Columbia Restaurant on St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota (http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/Menus-By-Location/Locations/St-Armands-Circle) is a Spanish restaurant that I always enjoy. Over the years, I've had a number of meals there with family and friends, and have never been disappointed.
I recently had a delightful lunch there with a special friend of Spanish heritage. She knows authentic Spanish food. She loved her meal, and I loved mine.
We each started with a cup of Gazpacho Andalucia - a purée of tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cucumber, and garlic. It was topped tableside by finely chopped vegetables and croutons. It was reeeeeeeeeeeeally delicious. Each cup was $4.45.
The main dish she chose was actually a Tapa - two Empanadas de Picadillo - pastry turnovers filled with spiced ground beef, garlic, tomatoes, onions, raisins, and olives for $8. They were excellent.
My main dish was Cakes de Congrejo - two crabcakes of grilled blue crabmeat drizzled with passion fruit aioli. They were tasty and solid, unlike the mushy version I'd had at a Punta Gorda restaurant a few days earlier. They cost $15.
(Normally, I have a larger main dish like Columbia's wonderful Ropa Vieja, but this time, I went lighter to save room for a nice dinner.)
My drink was a 2015 Rioja tempranillo wine called Rusty for $11. Like all the wines I've had at Columbia, it was very nice.
Our waiter, Norbert, who was Hungarian, was exceptional. Not only was he a superb server, but he was a hilarious comedian.
The parent restaurant of the Columbia group is located in Tampa. It was established in 1905, is Florida's oldest continuously operated restaurant, and is the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. It offers Flamenco dance shows, for which there is a cover charge.
Showing posts with label Sarasota-Bradenton Restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarasota-Bradenton Restaurants. Show all posts
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Turtles Restaurant, Sarasota Bay - It Doesn't Get Any Sweeter
What a fantastic experience - sitting outside chatting with wonderful friends at a shaded table, while looking out onto Little Sarasota Bay on a sunny day with temperatures in the mid-70's, and enjoying delicious food and drinks. That was our experience at Turtles Restaurant (http://www.turtlesrestaurant.com/) on Siesta Key.
My food and wine were delicious. I started with a cup of their signature crab bisque for $4. It was really delicious and filled with crab.
My main dish was a tasty North Atlantic salmon BLT grilled with a dill sauce for $13.
My drink was a nice White Haven Sauvignon Blanc for $8.50 per glass.
The hostess was very accommodating, the service excellent, and the prices reasonable.
Turtles does not take reservations and can be crowded.
It is located at 8875 Midnight Pass Road.
My only regret is that I don't live closer.
My food and wine were delicious. I started with a cup of their signature crab bisque for $4. It was really delicious and filled with crab.
My main dish was a tasty North Atlantic salmon BLT grilled with a dill sauce for $13.
My drink was a nice White Haven Sauvignon Blanc for $8.50 per glass.
The hostess was very accommodating, the service excellent, and the prices reasonable.
Turtles does not take reservations and can be crowded.
It is located at 8875 Midnight Pass Road.
My only regret is that I don't live closer.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Prague Restauramt, Sarasota - Czech It Out!
How do I love thee Saasota-Bradenton - Let me count the ways, er, uh, Let me count the restaurants (but not the traffic). Today, I had the very tasty experience of trying a Czech restaurant for the first time - Prague, located on Main St. in Sarasota (https://thepraguerestaurant.com/). It offers a nice variety of Central European and American dishes.
I chose one of the Happy Hour specials - a salad and a main dish with sides for $15.
There were two salad choices - Caesar and a Czech cucumber salad (okurkový salát). I chose the latter. It was on the sweet side and had a tiny bit of a kick. I loved it.
The main dish I had was the Czech national dish, slow-roasted pork with a homemade brown sauce and caraway seeds (vepřo knedlo zelo) accompanied by Bohemian dumplings, sweet and sour cabbage, and sauerkraut. The combination was very tasty, down-to-earth food. I particularly liked the pork and the cabbage. The dumplings (knedliky) are boiled and look like slices of bread. They were unexciting, but went nicely with the pork.
The dessert I had was terrific - two different types of Czech rolled crêpes (palačinky). One was filled with sweet cream cheese, cinnamon, and rum raisins. The other was filled with raspberry jam. They were topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, and chocolate. The cost was $9.
I had a nice glass 2016 Lyric Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County for $10 and a cup of espresso for $5.
The drink list includes two types of draft Czech beer.
The next time I go, I intend to try another Czech dish - the roast duck Bohemian style.
The owner and staff are Czech, and the service was efficient and friendly.
There are tables inside and out.
Prague is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. It is located next to C'est la Vie on Main St. For reservations, phone 941-329-2882.
I chose one of the Happy Hour specials - a salad and a main dish with sides for $15.
There were two salad choices - Caesar and a Czech cucumber salad (okurkový salát). I chose the latter. It was on the sweet side and had a tiny bit of a kick. I loved it.
The main dish I had was the Czech national dish, slow-roasted pork with a homemade brown sauce and caraway seeds (vepřo knedlo zelo) accompanied by Bohemian dumplings, sweet and sour cabbage, and sauerkraut. The combination was very tasty, down-to-earth food. I particularly liked the pork and the cabbage. The dumplings (knedliky) are boiled and look like slices of bread. They were unexciting, but went nicely with the pork.
The dessert I had was terrific - two different types of Czech rolled crêpes (palačinky). One was filled with sweet cream cheese, cinnamon, and rum raisins. The other was filled with raspberry jam. They were topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, and chocolate. The cost was $9.
I had a nice glass 2016 Lyric Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County for $10 and a cup of espresso for $5.
The drink list includes two types of draft Czech beer.
The next time I go, I intend to try another Czech dish - the roast duck Bohemian style.
The owner and staff are Czech, and the service was efficient and friendly.
There are tables inside and out.
Prague is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. It is located next to C'est la Vie on Main St. For reservations, phone 941-329-2882.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Curry Up King - Tasty German Street Food in Sarasota
Since I love sausages of all kinds, particularly German, I was delighted to learn about Curry Up King, which specializes in German street food.
Yesterday, a friend and I enjoyed a very nice lunch of their Berlin Curry Wurst. The sausage is bratwurst that is steamed, then fried, then sliced, and covered with the sauce,. The sauce is house-made with ketchup. curry powder, and paprika. They offer mild, medium, and spicy versions of the sauce. We chose the medium spiced version.
My friend had a side of fries and I had a side of German potato salad. A crispy roll was supposed to come with each dish. We did not get a roll and did not realize at the time that the roll was supposed to be part of the serving.
The cost is $7 without a side and $10 with.
I had a St. Pauli Girl German beer for $5.50.
According to their menu, Curry wurst was created by a Berlin woman in 1949, after she obtained curry powder and ketchup from British soldiers. She began selling it from a street stand, where it became extremely popular.
Among the other dishes they offer are:
- Nürnberger Bratwurst
- Schnitzel Sandwich
- Weisswurst and Bavarian pretzel
- Frankfurter Würstchen
- House-made apple strudel
- Two veggie dishes
You can find more details about these dishes at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticGermanStreetfood/menu/
Sides include french fries, German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage, raw or spicy onions, and Bavarian pretzel.
