Deli Lane 2157 Siesta Drive, Sarasota • 366-5554 www.delilane.com

Deli Lane Cafe West opened its doors May 1, 2008. Deli Lane has been a favorite in South Miami and on Brickell Ave. since 1988. Open 7 days a week from 7am-9pm, Deli Lane offers a full menu consisting of breakfast, lunch and dinner and a full catering menu. They serve breakfast every week day from 7am-11am and on Saturday and Sundays from 7am-3pm. All their desserts are made on premises as well as their salad dressings and sauces. Deli Lane use only the freshest ingredients and pride themselves on good food and great customer service.  

There's something for everyone at Deli Lane and the menu is huge with over 80 items offered on the regular menu; all of it available to go! Power breakfasts, eggs every which way, weekday brunch items (don’t just save it for the weekend!), soups, quesadillas, wraps, specialty sandwiches, burgers, pizza and for dinner entrees, they have a “Little Italy meets Chinatown” offering that is cool.

They are located across from Southgate Mall in the Southgate Plaza and offer plenty of parking and accept all major credit cards. Come in and see for yourself why Deli Lane just may be your new favorite restaurant!

Manager Eileen Whitney was a fixture at the Summerhouse for a while and also worked for Deli Lane in Miami from 1988 to 1993, which is a big reason why she is here in Sarasota. Stop in and say hello.

6753 After Dark 6753 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton • 779-6674 www.6753afterdark.com

Bradenton is where Rae Ellen Hayo has been running 6753 After Dark in the Bakery di Europa at 6753 Manatee Avenue West (779-6674). The concept is that it is a smart bakery by day becoming a wonderful restaurant Friday and Saturday evenings (or for special events during the weeknights). Various size tables can accommodate twos through tens and the night we were there, larger groups enjoyed the food and festivities. It is fun to go with a group and share the food if you wish, enjoy the atmosphere and sample each other’s wines. Outdoor dining is also available.

Here too, the concept is a prix fixe menu for either $40 or $45 and diners are invited to BYOB, which certainly adds to the value. We really love this idea and it makes your dining experience much more enjoyable. The weekend dinner choices are posted online at www.6753afterdark.com and you must pre-order your meal for that particular evening. Our group enjoyed everything presented to us, particularly the Rack of Lamb and Filet Mignon.

Rae Ellen prepares the selections wonderfully and has had a good following in the few months she has been open. Again BYOB is encouraged at 6753 After Dark and online reservations are essential.

J-Pan 3800 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota • 954-5726

Another new restaurant to Sarasota is J-Pan, which is a new fantastic Japanese restaurant that is creating quite a following. Chef/Owner Daniel Dokko is from Orlando where he worked as a sushi chef and manager. Daniel is quite a ‘melting pot’ of nationalities. He was born and raised in Brazil, his father is Korean and he is also Spanish and Portuguese. One thing I know he is is a talented sushi chef.

Sit at the sushi bar and enjoy his terrific rolls, or any of the fresh sushi arriving daily. I tried the sea anemone while I was there, wow! A cool touch at J-Pan is the Japanese videos being projected on the large wall behind the sushi bar. A nice authentic touch that works well. The restaurant is a cozy 55 seats and features a nice variety of sake with an expanded wine list. J-Pan serves lunch and dinner and is a wonderful new find. Enjoy a Taste Progressive Dinner appetizer course here on April 22.

Click here to go to page 3