SRQ DAILY Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"Twenty years later, a lot of the restauranteurs are telling me that it has never been a harder time to own a restaurant. The post-Covid effect, with staffing shortages and price increases, is causing it to be a very challenging industry."
This weekend, food and wine lovers descended upon Sarasota for the 2024 Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival. Put on by a group of local restaurants known as the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, Forks and Corks celebrates dining in our region and allows visitors to sample wines from across the globe.
A fan-favorite event is the Grand Tasting, held in the courtyard at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Amidst the courtyard’s lush greenery and beautiful statues, the Grand Tasting opened a portal into local restaurants and far-flung vineyards. Attendees indulged in wine from around the world and sipped on cocktails in coconuts or made with infused vodkas. At one booth, visitors could procure champagne by ringing a bell attached to a leafy facade with openings just large enough to fit a glass.
A plethora of local restaurants participated in the event, each with its own table laden with delicious morsels. The Global Market area featured international restaurants, from JPAN Sushi and Grill to Bevardi’s Salute. One area of the Global Market was called the Fiesta and highlighted Mexican and Latin-American-inspired cuisine. At the Kolucan booth, Gino Callejas and his team served up mouthwatering cochinita pibil, a traditional Yucatan pork dish. In the afternoon, a mariachi band played at the Fiesta, creating a festive atmosphere.
Many eateries showcased their take on tuna dishes, a popular trend this year. Each sample, whether a mini crab cake from The Ringling Grillroom or a sweet cinnamon roll from The Breakfast Company, represented the care and effort that local restauranteurs put into each of their dishes. “The Sarasota-Manatee Originals was founded 20 years ago when its members found a need to unite as one, and they found that they were stronger together,” says Liza Kubik, who does marketing and communications for the Sarasota-Manatee Originals. “Twenty years later, a lot of the restauranteurs are telling me that it's never been a harder time to own a restaurant. The post-Covid effect, with staffing shortages and price increases, is causing it to be a very challenging industry.” With every bite they enjoyed, attendees had the opportunity to savor local food, and hopefully, keep supporting these establishments for years to come.
To learn more about the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, visit eatlikealocal.com. 
Pictured: The champagne bell at Forks and Corks. Photo by Peter Acker.
According to the National Restaurant Association’s “What’s Hot” Culinary Forecast, comfort foods continue to appeal, hard coffee beverages are topping the list and restaurants are being sought out for their entertainment factor and vibe. At the intersection of these trends, you’ll find Ford’s Garage, your neighborhood burger and beer joint inspired by the heritage of the Ford Motor Company, inviting guests to enjoy a limited-edition Season of Comfort menu, featuring unique dishes with a trendy twist, served in their iconic vintage atmosphere designed to look like a 1920’s service station. Available now through April 1, the menu features a selection of creative comfort foods for guests to enjoy as they connect with friends and family over the nostalgic vibe and timeless cuisine. Diners can indulge in: Fill ‘Er Up Philly Cheeseburger – Half-pound of grilled Black Angus, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Tillamook® Pepperjack Cheese and Ford’s Beer Cheese; Brisket Burnt Ends Loaded Fries – Ford’s Fries loaded with Smoked Brisket Burnt Ends, Ford’s Beer Cheese, Bourbon BBQ Sauce and Pico De Gallo; Cajun Chicken Skillet – Blackened Chicken with Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Caramelized Onions and Cavatappi Pasta blended with a Cajun Cream Sauce and finished with Mozzarella Cheese and Green Onions; Cinnamon Crunch Fried Ice Cream – Tillamook® Vanilla Ice Cream coated with Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ and deep fried to crispy perfection. Served with fresh house-made Whipped Cream and a Cherry on top. These delicious dishes pair perfectly with limited-edition, hand-crafted cocktails, including: Espresso Lane Martini – SKYY Espresso Vodka, Solo Cold Brew Espresso, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur and a touch of Cream; Old Fashioned Burnout – Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon, Apricot Washed Amaro Montenegro, and Rich Demerara Syrup with Angostura and Orange Bitters.
