Der Dutchman, Owen’s Fish Camp, Nicky’s On Palm: Restaurant News (Sarasota: Valentine's day, romantic restaurants)

[wondermint2]

38 new restaurants that opened this year in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tri...0d43bbfa&ei=39

"Everybody gets excited about a new restaurant opening, and we had plenty to write about — 38, to be precise — this year in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

My colleague, Jimmy Geurts, and I reported on new destinations for everything from locally sourced seafood to authentic Japanese cuisine. We covered brand new restaurant concepts by local entrepreneurs and new locations by national and local chains.

We're presenting the lengthy list roughly in chronological order, beginning with a place that opened in January and concluding with a couple of spots that began welcoming guests last month. Of course, we expect to report on new restaurant openings in the near future, so continue checking back with us at ticketsarasota.com."

[beach43ofus]

Nearly all of them get their food from Sysco, US Foods, or Performance Food Group...much of it is prepared in advance. Its highly processed, & chemically treated for max shelf life.

That is why very few stand out from the rest.

When I see these trucks behind a local restaurant, I stay away.

Some restaurants list their local supply partners on their menu's...I like that.

[wondermint2]

Fast-casual poke bowl restaurant chain to open new Sarasota County location

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...ounty-location

Another national restaurant chain based in Florida, this one offering build-your-own poké bowls and more, has further expanded in the Sarasota area.

Island Fin Poké Co. is opening at 997 N. Tamiami Trail in the Nokomis Village shopping plaza, featuring a free bowl day grand opening celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 before regular business hours start on Monday, Dec. 11. The Orlando-based fast-casual chain already has a location in Sarasota's Centergate Plaza, among other establishments in Florida and several other states.

Marc Van Dam, who has decades of experience in the hospitality industry, will own the Nokomis location along with his wife Kelly. The couple were longtime Naples residents before relocating to the Venice area.

“We just absolutely love Venice; it’s kind of like Naples from 25 years ago, but it’s grown so fast," Van Dam said. "We’re healthy people — we like our yoga, we like healthier food options — our area is growing so fast, and there’s just not that many options," Van Dam said.

Like many fast-casual restaurants, Island Fin Poké features both signature and build-your-own options of its main dish, Hawaiian-style poké bowls. Customers can choose a base of white or brown rice or a spring mix; ahi or spicy tuna, regular or Korean barbecue chicken, salmon, shrimp, Spam, octopus or tofu for proteins; and a variety of mix-ins, toppings, and marinating and finishing sauces. It will also offer the Dole Soft Serve dessert.

The restaurant will offer various organic drinks from Tractor Beverage Co., as well as Boombacha Kombucha from Sarasota and coconut water. The location will seat about 32 indoors at barstools and picnic tables, with some additional outdoor seating.

Island Fin Poké Co.'s Nokomis location will be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. For more information, call 941-233-7653 (POKE), or visit islandfinpoke.com or facebook.com/ifpcnokomis.

[wondermint2]

10 best restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to impress out-of-town guests

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/bradenton-...of-town-guests

"It's the holiday season, and that means entertaining friends, relatives, and other assorted out-of-town guests — all delighted to be down here in Sarasota-Manatee rather than freezing up north.

You could exhaust yourself cooking for your guests, or you could wisely suggest everybody dine out and recommend a place that is impressive. Presented in alphabetical order, here are 10 of the most renowned restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties, including one that will be open Christmas Day.

They feature a couple of James Beard-nominated chefs and have appeared on various lists by sites such as Yelp and OpenTable ranking the top restaurants in Florida as well as the nation. You will find the oldest restaurant in Sarasota as well as a pair that opened last year. All of these local restaurants, including two with gorgeous waterfront views, should leave a memorable impression on your friends and relatives or simply make for a great date night during the holidays."

[wondermint2]

A Lakewood Ranch steakhouse survived difficult time. Why it's now sizzling with success

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddri...12eea02b&ei=75

When B & B Chophouse and Market opened in September 2020, the workers and diners were wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

The first year of the pandemic was a frightening and uncertain time.

But partners Ron Fuller and Steve Bishop and their staff found a way forward and adapted to changing conditions.

B&B Chophouse, 8205 Natures Way, is still adapting and adjusting as the Bradenton area's vibrant restaurant scene rebounds and grows.

Chris Burkey, a member of the management team at Excellence in Restaurants LLC, owners of B&B Chophouse, says that in addition to culinary skill and gracious hospitality, a restaurant needs to be creative to stand out.

B & B Chophouse has positioned itself between high-end restaurants like Ruth's Chris Steak House and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and popular eateries like Texas Roadhouse by keeping its prices diner friendly while also adding high-end items.

In addition to its USDA prime beef, B&B offers Jack's Creek Australian Wagyu, regarded as one of the finest steaks available.

"It's a step up from USDA prime," Bishop said.

