Great food, setting and sunset make for a fantastic night.   By Judi Gallagher     As we head into the 4th of July weekend, I am so thankful to live in a beach community. While I’m not a powerboat fan, (sorry, don’t like loud noisy things but appreciate their charitable side) and in fact, [...]

Without e-mail or Internet, I turn to—pizza. By Judi Gallagher   My idea of technology is having a convection roast and convection bake setting on my oven. Using the meat probe was like getting a doctoral in roasting, and forget the plastic shelving for bacon and popcorn in the microwave–too much reading and positioning. Besides, [...]

The chef’s table at the new Currents makes a delicious statement.   By Judi Gallagher     Wow! What a difference a fresh coat of paint (well, that and a multi-million-dollar Lilly Pulitzer redo), an innovative chef from Nicaragua and a gleaming new hotel manager, with hospitality oozing out from all sides, can make. The [...]

Sarasota’s newest wine festival is hot, hot, hot.   By Judi Gallagher     Who said it slows down in the summer?   Not yet, anyway, as Savor Sarasota Week was in full blast throughout the city with more than 30 participating restaurants. From the Ritz-Carlton to Harry’s Continental, from Michael’s on East to Fleming’s—the [...]

  It was a weekend with a real urban flavor. By Judi Gallagher Was there any female in Sarasota who was NOT at opening night of Sex and the City last Friday? Even our “Gen- Exer,” Hannah Wallace, was there with her boyfriend (now that takes courage). Parties galore and cosmopolitans to boot (or shall [...]