Dining Out?
Hot, new places to dine and shop

“Louis, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.” So said Humphrey Bogart to Claude Rains in the film “Casablanca” and we at Taste Dining &Travel could say the same to you. The subject? No not films but the ever-growing restaurant, market and wine scene. Once again over 60 of these new businesses have opened in the past year and with nearly 20 more to pop up in Lakewood Ranch in the next few months we all could be eating and drinking well into the next millennium.

Chez Sylvie et Fils

We at Taste Dining&Travel all hope we can enjoy the many, many new choices that are just waiting for you to pay them a visit. Come along as we paint a nice picture from which you can please your palate.

Please welcome back on of the true originals in the Sarasota dining scene. Sylvie Routier has returned to the business with her son Richard Millet (below), and have opened Chez Sylvie et Fils (corner of Clark Road and Swift, Sarasota, 923-9020). Sylvie was the original owner of Word of Mouth, Chez Sylvie on Hillview and Osprey (which later moved to Main Street) and is back with a new venture that will surely please those who know and love fine French cuisine.

The new buzz word for Sylvie is organic. She has taken her lovely French style of cooking and has found a way to enhance it with a totally organic and free range menu. This means everything from the eggs, butter, beef, chicken, salad and vegetables­it is all organic.

The lunch and dinners served at this quaint 43 seat restaurant (which used to be the location of the Selva Grill) are just wonderful. A creamy leek and potato soup or soup au poisson (fish soup with saffron) are just a few starters to enjoy. Five different patés, moules marinieres are a true French delight. Tasty omelletes, salads and sandwiches round out the lunch offerings.

It is interesting to note that the complete menu is available for lunch and dinner so guests could enjoy a dinner entree during lunch if they wish. Richard has told me that guests do come in and enjoy the cote du boeuf for an afternoon (or evening) delight. Tableside servings of this and the Dover sole certainly add to the atmosphere of this French bistro.

Many of you have enjoyed Sylvie's famous Belgian waffles and omelettes during the weekends on Main Street. Well she is back on the griddle doing them again every Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9AM till 2:30. The tradition continues at Chez Sylvie et Fils. C'est bon.

Barnacle Bill's Seafood

Over the summer Barnacle Bill’s Seafood expanded once again. They added a fourth location at 8383 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (927-8884). Known for their absolutely huge menu of primarily seafood selections, Barnacle Bill's has enticed those who live in south Sarasota with his quality offerings.

The restaurant once was the location of Patria, and owners Bill and Ken Davis worked with the room to make it more suitable for their style of restaurant. The cool bar area remains for those who wish to enjoy a cocktail or meal. The main dining room is where diners can savor the delights of one of the best seafood restaurants in town. Many of you have voted them the best seafood restaurant in Sarasota for the past five years and justifiably so!

Fresh fish and other seafood items are presented daily in the display case and diners can enjoy them for a lunch or dinner seven days a week. A popular new Sunday Brunch at the South Trail location is another big hit. Barnacle Bill's Seafood­they just do seafood right.

Hot Shots Pepper Emporium

For those who love to cook (and not just eat out), I invite you to visit a shop that will certainly add a little spice to your next meal. Hot Shots Pepper Emporium at 512 36th Street West in Bradenton (747-9390). This quaint shop has all the hot sauces, rubs, marinades, barbecue sauces, wing sauces, salsa and more for your home or restaurant use.

Owner John Martell, who loves to cook, has his shop set up to be a tasting station for over 60 sauces. With such a huge selection this enables customers to taste the sauce, rub or marinade before they purchase it.

This is great because some of the names of these sauces will certainly amuse and fascinate you. How about Aerosmith rocker Joe Perry’s “Rock Your World Boneyard Brew,” or Bradenton's own “Sassy Sarah’s Salsa” to name a few! Talk to John and he will be pleased to recommend the right product for you.

Great for any gift ideas is Hot Shot's Pepper Pots which has a variety of rubs or sauces and also come with pepper seeds to grow your own. How cool is that, (or is it hot)? Either way, stop in and enjoy.

Ray's at Bob's Place

Some of the greatest restaurant “finds” are those places where you would never expect to have a fantastic meal. Our world travels have taught us that some of the best dining experiences can be enjoyed where you least expect it. Such is the case with Ray’s at Bob's Place. Confused? So was I until we got the whole story.

