SRQ DAILY May 12, 2026
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"Everything is strictly selected daily,"
At the window of the Harvest and Heart SRQ food truck, co-owner Eleonora Raso splits open an avocado, mashes it by hand and smears it across sourdough bread she baked that morning. Luigi, her husband and co-owner, works alongside her, as they’ve done for years.
Their ties to Sarasota go way back: Eleonora’s uncle owned Bacco’s downtown in the 1990s; her grandfather ran a hotel on St. Armands Circle. Both Rasos completed culinary school in Italy; Eleonora earned a master’s in baking. They ran two restaurants on Anna Maria Island until Hurricane Helene devastated them. “Overnight, we lost everything,” she says. After a hiatus, they started fresh on wheels last October.
“I got that passion from my grandpa and my uncle,” Eleonora says—a passion that shows up in the food. She bakes using organic, unbleached, no-bromate flour. Ingredients come from local farms. Breakfast sandwiches stack bacon, egg and cheese, or smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and red onion on a New York-style bagel. Lunch brings protein bowls over arugula and quinoa, topped with grilled chicken or seasoned ground beef, plus rotating specials. Zero seed oils or preservatives. Coffee is organic, mold-free, ground to order. “Everything is strictly selected daily,” she says. “We do the shopping ourselves.” The truck posts its weekly schedule on Facebook, popping up in Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, the Knights of Columbus on Fruitville Road.
Recently, Eleonora and Luigi launched Good Food Society, a catering company offering ready-to-eat meals for busy families and professionals wanting healthy alternatives to processed food. “When I had my daughters, I was always in a rush,” she says. “And when I looked at my kids’ school lunch, I was horrified… After how much you pay, they come up with mac-n-cheese and chicken tenders.” The answer? “A company that makes everything from scratch and supports the local economy.” Good Food Society delivers meals to workplaces while school lunch delivery rolls out next year.
Harvest and Heart SRQ, 941-424-6894, harvestandheartsrq@gmail.com 
Pictured: The Nova on an Everything Bagel. Photo courtesy of Harvest and Heart SRQ.
Key Chorale, the Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus, is dedicated to transforming lives through innovative programming, artistic excellence, educational outreach and service to the community. Led by Joseph Caulkins, Key Chorale produces high quality collaborative musical events that engage and enrich our community. Through dynamic collaborations, Key Chorale provides unforgettable programs that continue to push the boundaries of choral music. Build a deeper understanding of Alexander Calder: The Nature of Movement! This event includes an after-hours viewing of the exhibition, a reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages from Michael’s on East, and a performance by Key Chorale inside the Selby Gardens Event Center.
Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 to 7:30pm, Downtown Sarasota campus.
Halfacre Construction Company, a Lakewood Ranch-based commercial construction company, recently welcomed back David Kramer as its new strategic account and business development manager. With more than 15 years of experience in the construction industry, Kramer has a robust background in client relationship building, providing mutually beneficial problem resolution and superior customer service. A proven leader with an outstanding record of achievement, his strengths include sales team building and leading, executive negotiations, business development and expansion, and account relationship management. Most recently, he served as the strategic account manager for Synergy Equipment. During his five-year tenure, Kramer successfully managed assigned territory at active and future job sites with existing customers, developed new accounts with effective planning and strong team marketing skills, and used technology to ensure efficient and effective territory management, among other duties. For more information, please visit www.HalfacreConstruction.com.
Reflecting All Faiths Food Bank's ongoing focus on strengthening internal expertise while positioning its team to meet increasing community needs, the organization has promoted four staff members in the development and human resources departments. Rachel Bradley is now the senior director of philanthropy, Nina Harrelson is the senior director of strategic communications, Renee Simon is the manager of grants, and Chuck Loesche is now the senior HR manager. These advancements underscore All Faiths Food Bank's investment in internal leadership and organizational growth, which is particularly crucial as the demand for food assistance continues to grow.
