Article

Best of Sarasota 2015: Dining

Our editors' and readers pick the best new dining in Sarasota for 2015.

By Sarasota Magazine May 1, 2015 Published in the May 2015 issue of Sarasota Magazine

EDITORS' PICKS

Best New Reason to Eat a Sandwich: Anger’s Garden Deli

When the Harvest Tabernacle acquired its neighbor, Anger’s Deli, they didn’t change the menu of hearty, “two-handed” sandwiches that have made the deli a longtime lunchtime favorite, but they did change the business model. The deli now donates 100 percent of its profits to Restoration Ranch Children’s Home in the Dominican Republic. Eat well, feel good. 243 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota, (941) 365-2696.

Best New Coffee Shop: Buddy Brew Coffee

Buddy Brew Coffee, which sources and roasts its own beans, has an über-devoted following in Tampa. Now local coffee lovers are buzzing about our own Buddy Brew, which opened in March next to Louies Modern. There you’ll find Buddy Brew’s great coffee, expert baristas, and breakfast sandwiches and pastries. One more wonderful reason to wake up in Sarasota. 1289 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, (813) 263-0990. buddybrewcoffee.com

Best New Pizza: Polpo Pizza Co.

Danni Bleil and Tom Baril share a passion for pizza, and it shows—in homemade dough that’s puffy and charred from the woodburning oven, from-scratch sauce and fresh, organic toppings. They even make their own cheese. The resulting Neapolitan-style pies are so divine that we won’t even whine about the long lines outside their cute little vintage truck. (941) 993-5263. polpopizzaco.com

Best New Place to Embrace Detente: The Russian House

Whatever your politics, it’s easy to embrace the Russian offerings at this new fast/casual spot. The hearty, tasty fare includes pelmeni (Siberian dumplings), vareniki, borscht and beef Stroganoff. Be sure to finish with the oreshki cookies stuffed with dulce de leche. And don’t be put off by the plastic utensils and paper plates; the food is what matters here. 6115 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 735-1151. russianhouse.net

Best New Vegetarian: Beauty of Sprouts

The year-old Beauty of Sprouts is a haven for foodies craving healthy, raw, vegan, organic fare. A one-woman show, run by restaurant veteran and chef/owner Rano Halikova, Beauty of Sprouts features signature dishes such as spring rolls stuffed with fresh veggies and herbs, lavender crème brûlèe made from cashew cream and coconut nectar and house-made kombuchas and teas. 1474 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, (941) 350-8449. beautyofsprouts.net

Best New Resurrection of a Chef: Pino’s in Paradise Plaza

Chef Pino Luongo has had a passionate following since he opened the late, great Gastronomia almost two decades ago; other stints followed, but now he has a new place in Paradise Plaza. His cooking, inspired by Italy’s island of Ischia (his homeland) and featuring many nightly specials, sends fans to foodie heaven—our food blogger visited five times in the first month. 3800 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 366-1440.

Best New Sweets: Argentinian Pastry

In a tiny strip mall storefront, the charming owners of Argentinian Pastry display an inviting array of authentic South American pastries. The menu includes empañadas as well as cakes, flan, arrollados, tres leches and traditional vigilantes, and it all looks like handmade art, with intriguing flavors—including sweet and tangy quince fillings—that you won’t find elsewhere in town. 3608 Webber St., Sarasota, (941) 960-0069.

Best New Quick Trip to Africa: Queen of Sheba

Adventurous eaters rejoiced when the news that Queen of Sheba—a Tampa fave—was opening a location here. The food is Ethiopian, and bursting with flavor, featuring meat and vegetables stewed or sautéed with traditional herbs and spices, and served with injera, a spongelike bread that’s delectably sour. Be sure to end with the traditional coffee ceremony. 4195 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 359-8000. queenofshebasarasota.com

Best New Asian Fusion: Painter’s Palate

The North Trail is becoming a hotspot for ethnic restaurants, and Painter’s Palate is a welcome addition. The food at this offshoot of downtown’s Drunken Poet Café is delightfully global, from tongue-in-cheek appetizers like “Thaicos” (Thai tacos) to tartines, seafood and chicken dishes. Five stars for the curried panang salmon and spinach pizza. 2801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 355-4620. painters-palate.com

Best New Intimate Italian: Adriatico

Fans of Italian food have lots of local options, and now there’s another one—Adriatico, a lovely little newcomer in Gulf Gate. The simple, authentic pasta and meat dishes and the wall of hand-picked Italian wines are excellent, but seafood plays the starring role, with fresh-caught fish, stuffed calamari, grilled octopus and more. Don’t miss the scallop tartare. Trust us. 6606 Superior Ave., Sarasota, (941) 922-3080. adriaticosrq.com

