New Restaurant

(opened in 2005)

Mi Pueblo at University Walk Plaza

DJ's; Metro Coffee & Wine

This family-run restaurant offers specialties that reflect the cuisine of northern Mexico, including colorful dishes heaped with fresh homemade tortillas filled with all things spicy and good. Bring the kids, tap along to the mariachi band and enjoy an authentic taste of Mexico.

Steakhouse

Fleming's

Ruth's Chris; Sam Seltzer's

Steak, anyone? The chefs at Fleming's cook theirs at 1,600 degrees to seal in the juices. Then, depending on how big a beef connoisseur you are, you can have up to 20 ounces of it. Twenty flaming ounces. Go ahead-worry about your cholesterol tomorrow.

Restaurant Wine List

Fleming's

Fred's; Michael's On East

Offering more than 100 wines, Fleming's is serious about catering to oenophiles. Can't decide? Try the "Wine Flight," which lets you experience three variations on a varietal at a time.

Power Breakfast

First Watch

Broken Egg; Vernona at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Don't bother calling business bigwigs or powerful politicos before 9:30 a.m. weekdays-they're probably downing coffee and attacking stacks of cranberry nut pancakes at First Watch. The morning place to eat and meet.

Brunch

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Dining Room

First Watch; Vernona at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

How do we love the Colony brunch? Let us count the ways: fresh oysters, Gulf shrimp, prime rib, Belgian waffles, eggs Benedict, omelet stations, grilled mahi-mahi, fresh whipped cream, spiced beef stew and more. Did we mention the breathtaking view of the Gulf of Mexico?

Bar

Fred's

Cà d'Zan at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota; Michael's On East

Sidle up to that ruinously handsome man or tragically mysterious woman. This popular watering hole is the place to sip, flirt, see and be seen. And if nothing else works out, you can always get a great dinner here, too.

Restaurant to Eat Outdoors

Marina Jack

Mattison's City Grille; Old Salty Dog on City Island

Marina Jack's bustling open-air raw bar overlooks the marina and Sarasota Bay. Sit back with a beer, some oysters on the half-shell and conch chowder and enjoy Florida living the way it was meant to be.

Early-Bird Specials

Café Baci

Barnacle Bill's Seafood; Rosebud's

Skip lunch and head to Café Baci between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. for one of the best food deals in town. From the calamari fritti all the way to the tiramisu, customers will enjoy award-winning Café Baci cuisine-at award-winning prices.

Non-chain Pizza

Il Panificio

Demetrio's; Rico's

There's nothing complicated about the pizza at Il Panificio. Choose from one of 10 varieties, watch it warm up in their always-fired pizza oven, sit under the outside umbrellas and see Main Street go by. Who said life had to be complicated?

Place for Dessert

Euphemia Haye

Jolly; Michael's On East; Yoder's

The "dessert room," upstairs at Euphemia Haye, offers a dazzling display of desserts, including homemade pies (try the pecan), cakes, tarts and flambéed finales. The cherries jubilee (flamed with Kirshwasser) is both luscious and sexy; indulge at your own risk.

Place for Salad

Sweet Tomatoes

Columbia; Olive Garden

At Sweet Tomatoes, salad doesn't always mean lettuce. The salad bar features a creative mix of alternatives, including field corn and wild rice, pineapple coconut slaw and tuna tarragon. Pile up that plate and don't be shy about going back for more; that's what this place is all about.

Sushi

Pacific Rim

DaRuMa; JoTo's Japanese Steakhouse

Pacific Rim treats you to all the colors, scents, tastes and sounds a well-run sushi bar can provide. Ask the sushi chef for his recommendations, don't overdo the wasabi and remember to say domo arigato when you go. (You'll want to.)

Burger

Patrick's

Cheeburger Cheeburger; Hob Nob

Hearty, no-nonsense and egalitarian, the hamburger is a true American icon. Patrick's chefs serve theirs up grilled and unadorned for purists, or festooned with cheese, mushrooms, bacon and onions for the rest of us. As Teddy Roosevelt would say, it's "bully!"

Barbecue

Sonny's
Oaks Open Pit; Woody's

Founded in 1968, Sonny's offers small-town atmosphere and the best smoked fixin's you can find. Ribs, chicken, pork and beef are treated to Sonny's slow-smoked flavor and signature sweet barbecue sauce. Add a heap of fried okra and cornbread and you'll be licking your fingers for days.

Caterer

Michael's On East

Morton's; Nellie's Deli

Michael's ranks right up there with the beaches and the Gulf as a major Sarasota asset. Maestro Phil Mancini and his able crew can turn events of all sizes and shapes into inspired experiences. Hand the worrying over to them and let the party begin.

Deli

Nellie's Deli

Morton's; Publix; Toojay's

Nellie's gourmet market and deli are justly famous for their kosher-style sandwiches, home-style soups, salad bar and a deli case filled with side dishes and baked goods you'd swear were prepared in your grandma's kitchen. Want to give up cooking for a while? Just say "hello, deli" at Nellie's.