Leaving Martha's Vineyard after 25 years as owner of Feasts, Cafe Luna&Water and the famous The Oyster Bar, Chef/ Owner Raymond Schilcher and his wife Melanie found Sarasota and particularly the Rosemary District (or Rosemary Park as Melanie calls it). Finding Bob's Place at 600 Central Avenue (346-0683 or 365-2849), Ray and the amiable Bob Horne have worked out an arrangement where breakfast and lunch is handled by Bob (as it has been for six years), and Ray will come in to prepare dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday. An agreement was made and we are the beneficiaries of some of the best food I have ever tasted lately.

Ray's at Bob's Place

The restaurant is transformed with candles and linen for the evening meals and Ray's “coastal cuisine” take center stage. The menu is a prix fixe of $32 to $35 for a four course dining delight. A choice of two appetizers, salad, two entrees and dessert will certainly please those who love exceptional food. Ah, the food: Our evening meal was a bowl of New England Seafood Chowder that was chock full of scallops, shrimp and flavors that had us passing the bowl around our table of three. Ditto for the confetti gazpacho.

Exquisite small salads preceded the two entree choices served each evening. The past few weeks they have included Parisienne Braised Shortribs, Shrimp Pad Thai, Esther's N'orlins Gumbo, Sirloin au Poivre and Tagliatelli Pasta with Lobster. Desserts are delightful and the night we dined included a hot chocolate mousse and cranberry upside down cake. Aaah, I am salivating and dying to return!

The 30 seats are filling fast for any of the evenings. So be quick with a phone call. Also it is BYOB so get out those very special bottles of wine and be pleased to know that you can match your vino with the food at Ray's at Bob's Place.

Chef's Corner

Many area chefs have graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, yet not many were featured on the cover of Taste before they even graduated! Chef/owner Matt Mitchell was with a few members of his graduating class for a promotion shot which we used on our Fall 2000 issue. Little did we know that a few years later his parents and he would have found their way to Bradenton and opened up the Chef’s Corner (794-3330). Matt worked for a while in his native Boston at The Copley Plaza and The Bostonian before heading south.

Located at 6656 Cortez Road West ­ in the same plaza as the Anna Maria Oyster Bar ­ the Chef's Corner features a “casual gourmet” style for evening meals served Thursday through Saturday. The 64 seats are spaciously appointed, giving diners the opportunity to enjoy their meal without dining on top of one another. They even have a private party room for 30 guests so plan ahead for any event you might have. A few tables are also yours to enjoy outside.

Breakfast and lunch is served from 7 to 2PM seven days and feature Matt's famous Cinnamon Raisin French Toast and Baked Eggs, which are sauteed mushrooms, shallots and spinach topped with two eggs and parmesan cheese. It's yummy and a big hit!

Dinners are fairly new and the transformation at night becomes complete with white linen tablecloths and subdued lighting. Matt shines with offerings of Crab Cakes, Smoked Salmon Carpaccio, and entrees of Almond Encrusted Ahi Tuna, Grilled Lamb Chops, New York Strip Steak or Pork Osso Buco. All are moderately priced and during our photo shoot they looked delicious. Taste diners are invited to take $5 off their next dinner of $25 or more with the coupon found in their ad within this issue.

It is great to see a few new restaurants doing well on Cortez Road West. The Chef's Corner certainly contributes to this.

Cru Bistro&Wine Bar

Cool to downtown Sarasota is Cru Bistro&Wine Bar at 1377 Main Street (951-6272). Great wines either by the glass or bottle, tasty food by Chef Malin Parker and great conversation from Irish barman David. A winning combination.

Guests come for the amazing selections and quantities of wines by the glass or by the bottle. About 175 total wines, including 16 dessert wines and 150 selections by the glass should more than please any oenophile. The inviting downstairs bar puts you right in the middle of the fun as guests who are enjoying their wines inevitably start a conversation about wines or food with a neighbor. Haven't heard, “ I will not drink any #%@*!!* Merlot” yet though.

It is much more than Merlot as sommelier John Gardner is always around to answer any questions about the wines offered at Cru. It is very eclectic representing nine countries. They also offer 3oz. or 6oz pours

Don't think just wine though as Chef Malin Parker (formally with Fred's) is tending to the kitchen chores. His foods specialize in New Florida Cuisine, also known as Floribbean Cuisine. Although his cuisine is built on classical French technique, Malin differentiates his dishes by utilizing New World ingredients, especially those cultivated locally. In addition to paying homage to traditional Southern dishes, Malin uses a pallet of ingredients and traditional cooking methods traditionally found in Latin America&The Caribbean.

