The Sporting News

A new sports bar offers some pleasant surprises.

by Judi Gallagher

Who ever would have thought that the best place for lobster creme brulee is a sports bar—well, sports grill, that is. I used to think that sports-themed places always meant blaring television sets and at best mediocre food. Not true at many cool spots, as the trend continues to bring higher quality food, comfortable seating and an atmosphere that can let you relax and have a nice meal or cheer on your favorite team. In fact, acclaimed chef Emeril Lagasse even entered the sports restaurant arena in Las Vegas last year.

Sporting News Grill at the new Holiday Inn next to the Convention Center (in the old Sam’s Club space behind the airport) is anything but typical. The hotel itself has a South Beach feel without the beach. The lobby compares to the pricey boutique hotels in Manhattan. Just off the posh lobby with its Zen water wall sits Sporting News Grill, a casual eatery with large flat-screen televisions, comfortable space and executive chef Darrel Mizel’s flair for bringing a casual twist to his creations.

The lobby of the new Holiday Inn by the Convention Center is as posh as South Beach.

The menu is what one expects, but the daily creations are completely out of the box. We went the gamut from massive nachos, a menu mainstay, to the featured appetizer of the night, lobster crème brulee. At $7.95, it was creamy, cheesy and had plenty of Maine lobster, an uptown dish in an uptown atmosphere. The second feature, the Asian wrap, was refreshing and, again, a head shaker to remind us we really were at a sports watching venue.

The nachos really are massive, and a tip of the hat to the kitchen for ensuring enough cheese went all the way to the bottom, along with chili, guacamole and sour cream. Sure bet is the All-Star Angus Burger with blue cheese, bacon and barbecue sauce. And, of course, there are all those sporty foods like cheese steak and buffalo wings.

Now that's what I call nachos.

So, as I was sitting looking out the glass windows at the large fire pit and outdoor couches, finishing every bite of Chef Darrel’s delicious homemade Key lime pie, I realized that fellow blogger Hannah Wallace and I have struck a common chord. When she’s coming back from a hockey game, I’ll have a cold one waiting for her and the team by the fire pit.

Chef Darrel serves up his homemade treats.

Look for cigars and sports talk when the weather cools.

Do you have a surprise spot in town that you want to share? Click the comment button and let us know

Posted: 8/2/2010 9:26:59 AM | 15 comments

	Z Ross
	I am the real Z. R. ex-employee of the Holiday Inn. I didn’t make that post above obviously someone is posting fake comments. I do agree the food is amazing. I think they are VERY LUCKY to have such a talented Chef. Whoever made the post with my initials (Z.R.) please feel free to tell us your real name.
	8/9/2010 4:56:27 PM
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	judi gallagher
	Well, this blog certainly had some mixed feelings, especially from well known once famous people that passed on many years ago. Food thoughts from the grave! The thing about food is that it is subjective. My job is to go out and try it. Not everything is a hit but I was pleasantly surprised by the decor- who would have ever guessed that. While I didn't like the Asian salad in particular, there were a few good finds and I checked it out because our readers suggested it. I love to hear different responses and we understand they are not always in agreement. The important thing is to try the new places and see what you think. I certainly hope that negative responses are addressed by the ownership in any type of review or blog. Now on a really positive note- I went over to Libby's for lunch on Saturday and had their deviled egg salad sandwich on English muffin- delish! They should lose the paper underliner as the English muffin is hard to cut with the paper, but it was a GREAT summer sandwich and I have some cool summer cocktails from Libby's coming up in a new blog. In the meantime, I appreciate the good, bad and in-between comments. I am certainly going to check out Jose's Cuban restaurant and PLEASE someone find me a real Jewish deli soon!
	8/9/2010 9:41:23 AM
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	Rodney Dangerfield
	I tell it's tough hotel, I stayed there, they stole my towels...the best part of dinner was the mint after, I'm not saying the food is bad, but the flys chipped in to fix the hole in the screen door! I'm not saying my room was small, but when I stuck the key in the door I broke the back window! Small rooms...I'll tell ya, even the rats were hunch back! The rats...poor things they were deaf from all the airport noise! Go Judi...next review the Salvation army shelter, they use the same recipes!
	8/6/2010 2:49:27 PM
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	WEEKILY CUSTOMER
	DUDE, THERES ALWAYS CARS THERE!!!! I THINK YOU ALL HAVE LOST YOUR MINDS SAYING NEGETIVE THINGS SUCH AS THAT!!!! ME & MY FRIENDS GO THERE 3-4 TIMES A WEEK. SO WHATS UP WITH THAT??
	8/6/2010 2:32:26 PM
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	Carl Mango
	I ate there about a month ago I was down this industrial road to get truck parts, my car dropped into one of the many pot holes and blew a tire, so I said there are no cars in the parking lot, so I'll grab dinner, I had the run's for a week! Never again, I did try to find the place again to complain and I could not find my way back, really hard to get to???
	8/6/2010 1:17:43 PM
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Chef Judi Gallagher's Foodie's Notebook

