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A once-popular pizzeria and bar in downtown Sarasota has permanently closed, but its prime location will soon be home to a new restaurant. This upcoming establishment, operated by Watershed Hospitality Concepts, will feature a menu that includes pizza along with various other comfort foods, craft beer, and cocktails.
Watershed Hospitality Concepts, a locally-owned restaurant group known for its popular dining and drinking establishments in downtown Sarasota, the Rosemary District, and Siesta Key Village, is set to open this new restaurant on Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
The new restaurant is taking over the old Pizza N' Brew location at 1507 Main St., located just a two-minute walk away from another Watershed restaurant and bar, Cask & Ale, situated across the road at 1548 Main St. The concept for the new establishment, however, will be more similar to the Watershed restaurant and bar on Siesta Key.
New restaurant tentatively called Pi on Main to open in downtown Sarasota
Mike Quillen, co-owner of Watershed Hospitality Concepts along with Chip White, David Sessions, and John LaCivita, has announced plans to open a restaurant and bar tentatively named "Pi on Main" at 1507 Main St. by Christmas. This establishment will share similarities with their 3.14 Pi Pizza brand, currently operating in collaboration with its sister business, Blase Cafe, at 5263 Ocean Blvd. in Siesta Key Village. While the Siesta Key restaurants are housed in a 75-year-old single-story hotel, Quillen said, Pi on Main will occupy a much larger, more modern space in the heart of downtown Sarasota.
“It's going to be a nice gathering place that's sports-forward, with some live music thrown in as well,” Quillen explained by phone. "The opportunity came up to take over the old Pizza N' Brew and we loved the location. We don't want to think of it as just a pizza place, though, but as a bar with great pizza and good pub, comfort food with basically the (3.14 Pi Pizza) menu."
Pi on Main to feature hand-tossed pizzas, baked wings, craft beer and cocktails
Eoin Farrell, former general manager at Cask & Ale, will assume the same role at Pi on Main. The restaurant and bar will be open for lunch and dinner. The food menu will showcase hand-tossed, thin-crust pizzas baked in a deck oven, served both by the pie and the slice. Other items will include baked wings in various flavors, as well as garlic knots, truffle fries, and Brussels sprouts. Additionally, handheld options such as subs, cheesesteaks, calzones, and stromboli will be available. The bar will offer a selection of beers, wine, and cocktails.
In addition to Pi on Main, Cask & Ale, 3.14 Pi Pizza, and Blase Cafe, Watershed Hospitality Concepts owns Mandeville Beer Garden in the Rosemary District. Quillen said they still plan to transform Mandeville into an oyster bar, but he doesn't have a timeframe for that transition. In addition to Watershed Hospitality Concepts, Quillen is the co-founder of Gecko's Hospitality Group, which owns the local Gecko's Grill & Pubs, as well as Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Longboat Key, Dockside Waterfront Grill in Venice, and Tripletail Seafood & Spirits in Sarasota.
Frank Segreti rebranded his Tavern on Main restaurant and bar in downtown Sarasota as Pizza N' Brew in 2021 after rebranding his family's long-running City Pizza on Siesta Key in 2021. The Pizza N' Brew at 6645 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key has also permanently closed.
Last edited by wondermint2; 11-30-2023 at 05:00 AM..
Where to Find Exceptional Breads, Pastries and Sweets Locally
Whether you’re in the mood for warm, pillowy bread, flaky pastries or creamy, chilled desserts, the Sarasota area is home to serious bakers who aim to please.
There was a time not so long ago when Sarasota residents lamented the lack of quality bakeries in our area. While we loved a Publix sprinkle cookie or a Whole Foods baguette, the supermarket just couldn’t satisfy our craving for homemade baked goods fresh from the oven.
But times have changed, and Sarasota is suddenly flush with places that make breads and sweets with care and love. Whether you’re in the mood for warm, pillowy bread, flaky pastries or creamy, chilled desserts, the Sarasota area is home to serious bakers who aim to please. These are some of our favorites.