Best New Steakhouse: The Capital Grille

Steak lovers, prepare to swoon: The swanky new Capital Grille serves some of the best we’ve had, along with a well-edited wine list, signature side dishes (the lobster mac ’n’ cheese sets a new standard) and tasty desserts and specialty coffees. The contemporary décor is a nice change from the usual steakhouse, and the service is exemplary. 180 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, (941) 256-3647. thecapitalgrille.com

Best New Barbecue: Brick’s BBQ

Barbecue master Mark Gabrick grew up in Kansas City, spent time in Texas and—when his ad agency moved him to Europe—shipped his own smoker overseas so he could make his beloved ’cue. These days, he’s serving his superb, slow-smoked meats (including award-winning brisket, ribs and pulled pork) every Saturday at the downtown Sarasota farmers market. Get there early—he sells out. bricks-bbq.com

Best New Shopping Break: Sophie’s at Saks Fifth Avenue

Sophie’s at the new Saks is as chic as you’d expect from this stylish retailer, and the well-thought-out menu serves equally chic and contemporary food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The bar offers excellent craft cocktails, beer and wine, and the patio is perfect for taking advantage of our sunny days. Put down your shopping bags and stay a while. 120 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, (941) 444-3077. sophies.com/sarasota

Best New Indian Food: Curry Station

In a small shopping center along U.S. 301, you’ll find exemplary Indian food prepared by chef Narendra Singh Saud, who’s worked at Ritz-Carltons throughout the world and with chefs like Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert. There’s a lunch buffet and a dinner menu, but we just ask Saud for his recommendations and let him work his magic. 1303 Washington Blvd., Sarasota, (941) 312-6264. currystation.net

Best New Reason to Love Payne Park: Café in the Park

Payne Park is great for kids, sunbathing, and exercising—but now it’s a wonderful spot to grab a bite, too, thanks to the cheerful, sunlit Café in the Park. Anywhere you sit, you’ll get a fabulous view of the park, and you’ll also get delicious sandwiches (grilled cheese, Cubans and Café in the Park originals) and more than respectable coffee offerings. 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota, (941) 361-3032.

Best New Seafood: Tide Tables

We’d make the drive to Cortez just for the food at cute and casual Tide Tables—the fish is as fresh as it gets—and the view from the southeast end of Cortez Bridge is gorgeous. Order a cold drink and then pick whatever seafood dish looks good to you from the menu; you can’t go wrong here. 12507 Cortez Road W. (marker 48 by water), Cortez, (941) 567-6206. tidetablesrestaurant.com

Best New Healthy Cuisine: Seasons 52

Our food critic says she could eat at Seasons 52 every single day, and no wonder: No item contains more than 475 calories, and every dish features fresh, seasonal ingredients with a menu that changes four times a year. Desserts—served in a shot glass—are attractive and delicious, and the extensive wine list offers something for every palate. 170 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, (941) 702-9652. seasons52.com

Best New Lunchtime Menu: Brown Bag Provisions

Foodies mourned when Kelly Drost closed her Brown Bag Provisions, but now the creative sandwich maker is back, this time as a shop-within-a-shop at Artisan Cheese Company, offering a lunchtime selection of sensational sandwiches—including a banh mi with sambal mayo and a grilled cheese with curried cauliflower and cherry chutney—salads and soup. 1310 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 951-7860. artisancheesecompany.com

Best New French Flavor: Burns Court Café’s French Quarter Wine Bar

Stepping into Burns Court Café’s French Quarter Wine Bar feels like the next best thing to being in Paris. The menu offers perfect-for-sharing bites, including charcuterie, salads, pasta and dessert, and an extensive selection of wines by the glass and the bottle. Tip: Go on one of the café’s popular jazz nights and let the music transport you to Paris. 401 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, (941) 312-6633. burnscourtcafe.com

Best New Pleasure Garden: Mandeville Beer Garden

Rosemary District’s new indoor/outdoor gem pairs craft beers (local and Florida breweries are well represented) with a sophisticated pub menu from the culinary mind that brought you State Street Eating House. Expert ’tenders help you navigate the 30 offerings on tap—all the better for washing down bites like fried pickles or locally made venison sausage. 428 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, (941) 954-8688, mandevillebeergarden.com

Best New Addition to Longboat Key: Amore by Andrea

Longboat residents and visitors have a convenient new dinner option in Amore by Andrea. It opened in the former Plaza restaurant space last fall, and in its first week was already packing in crowds. The menu offers the topnotch contemporary Italian cuisine we’d expect from chef Andrea Bozzolo, and the ambiance is lovely, with a cozy bar and outdoor patio. 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, (941) 383-1111. amorerestaurantlbk.com