Eat This Now: Sarasota's 52 Best Dishes

IN A CITY known for passionate restaurateurs—and diners—which menu items are we most passionate about right now? That was a question our food experts pounced upon when we gathered them for a brainstorming lunch at Lee Roy Selmon’s. They came armed with so many notes and opinions that we outlasted endless plates of fried green tomatoes and barbecued ribs as we reminisced, raved and occasionally ranted about what we’d eaten in Sarasota restaurants this year.

We ended up with 52 outstanding dishes—one for every week of the year. (And yes, those fried green tomatoes made the cut.) Some of those dishes forge adventurous new ground; others celebrate classic traditions and consummate Continental skill. We also included some outstanding values, and we didn’t neglect our local roots, with several choices that are quintessentially Sarasota. (Smoked mullet spread from Walt’s, anyone?)

We know you’ll spot some new discoveries along with old favorites, and we invite you to become part of our story by going to sarasotamagazine.com (this article will be posted after the first week of the month) and adding your personal favorites to the list.

Bon appétit!

The grilled salmon and asparagus salad at Bonefish Grill tastes like spring in a bowl. Pecan-dusted goat cheese adds tantalizing texture to the toss of fresh fennel, crisp green beans, asparagus and citrus vinaigrette, and it’s triumphantly topped with a pretty pink plank of wood-grilled salmon. 3971 S. Tamiami Trail, (941) 924-9090; 8101 Cooper Creek Blvd., (941) 360-3171.

Head east for a Far East treat at The Lucky Pelican in Lakewood Ranch. Fresh, delicate cod is brushed with a housemade Asian barbecue glaze and roasted, then served over gingered veggie pancakes with tempura green beans. Every ingredient comes together in a spectacular flavor explosion. 6239 Lake Osprey Drive, (941) 907-0589.

At comfy, clubby Libby’s Restaurant, we like almost everything on the big menu, but whatever we order, we’re likely to vanquish a basket of Libby’s biscuits before it arrives. Made from real-life Grandmother Libby’s recipe, these buttery bits get even better with house-made cherry preserves, a smooth and earthy truffle butter and a smear of roasted garlic. 1917 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota, (941) 487-7300.

Sliders may be everywhere these days, but the first and still the best we’ve ever tasted are at Sean Murphy’s Beach Bistro. Grilled tenderloin, pan-seared foie gras, a to-die-for demi glace, and Béarnaise sauce nestle inside a grilled sweet Hawaiian roll. Each slider takes two or three napkins and is brilliant to the last mouthwatering bite. 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, (941) 778-6444.

THE CHEF'S SPECIAL JEWEL ROLL is the crowning glory at Vizen Japanese Restaurant. Eight beautiful bites of miso tuna are wrapped in fine rice paper, topped with radish slice and black, green, red and pale yellow roe, and served on swooshes of spicy mayo. 6559 Gateway Ave., Sarasota, (941) 926-0830.

BARNACLE BILL'S doesn’t score high on décor, but it rates well among seafood lovers for cooking extremely fresh fish with all the respect it deserves. Their take on classic bouillabaisse, that heady French stew of fish and shellfish simmered with wine, garlic and saffron, could hold its own in Marseilles, and the price—$26—is more than right. 1526 Main St., 365-6800; 5050 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 355-7700.

Mozaic is justly famous for its couscous, but the quail may be the best dish there—maybe the best dish in all of Sarasota. It’s sautéed in a coat of forest mushrooms, bedded on a grape and thyme jus and accented with cubes of chevre polenta and goat cheese nibbles. A preview of heaven. 1377 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 951-6272.

The fried green tomatoes at Lee Roy Selmon’s are down-home delicious and fried to a golden, crispy perfection. Dunk them in the garlic and horseradish aioli and you’ll get why Southerners prefer their tomatoes finger-lickin’ good. 8253 Cooper Creek Blvd., (941) 360-3287.

Our food critic likes to describe the time his wife first dipped her spoon into a champagne flute filled with limoncello ice cream at Pino’s. "How was it?" he asked. "This is not dessert," she said. "It’s crack, and I want more." 100 Central Ave., Sarasota, (941) 955-3739.