"About once a month this year, we've had to report on a restaurant permanently closing in Sarasota and Manatee counties. None in 2023 has saddened me more than the closure of St. Armands Oyster Bar on St. Armands Circle.
I loved the New Orlean-style eatery that opened last summer and closed about a year later. I loved the food, loved the drinks, and loved the building it occupied at 15 S. Boulevard of the Presidents.
For those unfamiliar with the two-story structure with its own elevator and stylish staircase leading to the space above, it has quite the history. St. Armands Oyster Bar replaced The Whiskey Barrel, opened in early 2021, preceded by another short-lived restaurant called The Venue.
However, the space is most famous for housing an Italian restaurant and upstairs nightclub called 15 South Ristorante Enoteca, which remained a popular destination among diners, drinkers and dancers for about two decades. I was a big fan of the place, especially its pizza cooked in the wood-burning oven, and am thrilled to announce it will be revived by the owner of one of Sarasota's most celebrated restaurants.
Restaurateur Alessandro Di Ferdinando, one of the owners of Napule, the acclaimed Italian restaurant on South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota that earned a coveted Golden Spoon award from Florida Trend magazine, has announced plans to revive "the spirit and name" of 15 South Ristorante.
The new restaurant will be called 15 South by Napule. Di Ferdinando said in a statement that he aims to pay homage to the original 15 South, which was "a beloved mainstay of Sarasota’s dining and nightlife for almost 20 years."
15 South by Napule's first-floor dining room and bar will offer a more traditional dining experience, "with the warm glow of the imported wood fired oven offering a visual centerpiece." The upstairs will feature another full bar and dance floor with a street-style menu of small, shareable dishes.
15 South by Napule will feature an 'authentic, gold-tiled Neapolitan pizza oven'
Di Ferdinando will manage the front of the house, while the food operations will be overseen by two of his longtime friends and collaborators. Antonio Mancini, a former Napule pizzaiolo and owner of Vesuvio Wood Fired Pizza, will man what Di Ferdinando described as an "authentic, gold-tiled Neapolitan pizza oven" located near the first-floor bar. Chef Giancarlo Di Cosmo, who Di Ferdinando said worked alongside him at a Soho House concept in London, will helm the kitchen.
“And of course, we’ll have a lively atmosphere with a good martini and cocktail list and a dance floor upstairs,” Di Ferdinando said in a statement. “You’ve heard of eat, pray, love. We’re going for eat, dance, love. And then maybe we eat again.”
15 South by Napule is expected to open in early 2024, with an authentic Italian menu that includes scratch-made pasta dishes, Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza, and a full-liquor bar on both floors. 15 South by Napule plans to eventually offer its own delivery service to St. Armands Circle as well as Lido Key and Longboat Key.
"Fueled by a commitment to Old World cooking techniques and family-style hospitality, 15 South by Napule combines all the charm of a trattoria with a dash of fine dining," reads the press release issued Nov. 29."
Last edited by wondermint2; 12-01-2023 at 06:10 AM..
Do you dream all year of giant turkey legs, funnel cakes, corn dogs, deep-fried Oreos? The type of gut-sticking, heart-clogging fare you get at the county fair?
A Bradenton restaurant is now dishing up your favorite carnival food year-round from a former Burger King.
So far, the most popular menu item is the Smash Burger, which includes double meat, double cheese and double grilled onion, says company owner Brett Enright, who lives in the Bradenton area.
Amariah Everett is already a fan of the Smash Burger. She had one Monday and came back for another on Wednesday.
How the fair food adventure started
Enright got his start in the fair food business when he was a teen when he opened a corn dog and lemonade stand at a California county fair.
Now, Juicys Famous Fair Food works many major fairs around the country. Enright says his food trailers serve more than one million customers a year at fairs in southern California alone.
"I've been doing fair food all my life and Juicys is the leader in fair food," he said.
At the Texas State Fair, 300 people work serving Juicys' food to 250,000 people in 20 days, he said.
"We had been looking for a location for a drive-thru restaurant. Bradenton is my hometown," he said of spotting the vacant Burger King property.
"We wanted the first restaurant to be in my hometown," he said.
