Must Do Sarasota Visitor Guide Winter/Spring 2018
Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Winter/Spring 2018 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Winter/Spring 2018 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
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DINING<br />
top<br />
Experience the<br />
10<br />
NITA ETTINGER<br />
Coupon Alcohol <strong>Do</strong>g-Friendly Entertainment Outdoor Dining Waterfront Dining<br />
Time<br />
To Eat!<br />
44 WINTER | SPRING <strong>2018</strong> <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com<br />
MARY CAROL FITZGERALD<br />
Who wants to cook after a full day of<br />
sun and fun? Dining out is a big part<br />
of any vacation, and a great meal can<br />
be a highlight of your visit to <strong>Sarasota</strong>.<br />
Even if you don’t have a sophisticated<br />
palate, you will appreciate the wide<br />
range of cuisines <strong>Sarasota</strong> and the<br />
“surrounding region has to offer.<br />
There are more than 840 restaurants<br />
in the area. In fact, within a 25-mile<br />
radius of <strong>Sarasota</strong> you’ll find more<br />
Zagat <strong>Guide</strong>, Trend Dining Award,<br />
and Distinguished Restaurants of<br />
North America than any other area in Florida! The Suncoast’s restaurants offer a<br />
variety of dining experiences, everything from cozy cafes to fine dining and<br />
bistros, as well as plenty of options for families where casual atmospheres and<br />
liberal dress codes are the norms. You’ll savor innovative cuisine from every<br />
corner of the globe offering you the opportunity to indulge in a variety of<br />
culinary delights.<br />
Café Gabbiano<br />
5104 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key<br />
941.349.1423 • CafeGabbiano.com<br />
Fresh and local ingredients make<br />
up their classic and modern Italian dishes<br />
within a wine cellar atmosphere. Menu offers<br />
free-range steak and chicken, local seafood,<br />
handmade pasta, and milk fed veal using<br />
farm-raised ingredients to compliment<br />
a world-class wine list. Offers indoor and<br />
climate controlled outdoor seating, tasting<br />
menus, and events. Full bar featuring daily<br />
$10 wine tastings and “Siesta Hour” with<br />
$5 appetizers, wine, and martinis.<br />
The Crow’s Nest<br />
1968 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice<br />
941.484.9551 • CrowsNest-Venice.com<br />
Consistently voted Venice’s<br />
best restaurant. The first floor features a<br />
casual tavern and is a great place for drinks,<br />
a meal, or late night snack. The second level<br />
upscale dining room features an awardwinning<br />
wine list and panoramic views of<br />
the Instracoastal Waterway. Reservations<br />
are recommended.<br />
Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar<br />
Siesta Village, S. Siesta, St. Armands, Venice<br />
DaiquiriDeck.com<br />
Well known for their vast selection<br />
of frozen daiquiris and drink specials. Menu<br />
features oysters, a variety of seafood,<br />
burgers, salads, wraps, and much more.<br />
Enjoy great live music and Happy Hour<br />
daily from 3 to 7 p.m. at each area location.<br />
Offers special events throughout the year.<br />
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. See ad on<br />
page 47 for phone and location details.<br />
Marina Jack Restaurant<br />
2 Marina Plaza, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.365.4232 • MarinaJacks.com<br />
<strong>Do</strong>wntown <strong>Sarasota</strong> Bayfront<br />
location offering three different waterfront<br />
dining options. The main level features the<br />
casual open-air Blue Sunshine Patio Bar<br />
& Grill and the air-conditioned Deep Six<br />
Lounge and Piano Bar. Upstairs Dining Room<br />
features an award-winning wine list and the<br />
regions finest seafood, steaks, and pasta.<br />
Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations<br />
recommended for the Dining Room only.<br />
Nancy’s Bar-B-Q<br />
301 S. Pineapple Avenue, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
8141 Main Street, Lakewood Ranch<br />
941.366.2271 • NancysBarBQ.com<br />
Succulent pulled pork, ribs, beef<br />
brisket, chicken, and salmon are smoked<br />
fresh daily. Menu also features numerous<br />
sides—many local and vegetarian, large<br />
salads, kids’ menu, craft beer, and wine. Fun,<br />
fast, casual atmosphere with communal tables<br />
inside, picnic tables on the porch. Serving<br />
lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.<br />
Ophelia’s on the Bay<br />
9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key<br />
941.349.2212 • OpheliasOnTheBay.com<br />
Enjoy waterfront dining in the<br />
casually elegant dining room, or outside<br />
on the open-air patio dockside on Little<br />
<strong>Sarasota</strong> Bay. Seasonally inspired menu is<br />
printed daily and features an award-winning<br />
blend of cuisines prepared from the<br />
freshest, and sometimes exotic meat,<br />
fish, and produce. Expansive wine list,<br />
homemade desserts, nightly Happy<br />
Hour in the bar, and Sunday Jazz Brunch.<br />
Reservations are recommended.<br />
Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar<br />
5353 S. Tamiami Trail, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.925.4444 • CreekSeafood.com<br />
Offering both indoor and outdoor<br />
dining in a casual, family-friendly, Old<br />
Florida waterfront fish house atmosphere.<br />
Enjoy fresh local seafood, prime steaks,<br />
burgers, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and<br />
an award-winning raw bar. Serving lunch<br />
Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to<br />
10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.<br />
to 10:30 p.m.<br />
Plaza Mexican Bar & Grill<br />
Venice and <strong>Sarasota</strong> Locations<br />
PlazaMexicoBarAndGrill.com<br />
Their expansive menu offers<br />
authentic traditional Mexican favorites<br />
including fresh guacamole, nachos,<br />
salads, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos, tacos,<br />
enchiladas, and more. Also features a kids<br />
menu, vegetarian options, specialty<br />
margaritas, full liquor bar, and daily Happy<br />
Hour. Serving lunch and dinner daily<br />
from 11 a.m. See website for phone and<br />
location details.<br />
Veronica Fish & Oyster<br />
1830 S. Osprey Avenue, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.366.1342 • VeronicaFishAndOyster.com<br />
Menu features a variety of raw bar<br />
items, small plates, salads, fresh seafood<br />
entrees, and an extensive wine list. Offers<br />
an expansive bar area featuring indoor<br />
and outdoor seating with Happy Hour from<br />
5 to 7 p.m. Serving dinner nightly from<br />
5 p.m., Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m.<br />
Reservations are recommended.<br />
Village Café<br />
5133 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key<br />
941.349.2822 • VillageCafeOnSiesta.com<br />
A Siesta Key favorite offering<br />
everything from breakfast to salads,<br />
sandwiches, and burgers in a relaxed family<br />
atmosphere. Friendly service makes it popular<br />
with residents and visitors alike. Menu<br />
features a variety of healthy choices and<br />
large portions. Beer, wine, Bloody Mary’s,<br />
and mimosas are available. Serving breakfast<br />
and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.<br />
a unique & pleasurable<br />
DINING EXPERIENCE<br />
HAPPY HOUR MONDAY-FRIDAY<br />
Full Bar 2-For-1, 3-6pm<br />
$6.99-$9.99 LUNCH MENU<br />
11am-2:30pm<br />
30 Lunch Specials To Choose From<br />
DAILY DRINK SPECIALS<br />
CHILDREN’S MENU<br />
$3 OFF<br />
ANY TWO OR MORE LUNCHES<br />
With this coupon. One coupon per table,<br />
per visit. Lunches must be purchased<br />
in the same transaction. Not valid with<br />
other offers. Offer Expires 7/31/18.<br />
$6 OFF<br />
ANY BILL OF $30 OR MORE<br />
With this coupon. One coupon per table, per<br />
visit. Not valid with other offers or with the<br />
purchase of alcohol. Offer Expires 7/31/18.<br />
Siesta Key’s Premier Waterside 280 Restaurant<br />
3 GREAT LOCATIONS!<br />
1894 Stickney Point Road, <strong>Sarasota</strong> | 941.488.0503<br />
405 US-41 Bypass North, Venice | 941.702.5963<br />
2390 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte | 941.391.5319<br />
Join us Nightly for Dinner from 5-10<br />
Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet from 11-2<br />
Reservations Suggested<br />
Happy Hour in the Bar Nightly from 5pm to 6pm<br />
Siesta Key’s Premier<br />
Waterside Restaurant<br />
9105 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key • 941.349.2212 • www.OpheliasOnTheBay.net<br />
Join us nightly for Dinner from 5pm to 10pm<br />
Sunday Jazz Brunch from 11am to 2pm | Reservations Suggested<br />
Happy Hour in the bar nightly from 5pm to 6pm<br />
9105 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key | 941.349.2212 | www.OpheliasOnTheBay.com
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