They get their wurst from a German butcher in Ft. Myers.
The owner is from Berlin and the gentleman who served us is from Stuttgart.
The restaurant only has a few chairs inside and five or so shaded tables outside.
Food can be ordered to go.
You can find a $5 off $25 coupon at https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticGermanStreetfood/photos/p.278301696145535/278301696145535/?type=1&theater
The restaurant is located in Sarasota Commons mall at 935 N. Beneva Rd. in the upper left corner of the mall. Instead of the name on the outside, look for the word, "FOOD" in very large letters and "German "Street" in smaller letters. (Sarasota Commons is just north of Fruitville, and has a Post Office and a Publix.
My friend and I intend to return.
Yesterday, a friend and I enjoyed a very nice lunch of their Berlin Curry Wurst. The sausage is bratwurst that is steamed, then fried, then sliced, and covered with the sauce,. The sauce is house-made with ketchup. curry powder, and paprika. They offer mild, medium, and spicy versions of the sauce. We chose the medium spiced version.
My friend had a side of fries and I had a side of German potato salad. A crispy roll was supposed to come with each dish. We did not get a roll and did not realize at the time that the roll was supposed to be part of the serving.
The cost is $7 without a side and $10 with.
I had a St. Pauli Girl German beer for $5.50.
According to their menu, Curry wurst was created by a Berlin woman in 1949, after she obtained curry powder and ketchup from British soldiers. She began selling it from a street stand, where it became extremely popular.
Among the other dishes they offer are:
- Nürnberger Bratwurst
- Schnitzel Sandwich
- Weisswurst and Bavarian pretzel
- Frankfurter Würstchen
- House-made apple strudel
- Two veggie dishes
You can find more details about these dishes at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticGermanStreetfood/menu/
Sides include french fries, German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage, raw or spicy onions, and Bavarian pretzel.
They get their wurst from a German butcher in Ft. Myers.
The owner is from Berlin and the gentleman who served us is from Stuttgart.
The restaurant only has a few chairs inside and five or so shaded tables outside.
Food can be ordered to go.
You can find a $5 off $25 coupon at https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticGermanStreetfood/photos/p.278301696145535/278301696145535/?type=1&theater
The restaurant is located in Sarasota Commons mall at 935 N. Beneva Rd. in the upper left corner of the mall. Instead of the name on the outside, look for the word, "FOOD" in very large letters and "German "Street" in smaller letters. (Sarasota Commons is just north of Fruitville, and has a Post Office and a Publix.
My friend and I intend to return.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Napulè, Sarasota - Terrific and Authentic Italian Food
There are lots of good Italian-American restaurants around, but very few that serve authentic Italian food that great and hard to find elsewhere in the area. Napulè (https://napulesarasota.com/) is one of the few. I had lunch there with a friend recently and can't wait to go back.
Many of the foods there are from southern Italy, but there are others from the center and the north as well. Their pizza oven is wood-fired.
In addition to the evening menu, there are two types of sandwiches they offer only at lunch - panuozzi and ciabatta. I have never seen panuozzi sandwiches. This style of sandwich is from the Campania Region of Italy, which is in the southwest, where Naples and Sorrento are located. The bread is made from the restaurant's pizza dough.
Napulè offers six types of panuozzi. I chose the Porcellino, which means, "Piggy." It contains porchetta, mushrooms, and smoked mozzarella, and sells for $10.95. Porchetta is a boneless pork roast with garlic, rosemary, fennel, and other herbs. In Italy, it is typically roasted over wood for at least 8 hours. Porchetta sandwiches are usually sold from white-painted food trucks. It is popular all-over Italy, but the Lazio and the Abruzzi are where it is most popular.
When I was in Umbria a few years ago, my wife, my niece, and I all had porchetta sandwiches from a food truck at an outdoor market. The sandwiches were incredible.
My Porcellino porchetta sandwich at Napulè was great!!!
I also had an order of Salame Felino, a special salami that is made in the town of Felino, just south of Parma in the Bologna region. The town is famous for its pork. It even has a pig statue in Charlie Chaplin park in the center of town. The Salame Felino, which cost $6.95, was terrific.
With my meal, I drank a 2015 red wine - Marramiero Dama - a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine for $8.95 per glass. It was very nice.
I can't wait to go back and try some of their other menu items. I recommend checking out the menu on their web site.
Napulè is located on U.S. 41, a short distance south of Stickney Point Rd. Their parking lot is fairly small, but they have complimentary valet parking. It's best to have reservations for dinner.
Many of the foods there are from southern Italy, but there are others from the center and the north as well. Their pizza oven is wood-fired.
In addition to the evening menu, there are two types of sandwiches they offer only at lunch - panuozzi and ciabatta. I have never seen panuozzi sandwiches. This style of sandwich is from the Campania Region of Italy, which is in the southwest, where Naples and Sorrento are located. The bread is made from the restaurant's pizza dough.
Napulè offers six types of panuozzi. I chose the Porcellino, which means, "Piggy." It contains porchetta, mushrooms, and smoked mozzarella, and sells for $10.95. Porchetta is a boneless pork roast with garlic, rosemary, fennel, and other herbs. In Italy, it is typically roasted over wood for at least 8 hours. Porchetta sandwiches are usually sold from white-painted food trucks. It is popular all-over Italy, but the Lazio and the Abruzzi are where it is most popular.
When I was in Umbria a few years ago, my wife, my niece, and I all had porchetta sandwiches from a food truck at an outdoor market. The sandwiches were incredible.
My Porcellino porchetta sandwich at Napulè was great!!!
I also had an order of Salame Felino, a special salami that is made in the town of Felino, just south of Parma in the Bologna region. The town is famous for its pork. It even has a pig statue in Charlie Chaplin park in the center of town. The Salame Felino, which cost $6.95, was terrific.
With my meal, I drank a 2015 red wine - Marramiero Dama - a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine for $8.95 per glass. It was very nice.
I can't wait to go back and try some of their other menu items. I recommend checking out the menu on their web site.
Napulè is located on U.S. 41, a short distance south of Stickney Point Rd. Their parking lot is fairly small, but they have complimentary valet parking. It's best to have reservations for dinner.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Acropolis Greek Taverna - A Nice Meal
My wife and I both enjoy Greek food, so we wasted no time in trying the new Acropolis Greek Taverna (http://www.acropolistaverna.com/) close to University Town Center in Sarasota County. We were very happy with our meal, but were disappointed that they had sold out of two dishes.
The sold-out dishes were:
- Fried Kibbeh, which is a wonderful Lebanese dish made of bulghur wheat, beef (or lamb), sauteed onions, and pine nuts.
- House-made rice pudding.
(I noticed several other Levantine Arab dishes on the menu - Felafel and Baba Ghanouj, so I checked out the owner's name - Sam Waez, which I believe is Lebanese. He grew up in Greece.)
We started with an appetizer of Tzatziki and Pita Bread. It was fantastic!!! I could have eaten just that. It was $8.
My wife's main course was the Pastitsio - pasta with seasoned ground beef, with bechamel and tomato sauces and topped with feta cheese. It was very nice.
