Some question whether a small city such as Sarasota, Fl (or really any small city in Florida) can actually have a really good pizzeria. Don’t get me wrong, Sarasota and the surrounding area has some great restaurants and I have eaten at my fair share. Growing up in New York, good pizza was pretty easy to get at most Italian pizzerias. I have lived in Florida for several years now and I love try different types of pizza. I mean who doesn’t love really good pizza? One day for lunch I was introduced to this very small Italian restaurant on Main Street in Sarasota. From outside it doesn’t look like much but once you walk inside you see an array of pizzas by the slice, fresh baked breads and desserts, and a nice choice of olives and cheeses. The menu included pizzas and sandwiches as well as fresh espresso and cappuccino. I was so excited looking at the menu and then seeing what pizzas were available by the slice. Way too many choices, that’s for sure. All were tempting to try. A few pizza choices include artichoke and olive, spinach and ricotta, and baked eggplant. The pizza dough is thin crust and baked to perfection. The dough has a nice flavor and crunch that really just adds great flavor to the wonderful toppings it is paired with. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very laid back and seems to host a lunch crowd from the downtown area. Fairly recently Il Panicia opened a second location in Gulf Gate. The first time I went to the new location I was expecting the same non descript laid back type atmosphere as the location on Main Street. I was wrong. The Gulf Gate location has a more modern decor, larger seating capacity, and has an extended menu the Main street location does not offer. The Gulf Gate restaurant has fresh pasta such as eggplant parmesan and baked ziti on their menu. I went on a mid weeknight expecting to get in and out for a quick slice of pizza. I was wrong again. The restaurant was crowded and pretty much every table was occupied. The phone was ringing off the hook keeping the staff busy taking orders. As I waited for my pizza (my favorite eggplant was not available by the slice) I looked around and realized that it seemed like a completely different restaurant than its other location. When the food came, it still had the same great flavor that I love, but something about the hustle and bustle of the place made me miss the one on Main street. Il Panifcia has consistently good food at both restaurants, but the new location doesn’t have the charm like the other one. I’m excited for the restaurant that they have been able to expand and seem to be keeping busy. I just think that if you want to really experience great pizza and just sit back and take your time to eat it, check out the one on Main Street. Either restaurant will leave you smiling when you are done and asking yourself which slice you should try next time.
Posted in restaurant reviews | Tagged Italian cuisine, Pizza, Sarasota Florida | Leave a Comment »
Last night my husband and I decided to check out a new restaurant on Siesta Key, The Cottage Restaurant and Fish Market. When you first walk up to the restaurant it lives up to its name. It looks like an old beach cottage with an open air front porch to accommodate outdoor dining. The front porch has cottage type porch lights to light up the patio when the sun sets. We went on a Monday night so the restaurant was pretty quiet but the atmosphere was very nice. The service was prompt and friendly. We got there a little before 7pm and they still had happy hour going with good drink and appetizer specials. The chef of the restaurant is Darwin Santa Maria from Selva Grill on Main Street in Sarasota, so we were expecting nice flavors mixed with eye-catching presentations.
The menu is all seafood based and composed of a variety of ceviche, a nice mix of small plates, and a good choice of sashimi. We started with the fried calamari and steamed mussels. The calamari had a heavier breading than the traditional lightly floured type and came with a creamy tartar sauce and a sweet chili sauce. It was a touch overcooked which was probably a result of the heavier breading. The calamari had a modern presentation reminiscent of our dinners at Selva. The mussels were served with a butter and white wine sauce and topped with seasoned grilled bread. 
The mussels were plump, very fresh, and well cooked. Although the small plates were a good portion our server recommended we try the fresh fish ceviche. The ceviche had prominent flavors of lime and cilantro with a nice acidity and served with a side of peruvian corn and sweet potato. The ceviche had satisfying pieces of fish chunks and was very tender. The flavors of the fresh fish with the corn and sweet potato were a wonderful combination.
Overall, our meal was very enjoyable and we will definitely be back. There were a few small hiccups with the service. Our server brought a lime out for my husband’s drink in her hand (which he and I laughed about later) and we were given our check a little to early without asking if we wanted anything else. The manager/owner was very friendly and checked on us a couple of times to get our feedback and let us know a little about the restaurant. The restaurant is still a work in progress with a developing menu, but they have a good concept with a reputable chef to back it. Since the menu is all seafood based, it could be a downfall for some patrons who do not like seafood. I’m looking forward to going back on a Friday or Saturday night when they have live music on their open air back patio. I’m hoping the Siesta Key newcomer can hang in there with the other restaurant competition because they have good food and an atmosphere that is a nice addition to the area.
Posted in restaurant reviews | Tagged ceviche, Sarasota Florida, Siesta Key Florida | Leave a Comment »
A nice way to add extra flavor to meat or fish is to top it with a delicious chimichurri. It’s a great way to impress your friends and keep your meal light and flavorful. Chimichurri is typically a green sauce that is a blend of herbs, lime juice and spices. When topped on your favorite meat such as flank steak or snapper it adds an extra depth of fresh flavor and color. My husband first made me this wonderful chimichurri sauce for me topped on skirt steak. The one he made for me has a prominent cilantro flavor with a nice acidity from the lime juice and vinegar. It also has the perfect amount of heat that is not overwhelming but brings all of the flavors of the chimichurri together nicely.
recipe: makes 2 cups
1 bunch of cilantro washed a roughly chopped
1 bunch of parsley washed and roughly chopped
1 cup of olive oil (not extra virgin)
1 small sweet onion, small dice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 jalapeno, minced with seeds
2 each limes, juice from both
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Place cilantro, parsley, and oil in blender and blend on high speed for about one minute, or until the herb mixture is finely pureed and has a bright green color. Place mixture in a small bowl and add in remaining ingredients. Serve immediately or chill for at least one hour before serving.