The Board of Governors of Leadership Manatee is reminding community leaders that applications for the 2026-2027 Leadership Manatee Class are due by 4:00 PM on Friday, May 15. A program of the Manatee Chamber Foundation in partnership with Bradenton Kiwanis, Leadership Manatee has served as the region’s premier leadership development program since 1982. Now entering its 43rd year, the program continues to connect and develop leaders committed to making a lasting impact in Manatee County. With more than 1,500 graduates, Leadership Manatee provides participants with an in-depth look at the opportunities and challenges shaping our community. Through immersive program days, class members gain insight into sectors including education, healthcare, local government, transportation, law enforcement, agriculture, business, and more while strengthening their leadership skills and community connections. Leadership Manatee is designed for individuals who are already active in the community and eager to expand their knowledge, engagement, and influence. Participants are selected through a competitive application process, and interested applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline. Applications are now available on our website at ManateeChamber.com/LeadershipManatee
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.
Café on St. Armands is introducing Prime Rib Sundays, a new weekly dining feature available every Sunday beginning at 11 AM. Guests are invited to enjoy a classic prime rib dinner, thoughtfully prepared and served as part of Café’s elevated all-day dining experience. The featured Prime Rib entrée includes chianti herb and Dijon-crusted prime rib, garlic confit mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, rich au jus, and creamy horseradish. The dish is available for $46.
Cafe on St. Armands, 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL
Geckos Grill and Pub is excited to announce our much-anticipated Annual Iron Chef Competition, a thrilling event that brings together culinary creativity and team spirit! This years competition will run for a total of seven weeks, beginning on May 11th and culminating in a championship finale from June 22 to June 28. This competition offers our teams a unique opportunity to work together in the kitchen, fostering collaboration and camaraderie as they prepare dishes daily. Each participant must assist one another, transforming the kitchen into a hub of creativity and teamwork. We approach this promotion with an Everybody Wins. mentality. Each location will celebrate innovation and teamwork throughout the competition. Participants are encouraged to unleash their culinary imagination! Competitors must create a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 dishes, featuring items from all cooking stations: fry, grill, saute,and pantry. Exciting Prizes Await! Our top three finalists at each location will earn fantastic cash awards. During finals week, the ultimate victors will each receive a cash bonus, an embroidered chef coat commemorating their Iron Chef winning year, and the honor of displaying the Iron Chef trophy at their location for an entire year. Join us for a flavorful time of competition, creativity, and camaraderie at Geckos Grill and Pub. We can’t wait to see the incredible dishes our teams will create. Let the culinary battle begin! Geckos Grill and Pub – Where Good Food Meets Great Friends.
Gecko's Grill and Pub
Artificial Intelligence is no longer limited to computers and research labs — it’s now available right on your smartphone. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to use AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other AI tools directly from their mobile devices to simplify everyday tasks.
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
There's much ado about something in this whip-smart, laugh-out-loud new romantic comedy from Lauren Gunderson. Lady Disdain is a fast-paced, razor-sharp riff on the deliciously dramatic world of Fantasy Romance novels (yes, those ones-you know them, you love them). Beatrice and Benedict, rival audiobook narrators with voices made for swooning and tempers made for sparring, are locked in a battle of wits, words, and wildly inconvenient attraction. Asolo Rep proudly presents this world premiere from one of America's most celebrated and funny playwrights.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
This course looks at the history of jazz music, its evolution, who practiced the art, and the audience that appreciated it from its inception to the present day. Students will listen to the music and artists who led to its mainstream adoption.
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
The sharp-witted, glamorous, incomparable Eartha Kitt commands the spotlight. But backstage in her dressing room, in the quiet between songs, she peels back the glitz to reveal Eartha Mae: a girl from the South Carolina cotton fields, orphaned by her mother until an audience adopted her. Told through both story and song, Urbanite Theatre’s first-ever musical production unearths the complex truth behind the icon.
Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us for a weekly guided tour of the night sky in our state-of-the-art planetarium. As Earth moves around the sun, different objects come into view. We'll not only discuss what you can see this season, we'll fly you there!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
Award-winning Hermitage Fellows offer a unique glimpse into their creative process, sharing original works in process with our Gulf Coast audiences. These free hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, playreadings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, exhibitions, open studios,and more. The presentations are often works in process, giving Hermitage audiences a look into the creative process before these works go on to leading theaters, concert halls, and museums around the world.
Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223
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
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