My main course was Chicken Rhodes - grilled chicken breast in a lemon white wine sauce sauteed with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives, and topped with crumbled goat cheese for $17. It was very tasty, but the chicken was slightly overcooked. It came with two sides. I chose Mediterranean Rice and Greek Potatoes. The rice dish was a mixture of lentils and white rice. The potatoes were delicious, but the rice dish was very ordinary. I would not order it again.
My wife's drink was a Santorini Sunrise Cocktail, which was a very nice mixture of grapefruit vodka, muddled oranges, mint, honey syrup, red grapefruit, orange juice, and club soda for $9. The only reason we knew about the cocktails was the we had looked at the menu n line before going to the restaurant. When we asked our waitress for a cocktail menu, she said they did not have one. She checked to make sure.
My drink was 2015 Tsantali Naousa red wine by the glass for $8 per glass. This pleasant wine is made from Xinomavro grapes from the Macedonia area of northern Greece.
I also had a cup of Greek coffee for $3.50. It was terrific!!!!!!!!!!!!
While we were there, there was various entertainment - the servers danced a lively Greek dance, plates were broken, and hundreds of napkins were thrown in the air, landing on tables and the floor. I could do without the napkin-throwing and plate breaking. I'd think that the napkins on a tile floor might be a slipping hazard. We did enjoy the dancing.
On Friday and Saturday nights, they have live belly dancing and bouzouki music.
The menu has a number of nice-sounding dishes that I have not seen on Greek restaurant menus in the U.S.
They also have a Sunday brunch with some dishes that I'd intend to try.
Our server, Mariange, was super. She was professional with a very warm personality.
The taverna was full on the Sunday night we were there, so I'd recommend reservations.
Acropolis Greek Taverna is a chain of six restaurants, all located in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota area.
The sold-out dishes were:
- Fried Kibbeh, which is a wonderful Lebanese dish made of bulghur wheat, beef (or lamb), sauteed onions, and pine nuts.
- House-made rice pudding.
(I noticed several other Levantine Arab dishes on the menu - Felafel and Baba Ghanouj, so I checked out the owner's name - Sam Waez, which I believe is Lebanese. He grew up in Greece.)
We started with an appetizer of Tzatziki and Pita Bread. It was fantastic!!! I could have eaten just that. It was $8.
My wife's main course was the Pastitsio - pasta with seasoned ground beef, with bechamel and tomato sauces and topped with feta cheese. It was very nice.
My main course was Chicken Rhodes - grilled chicken breast in a lemon white wine sauce sauteed with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives, and topped with crumbled goat cheese for $17. It was very tasty, but the chicken was slightly overcooked. It came with two sides. I chose Mediterranean Rice and Greek Potatoes. The rice dish was a mixture of lentils and white rice. The potatoes were delicious, but the rice dish was very ordinary. I would not order it again.
My wife's drink was a Santorini Sunrise Cocktail, which was a very nice mixture of grapefruit vodka, muddled oranges, mint, honey syrup, red grapefruit, orange juice, and club soda for $9. The only reason we knew about the cocktails was the we had looked at the menu n line before going to the restaurant. When we asked our waitress for a cocktail menu, she said they did not have one. She checked to make sure.
My drink was 2015 Tsantali Naousa red wine by the glass for $8 per glass. This pleasant wine is made from Xinomavro grapes from the Macedonia area of northern Greece.
I also had a cup of Greek coffee for $3.50. It was terrific!!!!!!!!!!!!
While we were there, there was various entertainment - the servers danced a lively Greek dance, plates were broken, and hundreds of napkins were thrown in the air, landing on tables and the floor. I could do without the napkin-throwing and plate breaking. I'd think that the napkins on a tile floor might be a slipping hazard. We did enjoy the dancing.
On Friday and Saturday nights, they have live belly dancing and bouzouki music.
The menu has a number of nice-sounding dishes that I have not seen on Greek restaurant menus in the U.S.
They also have a Sunday brunch with some dishes that I'd intend to try.
Our server, Mariange, was super. She was professional with a very warm personality.
The taverna was full on the Sunday night we were there, so I'd recommend reservations.
Acropolis Greek Taverna is a chain of six restaurants, all located in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota area.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Schnitzel Kitchen - A German Feast
Eating delicious food in a warm, friendly atmosphere with wonderful friends - it doesn't get any better than that. Our experience last night at Schnitzel Kitchen (http://www.schnitzelkitchen.com/) was one of those special experiences.
While I'm not an expert on German food, I know what I like, and I loved every bite of food and sip of beer at Schnitzel Kitchen. Five of the six friends whom we joined have lived in Germany - one couple for over eight years. They had nothing but the highest praise for their meals. On top of that, our waitress was fantastic.
My wife had bratwurst with red cabbage and a potato pancake for $14.75 + $3.25 for the potato pancake, Riesling wine for $8 per glass, and plum cake for $8.50. The plum cake is a house specialty.
I had wiener schnitzel topped with jäger sauce with sides of red cabbage and potato pancake for $22.75 + $3.25 for the potato pancake, Weihenstephan draft lager for $7 per large stein, and plum cake. I normally drink wine, but one of our friends recommended the beer. It's one of the tastiest beers I've ever had - smooth, flavorful, and far too easy to drink. There were many great German side dishes too choose from, but the red cabbage was so good, it will be hard to resist it next time.
On top of all the other great aspects of the evening, I had the opportunity to speak a few words of German with our waitress.
Schnitzel Kitchen, which is located in the Gulf Gate area of Sarasota, is open Tues-Sat 4:30 - 9:00 pm. I strongly recommend making reservations. The restaurant was full last night.
We will return.
While I'm not an expert on German food, I know what I like, and I loved every bite of food and sip of beer at Schnitzel Kitchen. Five of the six friends whom we joined have lived in Germany - one couple for over eight years. They had nothing but the highest praise for their meals. On top of that, our waitress was fantastic.
My wife had bratwurst with red cabbage and a potato pancake for $14.75 + $3.25 for the potato pancake, Riesling wine for $8 per glass, and plum cake for $8.50. The plum cake is a house specialty.
I had wiener schnitzel topped with jäger sauce with sides of red cabbage and potato pancake for $22.75 + $3.25 for the potato pancake, Weihenstephan draft lager for $7 per large stein, and plum cake. I normally drink wine, but one of our friends recommended the beer. It's one of the tastiest beers I've ever had - smooth, flavorful, and far too easy to drink. There were many great German side dishes too choose from, but the red cabbage was so good, it will be hard to resist it next time.
On top of all the other great aspects of the evening, I had the opportunity to speak a few words of German with our waitress.
Schnitzel Kitchen, which is located in the Gulf Gate area of Sarasota, is open Tues-Sat 4:30 - 9:00 pm. I strongly recommend making reservations. The restaurant was full last night.
We will return.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Armand's Place French Tavern, Sarasota - Must Try
In recent weeks, I've been remiss in posting about our great restaurant experiences because I've been tied up in the publication of my novel, Team Triad. However, I have to write about the great lunch we had today at Armand's Place (http://armandsplace.com/) on St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota. Our meal was terrific. It is authentic and offers a selection of dishes that is different than other Sarasota French restaurants. The owner/chef Alexandre, a recent Parisian arrival, is warm, friendly, and talented.