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A friend of mine recommend I check out this local Japanese and Korean restaurant. It’s in a tiny strip mall in Bradenton, FL off of Bayshore Gardens and US41. It’s in a really obscure location so you will have to have a GPS or a really good sense of smell for delicious food. It’s a very small place with dark tinted windows and not well advertised to even let you know that you have arrived until you are almost right in front of the restaurant. Once you step inside, you see a wall full of local artwork and awards, a vibrant fish tank, and then can peak around the corner to see the modest dining area.
I stopped by for lunch today because they have THE BEST hot and sour soup. It is so fresh and filled with lots of yummy vegetables. It’s one of those soups that you finish and immediately crave more. It’s a bowl of perfectly cooked soup filled with various vegetables such as mushrooms, beans, peas and not greasy at all like some hot and sour soups taste after a few bites. Today was not my first time visiting Sam Oh Jung. The first time I visited, they won me over with Azuki (red bean) ice cream. It was my first time trying Azuki and I must say I loved it. It was different from the normal sweetness of ice cream but it has a really great flavor that you must try to appreciate. It almost leaves a taste in your mouth wondering, what is that? But wow, it’s good. Sam Oh Jung has a nice variety of traditional sushi rolls and offers very reasonably priced lunch specials and combination platters. I would say it makes the list as a great lunch destination for someone looking for flavorful and quality food that is a good value. Check it out and you will be glad you gave the small, off the beaten path restaurant a chance.
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A cheap eat that tops my list in Sarasota is definitely the Pho Cali Noodle House. It is traditional Vietnamese fare that is oh so delicious. Upon first entering Pho Cali you will be promptly greeted by friendly staff who will quickly usher you to the first open table. The server will automatically bring you a cold glass of ice water (and if you are from the area, you know how to appreciate a cold glass of water to help ease our hot and humid days). The service is not rushed. In fact, it’s quite relaxed at this quaint little Main Street restaurant. Take your time to study the menu because there are lots of enticing choices. The shredded pork spring rolls are a yummy way to tease your appetite. The Vietnamese noodle beef broth is such a flavorful dish that it beckons to be a repeat order item on my list. My husband is a new fan of the vermicelli noodle dish. It is almost like a salad with fresh ingredients such as mint, bean sprouts, cucumber and perfectly cooked pork and shrimp. It is one of those dishes that you crave as soon as you think about the Noodle House. The seasoning is perfect with the right amount of heat. Of course if you crave more heat, there is always the homemade sauce on the table to spice up your dish even more. But I don’t think you will need to. You can tell that the kitchen puts a lot of love into their food. The average price for dinner for two is about 20 bucks. That definitely makes it a cheap eat in Sarasota. Next time you are close to Main Street, stop by. If you order #57 with roasted chicken it is sure to have you coming back for more.
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The purpose of this blog is to share some of my experiences my husband and I have while dining out on the Suncoast and some of our favorite recipes. I have always loved good food but my passion and knowledge of food has expanded since I met my husband. (Did I mention he is a classically trained chef? So of course I was somewhat intimidated at first with his knowledge.) I love to try to new restaurants and see what the menu has to offer. We have had some wonderful to interesting to weird experiences at restaurants. I love to take in the atmosphere of each establishment and then see what the menu has to offer. I hope that my blog can help you take a sneak peek into local restaurants. I will be pretty upfront, but hey, I want to make sure I keep things honest so if you do go to some of the restaurants I write about, your buck will be well spent and you will have a pretty great experience. As I come across new recipes I love to try them in my own kitchen and sometimes with a different twist. Once in a while I am able to squeeze some recipes out of my husband and use some of his little secrets and I will share them with you. Please feel free to post some of your favorite recipes as well.
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A great way to end a workday on a usually mundane Tuesday is to stop by Ceviche in Sarasota. Every Tuesday they offer $4 tapas and Sangria. Although the menu for the $4 tapas is somewhat limited, they have an expansive menu of regularly priced items to choose from. The tapas are so delicious, and the portions are pretty darn generous. My favorite on the $4 menu is the omelette type thing. I believe the technical term is a classic Spanish torta. It’s filled with yummy potato, onion, and topped with paprika aioli. My hubby’s favorite is the chicken liver pate’. I will admit that he encouraged me to try it. I am usually a great sport at trying new foods and embracing them, but this one didn’t win me over. It is very rich in flavor, but he loves it. On the regular priced menu, the clam dish in a tomato and chorizo broth is so delicious. It has this amazing broth with perfectly cooked clams. You must try it! One bad thing I can say about Ceviche is the service. It is very hit or miss. The food more than makes up for the service, but the latter is a huge part of the dining experience. We have been to Ceviche on many occasions and the service ranges from mediocre to memorable. I think it is a toss of the dice. Those clams keep me coming back though! If you decide to give Ceviche a try, make sure to stop by the rooftop bar. The views are incredible. The drinks on the rooftop bar are a bit pricier than the restaurant bar but you really pay for the atmosphere. You have a beautiful view of Sarasota Bay and the waterfront. It’s a great way to enjoy a cocktail, listen to music, and take in the incredible views.
Posted in restaurant reviews | Tagged ceviche, Sarasota, Suncoast | 1 Comment »