The upstairs dining area and new intimate private room for 12, is where diners can enjoy the fruits of Parker's labor. Serving dinner nightly, look for a lunch offering pretty soon at Cru.

Cru Bistro&Wine Bar gives our area a much needed wine bar for those who wish to imbibe in the pleasures of the grape. Couple that with smashing foods and Sarasota has another winner.

Working hard in the restaurant business can certainly pay off. Although it does take a lot of hard work to achieve success, just ask any restaurateur. David Shiplett and his wife Donna Eason have had a great year with Ezra, their one-and-a half year old restaurant on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton. From here they have launched a second food business called Pure Food Gourmet Market at 7104 15th Avenue N.W. , Bradenton (792-7800).

Pure Foods Gourmet Market

I know many of you are not familiar with the location. The easiest way to explain it is that is on the corner of Riverview Blvd. and 71st Street. Nestled in a residential neighborhood makes it all the more appealing for what David and Donna have in mind.

Pure Food Gourmet Market will offer full service catering, deli, fresh seafood and sushi, breads, various food items and prepared meals to go ­ all in David's creative style. Look for a late March opening of Pure Food Gourmet Market, sure to be a big hit in N.W. Bradenton.

New to Longboat Key yet familiar to many of Taste Dining &Travel readers are Jason and Leah Suzor, proprietors of A Moveable Feast at 6830 Gulf of Mexico Drive, In the Whitney Beach Plaza on Longboat Key (387-8678). They had the Waterfront Restaurant for a few years until a tragic fire destroyed the property a year ago. (A quick side note is that the Waterfront will open this summer. The cottage feel will still be there as will the outdoor dining. A small bar and separate kitchen will also be added. We wish them well.)

A Moveable Feast

With A Moveable Feast, which interestingly enough, is from the book of the same title by Ernest Hemingway while he was in Paris. It depicts a full social life, enjoying the people, food and drink and the pleasures of the “city of lights.” You now can do the same on Longboat Key. Well almost!

They specialize in meals to go, delivery and home meal replacement. They will deliver any of the foods and meals to all of Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach. A cozy bistro with about 20 seats can also be enjoyed at A Moveable Feast, where everyone seems to know everyone else. “Would you like some more of my wine?” is a common phrase used here.

The menu is very complete for dining in or delivered to your door. Appetizers and finger foods of Seared Ahi Tuna, Steamed Jumbo Shrimp, Spinach&Artichoke Dip and soups such as Lobster Bisque are a good way to start.

A variety of delicious salads, sandwiches, pastas, gourmet pizzas and full entrees complete the menu nicely. Beer and wine can be enjoyed at the restaurant They are open from 4 to 10PM daily with a minimum delivery of $10. Great idea and it has taken off very well.

New in ownership and name just a few doors down in the same Whitney Beach Plaza is the Sleepy Lagoon (383-7699). In what was the Bayou Steakhouse, new owner Eric Huber is presenting an American/Continental menu for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Diners can enjoy a relaxing water view with their steak, seafood, ribs, salads and more at Sleepy Lagoon.

Sarasota Olive Oil Company

A truly terrific addition to downtown is the new Sarasota Olive Oil Company at 514 Central Avenue (366-2008). Located in historic Rosemary District, Sarasota Olive Oil Company oil features extra virgin olive oils from around the world. All oils are available for tasting any day of the week.

They also feature infused oils, and many different vinegars, tapenades, pestos, patés, pasta, honeys, jams and gift ware. It is the perfect place for a special hostess gift. Visit their olive bar with a large variety of olives in bulk for you to mix and match. They also have all types of olives for your martini needs. That will do it for me!

New is their 5 gallon blend of olive oils especially made for the Sarasota Olive Oil Company. That's when you know you have arrived!

I find it to be such a great feeling when someone can fulfill their life-long dream. The dream has become a reality for the new owners of DJ’s (952-5025). In what was Munroe's on First Street in downtown Sarasota, owners Randy and Donna Friend and brother Don Sassano have worked hard for many years in this fickle business to finally achieve their dream.