My wife and I both had the three-course "Light Menu" which offers an appetizer, entrée and dessert for $19. There is an extra $2 charge for certain appetizers and desserts. There is a nice number of selections for each course. There is also a two-course "Light Menu" for $16. There are also many à la carte choices.
My wife and I both had the pâté et cornichons appetizer (country pâté, French pickles, and baguette slices). This was one of the extra charge appetizers. It was superb.
My wife's main course was Crepe Strasbourg - with cheese, fried egg, and sausage. Mine was the Crepe Bordeaux - with cheese, fried egg, ground lamb, and mushrooms. Both crepes were terrific.
We both had the same dessert - Crepe Sucre Citron - lemon and sugar crepe. They were delicious.
My wife's drink was a Raspberry Bellini - raspberry purée and champagne - $7.50.
I had two different glasses of wine. The first was a 2010 Chateau le Monge Côtes de Bourg for $8. It was past its prime. The second was a 2015 Raymond Fabre Côtes du Rhône for $8. It was very tasty.
The decor of Armand's Place is light and airy.
Alexandre kindly spoke French slowly and clearly to me so I could practice my French.
If we lived closer to Armand's Place, I could easily become addicted.
My wife and I both had the three-course "Light Menu" which offers an appetizer, entrée and dessert for $19. There is an extra $2 charge for certain appetizers and desserts. There is a nice number of selections for each course. There is also a two-course "Light Menu" for $16. There are also many à la carte choices.
My wife and I both had the pâté et cornichons appetizer (country pâté, French pickles, and baguette slices). This was one of the extra charge appetizers. It was superb.
My wife's main course was Crepe Strasbourg - with cheese, fried egg, and sausage. Mine was the Crepe Bordeaux - with cheese, fried egg, ground lamb, and mushrooms. Both crepes were terrific.
We both had the same dessert - Crepe Sucre Citron - lemon and sugar crepe. They were delicious.
My wife's drink was a Raspberry Bellini - raspberry purée and champagne - $7.50.
I had two different glasses of wine. The first was a 2010 Chateau le Monge Côtes de Bourg for $8. It was past its prime. The second was a 2015 Raymond Fabre Côtes du Rhône for $8. It was very tasty.
The decor of Armand's Place is light and airy.
Alexandre kindly spoke French slowly and clearly to me so I could practice my French.
If we lived closer to Armand's Place, I could easily become addicted.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Rick's French Bistro, Sarasota - Magnifique!
Last night, we enjoyed a terrific dinner with friends at Rick's French Bistro (http://www.ricksfrenchbistro.com/) in Sarasota.We are grateful to our friends for suggesting this terrific restaurant. Every bite was wonderful.
My wife and I share an appetizer of Cognac Country Pâté (Pâté de Campagne au Cognac) for $10.95. It was wonderful.
For her main course, my wife enjoyed Grilled Lamb Chops with Provençal Herbs (Cotes d'Agneau aux Fines Herbes de Provence) for $27.50. They were perfect.
My main course was Chef Michele's Duck Cassoulet (Le Canard du Chef Michele) with sausage, white beans, onions, cognac, and white wine sauce for $30.50. It was magnificent!!!!!
For dessert, my wife had chocolate mousse for $7 and I had Crêpes à l'Orange for $7.50. Both were delicious.
Our wine was a nice Paul Bouchard Côtes du Rhône for $33.95.
As is often the case with bistros, the menu and wine list are relatively short, but they cover a variety of types.
The owners of Rick's are Michele and Richard who are from Amiens, north of Paris. Michele is the chef.
Rick's is very popular, so reservations are very important.
My wife and I share an appetizer of Cognac Country Pâté (Pâté de Campagne au Cognac) for $10.95. It was wonderful.
For her main course, my wife enjoyed Grilled Lamb Chops with Provençal Herbs (Cotes d'Agneau aux Fines Herbes de Provence) for $27.50. They were perfect.
My main course was Chef Michele's Duck Cassoulet (Le Canard du Chef Michele) with sausage, white beans, onions, cognac, and white wine sauce for $30.50. It was magnificent!!!!!
For dessert, my wife had chocolate mousse for $7 and I had Crêpes à l'Orange for $7.50. Both were delicious.
Our wine was a nice Paul Bouchard Côtes du Rhône for $33.95.
As is often the case with bistros, the menu and wine list are relatively short, but they cover a variety of types.
The owners of Rick's are Michele and Richard who are from Amiens, north of Paris. Michele is the chef.
Rick's is very popular, so reservations are very important.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Veronica Fish and Oyster - Very Nice
My wife and I recently enjoyed a delightful dinner at Veronica Fish and Oyster (http://veronicafishandoyster.com/) on Hillview near Morton's market in Sarasota. Our original intention was to dine at a restaurant in Siesta Village. Big mistake! That place was mobbed.
My wife had the Shrimp & Grits & Scallops with wine & garlic butter and bacon and roasted oyster mushrooms for $32.
I had the Bouillabaisse, a Monday night special. It had sea bass, Key West pink shrimp, mussels, clams, blue crab, and Yukon gold potatoes. It came with three slices of toast for dipping in the broth. As the waiter told us in advance, there was less broth than in a typical bouillabaisse. The cost was $36.
Both of our main dishes were terrific.
We also ordered the house-made potato rolls with bottarga (mullet roe) butter for $3. The rolls were incredible.
My wife had a glass of sangria for $8. She did not care for it.
I had a very nice Laetitia Ducroux Sancerre for $13 per glass. I thought it went perfectly with the bouillabaisse.
One interesting looking item on the menu is a "Porchetta Board," which our server said includes porchetta, chicken liver pâté, smoked duck pastrami, and smoked fish. I intend to return to try it. Hopefully, the porchetta will resemble the authentic Italian version, which we love.
Our server, Dillon, was very professional and pleasant.
The atmosphere was very nice and there were outdoor tables with heaters.
My wife had the Shrimp & Grits & Scallops with wine & garlic butter and bacon and roasted oyster mushrooms for $32.
I had the Bouillabaisse, a Monday night special. It had sea bass, Key West pink shrimp, mussels, clams, blue crab, and Yukon gold potatoes. It came with three slices of toast for dipping in the broth. As the waiter told us in advance, there was less broth than in a typical bouillabaisse. The cost was $36.
Both of our main dishes were terrific.
We also ordered the house-made potato rolls with bottarga (mullet roe) butter for $3. The rolls were incredible.
My wife had a glass of sangria for $8. She did not care for it.
I had a very nice Laetitia Ducroux Sancerre for $13 per glass. I thought it went perfectly with the bouillabaisse.
One interesting looking item on the menu is a "Porchetta Board," which our server said includes porchetta, chicken liver pâté, smoked duck pastrami, and smoked fish. I intend to return to try it. Hopefully, the porchetta will resemble the authentic Italian version, which we love.
Our server, Dillon, was very professional and pleasant.
