The Vernona Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
Foodies, rejoice.
Sarasota epitomizes quality, internationally acclaimed for its arts, shopping and beaches, which are rated the best in the world. It's no surprise that this first-class city is also praised for its epicurean artistry. Within a 25-mile radius of downtown Sarasota alone, there are more Florida Trend Award, Zagat and Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) top-scoring restaurants than in any other part of the state. To celebrate these honors, the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau holds the annual Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week, during which eateries offer enticing meals at reduced prices. Visitors and locals can taste what they've been craving for prices that won't break the bank.
From renowned classics to the new kids on the block, each participating restaurant offers three-course dinners for $25 per person. With more than 30 of the area's finest restaurants on board, you're bound to experience the best you've ever tasted for the least you've had to pay.
Here's how it works: Pick the restaurants that appeal to you, check out their menus (or wait to be surprised) and call for reservations. The restaurant week menus generally have at least a couple options for each course. Typically, the prix fixe menus include appetizer, entree and dessert courses. While it's sometimes a feat to find a dinner entree under $25, Savor Sarasota makes it possible to enjoy a multi-course meal at the same price.
The site, www.savorsarasota.com, makes it easy to plan ahead. Find a list of participating restaurants under "Who's Cooking," menus and directions under "What's Cooking" and other deals, events and accommodations related to Restaurant Week all in one place.
Since its launch in 2006, the event has grown to be among the most popular in the state, and as a result, was extended an extra week. This year's Savor Sarasota took place June 1-14, 2011. Many restaurants continue to offer their special Restaurant Week menus throughout the summer, affording the opportunity for new as well repeat customers to savor their fare for a low prix fixe.
From casual seaside eats to elegant haute cuisine, you'll find a menu to please every palate.
Returning favorites include a 30-year-old pillar of fine dining, Café L'Europe on St. Armands Circle, Mattison's City Grille, a downtown spot known for its outdoor dining and live music (its other location, Mattison's Forty-One is also participating) and a slew of other delicious restaurants scattered throughout downtown, Longboat Key, Siesta Key and beyond, all the way down to Venice.
Put on the ritz at high-end participating restaurants like Vernona at the Ritz-Carlton or kick back at beachy establishments like Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar and Siesta Key Oyster Bar. From creative cuisine at Mozaic and Selva Grill and authentic Italian at Salute! downtown to Pattigeorge's coastal cuisine out on Longboat Key to South County's casual fine dining at Cafe Venice, you'll experience a world of flavors across Sarasota.
Wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and classes are also offered during Restaurant Week, presenting opportunities to learn from some of the area's -- and the world's -- top chefs and restaurateurs. Drawn to Sarasota's sophistication, natural beauty and bountiful availability of fresh local produce and seafood, these diverse culinary experts created an eclectic stew that is Sarasota's sumptuous cuisine. Many of them are members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a local chapter of Dine Originals, the national group committed to preserving each community's culinary sense of place.
"Sarasota is a very unique area when it comes to dining," says Michael Klauber, owner of prestigious Michael's On East, a Savor Sarasota participating restaurant, and co-founder of the chapter. "We have more highly-rated restaurants in a 25-mile radius than anywhere else in Florida. So there's a history of fine independent restaurants in our area. When you have a community that is dedicated to the arts, you tend to get people that are passionate about travel, food and wine."
Savor Sarasota showcases the area's culinary excellence and remarkable range of ambiance. Choose a menu and a venue -- or choose a few -- and savor Sarasota with us! Bon appetit!
For more information, visit www.savorsarasota.com.
