SRQ DAILY Sep 22, 2026
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"Keep your eyes and ears open for really fun collabs with chefs in town and opportunities to buy soup, especially around the holidays."
Steve Phelps nurses a cold with homemade lentil soup beside a thousand cookbooks. Last week, the two-time James Beard semifinalist shuttered Indigenous, concluding fifteen years in Towles Court on his own timeline.
“I’m happy,” Phelps says. “I always said that I would get out while I was ahead of things. Five more years than I expected. When we were constructing the place, the contractor said, 'This fence should last at least ten years’. I was like, perfect.”
Refusing buyouts preserved rights to signature preparations like his truffled mushroom bisque. “That’ll be available to people very soon,” he reveals. “I knew I’d want to carry those recipes on.”
Flavor drew diners in, but education defined the experience, as servers guided guests through unfamiliar Gulf species. That mission expands through his ambassadorship for Pine Island Redfish and as founding board member of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture. “I want to continue to teach people what I’m learning every day,” Phelps says.
Pop-up meals and a portable soup wagon will soon return him to the public. “Keep your eyes and ears open for really fun collabs with chefs in town and opportunities to buy soup, especially around the holidays,” Phelps says. “There’s going to be a lot of me going out to eat now, too.”
Having turned his courtyard into a pickup point for Grove Ladder Farm and Homestead Hydroponic Farm, he also supports growers like Sunshine Fungi and Blumenberry Farms.“Take an extra hour of your weekend and go to the farmer’s market,” Phelps insists. “The money that you spend at a farmer’s market is money that goes back into our community.”
Neighborhood reciprocity defined Indigenous from opening day. “What I really wanted was to support the community, share as much local love as we could,” Phelps reflects. “I feel like I could do a little mic drop, like I reached some of those goals.”
For now, that satisfaction begins at home, cooking his way through Jeremy Fox’s On Vegetables.
Instagram: @chefstevephelps @indigenousrestaurant, Facebook: Steve Phelps; Phillippi Farmhouse Market, Wed 9 am- 1 pm, Sarasota, farmhousemarket.org; Sarasota Farmers Market, Sat 7 am- 1 pm, Sarasota, sarasotafarmersmarket.org; Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch, Sun 10 am- 2 pm, Lakewood Ranch, lakewoodranch.com. 
Pictured: Seasonal soups and Gulf harvests at Indigenous Credit: Abbi Henigman/Photo Guru SRQ.
Throughout October, Ocean Prime Sarasota will be featuring a Citrus Brined Halibut with house-made gnocchi, English peas, beech mushrooms and a lemon truffle reduction. It’s finished with white truffle oil, sliced black truffle and fresh parsley, and will be available October 1 through 31 for $55.
Photo courtesy of Ocean Prime Sarasota.
Booker High School and Scratch Made Kitchen, 501(c)3 welcomed chefs James Veldhouse and Hillary Diamond from Gecko’s Grill & Pub for its Tornado Kitchen culinary program, a hands-on training lab designed to build real-world confidence, teamwork, and foundational kitchen skills with students. Learn more at geckoshospitality.com.
Photo courtesy of Geckos Grill and Pub.
Wednesdays were made for Fish & Chips! Dive into all-you-can-eat Fish & Chips at Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar for just $20, all day every Wednesday for just $20. All day every Wednesday, Lefty's is serving up crispy fish with our crinkle-cut French fries and housemade coleslaw—and yes, you can keep ’em coming. Come hungry, bring your appetite and make Wednesday your new favorite day of the week!
Enjoy a delicious lunch in our world-class bayfront setting and a fascinating discussion with contemporary artist featured in The Orchid Show Christian Sampson together with Dr. David Berry, Selby Gardens' Vice President for Visitor Experience and Director of the Institute for Nature and the Arts. Proceeds from Lunch in the Gardens support Selby Gardens’ community outreach education programs; international research and conservation; and beautiful, world-class horticulture displays. For questions regarding sponsorships or event tickets, please contact: lunchinthegardens@selby.org
Thursday, October 29, 11am-1pm, Downtown Sarasota campus.