B & B's signature Angus prime offers diners a great quality cut of meat at a great price, Bishop says. Steaks are aged a minimum of 30 days for maximum tenderness and flavor.

Signature Angus offerings include prime rib ($35 for 10 ounce, $42 for 14 ounce), filet mignon ($39 for 8 ounces, $46 for 10 ounces), ribeye ($38).

Wednesday night, prime rib is offered at a discounted price of $19.95. Not surprisingly, Wednesday is one of the restaurant's busiest nights.

B & B also offers early dinner deals from 3 to 4 p.m. weeknights, starting at $20.

For those who prefer something other than a steak, B & B has a "not steak" menu section, including scallops, pasta and buttermilk fried chicken.

Location: 8205 Natures Way in Lakewood Ranch's San Marco Plaza.

Days and hours: 3-10 p.m. seven days a week. In addition, on Saturdays and Sundays, brunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. daily

Live entertainment: Tony and Tasha, most Fridays and Saturdays

Market: A variety of cuts of meat are offered at the deli counter in the front foyer

Online: https://bandbchophouse.com/

Phone: 941-893-5403

[wondermint2]

Local staples and longstanding icons. 10 of Bradenton’s most interesting restaurants

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/bradenton-...ng-restaurants

These days, Bradenton is a restaurant boomtown, with an always-growing list of new places to try.

That gets a thumbs-up from us hungry folks.

But while restaurants and dining fads come and go, there are a few special places that have weathered the test of time to become local icons.

Is it about the food? Sure, it’s true that you can find something tasty to eat at any of the eateries we’re about to mention.

But some restaurants fill more than just your belly. In fact, they offer a whole lot more than what can be listed on a menu.

Those secret ingredients — like intriguing backstories, local history, quirky decor, nostalgic family traditions and unique vistas — are all woven into a recipe that keeps people coming back for more, year after year.

Whether you’re new to the Bradenton area or a longtime local, here are some storied restaurants that are worth knowing a little more about.

[beach43ofus]

^^^One of the top 10 longest lasting Bradentn restaurants is Linger Lodge. I used to walk to it from our home.

They have lots of dead animals hanging from the walls and ceilings, which creeps some people out, so beware.

They have a nice river view, and great Chicken wings though, so as long as dead Rattlesnakes & fish don't bother you while you're eating, then enjoy a slice of old Florida.

[wondermint2]

10 best new restaurants of 2023 in Sarasota and Bradenton: My top favorites, ranked

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tri...ed/ar-AA1lxAef

"Familiar faces dominate my list of favorite new restaurants that opened this year in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

While the vast majority of my dining lists are presented in alphabetical order, this one is ranked, with the No. 1 spot for the best new restaurant awarded to a sandwich shop by one of the region's most famous chefs. For the second place, I chose a bar with exceptional food opened by a chef who now oversees three businesses in downtown Sarasota, with two more of her restaurants located nearby. My picks for the best Italian, tapas, and Mexican restaurants — ranked at three, four, and five, respectively — are all new concepts by local restaurateurs with previous successes in the area.

To keep the list to 10, I excluded restaurants bringing the same name and concept to new locations. However, I did feature a couple of overperforming chains that opened their first Sarasota location this year, both within walking distance of The Mall at University Town Center, and one of them is another Mexican restaurant — because you can never have too many great Mexican restaurants. And yes, the UTC district has become quite the dining destination, with no time busier than now during the holiday season.

Nine of my favorite new restaurants are located in Sarasota County, with the lone Manatee County selection operating in a burgeoning neighborhood north of Palmetto. As a proud downtown Bradenton resident, it would have been nice to spotlight a new place in The Friendly City — but I do have high hopes for at least two restaurants scheduled to open in 2024."

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

38 new restaurants that opened this year in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tri...0d43bbfa&ei=39

"Everybody gets excited about a new restaurant opening, and we had plenty to write about — 38, to be precise — this year in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

My colleague, Jimmy Geurts, and I reported on new destinations for everything from locally sourced seafood to authentic Japanese cuisine. We covered brand new restaurant concepts by local entrepreneurs and new locations by national and local chains.

We're presenting the lengthy list roughly in chronological order, beginning with a place that opened in January and concluding with a couple of spots that began welcoming guests last month. Of course, we expect to report on new restaurant openings in the near future, so continue checking back with us at ticketsarasota.com."

This was updated.

New restaurants 2023: 39 that opened this year in Sarasota and Bradenton area

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tri...ea/ar-AA1l5dHp

[wondermint2]

The Best Things Our Food Editor Ate This Year

Ten excellent bites from 2023.

For full article:

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/eat...nt-dishes-2023

It’s been a whirlwind year of delectable bites. From Southern to Mediterranean to Chinese and beyond, Sarasota’s culinary scene keeps getting better and better. Here are the best 10 things I ate this year.