Between the protesters and the new "Opening Soon" signs, downtown Sarasota's Main Street is getting a whole new buzz. While the parking meters may still be controversial (and, quite frankly, often unworkable), there are cool options popping up everywhere, especially over by Hollywood 20.

Already an award-winning restaurant, Brasserie Belge now offers a piano lounge Wednesday through Saturday evenings. We stopped in the other night for appetizers, those awesome frites and Belgian beers, and were quite impressed with the crowd, given it was just the second night with the new piano lounge. "BB," as the regulars call it, has expanded its menu with even more varieties of mussels and autumn dishes like Flemish stew braised in—what else?—Belgian beer and brown sugar. The couches in the lounge are sleek, and the lit candelabras set a cool tone—oh, and did I mention the frites?

I noticed a sign up for a new oyster bar where Zoria once stood—hope it can compete with Owen's Fish Camp, which we so adore (especially the pricing!).

Dreaming of Sean Murphy's cuisine with a new, casual sharing style coming to Main Street in November.

 In November, Sean Murphy’s Eat Here will open on the plaza, and we all know that will be a home run. Sean has the golden restaurant touch—hospitality galore and simply great food.

While there are a few more to check out, this past weekend just happened to be my birthday. That meant Ahi tuna and Pina Colada cake at Tommy Bahama, followed by a little retail therapy and plates of homemade pasta and great Italian wine at Andrea's. Of course, I like to milk my birthday a little bit, so this week the eating festivities continue.

Where do you like to dine on your birthday?

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