Sarasota’s restaurants are getting ready for their busiest time of year — so before the season kicks into high gear, let’s show our local restaurants some love. From September 17 through October 1, we’re encouraging our members and the Sarasota community to eat local, try somewhere new, and support the restaurants that help make Sarasota feel like home. We’ve put together a list of our Sarasota Chamber-member restaurants below so you can find your next spot to try. Save the list, send it to your group chat, and make a few dining plans! Eat local. Support local. Belong local. September 17 – October 1. To learn more visit sarasotachamber.com
Join us on the Key at Blase Martini Bar for our first Dart Tourney, prizes and to make a difference in the health of our community. Show up on Saturday, October 25 from 1-5:00. Then aim and show us your skills on our new Dart boards to benefit SMHF's program to provide low income women with diagnostic screenings, helping to create a stronger tomorrow. Enjoy $3 Miller Lite's all day + our special Martini of the Month, our "Boo-Hoo" made with Tito's, Creme de Cacao and Yoohoo Chocolate Drink with a Marshmallow Rim (the name literally beckons!).
Global icon and Selby Gardens Artist in Residence Patti Smith returns to Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus on October 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. for a special performance honoring the renowned poet, Emily Dickinson. The one-hour performance, An Evening with Patti Smith Dedicated to Emily Dickinson, is in celebration of the upcoming exhibition New Feet Within my Garden Go: The Poetry of Emily Dickinson at the Historic Spanish Point campus, on view November 21, 2026, through August 29, 2027. Advance tickets for the performance will go on sale for Selby Gardens’ Members on Monday, September 21. The remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. To purchase tickets, or to become a member, visit selby.org.
Provided photo.
ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ), Sarasota’s forward-looking contemporary chamber ensemble, opens its 11th season with the Sarasota debut of two-time Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. The collaboration brings together eight singers and five instrumentalists for a boundary-pushing program exploring the expressive possibilities of the human voice. The concert is Monday, October 5, 7:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. Season subscriptions and single tickets are available for both live and streaming performances. Live subscriptions are $170; single tickets for this concert are $40. Streaming subscriptions are $45, with single-stream tickets at $10. For more information, including student ticket pricing, visit enSRQ.org.
Pictured: Roomful of Teeth. Photo by Anja Schutz.
Best of SRQ Local 2027 is almost here! We've got everything you need to get your business set up for Best of SRQ Success. Join us on September 23 from 8am to 11am at the SRQ Studios to pick up your competition materials at the BOSRQ Kickoff Party. Encourage your customers, clients and community to show their support and get ready to rally your community for the nomination round!
September 23, 2026 at SRQ Studios.
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
Enjoy a delicious brunch offered every Sunday at Tripletail Seafood and Spirits on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room. The menu features a variety of dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent creme brulee French toast, steak and eggs, lobster benedict, crab and shrimp omelet and the Tripletail brunch burger. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or mimosa with the purchase of any entree.
Tripletail Seafood and Spirits, 4870 S Tamiami Trl, 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
From the smooth soul of Motown to the irresistible hooks of pop and R&B, this dynamic tribute spans the greatest classics from the 1960s through today. Relive beloved hits made famous by icons like The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Four Seasons and The Temptations. Featuring tight harmonies and charismatic showmanship, this energetic revue delivers constant hits and fresh takes on old favorites.
Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave., Sarasota
Participate in the third annual Farmhouse Scramble golf tournament to benefit all furry, feathered and shelled animals at Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary. With an 8am shotgun start, this 18-hole course builds community spirit and camaraderie throughout the day. Enjoy contests, games, raffles and prizes, as well as complimentary practice balls on the driving range. A light continental breakfast, indoor salad bar and deli lunch buffet are provided.
Tara Golf and Country Club, 6602 Drewrys Bluff, Bradenton
As part of an ongoing Spanish Night Series, this evening brings together Sarasota's Spanish-speaking and English-speaking business communities for owners looking to grow in each other's markets. Guests enjoy a paella tasting by Paellas by Chef Martinez, Spanish wine and tapas in an intimate setting, limited to 50 guests.
99 Bottles, 1445 2nd St., Sarasota
Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox by exploring the rising fall constellations and getting to know your night sky. Learn some tips and tricks for finding your favorite objects and take a closer look at images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Keep an eye out for amazing meteor showers and dive into stories among the stars. Doors open at 6:30pm. Beer and wine cash bar available.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W, Bradenton
Set sail with the smooth sounds of the '70s and '80s in this feel-good celebration of Yacht Rock and beyond. Featuring favorites like Sailing, Margaritaville, Brandy, Escape (The Piña Colada Song), Arthur's Theme and more, this breezy musical revue charts a course through the songs that became the soundtrack to romance, adventure, heartbreak and endless summer nights. Written by Richard Hopkins and Rebecca Hopkins; directed by Catherine Randazzo; music arrangements by Jim Prosser.
Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St., Sarasota
Directed by Preston Boyd, this bold new drama explores guilt, redemption and the search for light in a world shattered by violence. A haunted young Latino gang member and an aging rabbi form an unlikely bond inside a crumbling East L.A. synagogue, now used as a community center. Blending humor, poetry, rap and prayer, the performance asks whether broken souls can find a way to heal.
The Sarasota Players, 3501 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Sarasota's forward-looking contemporary chamber ensemble, enSRQ, opens its 11th season with the Sarasota debut of two-time Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. The collaboration brings together eight singers and five instrumentalists for a boundary-pushing program exploring the expressive possibilities of the human voice. Hear Peter Shin, Leilehua Lanzilotti, Caroline Shaw and more.
First Congregational Church, 1031 S Euclid Ave., Sarasota
Each Saturday in October at the Arts Advocates Gallery, guests can view Elisabeth Trostli's new exhibition. The artist's work explores artificial intelligence as a provocative tool for expanding the artist's imagination and invites viewers to look beyond the technology itself and consider what it means to create art in an era when the boundaries between imagination, digital tools and artificial intelligence are rapidly changing. Trostli will present a demonstration on October 3 at 3pm.
Art Advocates Gallery, 3501 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Open to ages 5-19, this tournament is an awesome opportunity for young anglers to enjoy some friendly competition. Bring your rod and reel, and arrive by 8am for an 8:30am check-in. The tournament begins at 9am.
Lake Uihlein, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradenton
Enjoy fresh produce, local art, music and free family activities on Bradenton's Old Main Street every Saturday from October through May. Local farmers, artisans and chefs share their talents, and you'll always be greeted with a smile from the market vendors.
Old Main Street, 400 12th St. W, Bradenton
In its third year, this Wellen Park festival invites family and friends into a traditional Oktoberfest atmosphere with German dancers, a live polka band, a stein-hoisting competition and plenty of beer and brats. Experience the inaugural keg tapping and hear the DeLeon Family Oktoberfest Band with three generations of accordion players. Food and drink options include Banyan House, La Maison, Pop Dawgs and more. Parking lots and street parking are available along Sunglow Boulevard and Springtide Way.
Downtown Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice
Based on the novel by Bram Stoker and adapted by Ren Pearson, The Players Studio Black Box invites audiences into the shadows with one of the most iconic Gothic tales ever written. Mysterious, thrilling, romantic and terrifying, Dracula will explore fear, obsession and the darkness that lives just beneath the surface.
The Players Studio Black Box, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota
This new outdoor music event celebrates the missions of both The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Palma Sola Botanical Park through live performances, natural beauty and opportunities to gather with friends. Guests will enjoy the scenic grounds of the Park while listening to live jazz from The Pops Orchestra's Jazz Combo. Valet parking and food add-ons will be available, and guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton
Ringling College of Art and Design alum Chie Fueki synthesizes Japanese ukiyo-e atmospheric techniques with Western abstraction, perspectival space and practices of overlay and juxtaposition. Drawing from her own Japanese and Brazilian heritage, Fueki's vibrant and densely layered works dance with an elaborate interplay of painting, drawing and constructed mulberry paper compositions. Spanning 25 years of Fueki's career, these works carve out familiar scenes that fuse figuration and abstraction to create an intricate floating world.
Sarasota Art Museum Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Explore the collection of photographer and humanitarian Judy Glickman Lauder in this exhibit featuring approximately 100 photographs by over 50 artists. Presence creates an inspiring dialogue through tender portraits, candid photojournalism and spontaneous cityscapes. See works by Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Danny Lyon, Gordon Parks and more.
Sarasota Art Museum Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Hear this award-winning Chicago-based saxophone quartet at the First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota for an evening of lively contemporary music. Synchrony Quartet features Philip Kleutgens on soprano saxophone, Hudson O'Reilly on alto, Matthew Johnson on tenor and Haven Kahn on baritone. The program includes works by Caroline Shaw, Anton Webern, Astor Piazzolla and more. After the concert, join the musicians at a meet and greet with light refreshments.
First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota
Sarasota's swankiest slumber party returns for its second year in support of Teen Court of Sarasota's restorative justice, prevention, counseling and youth development programs. Justice and Jammies will feature dinner, dancing, live auction experiences, mission moments and an official after-party. Funds raised will help Teen Court continue expanding services that guide young people toward accountability, leadership and brighter futures. Tickets go on sale August 1.
The Westin Sarasota, 100 Marina View Dr., Sarasota
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
