SRQ DAILY Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"When you walk into a place and see a lot of locals and regulars, it's a hint that you're going to enjoy what's coming."
Weekday mornings at The Granary, the dining room fills early. A server greets a retired couple by name, then turns to a family with out-of-state plates, guiding them through the menu. En route to Naples, they pulled off on a recommendation or rave Google review. Co-owner Karen Ronney, often greeting guests from the host station, isn’t surprised.
“When you walk into a place and see a lot of locals and regulars,” she says, her Glaswegian accent intact after three decades on the Gulf Coast, “it’s a hint that you’re going to enjoy what’s coming.” The place exudes rustic charm: reclaimed bar, exposed brick, a mural depicting rolling farmland. At the honor-system coffee station up front, scones and brownies nestle under cloches, labeled with mini chalkboards.
The Ronneys—Karen front of house, husband Malcolm on expo—came to Lakewood Ranch by way of a honeymoon. Back home, they owned a hotel and restaurant. Here, they ran MacAllisters, a Scottish restaurant on bustling Main Street, before moving to a strip mall six miles north. Ten plus years ago, “everyone thought we were crazy,” Karen says. “I have to give my husband credit.” The surrounding market has tripled, even quadrupled. “He’s a smart guy.”
The all-day breakfast spans blueberry pancakes and chorizo hash to Philly cheesesteak omelets. Many favorites started as monthly specials and stuck, like the exquisite Beef & Blue skillet: crisped home fries laced with Boar’s Head roast beef, portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, crumbled blue, three-cheese sauce and two eggs, best served runny. Green Eggs and Ham—scrambled eggs brightened with pesto—began, like many, as staff inspirations. Lunch brings house-made soups, salads and Boar’s Head sandwiches stacked on everything from marble rye to brioche, paired with a tapped lager.
Four breakfast spots now operate within five miles, and Karen welcomes them all. “We always grasp competition with two hands…You have to keep on the ball.” The crowd proves they’ve done just that.
The Granary, Mon-Sat 7:30am-2:30pm, 2547 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Lakewood Ranch, thegranarylwr.com 
Pictured: Exquisite Beef and Blue skillet at The Granary. Photo by Sarah Emily Miano
Dust off your boots and clear your calendar—because one of Sarasota’s most feel-good weekends of the spring is back. The Sarasota Country Music & Food Festival rides into town March 27–29, 2026, bringing three days of live country music, comfort food favorites, artisan shopping, and laid-back Florida fun to the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Produced by Paragon Festivals, this free, outdoor festival is designed for easygoing enjoyment—whether you’re here for the music, the food, or just an excuse to slow down and savor the weekend. For more information, visit www.paragonfestivals.com.
This Easter Sunday, Ocean Prime Sarasota will be open from 11:00am-8:00pm, serving an à la carte brunch menu featuring highlights like: Lobster and Avocado Toast – succulent lobster and creamy avocado on artisanal toast and Short-Rib-and-Lobster Benedict – a creative twist on a classic served atop a golden Gouda Potato Cake. Guests can complement their meals with Ocean Prime’s signature Bloody Mary, garnished with a jumbo shrimp or a refreshing Citrus Rhubarb Mimosa.
The Quay Sarasota, 501 Quay Commons, Sarasota, 941-404-1024.
We have always been known for our special holiday dinners and we are carrying that on at Two Chefs Market & Bistro. We are offering a wonderfully foodie Easter Dinner with an eclectic mix of dishes, complete with plating instructions for you to dazzle your family and guests. Three courses and optional appetizers. Orders must be received by 5pm March 30th. See the details at twochefssrq.com/easter-dinner , or stop in or give us a call.
Two Chefs Market & Bistro, 4141 S. Tamiami Trail, #10, Sarasota, 941.924.6277.
Fresh Fridays return to downtown Sarasota with State Street Shuffle on April 3rd from 7-10pm. Guests are invited to dance and dress in their favorite music era as live music fills the streets with top hits throughout the decades. Step into the spotlight with our 360 camera, capturing the energy and moments from every angle. This free event runs from 7 to 10pm on State Street, featuring live music, a 360 camera, and, of course, everyone’s favorite, branded Fresh Fridays giveaways. Only 3 events left this season!
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to announce the lineup for its 2026 Burdick New Play Festival, featuring staged readings of three new works by contemporary American playwrights. This year’s Festival includes Upgradeable by Sandy Rustin, Fundraiser by Brent Askari, and Please the Court by Sharyn Rothstein. Readings will take place on April 17, April 24, and May 1 at 3PM in FST’s Keating Theatre. Tickets are available at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling FST’s Box Office at (941) 366-9000.
We’re officially one week out from our Hanami Brunch Benefit! This event is our largest celebration of the year, and we don’t want you to miss it. As we count down, we would like to highlight the generosity of our supporting sponsors Craig Kaplan and Donald Geikie, whose commitment helps power this work. We’re also incredibly thankful to Hanami for both sponsoring the event and opening their doors as our host! We’re excited for the exclusive opportunity to gather together in their new Sarasota location before their doors open to the public. Don't forget! In the spirit of hanami, translated to the practice of viewing the cherry blossoms in full bloom in Japanese, and our "blossoming" organization and youth, guests are encouraged to dress in pinks and spring colors. If you’ve been meaning to grab your ticket, consider this your sign!
For one extraordinary evening on March 29, Circus Arts Conservatory will unite the region’s most dynamic youth performers in a spectacular collaboration with Key Chorale. Illuminate will showcase the artistry of more than 300 young performers from across Sarasota’s vibrant arts community, all performing together in the Sailor Circus Arena. For more information, visit CircusArts.org or call 941-355-9335.
