What’s your ride? You know, when you want that special evening out to be, well, special. This isn’t the time to grab the Duster out of the garage and treat your “significant one” to a spin out and about in the same old same old. You need a limousine or a car with style, baby.

Where to go for one? Let Taste Dining &Travel show you the way. The following are a few special businesses that can help to smooth out the bumps in life. Plus, they just might surprise you with what they have to offer. Read on.

Gold Star Sedan&Limousine Service (7708-500 or 748-4466) has been in operation over six years in Manatee County. Under the division of Paul Sharff Investments, (he a well-known Manatee businessman and very active in the community), the service has grown steadily. They now have five stretch limousines and three sedans to provide the proper transportation service for their clients.

They are licensed in Hillsborough County, which means that trips to and from Tampa Airport are legitimate. All their drivers have background checks and are very professional in safety and appearance.

A new feature that should interest Taste readers is the service Gold Star has with the Beach Bistro and Island’s End restaurants. They will provide a sedan car service to pick up you and your guests and drive them to and from the restaurant. For about $20 per person you can have this service and enjoy yourself without the worries of transportation. The service is available in most areas of Manatee and Sarasota County, including Lakewood Ranch. Great for the restaurant and diner, this is an innovative way for restaurant proprietor Sean Murphy to service his guests with grace.

Yes you can hire a stretch limo for about $60 per hour and really do it in style. These limousines can hold up to 10 passengers and come equipped with all the comforts - TV, video, CD player, bar and drink set ups. Almost like home for many of you.

Think of a sedan from Gold Star in place of a taxi (much more stylish). Or for that fun and added excitement to a night out, dining, shopping or just for the pleasure of it, go for the stretch limousine and enjoy life with class.

Panache Automotive, Inc. is Sarasota’s original exotic and luxury car rental company. Founded by Christopher Wilkoff and Scott Boucher, their company continues to grow. Panache features: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Hummer, Corvette, Porsche, Lamborghini, and soon Rolls Royce. Luxury cars for those looking for some driving excitement starting at $99 a day.

In an effort to showcase their fine automobiles, Panache is moving into a larger showroom. Their new location at 6000 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota (922-1646) will be open in March. It is the site of the former Southpointe BMW location.

In addition to the luxury auto rentals (even on new cars), Panache offers travel packages featuring top hotels, superb meals, outstanding golf, and of course, their unique selection of transportation. Their “white glove” service enables them to assure your corporate and individual satisfaction.

Panache is also the exclusive exotic car rental company to the Ritz-Carlton. What a great way to stay and play at Sarasota’s latest luxury hotel. Don’t limit yourself to just ground transportation. A Gulfstream ll 12-passenger jet, a Hawker 9-passenger and a Super King Air are also available for air charter.

Vehicles are also for sale through Panache and Concours Autos. Peruse their extensive inventory of Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Ferrari and other spectacular automobiles that can make your dreams come true.

Stop in at their new location soon for all the details or visit their web site at www.panacheautomotive.com.

Some limousine companies are just ordinary and some are extraordinary. One of the better ones in our area is Bradford Limousine. Why? Because they really seem to care about you and your special day or evening.

Attention to detail for that wedding, anniversary or just a night out at a restaurant can be arranged through Bradford. They emphasize the personal touches needed to make it all very special.

Their limousines are superb with sizes to meet all your requests. Call owner Bradford Cairnie today at 758-9699 for bookings and enjoy the ride.

The Vintage Rolls Royce is a family run Sarasota business born from love of classic cars and a desire to provide first class limousine service.

Each of their automobiles have been carefully selected to provide a range of matching vintage and classic styles to suit most tastes and requirements. Wedding and anniversary packages are tailored to meet your needs. All of the routes and itineraries are planned and confirmed before the event.

The Vintage Rolls Royce is proud to present their 1954 Rolls Royce Silver Wrath. More than beautiful, Rolls Royce are handcrafted British motor cars, admired throughout the world as universal symbols of luxury motoring. Surely a Rolls Royce must be the ultimate in chauffeur driven elegance.

To experience a ride in a Rolls Royce is to give yourself a tonic. Sit back in the sumptuous tan leather interior, allow your legs to stretch out while you enjoy a glass of champagne. Live all you can; it’s a mistake not to. For an opportunity to turn an ordinary evening into and extraordinary memory, give The Vintage Rolls Royce a call at 371-4012 or 302-9407.

As you can see not all automobile rentals and limousines have to have a personal driver. The fun is driving one of these exotic cars yourself. One local company that can see to this need is International Horsepower (358-7368). Having recently located from Massachusetts, the staff at International Horsepower are well informed and equipped to see to your car needs.

Their vehicles include a Lotus, Ferrari 355 Spyder, Porsche 996 and Boxter, Jaguar, BMW, Hummer Mercedes-Benz, Viper and a few classics, such as a ‘57 Corvette, ‘65 Mustang and ‘57 Chevy Bel Air convertible.

Weekly, weekend, or one week rentals are available and what a great time of year to make the most any one of these fine automobiles.

International Horsepower is located at 7920 North Tamiami Trail (across from the airport). Easy to find, just look for the line up of beautiful automobile out front.

Please enjoy any one of these limousine and unique car rental services and have fun!