The small retail center on the northwest corner of 53 rd Avenue East and Caruso Road will soon welcome another restaurant into its community. Little Jo-To will open at 5911 53 rd Ave. E .
What Now confirmed the news of the opening with a representative of Little Jo-To on Monday. The representative said the restaurant was still several months from opening but declined to comment further.
It is not yet known whether Little Jo-To is connected to Jo-To Steakhouse , the popular Sarasota restaurant that closed in May after being sold by owner Etsuko Teshima .
“JO-TO is an ancient Japanese word,” says the Jo-To Steakhouse website . “Translated, it means ‘excellent; the best; very high class.’”
Opening at 53 rd and Caruso, Little Jo-To will join a food and drink community that includes Poblanos Mexican Grill & Bar , Morrone’s of Arthur Ave , and Papa John’s Pizza .
What Now is awaiting further information on Little Jo-To so stay tuned for updates on this upcoming restaurant in Bradenton
A new barbecue restaurant is preparing to open its doors this January in Ellenton . Legacy BBQ will open at 2443 US-301 , near the intersection with 25 th Drive East .
“It’s a barbecue restaurant where everything is done in house,” owner Bill Sweet told What Now on Thursday. “Nothing you’re tasting is liquid smoke or smoke flavoring.”
Sweet says he has done barbecue catering for a long time and felt it was time to get into the brick-and-mortar space. Legacy BBQ will open with seating for about 25 guests and will also be a dependable spot for takeout orders made through its website (coming soon) and the major delivery apps.
Legacy’s barbecue features proteins like beef, pork, and chicken served up with Texas- and Kansas City-style flavor profiles. It will all come alongside sides like mac and cheese, green beans, baked beans, and more.
“We’re looking at mid-to-late January for an opening,” said Sweet.
Since acquiring Uncle Nick’s N.Y. Style Bagels, Subs & Deli in 2018, owner Craig Thomsen has been steadily tweaking the business at 5917 Manatee Ave. W.
He kept the New York-style bagels and added burgers, Cuban sandwiches and more.
The menu now features all-day breakfast with offerings such as Bacon, Egg and Cheese for $7.75, Jersey Jet (two eggs, Taylor ham, peppers, onions, and cheddar cheese served on a New York sub roll) for $8 and the Bypass (two eggs, bacon, ham and sausage served on a bagel) for $9.
The menu also includes a variety of sandwiches, most priced at $11, including clubs, French dip, chicken and more, plus several burger offerings and salads.
Rounding out the menu are coffees, lattes, cappuccino, espresso and more, plus pastries and doughnuts. All the bagels and pastry items, except the doughnuts, are made in-house.
“Business has been good. We are thankful for that,” Thomsen said.
“Our shaved snow, doughnuts and desserts are crafted with love and passion from our family to yours. Each bite is a reflection of our commitment to creating moments of joy for each and every customer,” he said.
What’s new?
The newest addition at Uncle Nick’s is Vampire Penguin, what Thomsen calls shaved snow, due to the fluffy, soft texture of the ice.
“Shaved snow is not your ordinary snow cone or snow ice cream. It is a light and fluffy dessert that melts in your mouth, with a variety of flavors and toppings to choose from,” says the Vampire Penguin web page.
Charming Taro (taro snow topped with whipped cream, Lucky Charms and sweetened condensed milk), is one of the Vampire Penguin offerings at Uncle Nick’s New York Bagels.
Location: Uncle Nick’s Bagels and Vampire Penguin are located at 5917 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 301, Bradenton.
Hours: Uncle Nick’s is open 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday and is closed Tuesday.
Hours: Vampire Penguin is open the same hours as Uncle Nicks, plus 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Monday and 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The business is closed on Tuesdays.
2023 brought a diverse batch of new places to dine and drink out in the Bradenton area.
New offerings dotting the local food landscape include fine dining, casual fare, cultural cuisines, food trucks and fast fooderies.
We also scored some new coffee shops and dessert stops.
For the drinking crowd, there are new tap rooms, tequila bars, a brewery and a distillery to try.
Here’s a look at all the good eats we gained in 2023.
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