Southwest Getaways 2008 - (Page 24) A Foodie Trip Through Sarasota Place To Go: Sarasota Things To See: It’s difficult to even begin sampling the best of Sarasota cuisine in one weekend. So to help you out, we’ve described some personal favorites in particular categories. Pick your preference of food or setting, and head to these for a top-shelf experience. Fusion: The Table Restaurant, Hillview Street. You’ve heard of Pacific Rim, so why not Atlantic Rim? You’ll find an inventive conspiracy of Florida, Caribbean and South America in a chic, veil-blown setting (941-365-4558, www.thetablesarasota.com). Selva Grill, Sarasota. Photo by Matt McCourtney. Ethnic: Selva Grill, downtown. Peruvian is the new Asian as far as hot culinary trends go. Among rich trappings, sample traditional ceviche and mix-it-up Peru-inspired inventions (941-362-4427, www.selvagrill.com). Creative: Derek’s Culinary Casual, Rosemary District. Just off downtown, this treasure gives new meaning to new American with outside-the-recipe-box thinking fueled by global diversity (941-366-6565, www.dereks-sarasota.com). Italian: Café Baci, South Trail. For nearly 20 years, folks Funky & Fun: Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Siesta Key. Call it SKOB for short, and then start slurping at this hopping street-side hot spot (941-346-5443, www.skob.com). Vino: Cork & The Bottleshop, St. Armands Circle. With a wine shop as its foundation (literally and figuratively), its design-forward menu matches perfectly with the grape (941-388-CORK, www.corkonthecircle.com). Dinner After a Show: Five-One-Six Burns, downtown. Next to Burns Court Cinema, find reinvented SouthernAmerican fare beneath the arms of a mammoth banyan tree (941-906-1884, www.fiveonesixburns.com). Longtime Favorite: Michael’s on East. As original as the have flocked here for affordable, finely crafted Italian dishes in traditional fashion (941-921-4848, www.cafebaci.net). Seafood: Captain Brian’s Seafood, near the airport. A seafood market up front, servers in T-shirts and spic-and-span surroundings let you know you’ve come to the right place for seafood (941-351-4492, www.captainbriansseafood.com). Home Cooking: Yoder’s Restaurant, Pinecraft. Fresh from day it opened in 1987, Michael’s sets the standard for hip American cuisine and décor (941-366-0007, www.bestfood.com). At a City Hotel: Vernona, The Ritz-Carlton. Eat well and healthy on the fine organic regional cuisine served at the Ritz’s signature restaurant, which has won umpteen awards (800-241-3333, www.ritzcarlton.com). At a Beach Hotel: Lido Beach Grille on the Gulf, Lido Beach Resort. Eight stories up, the Grille features Mediterranean dishes as breathtaking as the view (800-441-2113, www.lidobeachresort.com). the farms and ovens of the local Amish community comes comfort food and the best fruit pies you’ll taste anywhere (941-955-7771, www.yodersrestaurant.com). Breakfast: Broken Egg, Siesta Key (reopening in April) and Lakewood Ranch. Choose from more than a dozen pancakes so huge they hang over the sides of the plate plus sinful omelets and bakery goodies (941-346-2750, www.thebrokenegg.com). Deli: Sarasota Olive Oil Company, Rosemary District. Sample freely from the salt bar, condiment table, olive bar and shelves of olive oil. Buy artisan bakery goods, fine coffees and panini lunches (877-366-2009, www.sarasotaoliveoil.com). When you go: Check out the website www.freshoriginals.com. It’s the site for Fresh Originals, a visitors’ program that promotes locally owned restaurants and culinary excellence in Sarasota and Manatee counties. 24 VISITFLORIDA.com/southwest http://www.thetablesarasota.com http://www.selvagrill.com http://www.skob.com http://www.dereks-sarasota.com http://www.corkonthecircle.com http://www.cafebaci.net http://www.fiveonesixburns.com http://www.captainbriansseafood.com http://www.bestfood.com http://www.yodersrestaurant.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.lidobeachresort.com http://www.thebrokenegg.com http://www.freshoriginals.com http://www.sarasotaoliveoil.com http://VISITFLORIDA.com/southwest
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