The atmosphere was very nice and there were outdoor tables with heaters.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
California Pizza Kitchen - As Good As We Remember
It has been years since we lived close to a California Pizza Kitchen (https://www.cpk.com/Location/Details/Sarasota), whose Thai Chicken Pizza my wife loved. We were delighted to see that one had finally opened at the nearby University Town Center Mall.
A couple of days ago, we decided to give the new one a try. We were rewarded with the fantastic pizzas we remembered. My wife, of course, had the Thai Chicken pizza with grilled chicken breast peanut sauce topped with crisp bean sprouts, julienned carrots, and slivered scallions. I had the California Club pizza with Nueskes applewood smoked bacon (the magic word), roasted chicken and mozzarella, baked and then topped with avocado, wild arugula, fresh-torn basil and Romaine lettuce tossed in lemon-pepper mayo. Since the pizzas were to go, they provided the fresh toppings for the California Club in a separate container.
The pizzas were about $14.25 apiece. Each was large enough for two to provide leftovers for a second dinner.
We'll definitely return.
A couple of days ago, we decided to give the new one a try. We were rewarded with the fantastic pizzas we remembered. My wife, of course, had the Thai Chicken pizza with grilled chicken breast peanut sauce topped with crisp bean sprouts, julienned carrots, and slivered scallions. I had the California Club pizza with Nueskes applewood smoked bacon (the magic word), roasted chicken and mozzarella, baked and then topped with avocado, wild arugula, fresh-torn basil and Romaine lettuce tossed in lemon-pepper mayo. Since the pizzas were to go, they provided the fresh toppings for the California Club in a separate container.
The pizzas were about $14.25 apiece. Each was large enough for two to provide leftovers for a second dinner.
We'll definitely return.
A Delightful Birthday Dinner at P.F. Chang's
P.F. Chang's and Selva Grill were our daughter's top choices as restaurants for a dinner to celebrate her birthday. We opted for P.F. Chang's (https://www.pfchangs.com/info/menu) because we've enjoyed Selva Grill a number of times, but had never tried P.F. Chang's. It was a great choice. The meal was delicious.
Our daughter's main course was Orange Peel Shrimp ($17.50), my wife chose Mongolian Beef ($16.95) and I selected Wok-Fired Filet Mignon ($19.95). All three were excellent.
The side of white rice I was served was blah.
Our daughter's dessert was the small Strawberry Ginger Shortcake ($3.95). My wife had Banana Spring Rolls ($7.25), and I had the small Seasonal Cobbler ($3.95). which was mixed berry and which was served with vanilla ice cream. I had been considering skipping dessert because I felt very full. I'm glad I was too weak to resist the temptation. The cobbler was outstanding, and the other desserts were also delicious.The Banana Spring Rolls were complimentary for a birthday treat.
For drinks, our daughter had Spiked Lemon Tea ($9.50) and a Mai Tai ($9.50), my wife had Mai Tais, and I had a large glass of 2014 Bodega Pillaboa Rias Baixas Albariño, a semi-sweet Spanish white wine from Rias Baixas, Galicia ($12). The drinks were all very nice
Michael, our server, was good-humored and professional.
It was a great way to celebrate a great daughter's birthday.
I would strongly recommend reservations because the large dining area was full. I made reservations in mid-afternoon, and no table were available between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Our daughter's main course was Orange Peel Shrimp ($17.50), my wife chose Mongolian Beef ($16.95) and I selected Wok-Fired Filet Mignon ($19.95). All three were excellent.
The side of white rice I was served was blah.
Our daughter's dessert was the small Strawberry Ginger Shortcake ($3.95). My wife had Banana Spring Rolls ($7.25), and I had the small Seasonal Cobbler ($3.95). which was mixed berry and which was served with vanilla ice cream. I had been considering skipping dessert because I felt very full. I'm glad I was too weak to resist the temptation. The cobbler was outstanding, and the other desserts were also delicious.The Banana Spring Rolls were complimentary for a birthday treat.
For drinks, our daughter had Spiked Lemon Tea ($9.50) and a Mai Tai ($9.50), my wife had Mai Tais, and I had a large glass of 2014 Bodega Pillaboa Rias Baixas Albariño, a semi-sweet Spanish white wine from Rias Baixas, Galicia ($12). The drinks were all very nice
Michael, our server, was good-humored and professional.
It was a great way to celebrate a great daughter's birthday.
I would strongly recommend reservations because the large dining area was full. I made reservations in mid-afternoon, and no table were available between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 27, 2017
Keke's Breakfast Cafe - A Great Omelet Experience
A friend of mine and I decided to try lunch today at Keke's Breakfast Cafe (http://www.kekes.com/), which has an extensive menu of both breakfast and lunch items.
I opted for a complex Create Your Own Meat Omelet. The ingredients I chose were bacon, sausage, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. It is very difficult to prepare one of these omelets in a way that allows each of the ingredients to retain their distinct flavors. In this case, the chef met the challenge with distinction. I lovedddddddddddd the omelet. It look great and tasted fantastic. The cost came to $12.99.
My friend chose one of the Stuffed French Toast options and enjoyed it very much.
Our server, Helen was pleasant and professional.
Our local Keke's is located near Sarasota's University Town Center mall and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It offers breakfast items the entire time it is open.
I opted for a complex Create Your Own Meat Omelet. The ingredients I chose were bacon, sausage, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. It is very difficult to prepare one of these omelets in a way that allows each of the ingredients to retain their distinct flavors. In this case, the chef met the challenge with distinction. I lovedddddddddddd the omelet. It look great and tasted fantastic. The cost came to $12.99.
My friend chose one of the Stuffed French Toast options and enjoyed it very much.
Our server, Helen was pleasant and professional.
Our local Keke's is located near Sarasota's University Town Center mall and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It offers breakfast items the entire time it is open.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Cafe Bologna - Terrific, Authentic Cuisine from Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Cafe Bologna in Osprey is a very special restaurant which specializes in the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna and northern Italy. The owners and chefs are Barbara and Claudio, who are both from Bologna in Emilia-Romagna.
There are many regional cuisines in Italy, and they are different from one another and different from Italian-American cuisine. One regional cuisine is from the region of Emilia-Romagna, the Breadbasket of Italy, which is just above Tuscany. Among the region's well-known culinary cities are:
- Parma, with its Parmesan cheese and prosciutto di Parma
- Bologna, famous for Bolognese sauce
- Modena, the source of the finest balsamic vinegars.
As Cafe Bologna's web site (http://www.bolognacafe.com/) states, you will not find spaghetti and meatballs or fettucine Alfredo or chicken Parmigiana there. They also do not offer pizza, which originated in southern Italy.
The pastas they serve are traditional pastas from Emilia-Romagna, such as gnocchi, gramigna, tagliatelle, tortelli, and tortellini.
We recently had a terrific meal there with and at the suggestion of wonderful friends. Every dish was superb, and the service was excellent. It was a perfect evening.
We started with an amuse-bouche of sweet-pea soup.
That was followed by an appetizer tower of Prosciutto di Parma, homemade Mozzarella cheese, tomato, olives, and basil for four at $11 per person. (Prosciutto di Parma is one of Italy's best prosciuttos.)
My wife had a Bella Donna Salad with arugula, pears, walnuts, and Parmesan cheese for $17.
My wife and our friends had a special main course of risotto with artichokes finished off inside a wheel of aged Parmesan cheese for $39 each. The restaurant buys huge wheels of aged Parmesan. The date on this wheel was July of 2013.
My main course was house-made tortelli pasta with Bolognese sauce for $26. Normally, I would not order a dish with Bolognese sauce in a restaurant because it tends not to be very special. However our friends said this was a terrific Bolognese sauce which Barabara spends hours making. It was the best Bolognese sauce I've ever had - by far.
For dessert, my wife had a Crema Catalana for $9.
I had an apple ciambella cake with vanilla gelato for $12. Barbara said it was her grandmother's recipe.
I followed dessert with an Espresso Corretto - espresso with Sambuca, an anise-flavored liqueur.
Our wine was a Poggiopiano Chianti Classico for $48 per bottle.
The wine menu offers an extensive selection of Italian wines. It only has one from Emilia-Romagna, which is not known for its wines.
Claudio is very affable and very happy to explain the dishes he makes.
Cafe Bologna also has an excellent deli counter.
Una esperienza eccezionale!
There are many regional cuisines in Italy, and they are different from one another and different from Italian-American cuisine. One regional cuisine is from the region of Emilia-Romagna, the Breadbasket of Italy, which is just above Tuscany. Among the region's well-known culinary cities are:
- Parma, with its Parmesan cheese and prosciutto di Parma
- Bologna, famous for Bolognese sauce
- Modena, the source of the finest balsamic vinegars.
As Cafe Bologna's web site (http://www.bolognacafe.com/) states, you will not find spaghetti and meatballs or fettucine Alfredo or chicken Parmigiana there. They also do not offer pizza, which originated in southern Italy.
The pastas they serve are traditional pastas from Emilia-Romagna, such as gnocchi, gramigna, tagliatelle, tortelli, and tortellini.
We recently had a terrific meal there with and at the suggestion of wonderful friends. Every dish was superb, and the service was excellent. It was a perfect evening.
We started with an amuse-bouche of sweet-pea soup.
That was followed by an appetizer tower of Prosciutto di Parma, homemade Mozzarella cheese, tomato, olives, and basil for four at $11 per person. (Prosciutto di Parma is one of Italy's best prosciuttos.)
Prosciutto and Mozzarella
My wife had a Bella Donna Salad with arugula, pears, walnuts, and Parmesan cheese for $17.
My wife and our friends had a special main course of risotto with artichokes finished off inside a wheel of aged Parmesan cheese for $39 each. The restaurant buys huge wheels of aged Parmesan. The date on this wheel was July of 2013.
The Parmesan Wheel with Risotto
Torttelli alla Bolognese
For dessert, my wife had a Crema Catalana for $9.
I had an apple ciambella cake with vanilla gelato for $12. Barbara said it was her grandmother's recipe.
I followed dessert with an Espresso Corretto - espresso with Sambuca, an anise-flavored liqueur.
Our wine was a Poggiopiano Chianti Classico for $48 per bottle.
The wine menu offers an extensive selection of Italian wines. It only has one from Emilia-Romagna, which is not known for its wines.
Claudio is very affable and very happy to explain the dishes he makes.
Cafe Bologna also has an excellent deli counter.
Una esperienza eccezionale!
Friday, January 20, 2017
Brasa & Pisco - Delicious Peruvian Cuisine
My wife and I recently enjoyed a delicious dinner at Brasa & Pisco (http://www.brasaandpisco.com/) a Peruvian restaurant at Lockwood Ridge and University.
My wife started with an appetizer of wontons filled with slow-cooked pork and served with a Huacatay, a Peruvian herb sauce, for $8. My appetizer was beef fritters filled with beef and picadillo, egg, and olives, with a side of dipping sauce, for $9. Both were very tasty.
Her main course was Bisteco a lo Pobre - New York strip steak with fried egg, sweet plantains, homemade fries, and a side of chimichurri sauce, for $25.
My main course was Tacu Tacu a lo Brasa, a multilayered stack with tacu tacu at the bottom, covered by sweet plantains, grilled beef in aji panca marinade, then egg, then topped by Peruvian onion slaw, and with a side of chimichurri sauce, for $24. Tacu tacu are basically Peruvian bean and rice fritters. Both dishes were very tasty.
Her drink was was a piscojita, which had Trader Vic's 151 rum, fresh mint, fresh lime, and pisco - a Peruvian brandy - for $11. She enjoyed it, but will probably try Sangria next time.
I had a glass of Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon for $9. It was decent.
The wine list had only five whites and five reds. However, this cuisine is not overly conducive to pairing with wine.
Our server, Courtney, was excellent.
The atmosphere seemed on the cold side to me.
My wife started with an appetizer of wontons filled with slow-cooked pork and served with a Huacatay, a Peruvian herb sauce, for $8. My appetizer was beef fritters filled with beef and picadillo, egg, and olives, with a side of dipping sauce, for $9. Both were very tasty.
Her main course was Bisteco a lo Pobre - New York strip steak with fried egg, sweet plantains, homemade fries, and a side of chimichurri sauce, for $25.
Bisteco a lo Pobre
Tacu Tacu a lo Brasa
Her drink was was a piscojita, which had Trader Vic's 151 rum, fresh mint, fresh lime, and pisco - a Peruvian brandy - for $11. She enjoyed it, but will probably try Sangria next time.
I had a glass of Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon for $9. It was decent.
The wine list had only five whites and five reds. However, this cuisine is not overly conducive to pairing with wine.
Our server, Courtney, was excellent.
The atmosphere seemed on the cold side to me.
Yo! Sushi! - More Than Just Sushi
During the time we lived in Japan, we enjoyed many types of Japanese cuisine, including comfort foods at mom & pop restaurants and at festival food stands. Some of those delicious dishes are hard to find at Japanese restaurants in the U.S.. However, I've discovered Yo! Sushi (http://www.yosushiusa.com/find-a-yo/sarasota), a British-origin chain restaurant that sells both sushi and many Japanese comfort dishes.
I've recently dined at the one in Sarasota's University Town Center mall twice - once with my wife for dinner and once with a friend for lunch. The three of us enjoyed the food. It's not the same as having these dishes in Japan, but it's the next best thing.
They offer about 80 different dishes, including 18 vegan and 26 vegetarian dishes. They also have seven desserts and Japanese drinks. The dishes range in price from $3.00 to $7.00. Some of the more expensive ones are on sale for $3.50 until January 27.
They also sell the popular Japanese ramune soft drink in a variety of flavors. This bottled drink is also known as "marble soda" because you press down on a marble in the cap to open the bottle.
Examples of the dishes they offer in addition to sushi are: spring rolls, gyoza (pot stickers), chicken katsu, chicken katsu curry, shrimp tempura ramen, chicken yakisoba, shrimp yakisoba, spicy seafood udon, miso soup unlimited, and spring rolls.
There are two ways to get the dishes you want - either the traditional way from a server or off of a constantly moving conveyor belt. You can also do a combination of the two.
So if you have a craving for Japanese comfort food or want to try it, I suggest you give Yo! Sushi a shot.
