Gulf Gate Restaurant and Bar recs (Sarasota: coupons, neighborhood, live in)

[radarboy]

We were wondering what places are good,very good or maybe a place to not bother going to. Any recs would be appreciated.

[davery5872]

Chicago Beef Co. and El Panifico

[SoFLGal]

We love Veg: VEG - A VEGETARIAN SEAFOOD EATERY | CAFE | RESTAURANT | SARASOTA - FLORIDA - 2012

[TRosa]

Ham Heaven & Devil Dog, I stoped in there today and had one of the best Pastrami on Rye I've ever had in a long time. Not much of a sit down atmosphere, a few seats, but great sandwhiches, mostly, I would say to take out. They're at 2647 Mall Dr in Gulf Gate. Amazingly they're open 11am till 3am; I guess that's for the bar crowd.

Ricco's, for decent pizza.

There's a nice produce market in that little shopping strip on Gulf Gate Dr, near the GG apts. You can get the basic kinds of friuts and veggies at some of the best prices in the area.

[dmccright]

You have to try Monks for steamers and monkafellers. YUM!!!!!

[TamRE]

Here is a link to Gulf Gate Restaurants. It gives a link to each restaurant with a picture, a map and some of them have comments.
Gulf Gate Sarasota Florida Restaurants

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by dmccright

You have to try Monks for steamers and monkafellers. YUM!!!!!

Monk's rules; try the oysters monkafeller!!

[Rushmore]

Paris To Budapest is a nice little place and the owner/operator is a real sweetie. There are great coupons in the Entertainment book, and she also does daily specials.

Vizen (VIZEN Japanese Cuisine | Japanese Restaurant Sarasota, Florida) is hands-down, far and away the best sushi in Sarasota. It's a small miracle, that place.

The French Affair is another great little unassuming restaurant. The chef will come out and talk to you, and he really knows how to do country French cuisine. Love it. Excellent coupons at Sarasota Sally.com AND the Entertainment book. Get the cassoulet.

Rico's definitely has a nice thin-crust pizza.

[blueherons]

I love Monks but wouldn't call it a restaurant. More like a smokey bar with very good oysters and shrimp

Ooh La La is a very good French Bakery.

All the pizza in Gulf Gate seems to be good. We often get Pontillos.

Maks is some of the best Chinese I've eaten. No buffett.

The sushi place, Vizen, is supposed to be some of the best sushi in Sarasota. I haven't eaten there but people rave about it.

Munchies 421 is great if you smoke a lot of pot.

The Greek place on the corner of Mall Drive has excellent gyros.

The other bakery at the very end of Gulf Gate Drive before the neighborhood is excellent but not a restaurant.

We live in Gulf Gate and spend a lot of time there so if you can think of one in particular, I'd be happy to give you my impressions.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by blueherons

I love Monks but wouldn't call it a restaurant. More like a smokey bar with very good oysters and shrimp

Ooh La La is a very good French Bakery.

All the pizza in Gulf Gate seems to be good. We often get Pontillos.

Maks is some of the best Chinese I've eaten. No buffett.

The sushi place, Vizen, is supposed to be some of the best sushi in Sarasota. I haven't eaten there but people rave about it.

Munchies 421 is great if you smoke a lot of pot.

The Greek place on the corner of Mall Drive has excellent gyros.

The other bakery at the very end of Gulf Gate Drive before the neighborhood is excellent but not a restaurant.

We live in Gulf Gate and spend a lot of time there so if you can think of one in particular, I'd be happy to give you my impressions.

As unlikely as it is, if it turns out you're right and Mak's is excellent Chinese food, I am going to track you down and plant a big wet one on ya. When you say "no buffet," you get instant credibility with me.

Go to Vizen if you get a chance. It's a little pricier, and you need to be "smart casual," but holee molee you'll know why when the appetizers show up. He puts a refined spin on absolutely everything he serves, and it's not just for show. It really is fantastic.

As for Munchees, I must say, we do not smoke the sticky icky, and their stuff is WAY too heavy for non-stoned folks to consume.

Monk's looks like someplace we'll want to go. I gather it is a bar, though, which is an issue if you have a ten-month old.

I really do like Gulf Gate. I think it is overlooked as a fine option in Sarasota. The location is awesome, and all of these restaurants and bars make for a pretty cool vibe. I know some of them have been struggling, so it would be great to see more people hanging out in the area.