Pines of Sarasota announced today it has been featured in a new ad campaign from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the largest national association representing long term and post-acute care providers. The ads are part of AHCA/NCAL’s newly launched Live Fully campaign, which is aimed at demonstrating the essential role long term care plays in our nation’s health care system and the lives of millions of older adults and individuals with disabilities. Watch “Moments That Matter" here: youtube.com/watch?v=FgC5W3ckJPA. Watch “Live Fully” patient story here: youtube.com/watch?v=mxoSePFJzZs&feature=youtu.be
If you are oyster curious or just craving the fresh coastal seafood & hand-crafted cocktails from your new Rosemary District favorite, join us at Lefty's for our daily Happy Hours Monday - Friday from 4 pm - 6 pm and our Late Night Happy Hours every night from 9:00-Close. With seafood offerings from the Steamer and Buck-A-Shucks on oysters plus our extensive wine, specialty and seasonal cocktails and draft beers, Lefty's has your recipe to get happier and explore our menus. Join us every day for Lunch, Happy Hours or Dinner and for our downtown neighbors and Hospitality industry colleagues, we'll have live music and keep the light on for you on the weekends!
Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar, 428 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
2nd Fridays Creative Happy Hour brings the party to the gallery and transforms ArtCenter Sarasota into a vibrant hub of creativity, conversation, and connection. These lively monthly gatherings feature rotating themes, interactive art activities, live music, dance, film, and collaborations with local artists and arts organizations. It's a fresh take on the classic art salon, welcoming all ages to mix, mingle, make, and experience art in motion.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits delicious Sunday Brunch is from 11am-3pm. Guests are invited to indulge in a delightful brunch experience on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room with nautical touches. The brunch menu features a variety of mouth-watering dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, savory Steak & Eggs, succulent Lobster Benedict, the flavorful Tripletail Brunch Burger and Crab & Shrimp Omelet. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with the purchase of any entrée. Prices range from $13 to $26. Reservations can be made through Open Table or by calling 941-529-0555.
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, 4870 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Think while you drink! Gather your friends, co-workers or family and join us for a fun-filled evening. Prizes and specials each night. Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm. Gecko’s on Clark – Monday ; Gecko’s on SR64 & Stickney Point – Tuesday ; Gecko’s on Hillview – Wednesday.
As the New Year begins, Jack Dusty, the waterfront restaurant and bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, is bringing back its popular Sunday Brunch beginning January 11, inviting locals and hotel guests alike to ease into Sundays with live music, waterfront dining, and a menu designed for lingering. Designed as a leisurely afternoon experience, Jack Dusty’s Sunday Brunch runs from 11AM to 4PM with live entertainment throughout, creating an upbeat yet laid-back atmosphere perfect for enjoying delicious food and drink. The brunch menu blends elevated classics with seafood-driven specialties and indulgent favorites, including a Maine lobster roll on toasted butter brioche, crab and avocado benedict with yuzu hollandaise, sticky toffee griddlecakes, and a decadent truffled croque madame. Heartier offerings range from wagyu steak frites topped with a sunny-side egg to confit pork belly char siu with scallion pancakes, alongside a robust raw bar and sushi selection featuring oysters, stone crab, crudo, nigiri, and maki rolls.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236
Crabapalooza is back at Anna Maria Oyster Bar, arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day and bringing a seasonal celebration of crab to the table. While oysters may be for lovers, crab is for romantics, and this limited-time menu is designed for sharing, cracking, and savoring together. The Crabapalooza lineup features three signature highlights, including a show-stopping Seafood Tower, a drool-worthy Seafood Boil, and a Maryland-style Crabcake Salad. Each dish is crafted to spotlight premium ingredients, generous portions, and the kind of hands-on dining that turns a meal into a memorable night out. To round out the experience, Crabapalooza also introduces a curated lineup of featured drinks, including the Mai Oh Mai Tai, Paloma, and Passionfruit Aperol Spritz, along with a featured wine, Maddalena Chardonnay, selected to pair beautifully with the bold, coastal flavors of the menu.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Our Tapas Cooking Classes are designed as a cultural and gastronomic experience, not just a cooking class. Guests will learn how tapas are enjoyed in Spain, the history and traditions behind them, and take part in a hands-on cooking experience preparing several classic Spanish tapas. The evening also includes tasting, wine, and written recipes to take home.
Taste of Spain, 2767 Mall Dr, Sarasota, FL 34231
BAM!Fest transforms the Riverwalk into a dynamic, diverse, immersive art and music experience from bridge to bridge.
Bradenton Riverwalk, 452 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Get ready to move this summer with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and guest teachers in sunny Sarasota for a week-long dance intensive, unlike any other! You have three weeks to choose from-or do all three!
Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts Suite 300, Sarasota, FL 34236
Selina Román blends photography, abstraction, and self-portraiture to explore themes of beauty and the politics of size. Roman’s photographs transform the gallery into a space of quiet resistance, subverting traditional ideas of feminine beauty.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Art immersion class for children ages 6-18. Small classes with fine arts materials. Visit linarinconart.com for more information and to register.
Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy, 927 N Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237
The summer 2026 exhibition at Selby Gardens will celebrate the creative collaboration between two legendary figures and longtime friends, photographer Lynn Goldsmith and singer-songwriter Patti Smith, who is Selby Gardens’ artist in residence. The exhibition will feature Goldsmith’s photographs of Smith, past and present, in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The images will offer an intimate portrait of an iconic artist over the course of her remarkable career.
Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
SRQ DAILY is a daily e-newsletter produced by SRQ MEDIA. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. The views expressed by individuals are their own, and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. SRQ DAILY includes content excerpted from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Robinson Valverde at 941-365-7702 x703 or via email |
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe
