SRQ DAILY Aug 11, 2026
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"We want people to feel at home."
The car wash next door does 900 cars a day. Some of those drivers discover Il Mercatino Italian Pantry, a boutique market and deli run by two Canadian couples, Joey and Melissa Cappello and Carlo and Mirella Parisi. Three months in, they already know regulars by name.
Both couples hail from Montreal's tight-knit Italian community, with roots in Sicily. Step inside and you’ll overhear lively conversations in English and Italian. The shelves are stocked with imported pasta (Pastificio G. Di Martino, Masseria Pugliese), canned tomatoes, biscotti, olive oils and vinegars.
The small grocery quickly acquired a deli counter with sliced meats, cheeses and sandwiches to order. “More and more people were asking,” Joey Capello says. One of eight, the Mercatino presses mortadella, salami and capocollo with provolone, pesto and balsamic on Clemente Bakery bread, cut into two triangles. The Torino leans salty-sweet with maple ham, Swiss and peppers.
“This is what we grew up with,” Carlo Parisi says. “You go to someone’s house…nonna would bring out the prosciutto, the mortadella. Someone would open up bread and make a sandwich on the spot.”
At the espresso bar, Capello pulls Passalacqua beans into a short shot, syrupy and bittersweet, gone in two sips. The cooler answers to the heat with aranciata and Sanbitter sodas. Grab some lasagna or fresh ravioli, too. In the freezer, find lemon and mango Italian ice alongside ice creams by Crystal Cream, another local connection that began when the owner stopped in.
“We don't want to just sell the product,” Parisi says. "We want people to feel at home.” That can mean lingering at the market's single table, dressed in a red-and-white checkered cloth, sipping a coffee nobody charged for.
Family and faith came south with them. As Capello says, “To welcome people the same way we feel welcome.”
Il Mercatino Italian Pantry, Tues-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 8620 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, www.mercatinofl.com. Catering available.
Pictured: Panini, Imported goods share a table at Il Mercatino. Photo credit: Alex Alfaro .
From August 1st to August 31st, the community can take advantage of local restaurant deals! During Taste of Summer Specials, participating restaurants will have their specials menu displayed on the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce website, where the community can look through and see all the incredible offers. From breakfast to dinner and drinks to dessert, folks will be sure to find something that calls to them.
A Special Perk for Selby Gardens Members. Enjoy a 10% Discount at The Green Orchid by Michael's On East or Selby House Café! Now through October 31, Selby Gardens members will receive 10% off their dining experience at The Green Orchid, in addition to the current 10% discount available at the Selby House Café. Dining with a member? Everyone at the table will receive the 10% discount too! Simply present a valid Selby Gardens membership when dining to enjoy this special benefit.
The Jazz Club's new Saturday Night Jazz SRQ series will hold its kickoff event featuring the 10-time Grammy Award-winning group TAKE 6. The series will be presented at a brand new location for the Jazz Club, The Venue @ LEC on the corner of Beneva and 17th Street.
Discover how innovation and environmental stewardship are helping restore the Manatee River. Join a panel from the Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency to explore the award-winning Palmetto Bay Oyster Restoration Project and learn how more than 300 Reef Balls are rebuilding oyster habitat, improving water quality, and creating a healthier ecosystem for marine life. Hear about the project’s promising early results, the ongoing scientific monitoring that tracks its progress each quarter, and the important role of nearby Connor Park. Its 550,000-gallon stormwater reservoir helps filter runoff before it reaches the restoration site, demonstrating how thoughtful infrastructure and habitat restoration can work together to protect our local waterways.
Be among the first to experience the MFA’s captivating new exhibition, New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations, before it opens to the public on August 15. Spend an elevated evening immersed in the vibrant artistry of contemporary African masquerade traditions, accompanied by the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats from DJ Nilla Green.
Thursday, August 13 | 5–8pm, $10 for MFA Members | $25 for Not-Yet-Members (Youth 17 & under are FREE)
The Hermitage Artist Retreat’s popular series, “Hermitage Sunsets at Selby Gardens,” continues into its seventh year as part of the Hermitage’s upcoming 2026-2027 season. The outdoor series — a celebrated collaboration between the Hermitage Artist Retreat and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens — features performances and explorations of works-in-progress by Hermitage artists-in-residence and alumni. “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens” events are currently scheduled to take place at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus and the Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey.
Pictured: 2023 Hermitage Greenfield Prize Finalist Britton SmithBritton Smith. Provided photo.
We are so excited to start our clubs back up! To kick things off, we are going to have an Open House at 180 Skatehouse. Everyone interested in being a part of our clubs and programs is welcome to stop by between 3:00pm and 5:00pm on Wednesday, August 12th. Come skate with us, meet other students & parents, learn more about our programs, and enjoy some homemade cookies and shaved ice. Please RSVP below if you are coming to our Open House.
The Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy, in partnership with the Suncoast Builders Association, has closed on its future home at 5921 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida 34232, formerly the Perkins Restaurant property. This landmark achievement represents years of planning, collaboration, and determination to create a permanent training center dedicated to preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. Organizations and individuals interested in supporting the renovation of the Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy are encouraged to visit suncoastapprenticeshipacademy.org to learn how they can become part of this transformational project.
Pictured: Building Phase 3 Rendering. Provided photo.
Florida hometown builder Christopher Alan Homes has opened a new sales office in Port Charlotte, expanding its local presence and giving homebuyers a convenient location to explore available homes, floor plans and financing opportunities. The new storefront office, conveniently located in Peachland Promenade between Peachland Boulevard, Veterans Boulevard and Kings Highway, reflects Christopher Alan Homes’ continued growth across Florida and its commitment to serving homebuyers with quality craftsmanship, long-term value and exceptional customer service. For more details, visit christopheralanhomes.com or call 855-44-MYCAH (69224).
Best of SRQ Local 2027 is your opportunity to put your business in front of thousands of engaged local consumers. After a record-breaking 2026 competition that generated more than 55,500 nominations and nearly 360,000 votes, Best of SRQ Local Best of SRQ Local has become the premier way for local businesses to build visibility, engage the community, and attract new customers. Secure your 2027 Nomination and Voting Round package today and position your business for success before the competition begins. Reserve your package by August 14, 2026, to lock in current pricing and request more information today.
Space Closing August 14, 2026
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.
Delightfully Funky Since 1997, Blase Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village has been Sarasota’s cozy, funky go-to for inventive food, handcrafted martinis, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. It’s perfect for date nights or casual hangouts—offering bold flavors, expertly mixed drinks, and a setting that feels both relaxed and refreshingly unique. Join us for the launch of our Summer Pizza & Martini Menu, featuring hand-tossed specialty Pizzas, Pineapple Upside Down Vodka Martini for June, Siesta Suns Orange Vodka in July & Just Peachy Vodka Martini in August.
Blase Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village, 5263 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key
Curious about the Mediterranean Way of Eating? Join us for Cooking Up Health: The Mediterranean Way, an engaging, educational series that will transform your approach to food! Discover seven simple steps to healthier meals, learn easy recipes, and pick up practical tips that fit right into your everyday life. Registration includes a recipe book. 6-Week Program, Mondays: 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, and 8/31 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. This class will be virtual and will have a cost of $10 per person. Zoom link for the class will be emailed to participants before the start of class.
Virtual, Virtual
Start studying for Gecko's Grill and Pub's 24th Annual Summer Trivia Tournament. This six-week competition features weekly trivia nights on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at participating Gecko's locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Teams can enjoy food and drink specials while competing for a share of $1,000 in Gecko's Bucks. The three teams with the highest cumulative scores are invited to the championship tournament, which is scheduled for Gecko's on Clark Road on August 17.
Gecko's Grill and Pub, All Gecko's Grill and Pub locations
Win prizes while you think, drink and enjoy food at Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar at trivia nights every Tuesday. Trivia Nation hosts a Game Show Loco Trivia experience inspired by classic game shows like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Test your knowledge across a variety of categories, make strategic choices and try your luck with games of chance. Bring your friends, family and coworkers, or jump in and join a team when you arrive.
Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar, 428 N Lemon Ave., Sarasota
Every Saturday and Sunday, Cask and Ale on Main Street lifts a toast and taps a toe to a delicious brunch with a diverse chef-prepared menu. Try the rotating chef's special menu, bottomless mimosas and a wide selection of craft cocktails. On Sundays, hear live jazz music from 12pm-4pm.