They want to invite all of Sarasota to enjoy their historic building right next to the Sarasota Opera House. The facelift will be complete by the end of March and will include Don's creative culinary skills in providing traditional European/American fare that will be anything but ordinary. All the items will be fresh and cooked to order and your special requests can easily be adapted by Don for your dining pleasure. Look for a Vegetable Napolean, which is a mix of summer vegetables and Portobello mushrooms on a bed of fresh spinach. The Chicken Sorrento­ a boneless breast of chicken, pan seared and served with fresh mozzarella and tomato coulis. Other seafood, meats and special items will be served and enjoyed at DJ's.

Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch, the added feature at DJ's is the upstairs restaurant and lounge. Here guests can enjoy dining until 9-ish and then stay for the live jazz and blues while enjoying a lighter fare till the wee hours. Catering, private parties and as Don says, “A warm welcome, a magic moment and a fond farewell” will be the standard at Sarasota's newest restaurant and nightlife experience, DJ's.

Ralph's On Main

New to Main Street in Sarasota is Ralph’s on Main (1568 Main Street, 330-1080). In what was Relish This, Ralph's has transformed the interior wonderfully. Lively colors and huge Italian art work well together in setting a comfortable dining room. The inviting steel tables, comfortable booths and spacious outdoor dining certainly add to the inspired breakfast, lunch and now dinners served here.

Downtown now has a breakfast alternative at Ralph's with offerings of fresh fruit, yogurt with granola, bagels, omelettes, French toast or pancakes. Lunch includes lite fare of Buffalo Mozzarella, Crab Dip for Two, Chicken or Shrimp Quesadilla. Soup or salads­Niçoise, Asian Chicken, Greek or Chef­are available. Sandwiches, wraps, burgers, Cubans and Reubens round out the lunch fare.

Dinners prepared by Chef Todd Kellerman include a variety of steaks, chicken, duck, lamb, seafood and other delicious eclectic cuisine. Evening meals are served Wednesday through Saturday. Breakfast and lunch is served Monday through Saturday. Here's wishing continued success for Ralph's on Main. A really neat find.

Gitane

New to the area yet with years of experience, Alan Dennis and his son Jarret bring their refreshing style of cuisine to Sarasota. Hailing from New Jersey and schooled around the world, Alan is a true lover of food. His passion runs deep and Gitane at 1960 Hillview Street, Sarasota (366-5313) is a charming restaurant to enjoy a Provneçal lunch, dinner Sunday Brunch or to host a variety of private dinners. The 48 seats make it intimate enough to enjoy Alan's menu of Ragout of Wild Mushrooms, Riviera Seafood Bisque (shrimp, crab and scallops) or Roast Rack of Lamb, Oven Roasted Duck or Honey Mustard Salmon.

In what was La Fille du Boulanger, Gitane has brought things up a notch (or three)! Wine and beer is served and a Sunday Brunch, which consists of a three course meal with mimosas, is also to be enjoyed at Gitane. Look for their French Dinners served nightly that will be a a prixe fixe menu with wines from Provence. Magnifique!

A belated welcome to the restaurant business to Bob and Cindy Perinetti of Island Gourmet Pizza, Wine&Market at 5604 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach (778-0333). The name just about says it all as they invite you to “try something different” with their selections of wines, olive oils, chocolates and the like.

They also carry artisinal foods from the Mediterranean and also from the U.S. including terrific cheeses, fresh baked breads and wines. Many of the wines are from lesser known growing regions, yet are still a nice variety of Italian, South African, Spanish and Australian. Great prices too.

Lunch and dinners are prepared for casual eating in, or for take-out. The pizza is the best and other offerings of salads, pastas and sandwiches are very popular. They also have a delivery service on Anna Maria Island after 5 pm.

Another feature is their wine tastings held every few weeks. It has been a huge success. The store has been remodeled since last year and it really looks great­very inviting. Pay a visit, I always do.

Bacio's Italian Market&Deli

Bacio Italian Market and Deli at 7119 S. Tamiami Trail (924-7212) has found a home for those who want original Italian foods. Their imported meats of proscuitto, Genoa salami, dry sausage, homemade Italian sausage along with olives, pasta, tomatoes, all kinds of cheeses and more arrive from Italy, Chicago and New York.

Fresh baked bread and cannolis can be enjoyed with any hot or cold sub and a conversational cup of espresso or cappuccino is yours to enjoy on the outdoor dining area if you wish.