Hot Dog Shoppe, an iconic Ohio-based eatery renowned for serving "real food for real people with real taste" since 1946, is thrilled to announce the opening of its first franchise in Venice, Florida. Hot Dog Shoppe Venice is conveniently located at 415 U.S. 41 Bypass North, adjacent to the Hotel Venezia. Marty Rauch, a local businessman, proudly owns and leads Hot Dog Shoppe Venice. He is excited to be opening the first franchise and has plans to open 20 locations as part of the company’s expansion in Florida. Assisting him is General Manager Jacob McLeod, a second-generation restaurant management professional and an industry professional with 30 years of experience. “The menu features hot dogs and chili dogs on a freshly steamed bun sold at crowd pleasing prices along with fresh cut French fries, hamburgers and hand spun milkshakes,” said owner Marty Rauch. “Our team couples the nostalgia of hot dogs with freshly prepared, high quality food offerings which are exceedingly tasty and prepared to perfection every time!” Hot Dog Shoppe offers a menu that includes hotdogs, chili dogs, burgers, hand cut fries, chicken sandwiches, soups, and hand spun milkshakes; utilizing around 1,000 pounds of potatoes a day to make its famous French fries. Greg Vojnovic, President of Shoppe Franchise Development, LLC. shared, “We’re excited for Marty to be our first franchisee and bring the same great food we’ve been serving since 1946 to Venice, Florida.” A breakfast menu will also be offered. Operating hours for Hot Dog Shoppe Venice are Sunday to Thursday from 6 am to 9 pm and Friday to Saturday from 6 am to 10 pm. Breakfast is served daily from 6 am to 10:30 am. The restaurant provides dine-in, drive-thru, carryout, and delivery options through third-party partners. Stay connected with the latest updates by following Hot Dog Shoppe Venice on Facebook or visiting the official website at www.hotdogshoppefl.com.
Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood. is offering a Valentine’s Day dinner on February 14 th . The 4-course menu features chef-curated entrée selections including a choice of a Filet Oscar with Caviar and Truffle Gruyere Mashed Potatoes, Soy Ginger Glazed Seabass, or Stuffed Lobster with Goat Cheese Risotto. The Valentine’s menu is the exclusive menu at Duval’s from 3-10pm on February 14 th , meaning their regular dinner and happy hour menus will not be available. For those not dining on Valentine’s Day, or those who will be celebrating during the weekend, Duval’s is also offering a $98 Dinner for Two menu for the 5 days preceding Valentine’s Day. The Valentine’s Weekend menu, available Friday 2/9 – Tuesday 2/13, features a soup or salad to start, 2 entrees, a dessert to share, and a bottle of prosecco. The selections were chosen from popular items on their regular dinner menu. This menu will be available in conjunction with their regular menus. Duval’s also offers the Valentine’s menus for takeout and free delivery! Pre-orders are recommended for takeout and delivery to guarantee your desired timeframe. To pre-order, call (941) 312-4001. Limited reservations remain for dine-in. Please call the restaurant to reserve your spot. Duval’s offers a free downtown shuttle to guests dining at the restaurant. To make a reservation with the shuttle, call 941.312.4001. Duval’s is located at 1435 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236.
To view the Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Weekend menus, visit
Longtime friends Chef Charles Amherst of Chaz 51 Steakhouse in Venice and Barbara Gerdeman, co-founder of Creative Liberties Artist Studios in Sarasota, have joined forces to create a series of interactive live art dinner showcases called “A Taste of Art.” The first of these events takes place Thursday, February 1, 5:30-8 p.m., at Chaz 51 Steakhouse, 549 US 41 Bypass N, Venice. The events will continue on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. Guests who visit Chaz 51 on these evenings will be able to witness the creation of captivating works of art in real time. To make a reservation, call Chaz 51 Steakhouse at 941-484-6200. To find out which artists are scheduled for February, check out the calendar at CreativeLiberties.net. Artists interested in participating in this collaboration can complete an application at CreativeLiberties.net under the "Calls to Artists" tab or can call 941-799-6634 or email info@creativeliberties.net. For more information about Creative Liberties, visit www.creativeliberties.net; call 941-799-6634 or email info@creativeliberties.net. The Limelight studios are open to the public, Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday to Wednesday by appointment. The Rosemary artists residency at Gaze Gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pictured: Chef Charles Amherst of Chaz 51 Steakhouse and Barbara Gerdeman, co-founder of Creative Liberties Artist Studios created A Taste of Art, which pairs fine cuisine with fine art and demonstrations every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at Cha
Hard Heart Burlesque is toasting to two years of bringing Sarasota the art of the tease on Feb. 14 at 8pm at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre. Join Florida's finest burlesque and variety performers as we celebrate our anniversary and the most romantic day of the year. Whether you're in love this Valentine's Day or you're on your own, there is something for everyone. There will be some tease, some live vocals, dance, comedy and more. As Sarasota's local burlesque company, Hard Heart is proud to bring artists from all over the state (and beyond) for your viewing pleasure. Created by your producers "the sweetheart with a switchblade," Miss Marina Elaine and "the quadruple threat," Karma Kandlewick, February's show features Las Vegas-based Mayven Missbehavin', Luci LeClaire, Gisele Ardente, Le Belle Michele, the Distinguished Daredevils, Nicole Dreger and emcee Burly Nathan. This is an 18 and older show.
Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 8pm, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota,Tickets: $37.
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation proudly announces the return of the 2024 Transformation Gala on Friday, March 22, 2024 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Featuring Kristin Chenoweth, New York Times best-selling author and Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer, the 2024 Transformation Gala promises an incredible evening dedicated to experiencing the transformative power of the arts. Set along the beautiful waterfront of Sarasota Bay, the 22nd annual event supports the PAFs vision for a new Performing Arts Center and its transformative arts education work that touches the lives of more than 33,000 educators, military families, and students. The night begins with a bayside cocktail celebration and exceptional dining catered by Michael’s on East, followed by a thrilling concert featuring Tony Award-winning artist Kristin Chenoweth in the Van Wezel Hall. The celebration concludes with a rocking private afterparty in the grand foyer. Proceeds from the gala help to fund PAF educational programs, support our partnered educational programs at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, contribute to the planning of the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center, and solidify the future of the arts in Sarasota. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit sarasotaperformingartsfoundation.org.
Join us for a brunch benefitting ALSO Youth, a local non-profit organization serving the LGBTQ youth community in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, at Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024. Enjoy incredible food courtesy of Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi, a unique auction, and live music during this event supporting our mission to empower LGBTQ youth and allies and create inclusive communities. Learn more and purchase tickets at alsoyouth.org.
Save the date for the 14th Annual Cooking for Wishes 2024, presented by Exceptional Dentistry of Sarasota. The event features an interactive cooking dinner where guests at each table will prepare a one-of-a-kind 4-course meal led by Chef Jamil Pineda and Phil Mancini of Michaels on East. Guests will also enjoy specially-selected wines curated by Michael Klauber. The dinner and Wizard of Oz-themed gala will feature an exciting raffle and Live Auction for a festive evening of cooking, fun, and fundraising. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cookingforwishes.com.
The SRQ Social Valentines Formal on February 10th will be held in the exquisite Sarasota Art Museum lobby. This exclusive event promises an enchanting evening filled with waltzing, live music, and sophisticated entertainment, creating a classy affair with formal attire, a live violin performance, a photo booth, delectable food and drinks, and even a touch of poker. SRQ Social is a group dedicated to building a vibrant community of young adults in Sarasota. To learn more, visit facebook.com/groups/srqsocial or instagram.com/srq.social.
Connect with local business owners at every Thursday at Oscura. Lets Connect is a community of collaborative business professionals from the Manatee and Sarasota County areas. RSVP on Eventbrite to attend, admission is free.
Siesta Key Rum runs free year-round tours for guests to learn the story of the craft distillery, the awards they have won and the secret to how they make their rums taste so good. During our 30-45 minute tour we will discuss the following topics: history of Siesta Key Rum, an overview of the awards our small company has won, what makes our rums taste so good, the rum-making process from mashing and fermentation to distillation, barrel aging and bottling of our rums. After the tour, we welcome you to sample a freshly made Siesta Key Rum cocktail, stock up on your favorite rums and browse our gift shop. 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota.
It is always 5 oclock somewhere, so escape to Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville. The popular musical with a buffet of Buffett hits promises to change your attitude and latitude. Paradise is found in this jukebox jam, Jimmy Buffetts Escape to Margaritaville. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit venicetheatre.org.