I've recently dined at the one in Sarasota's University Town Center mall twice - once with my wife for dinner and once with a friend for lunch. The three of us enjoyed the food. It's not the same as having these dishes in Japan, but it's the next best thing.
They offer about 80 different dishes, including 18 vegan and 26 vegetarian dishes. They also have seven desserts and Japanese drinks. The dishes range in price from $3.00 to $7.00. Some of the more expensive ones are on sale for $3.50 until January 27.
They also sell the popular Japanese ramune soft drink in a variety of flavors. This bottled drink is also known as "marble soda" because you press down on a marble in the cap to open the bottle.
Examples of the dishes they offer in addition to sushi are: spring rolls, gyoza (pot stickers), chicken katsu, chicken katsu curry, shrimp tempura ramen, chicken yakisoba, shrimp yakisoba, spicy seafood udon, miso soup unlimited, and spring rolls.
There are two ways to get the dishes you want - either the traditional way from a server or off of a constantly moving conveyor belt. You can also do a combination of the two.
So if you have a craving for Japanese comfort food or want to try it, I suggest you give Yo! Sushi a shot.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Another Terrific Meal at Ortygia - Bradenton Sicilian Restaurant
We have waited far too long to return to Ortygia Restaurant in Bradenton, which offers wonderful Sicilian, French, and Mediterranean-fusion cuisine. It also has a very reasonably priced wine list. The owner-chef, Bob Gaetano, clearly loves his culinary endeavors and interacts frequently and warmly with his customers. We had last dined there twice in 2011, and enjoyed terrific meals both times. Since it's about a 45-minute drive from our house, we tend to go to closer restaurants. We won't wait so long before we return.
My wife's appetizer was the Torta di Carciofi, a torte with artichokes and caramelized onions in a handmade crust for $8.50. It was wonderful.
My appetizer was a set of two different patés:
- The Paté della Casa (house paté) with chicken livers, pork tenderloin, Szechuan peppercorns, and Mediterranean spices. (As Chef Gaetano informed me when I asked, it was only mildly spicy, despite the Szechuan peppercorns.)
- The Paté delle Due Sicilie (Paté of the Two Sicilies) - a mushroom paté with capers, olives, and dry Marsala.
Both patés were terrific.
My wife's main dish was the Pasta Siciliana - penne pasta with San Marzano tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, basil, and ricotta for $13.50. She really loved it.
I decided to try the Timballo di Penne which my had enjoyed twice in 2011. Timballo is an Italian dish that can be made with pasta, rice, or potatoes. This one had penne, meatballs, hard-boiled eggs, prosciutto, provolone, and roasted peppers in béchamel and parmesan cheese with house-made, slow-cooked tomato sauce for $14.50. It was fantastic. (The name of the dish is derived from timbale, the French word for kettle drum.)
Our wine was a 2013 Feudo Disisa Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola. It was very nice. I believe the price was $32.
We also had delicious desserts, and I had a cup espresso.
Our server, April, was very nice.
The name Ortygia evokes fond memories for my wife and me because we spent several days with two other couples in the charming Sicilian waterfront town of Ortygia. One evening, when we were dining at a waterfront restaurant called Le Papere, four Italian diners at a table next to us were singing as one of them played the guitar. One of our friends, who is Italian-American asked if he might play the guitar. (He is an accomplished singer and guitarist.) They invited him to do so, and we all began singing. It was a terrific evening - friends, great food, wonderful wine, and perfect temperatures - bellissima!
My wife's appetizer was the Torta di Carciofi, a torte with artichokes and caramelized onions in a handmade crust for $8.50. It was wonderful.
My appetizer was a set of two different patés:
- The Paté della Casa (house paté) with chicken livers, pork tenderloin, Szechuan peppercorns, and Mediterranean spices. (As Chef Gaetano informed me when I asked, it was only mildly spicy, despite the Szechuan peppercorns.)
- The Paté delle Due Sicilie (Paté of the Two Sicilies) - a mushroom paté with capers, olives, and dry Marsala.
Both patés were terrific.
My wife's main dish was the Pasta Siciliana - penne pasta with San Marzano tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, basil, and ricotta for $13.50. She really loved it.
I decided to try the Timballo di Penne which my had enjoyed twice in 2011. Timballo is an Italian dish that can be made with pasta, rice, or potatoes. This one had penne, meatballs, hard-boiled eggs, prosciutto, provolone, and roasted peppers in béchamel and parmesan cheese with house-made, slow-cooked tomato sauce for $14.50. It was fantastic. (The name of the dish is derived from timbale, the French word for kettle drum.)
Our wine was a 2013 Feudo Disisa Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola. It was very nice. I believe the price was $32.
We also had delicious desserts, and I had a cup espresso.
Our server, April, was very nice.
The name Ortygia evokes fond memories for my wife and me because we spent several days with two other couples in the charming Sicilian waterfront town of Ortygia. One evening, when we were dining at a waterfront restaurant called Le Papere, four Italian diners at a table next to us were singing as one of them played the guitar. One of our friends, who is Italian-American asked if he might play the guitar. (He is an accomplished singer and guitarist.) They invited him to do so, and we all began singing. It was a terrific evening - friends, great food, wonderful wine, and perfect temperatures - bellissima!
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Rendez-Vous - Terrific French Bakery and Deli in Sarasota
My wife and I recently enjoyed delicious sandwiches and pastries from Rendez-Vous French Bakery and Delicatessen (http://www.rendezvoussarasota.com/) on Clark Road in Sarasota.
We each had a sandwich for lunch and took home some pastries for breakfast. They were all delicious.
Her sandwich was La Riviera, with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, romaine lettuce, mayonnaise, and chives on a French baguette for $7.75
Mine was Le Campagnard, with French paté, French pickles, and romaine lettuce on a French baguette for $7.95.
The sandwiches were not only delicious, but the size was generous. We could probably have split a single sandwich.
The breakfast pastries we chose were:
- Almond
- Almond and chocolate
- Apple
In addition to sandwiches and pastries, Rendez-Vous serves omelettes, quiches, salads, and soups.
They're open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday; and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. They're closed on Monday.
Can't wait to go back.
We each had a sandwich for lunch and took home some pastries for breakfast. They were all delicious.
Her sandwich was La Riviera, with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, romaine lettuce, mayonnaise, and chives on a French baguette for $7.75
Mine was Le Campagnard, with French paté, French pickles, and romaine lettuce on a French baguette for $7.95.
The sandwiches were not only delicious, but the size was generous. We could probably have split a single sandwich.
The breakfast pastries we chose were:
- Almond
- Almond and chocolate
- Apple
In addition to sandwiches and pastries, Rendez-Vous serves omelettes, quiches, salads, and soups.
They're open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday; and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. They're closed on Monday.
Can't wait to go back.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Mattison's Forty One - Terrific As Always - Savor Sarasota
Paul Mattison is an extraordinary chef. He currently operates three restaurants in Sarasota - Manatee:
- Mattison's Forty-One
- Mattison's City Grille
- Mattison's Bayside
His menus are always creative and the cooking superbly executed. This evening, we enjoyed a Savor Sarasota Dinner at Mattison's Forty-One. It was exceptional. The three-course dinners with bread were $29. Every bite was mouth watering.