Catering is also available at Bacio. Speak to Frank in planning your next event.

Other new restaurants that have opened in the past year include Bella Notte in the Paradise Plaza (365-5010). Nice decor coupled with Italian cuisine is served for lunch or dinner.

In Bradenton a restaurant that has found a hungry clientele is the Bluewater Grill&Tavern (758-0081). Casual dining with a smart bar, they serve lunch and dinner.

Captain Brian's

Captain Brian’s (351-4492) has just about tripled their space and have expanded the market and dining. Minimal waiting for great seafood­life is good.

Downtown Sarasota is where Chef Frank Caldwell now hangs his chef's hat at Chef Caldwell's (957-1300). His move from St. Armands to Main Street is St. Armands loss and the mainland's gain.

On Bradenton Beach the Gulfside Grill (779-0333) offers a water view with reasonable lunch and dinner offerings. On Cortez Road in Bradenton the Iron Skillet (761-4961) is doing a good trade for those seeking breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Kazu's

Those sushi chefs are a bit like rock stars with their following. New to Sarasota is Kazu’s Sushi Bar&Asian Bistro (951-7778) with owner Kazu and Akiko providing the simple cuisine and cozy decor.

A lovely bit of fresh air has come to Towles Court with the recent opening of Le Caffe du Jardin (362-0595). You can almost smell Provence while you dine here for lunch.

The in and out scene continues with Frank Scarpino moving out of Mama Onesti's to open Scarpino’s on Main (363-9222). Great Italian food with prices to match. Moving in to the Mama Onesti's location is Marko's Grill (355-0168) with steaks, seafood, Greek and Italian specialties.

Paul Mattison and his crew have again expanded. This time it is on Siesta Key at Mattison’s Siesta Grille (349-2800). Cool indoor/outdoor venue with signature dishes that should please any appetite.

German food has found a new home at the Old Munich Biergarten (753-3255) in Bradenton. Traditional style of a beer garden in Germany awaits you, plus live music.

Rasher Tierney's

Rasher Tierney's in Bradenton (266-7306) is a new authentic Irish pub that is about as close to Ireland as you can get. The company assembles them with many bits and pieces of an authentic Irish pub, which certainly enhances the flavors of a Guinness or any of the pub food served. Neat.

Tapas are the new sushi and for truly authentic Spanish tapas a visit to Sangria on Sarasota's Main Street (955-8272) is a true delight. Lively, colorful atmosphere is a perfect setting to enjoy these little dishes from Spain. Just great.

Another buzz restaurant on Main Street is the Selva Grill (362-4427), which recently moved from its Clark Road location. Bigger is better? I'm still not quite sure about the new spot, although the foodies seem to have found it pleasurable. Also Peruvian is the El Patio Latino on 1100 North Tuttle (955-5093)

I just miss the pubs in England. Locally Shakespeare’s English Pub (364-5938) fills the bill with 80 beers from around the globe and English Fish&Chips to pair.

Sarasota Catering Company (927-7675) is the area's newest caterer and Executive Chef Lance Thompson has the know-how to make any event special.

The Sonoma Grill (926-2700) is a neighborhood find that does a lovely lunch, dinner and even entertainment. They are on the corner of Swift and Proctor.

For a refreshing change in wines, pay a visit to St. Armands Gifts&Winery (388-5330). Their wines are all citrus, fruit and berry based made from Florida's own. Nice wine and picnic gifts as well.

The hit restaurant over the past year has to have been The Table (365-4541) on Hillview Avenue. With only 60 seats it is difficult just to get a table here. Great food with prices to match (although they are creeping up-like everyone else). Cozy couches and chef's table is fun.

Everyone loves Italian and a newer one to the restaurant biz is Villa Francesco (365-000) with Chef Francesco Mucci and owner Joseph De Leo satisfying customers for lunch or dinner at their North Trail location in Sarasota.

Truffles&Treasures (747-2400) has moved their comfy chairs and set-ups from the Old Main Street location in Bradenton to the Albertson's Plaza on 75th and Manatee. Lovely tea for me and thee.

Arriving with a splash is the new Whole Foods Market in downtown Sarasota. With items many of us have never seen before, we shop, touch, taste, sip and just enjoy all that they have to offer. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

by Neal Finelli