Scoping out the Food Scene

New restaurants are on the way!

by Judi Gallagher

While walking around St. Armands Circle last week, I could not help but notice the sign in the former Cork and Bottle Shop space announcing a new Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar. I hope that this place will hit the mark, as I have always liked the corner location, just found the build-out to be odd and confusing. It seems lately that Japanese steakhouses are popping up more, most recently on University Parkway near Fresh Market.

Sign of the times on St. Armands Circle.

Speaking of University, we went over to John Dough the other day in the Cooper Creek shopping plaza. I can’t say I was overly impressed (I think you can’t beat a sandwich at Main Bar downtown), but I was happy to see the inviting loaves of challah bread at the counter and even more excited to see that my favorite yogurt store, Whiteberry, is opening a second location right next door within the next few weeks. Their yogurt is so creamy and tastes richer than some others, yet plenty healthy. Raspberry is my favorite flavor, just straight up. If you are more of a plain yogurt type, try diced mango and kiwi as toppings, a very nice plenty of sweet fruit and tart frozen yogurt.

The challah bread at John Dough looked nice and fresh.

Just on the other side, Total Wine has to be the grape mecca of Southwest Florida. I knew exactly what I wanted and the service was incredible. How they were able to lead me right away to each section and bottle was quite impressive and took away the feel of a giant warehouse store.

Total Wine really is a total experience.

Yes, again I see another restaurant going into the former space of Urban Reef, formerly Esca, and a few other non-notables. “Enjoy” is the name and let’s hope the focus is on good and consistent food and service. They may just have a winner if they do so.

Other notables:

The Hyatt has opened their boathouse for weekend happy hour with live music. And I am happy to see both Ophelia’s and Libby’s continuing their Sunday brunch menus during these dog days of summer.

The Hyatt Regency has opened the Boathouse for weekend happy hour with live music.

Posted: 8/16/2010 3:01:49 PM | 13 comments

	judi gallagher
	p.s. check out my piece on www.flavorsandmore.com I did a two part series on eating in NYC on the cheap
	8/31/2010 11:17:21 AM
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	judi gallagher
	LOVE MOMOFUKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bring it to Sarasota
	8/31/2010 11:16:18 AM
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	Dan
	We ate at the Noodle Bar...it is the least expensive of the bunch. $12-16 for a noodle bowl...
	8/30/2010 4:39:04 PM
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	jbm
	Thanks for the Momofuku website Dan! Which of the restaurants did you have noodles? No prices except for the set menu of $125 at Ko- hefty for noodles! I believe Sarasota could support a simpler version of a noodle bowl restaurant! From italian to vietnamese- the choices are endless.
	8/27/2010 5:48:31 PM
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	Dan
	Mmmm...the ginger duck at Taste of Asia is the bomb!!! Very under rated. The soups are insanely good as well. JBM check out the website for Momofuku in NYC. My wife and I ate there on Christmas Eve. The chef there has been making waves in the culinary world...damn fine noodle bowls.
	8/27/2010 10:07:22 AM
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Chef Judi Gallagher's Foodie's Notebook

Scoping out the Food Scene

New restaurants are on the way!

Post archive

	Jen
	I live in East County. Have to say J Dough is a big disappointment. I was really looking forward to it. Bakery offerings limited, menu extremely weak (and overpriced). For something comparable, yet better, have you tried Fast N Fresh? They do create your own salads and sandwiches with a huge variety of toppings. Their salads are huge. I've seen places like this in NYC but not down here.
	8/24/2010 9:26:29 AM
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	jbm
	Thinking a Noodle Bowl type restaurant may be the ticket on Main St. Choose from various noodles, spices, vegetables and meat/seafood. Cuts of beef need to be different than avg. with a mongolian grill kind of cooking. Problem is people try to get creative and may not like the 'mix" they selected so perhaps a list of tasty medleys could be given with your choice of creating the dish yourself or just ordering a preselect noodle bowl. I would love to see that happen!!
	8/23/2010 8:49:43 PM
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	judi gallagher
	I love this creative and economical business plan. Ray's at Bob's Place tried it a few years ago- although the room was too hot and one bad dish of mussels killed it for me- I love the idea and you are absolutely correct, sharing space and converting concepts is brilliant. of course I love the whole trend of the food truck as well- if I could get great Peking duck and a hot pastrami on rye on a street corner I would go crazy!!! My second restaurant, we changed the concept 4 nights a week to become a steakhouse- different curtains different menus- they were printed on large paper bags and a completely different menu--- tell your friends to come on down and set some good ones up here-
	8/23/2010 2:59:40 PM
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	Curt Platt
	Some friends of mine have developed a concept out in L.A. that would be a fit for the restaurant business in Sarasota in my opinion. Lets face it Sarasota is where restaurants come to die. We're a seasonal town and if you cant survive the lean months, you're dead. This concept addresses that issue: The Concept is pop up restaurants. They go into existing restaurants that serve only breakfast and lunch, and convert the space for Fine Dining in the evening. They do limited engagements, with a changing menu. The Foodies in L.A. are going nuts and it's typically the hardest reservation in L.A. to get. The concept Is "LudoBites" and there is plenty of info on the net about them LudoBites: LA pop-up dining http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness... A nightly makeover creates a guerilla-style, pop-up eatery in Los Angles that sells out six weeks of reservations in less than an hour.m
	8/21/2010 11:11:06 AM
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	judi gallagher
	well jbm, I couldn't agree with you more that we want to see downtown thrive. I just had a great ginger duck over at Taste of Asia. I prefer PF Changs over Pei Wei so I am hoping they come in soon! Love Lee Roy Selmon's in that shopping area- try that new pulled pork salad-yum I thought John Dough had a cute name but that was all- too bad just goes to show you that a cute name can't make you a good tasting spot
	8/20/2010 4:21:30 PM
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	jbm
	Must say disappointment in John Dough= nondescript sandwiches/salads- nothing original. Pastry is tasty but pricey. Prefer PeiWei next door for food- the wine and soon the yogurt will hopefully balance it all out!! Truly need something totally unique in the spot previously known as Urban Reef= perfect location and beautiful building. All we need is the right venue for food and entertainment- I do have a few ideas!! Love Main St and downtown area and only want to see it thrive with good business.
	8/19/2010 6:25:07 PM
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	Tina P.
	Hi Judi, So happy the Boathouse will be open for Happy Hour & music! Will go this weekend with hubby! Thanks!
	8/19/2010 4:11:33 PM
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	judi gallagher
	I just received Paul Mattison's newsletter and they too are doing brunch at his restaurants. I love the trend of a la carte brunch, and making it a year round option means you can do brunch, go to a movie and wait until the sun starts setting to hit the beach for a swim.
	8/18/2010 9:59:54 AM
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