Family Promise of South Sarasota County, an organization that aims to alleviate homelessness for families, is excited to announce a new, exciting Mardi Gras celebration aimed at raising program funds. This event promises to bring the community together for a festive occasion while making a meaningful impact on the lives of families experiencing a housing crisis. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with the spirit of Mardi Gras, complete with lively music, colorful costumes, and delicious cuisine. The event will feature live entertainment, culinary delights, a raffle, a parade and activities for children. All proceeds from the Mardi Gras celebration will go directly to Family Promise of South Sarasota County programs. Our organization is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families facing a housing crisis by providing shelter, resources, and support to help them regain stability and independence. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit familypromisessc.org/mardi-gras.
Join Geckos Grill and Pubs for the Big Game and the most super seat outside of Nevada. Seating is limited so reserve today with a $25 per person deposit. Reserved guests will receive a $25 GC to use on Big Game day, but they must be present 15 minutes before kick-off. Enjoy giveaways, a special football menu and new cocktail menu, small batch spirits and our usual huge variety of craft beer. Ask your friendly server or barkeep for more details and reserve today! www.GeckosGrill.com.
Join us for a day of fun and outdoor adventure at the Wild About Nature Festival on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Reconnect with the great outdoors and help foster a love of nature in the next generation as you spend a day in the sun on the beautiful shores of Little Sarasota Bay at Bay Preserve. Families of all ages are encouraged to take part in this fun-filled day of nature-based education and exploration. The wide variety of activities includes dip-netting, face painting, hula-hoop lessons, crafts, games, and more. There will be live music and food trucks making this a guaranteed good time. This is a FREE family festival open to all. Registration is not required. The event will take place at our Bay Preserve headquarters located at 400 Palmetto Ave. in Osprey. For more information, visit conservationfoundation.com.
Get ready for a wild night out at Romance in Nature. This adults-only event will unveil the fascinating and downright freaky world of wildlife romance. Join us for an evening filled with laughter and surprise as we delve into the quirky seduction strategies and reproductive antics of our furry, scaly, and feathery friends. From graceful courtship dances to bizarre mating rituals, you will discover the lengths animals go to find their perfect match. After the presentation, we will watch the sunset and enjoy a sweet treat on the shore of Little Sarasota Bay. So, leave the kids at home, grab your sense of humor, and embark on a night of love, laughter, and scandalous secrets. You will never look at the birds and the bees in the same way again. Participants must be 18 or older to attend. Light refreshments and a sweet treat will be provided. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit conservationfoundation.com.
Join your friends, after-work buddies and the team at Geckos for our new Late Night Happy Hours. Every Friday and Saturday from 10 pm to Midnight, we will offer food, wine, cocktails and beer specials sure to prolong your weekend fun. Join us and ask your friendly barkeep or server about our Late Night Happy Hours. ONLY at Geckos on Hillview Street in Southside Village. GeckosGrill.com.
Hard Heart Burlesque is toasting two years of bringing Sarasota the art of the tease on Feb. 14 at 8pm at McCurdys Comedy Theatre. Join fine burlesque and variety performers as we celebrate our anniversary and the most romantic day of the year. Whether you are in love this Valentines Day or you are on your own, there is something for everyone. There will be some tease, some live vocals, dance, comedy and more. As the local burlesque company of Sarasota, Hard Heart is proud to bring artists from all over the state, and beyond, for your viewing pleasure. Created by your producers Miss Marina Elaine and Karma Kandlewick, the show features Las Vegas-based Mayven Missbehavin, Luci LeClaire, Gisele Ardente, Le Belle Michele, the Distinguished Daredevils, Nicole Dreger and emcee Burly Nathan. This is an 18 and older show. Tickets are $37. Visit mccurdyscomedy.com to learn more and purchase tickets.
Join us for our Coffee With A Scientist series, a free public event held on Tuesdays in Boca Grande and hosted by Mote Marine Laboratory. Hear from Mote scientists on January 16, February 13 and March 26 as they share with you the latest in their groundbreaking research and their plans for the future with a Q and A session to follow. On Visit mote.org/pages/coffee to sign up and for more information.
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