The Sporting News

A new sports bar offers some pleasant surprises.

Post archive

	Friends
	We have a group of 10-20 people come into that facility on a fairly regular basis. The food is outstanding and never lacking in portion sizes. We always leave full. The management staff is always friendly and comes to visit the table everytime we are there. We have had special food requests and Chef Darrell was always willing to help meet our needs.
	8/6/2010 12:01:48 PM
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	Z. R.
	As a former employee of Sporting News Grill at the NEW Holiday Inn, I've eaten many, many meals there. The food was UNBELIEVABLE. And Chef Darrell is crazy talented. So Mr. Beard, I don't understand where you got your information from.
	8/6/2010 11:55:14 AM
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	Tony Lopez
	Wow!!!!!!..... awesome pictures... Judi, you're the Best. I saw you there for Dinner. I go to the Holiday Inn for monthly meetings. This bar is one of the nicest NON-SMOKING...Ribs are out of this world. Staff very very nice, they remember my name when i walk in. VERY COOL..... Tony
	8/6/2010 11:23:08 AM
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	Harvey W. Kirschner
	As i travel extensively to the Sarasota/Manatee area on business. The past 3-years i stayed in the downtown area. My Secretary discovered the NEW Holiday Inn, the location is perfect, minutes from the Airport, which i found absolutely fascinating and convenient and great Bar for entertaining. I disagree with Mr. Beard. He himself must be mistaken on the location. My Partner and I had the privilage of having Lunch with the GM, and have met the Chef Mizell, very accommodating and the Food was terrific.
	8/6/2010 11:17:46 AM
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	James Beard
	Judy, Yes we are talking about the same one, as a matter of fact, while I was there the GM asked a table of black fellows to leave, he embarrassed them by telling them they were not spending money ...so leave right in front of the other patrons, very odd to say the least! I always read and love your blog and all writings! A fan for sure! on a positive note; had some lite bites at Stairway to Belgium last week, it was nice euro bar food! All the best, James
	8/6/2010 9:59:06 AM
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	Judi Gallagher
	Dear Mr. Beard- was it the new one? you might be thinking of the one up on 41 N? I thought the food was good for a sports bar
	8/5/2010 8:02:13 PM
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	jbm
	The chef- Darrell? Is he the same chef from the SummerHouse on Bradenton Beach?? The pics look very enticing but the location may be a real problem for sports fans.
	8/5/2010 5:59:31 PM
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	James Beard
	Judy, I have eaten at the Holiday Inn at the airport a few times, the food is horrible, were you drunk while there? The place also filed chapter 11 and is tanking faster then you can say jet engine noise and sleeping and eating are for fools!
	8/5/2010 3:26:12 PM
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	Tricia Lewis
	Judi, I read your food blog and always learn something new – thanks! Wondering if you know of Jose’s Real Cuban on Cortez in Bradenton http://josesrealcubanfood.com/default.aspx. Great (small) place, truly authentic food, accommodating service, and Jose is as entertaining as anyone I have seen in the business! Worth going just for his “shtick” (when one of our group ordered wine during a recent b-day dinner there, Jose asked which flavor of “Chateau Screwtop”…) but – also for the food. It is great! Nice to go to a place where customer service is exemplified daily by the owner.
	8/5/2010 12:08:16 PM
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	Hannah
	Aw, alas, we stay up in Palmetto, the OT sports bar, after hockey games. Although I've certainly been to the Sporting News a number of times, and I approve. And if they'd sponsor us, I'm sure the whole hockey team would be more than happy to make the trip there every week...
	8/4/2010 9:46:48 AM
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