Cask and Ale, 1548 Main St., Sarasota
Learn the basics of choosing the right plants to create a beautiful yard that beats the Florida heat. This workshop explores the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping in a fun and informative environment. You'll learn how to save water and also create a haven for pollinators. At the end of the class, you can take home a copy of the new Florida-Friendly book.
UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W, Palmetto
To commemorate the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment that granted many women in the United States the right to vote, a luncheon at the Grove will showcase women-owned businesses and celebrate Women's Equality Day. A guest panel will be moderated by Mercedes Solar, co-owner and president of Solmart Media. Attendees can learn about local women-owned businesses, participate in networking and hear from a multi-generational panel about the strides women have made and can continue to build.
The Grove, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch
As part of Sarasota Jewish Theatre's Newish Jewish Plays series, Yinoelle Colon directs Un Hombre: A Golem Story, written by Stephen Kaplan. A sculptor is trying to get back on track after her husband's death. She is suffering from intense artist's block, and her son is withdrawn and unprepared for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. All seems hopeless until a lot of wine and a little magic transform a hunk of clay into the answer to all of their problems.
The Sarasota Players, 3501 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Browse available items and take home clothes for free at this clothing swap. Find back-to-school options for kids while supporting a more sustainable community. Whether you're donating, swapping or browsing, every item reused helps conserve valuable natural resources. Before the event, you can drop off clean, gently used clothing at the Agriculture and Extension Service Office. Donations will also be accepted during the clothing swap. Men's, women's and children's clothing, as well as shoes, hats, purses and backpacks, are accepted.
UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W, Palmetto
As Art Sarasota Center closes its centennial season and begins another century, it welcomes four artists and their works for the upcoming August and September season. Molly Duff-Clarke will showcase Home for Dinner, and curator Alecia Harper will present Shaping Sarasota: A Century of Art, which presents a chronological visual history spanning 100 years of creativity. Antoine Williams presents a new body of work that reimagines Black southern cultural folklore and traditions with Putting Breath in the Body. Finally, juror John Pirman presents the juried show, Icons.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Whether you're a gardening newbie or a plant pro, visit Palma Sola Botanical Park to learn all about plants that thrive in the heat. Hear cool tips to keep your garden flourishing even when the temperature rises and see how sun-loving plants can handle the extreme summer heat.
Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton
Learn what fertilizers are, how nutrients work and how to choose the right products for your garden at this Plant Food 101 workshop. Instructor Mack Lessig will help you gain the practical knowledge to choose the right products and feed your garden for peak seasonal performance. Also, you'll decode the essential elements of what fertilizers contain and how plants utilize these nutrients at a cellular level.
UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W, Palmetto
Join Project 180 for its fifth annual Changing Lanes Bowling Tournament and experience an afternoon of family-friendly fun. This two-hour event includes bowling shoes, pizza and fries, unlimited soft drinks and an arcade card. Whether you're a seasoned bowler or a beginner, this tournament is a great way to strike up some friendly competition, connect with the community and celebrate some of Project 180's recent graduates.
Bowlero Gulf Gate, 7221 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
If you're looking for a Queen tribute band that is scarily similar to original icons that shaped the rock world so many decades ago, you've come to the right place. Led by frontman and lead singer Emo Alaeddin, The Kings of Queen deliver a fully live performance of some of Queen's greatest hits. Band members include Gregg Thompson on guitar and vocals, Chris Trimmer on bass and vocals, Matisse Passillas on drums and vocals, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Joel Case.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Hear Sarasota native and award-winning actress, singer and teaching artist Delores McKenzie as she performs Hello, Gorgeous! A Barbara Streisand Tribute. This intimate cabaret celebrates one of the greatest entertainers of all time through iconic songs, engaging storytelling and theatrical flair. McKenzie will perform beloved classics from Streisand's legendary career, woven together with personal reflections and dynamic performances.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota
A reimagined fairy tale comes to Sarasota this August that brings beloved characters in a magical and bold performance. Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and more experience the thrill of wishes being granted and the struggle of moving forward when life does not go as planned. Under the direction of Jacob Ruscoe, Into the Woods explores family, grief, responsibility and community. Evening performances are at 7:30pm, and Sunday matinees are at 2:30pm.
Rise Above Performing Arts, 3501 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
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