Best of 2019

Celebrating the Best of Sarasota 2019. Celebrating the Best of Sarasota 2019.

In this issue:

Arts & Entertainment

Stayin' Alive

Florida Is the Deadliest State in the Nation for Bicyclists. An Expert Tells Us Why

In 2016, 138 cyclists in Florida were killed in vehicle crashes—the highest per-capita number of fatalities of any state in the nation.

05/01/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

My Digital Ride

Is the $2,000 Peloton Bike Actually Worth It?

And can it beat fresh-air cycling?

05/01/2019 By Isaac Eger

Milk Run

New Events Highlight This Year’s Harvey Milk Festival

The festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this month.

05/01/2019 By Kay Kipling

Only in Sarasota

Only in Sarasota: Bay Plaza

John Pirman sketches our new home.

04/30/2019 Illustrations by John Pirman

What I've Learned

Love of Rock Music Launched David McGough's Starry Career

McGough, 60, has a new book, Fame, that features his photographs and stories of Mick Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Donald Trump, Michael Jackson and scores of other celebrities.

04/30/2019 By David Hackett

Fresh Blood

Asolo Rep’s Staging of Sweeney Todd Employs an Innovative New Approach

“These are complex psychological characters,” says director Peter Rothstein.

04/29/2019 By Kay Kipling

Best of Sarasota

The Best of Sarasota 2019

Our editors and readers celebrate the best in dining, shopping, the arts and attractions.

05/06/2019

Happy Trails

The Ultimate Guide to Biking in Sarasota

Biking is the perfect way to appreciate our region.

05/02/2019 By Isaac Eger

Eat & Drink

Mr. Chatterbox

Sarasota's Weirdest Restaurants, According to Mr. Chatterbox

Shouldn't the weird get recognition, too? Mr. C. asks.

05/09/2019 By Robert Plunket

Best of Sarasota

Best of Sarasota 2019: Readers' Choice

Presenting the winners of our Best of 2019 readers’ poll.

05/01/2019

Philly Flair

You'll Find Real-Deal Cheesesteaks at Gentile Bros. on the South Trail

More than a sandwich shop, Gentile Bros. is a shrine to all things Philadelphia.

04/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Tel Aviv in a Truck

Spice Boys Brings Modern Israeli Food to Sarasota

Steven Schmitt and Carl Kolber were inspired by eateries Shaya in New Orleans and The Palomar Restaurant in London and chefs like Yotam Ottolenghi.

04/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Review

Sage Brings New Energy to a Historic Downtown Address

Owner Sharon Carole purchased the property for $2.1 million in 2014; it opened in January this year.

04/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best of Sarasota 2019

Our Editors' Picks for the Best New Restaurants, Shopping and Services in Sarasota-Manatee

We celebrate the best in dining, shopping, the arts and attractions.

04/30/2019 By Susan Burns, Cooper Levey-Baker, Megan McDonald, Kay Kipling, Ilene Denton, and Giulia Heyward

Fashion & Shopping

Gear Up!

Essential Gear for Any Bike Ride

From shoes to water bottles, here's how to stay cool, calm and confident on your biking adventure.

05/02/2019 By Isaac Eger

Shop Talk

Head to Your Favorite Beach With These Fun-in-the-Sun Accessories

Stay cool on hot days with these four finds.

04/29/2019 By Megan McDonald

Health & Fitness

Clean Sweep

The Hottest Food Trend in Sarasota? Nutrition

The word of the year on the Sarasota dining scene is “clean.”

04/30/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Home & Real Estate

Home View

What $335,000, $730,000 and $7.4 Million Will Buy You in Sarasota

In the market for a new home? We've got options.

05/02/2019 By Ilene Denton

Architectural Thoroughbred

The Home Where Walter Farley Wrote the Black Stallion Books is Finally For Sale

The home—a rarely seen Sarasota School of Architecture gem—is on the market for $2.4 million.

04/29/2019 By Robert Plunket

Flower Child

Myakka Herbalist Debbie Blount Makes a Living From Her Floral and Herb Potions

Plus, tips on how to start your own herb garden.

04/29/2019 By Megan McDonald

News & City Life

Star Power

Charlie Barnett, Star of Netflix’s Russian Doll, Launched His Career in Sarasota

"I’m really, really thankful to have grown up in Sarasota," he says.

05/02/2019 By Giulia Heyward

I Like Bikes

Meet the Man Responsible for Those Decorated Bikes All Over Downtown

Dr. Nik is a celebration of life on two wheels.

05/02/2019 By Isaac Eger

From the Editor

From the Editor: Celebrating the New

You’ll notice a new look to the magazine this month.

04/30/2019 By Susan Burns

History

Flashback: Nokomis Beach Pavilion

Sarasota County’s first beach pavilion was built in 1954.

04/29/2019 By Kay Kipling

Essential Intelligence

Fueled by an Anti-Vaccine Movement, The Measles Virus is Resurging

Only 90 percent of children of kindergarten age in Sarasota County have been vaccinated, the lowest rate of any county in the state and significantly below the goal of 95 percent needed to ensure that the disease remains dormant.

04/29/2019 By David Hackett

Travel & Outdoors

Happy Trails

Five Bike Trails to Please Any Kind of Rider

We’ve found five rides off the beaten path, from urban to rural, inland to coastal, that offer variety in scenery and skill level.

11/01/2021 By Isaac Eger

Putting the Pieces Together

Has a Longboat Key Retiree Solved the Puzzle of Red Tide?

The effects of red tide and how we might mitigate it remain as relevant as ever.

04/30/2019 By Pam Daniel

Posy Power

Meet Floral Manager Jerry Bonvissuto—and Learn How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro

Bradenton snowbird Bonvissuto is a volunteer in the fall and winter and a full-time floral arranger for a couple with a 35,000-square-foot, 300-acre grand estate in the spring and summer.

04/29/2019 By Ilene Denton