The Best of 2010

People who could live just about anywhere choose to live in Sarasota, thanks to our magnificent mix of culture, natural beauty and year-round sunshine (we refuse to remember those record lows we shivered through this winter). Every year, we ask you choosy residents and visitors to choose the best of Sarasota, from shops and restaurants to experiences; and we editors make some choices of our own.

So many new businesses, restaurants, cultural events and recreational opportunities started up this year we decided to honor “The Best of the New.” You’ll read about those new “bests” on the following pages, and you’ll see the winners of our annual readers’ poll on page 82.

Don’t see your personal “bests” in this story? Please share them by going to our story at sarasotamagazine.com and posting a comment at the end.

Cafe Epicure cosmo with flaming orange peel

best italian addition

The new martini bar at Café Epicure is ultra-cool and modern, from the lighting to drinks like limoncello and cocktails made strictly with fresh fruit. Try the lemongrass martini garnished with—what else?—a sprig of fresh lemongrass. Added bonus: It’s open late! 1298 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. (941) 366-5698

Best Enlightened Pet Store

Zen is a four-footed state of mind at Animals by Nature, a one-stop source for all-natural and organic pet foods, treatments, accessories, toys and more—wholesome fun for every pet from fish to horses. No wonder some call it the “Elysian Fields for pets.” 1215 Mango Ave., Sarasota. (941) 953-2983

Best NewBeer Garden of Eden

Lower Main Street’s second-floor Stairway to Belgium offers 180-plus fine and imported brews and a menu that combines sophisticated pub grub with Belgian comfort food. (Flemish stew and moules frites, anyone?) 1359 Main St., Sarasota. (941) 343-2862

Best New Spot to Cook and Party

Scottish-born personal chef Jeremy Hammond-Chambers has a great new space where he can welcome discerning diners and wannabe chefs for classes, demonstrations and, of course, polishing off the delectable results. We’ve been, and we’ll be back! Innovative Dining, 1725 Barber Road, Sarasota. (941) 373-5678

best new happy hour 

Art After Five courts the young and hip with half-price admission to the Ringling Museum from 5 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday. They even set up a bar in the courtyard so you and your buddies can talk about life, politics, sex—all that stuff that inspires art. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. (941) 359-5700

Best New Empty Nest Solution

Black Bird Home Gallery is a menagerie of stylish, upscale and comfortable furnishings hand-picked to make your home both edgy and livable. Find furniture that doubles as artwork and accessories like the hot new Oly Studio chandeliers—MoMA exhibits in and of themselves. 1540 Main St., Sarasota. (941) 366-0941.

Best New Park

Maybe we should call this “best recycled dump,” because that’s exactly what Walt Rothenbach Park is. The former landfill at the end of Bee Ridge has been turned into a nature preserve with a wide, paved trail winding through five miles of open views and shady hammocks. 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

best new festival Conceived by those indefatigable social networkers at the HuB as a way to add sizzle to the summer economy, July’s Vinyl Festival brought in dozens of DJs and attracted some 4,000 through Facebook to venues all over town. It’s back, bigger and better, the third weekend of July. vinylfestival.com

Best Northern Exposure

We’re now a figure skating mecca? Yep, thanks to Ellenton Ice and Sports, the home rink for both U.S. figure skating pairs that competed in the recent Olympics. Ellenton also hosts public skate sessions, learn-to-skate clinics, hockey leagues and more, for folks who want the winter Olympic experience without the pressure. 5309 29th St. E., Ellenton. (941) 723-3663

Best New Bride and Groom

That would be precious pugs Lola and Bogey, who were married at our annual Pug Parade in February. There wasn’t a dry eye (or straight face) in the crowd when the two, decked out in cur-ture wedding outfits, took the stage. When the minister announced, “You may lick the bride,” the groom did exactly that. Check it out on YouTube.

best new meet-the-artist series The Meet the Composer talks presented by the Hermitage Artist Retreat bring international composers and musicians to the Historic Asolo Theater for free lecture-demonstrations that are such a hit that reservations are a must. (941) 475-2098