My wife's first course was Summer yellow pepper gazpacho with shrimp salsa. Mine was a lump crab cake with pickled vegetables and mandarin-habanero remoulade. Yum-yum-yum-yum.
My wife's main dish was short rib with gribiche oil, smashed fingerling potatoes, and Sweetgrass Tokyo Bekana Grape Slaw.
My main dish was Seafood Paella with Gulf Shrimp, Chorizo Sausage, Grouper, Snapper, Salmon, Mussels, and fresh saffron rice with Saffron Broth.
Her dessert was warm Chocolate Espresso Torte, and mine was White Chocolate Passion Fruit Mousse.
The wine I chose was a type of Spanish red wine that I have never had - Bierzo, made of grapes I have never had - Mencia. It is from the northwest of spain. There are only 22,000 acres planted with this grape. The make was Losada and the vintage 2010. The cost was only $37. It was very enjoyable.
Our server, Robert, was a consummate professional.
The Savor Sarasota menu at Mattison's Forty-One continues through September 30.
- Mattison's Forty-One
- Mattison's City Grille
- Mattison's Bayside
His menus are always creative and the cooking superbly executed. This evening, we enjoyed a Savor Sarasota Dinner at Mattison's Forty-One. It was exceptional. The three-course dinners with bread were $29. Every bite was mouth watering.
My wife's first course was Summer yellow pepper gazpacho with shrimp salsa. Mine was a lump crab cake with pickled vegetables and mandarin-habanero remoulade. Yum-yum-yum-yum.
My wife's main dish was short rib with gribiche oil, smashed fingerling potatoes, and Sweetgrass Tokyo Bekana Grape Slaw.
My main dish was Seafood Paella with Gulf Shrimp, Chorizo Sausage, Grouper, Snapper, Salmon, Mussels, and fresh saffron rice with Saffron Broth.
Her dessert was warm Chocolate Espresso Torte, and mine was White Chocolate Passion Fruit Mousse.
The wine I chose was a type of Spanish red wine that I have never had - Bierzo, made of grapes I have never had - Mencia. It is from the northwest of spain. There are only 22,000 acres planted with this grape. The make was Losada and the vintage 2010. The cost was only $37. It was very enjoyable.
Our server, Robert, was a consummate professional.
The Savor Sarasota menu at Mattison's Forty-One continues through September 30.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
La Scarpetta - Delicious and Authentic Northern Italian Cuisine
There are many Italian restaurants in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, but most of them serve Italian-American cuisine as opposed to regional Italian cuisine. A delicious exception is La Scarpetta (http://lascarpettasarasota.com/), which bills itself as a rustic Italian restaurant. Many of the dishes on the menu are from the Emilia-Romagna Region of northern Italy, with food-famous cities like Parma, Modena, and Bologna. Parma is famous for Parma ham and Parmesan cheese, Modena for balsamic vinegar, and Bologna for Bolognese sauce.
The owners, Emilio and Rosaria Ferrara, are from Parma.
The menu (http://lascarpettasarasota.com/menu.html) has lots of meat dishes, as well as home-made Emilia-Romagna pastas like gramigna and caserecce. (I once wondered how many Italian pastas there were, so I started compiling a list. I stopped counting at 369, when I realized I still had a way to go.)
La Scarpetta has a nice, reasonably priced wine list, with wines from all over Italy, except Emilia-Romagna, which is not renowned for its wines.
Our meal started with a (free) amuse-bouche of onion focaccia bread and a crisp bread for a topping of mixed raisins, eggplant, and other goodies.
My wife started with a caprese salad ($8.90) and I had lentil and bacon soup ($8).
My next dish was Caprese di Burrata ($15.90) with burrata, Parma ham, and tomato with truffle sauce. Burrata is a soft Mozzarella cheese made of Mozzarella cheese and cream. Parma ham (Prosciutto di Parma) is one of the best types of Italian ham.
My wife then had the Ravioli di Zucca - pumpkin ravioli with walnut cream sauce ($16.90). This dish was incredible.
I had the Gramigna pasta with Italian sausage and cooked in wine and provolone cheese ($14.90). Gramigna are short, hollow, curled pieces of pasta. The dish was delicious. It was sort of like mac and cheese comfort food.
For dessert, my wife had vanilla gelato with Italian cherries ($6) and I had Torta Sbrisolona with Vin Santo ($12.90). This torta is a crumbly cake meant for dipping in the Vin Santo. It is from Mantua Province, Lombardy Region.
Our wine was Badia di Morrona N'Antia ($58), a Tuscan red made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France, and Petit Verdot. It was very nice.
The name "La Scarpetta" means "The Shoe" and is from the Italian expression "fare la scarpetta" which literally means, "to do the shoe;" and figuratively means to mop your plate with a piece of bread by shaping it like a shoe.
Our server, Danny, was outstanding.
La Scarpetta open from 5;00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is located on Tuttle in a strip mall just north of Bee Ridge. It is in the building which used to house Morels restaurant. It is small, so it's best to make reservations.
The owners, Emilio and Rosaria Ferrara, are from Parma.
The menu (http://lascarpettasarasota.com/menu.html) has lots of meat dishes, as well as home-made Emilia-Romagna pastas like gramigna and caserecce. (I once wondered how many Italian pastas there were, so I started compiling a list. I stopped counting at 369, when I realized I still had a way to go.)
La Scarpetta has a nice, reasonably priced wine list, with wines from all over Italy, except Emilia-Romagna, which is not renowned for its wines.
Our meal started with a (free) amuse-bouche of onion focaccia bread and a crisp bread for a topping of mixed raisins, eggplant, and other goodies.
My wife started with a caprese salad ($8.90) and I had lentil and bacon soup ($8).
My next dish was Caprese di Burrata ($15.90) with burrata, Parma ham, and tomato with truffle sauce. Burrata is a soft Mozzarella cheese made of Mozzarella cheese and cream. Parma ham (Prosciutto di Parma) is one of the best types of Italian ham.
My wife then had the Ravioli di Zucca - pumpkin ravioli with walnut cream sauce ($16.90). This dish was incredible.
I had the Gramigna pasta with Italian sausage and cooked in wine and provolone cheese ($14.90). Gramigna are short, hollow, curled pieces of pasta. The dish was delicious. It was sort of like mac and cheese comfort food.
For dessert, my wife had vanilla gelato with Italian cherries ($6) and I had Torta Sbrisolona with Vin Santo ($12.90). This torta is a crumbly cake meant for dipping in the Vin Santo. It is from Mantua Province, Lombardy Region.
Our wine was Badia di Morrona N'Antia ($58), a Tuscan red made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France, and Petit Verdot. It was very nice.
The name "La Scarpetta" means "The Shoe" and is from the Italian expression "fare la scarpetta" which literally means, "to do the shoe;" and figuratively means to mop your plate with a piece of bread by shaping it like a shoe.
Our server, Danny, was outstanding.
La Scarpetta open from 5;00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is located on Tuttle in a strip mall just north of Bee Ridge. It is in the building which used to house Morels restaurant. It is small, so it's best to make reservations.
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