their work offers a visual and emotional voyage through color, place, and experience. A reception with artists is Thursday, November 20, 5-7 p.m. On view through December at Gaze Gallery, 340 Central Avenue in Sarasota’s Rosemary District. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 

Global travel insights will get a local audience as Visit Sarasota County’s Indicators & Insights Summit welcomes Nicole Porter, VP of Political Affairs at the U.S. Travel Association, as its keynote speaker. Porter’s talk, scheduled for November 18 at 8 a.m. at the Carlisle Inn, will cover national and international tourism trends – from tariffs and TSA to America’s global travel brand – and their economic impact regionally in Florida. As Vice President of Political Affairs, Porter leads and develops all grassroots and political programs to bolster U.S. Travel’s advocacy efforts. Under Nicole’s leadership, U.S. Travel has raised more than $2 million for TravelPAC and the Advocacy Fund during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles. These critical tools help ensure the travel industry maintains a strong voice in Washington and secure a lasting seat at the table on and off Capitol Hill. Tickets are on sale now starting at $60 and include breakfast as well as all-day admission to the Summit. Group discounts are also available. For tickets and more information, visit https://visitsarasotacounty.ticketspice.com/visit-sarasota-county-indicators-insights-summit-2025

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority (SMAA) is thrilled to officially welcome Paul Hoback Jr. as the  new President and Chief Executive Officer of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). Paul  officially started his role this week, bringing 25 years of exceptional aviation leadership to our  community.  Paul Hoback Jr. joins us from the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), operator of Pittsburgh  International Airport (PIT), where he most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief  Development Officer. His tenure included providing leadership for all capital development,  operations, and maintenance, most notably guiding PIT's impactful $1.7 billion new terminal program.  This massive undertaking generated an impressive $2.5 billion in economic impact for Western  Pennsylvania, showcasing his ability to manage large-scale development and transformation  projects—a crucial skill for the rapidly expanding SRQ. Paul's proven experience in large-scale  development and strategic growth aligns perfectly with the overall vision for the region.