I have been a fan of The Table Creekside since it opened. Chef Pedro has a flair that puts him up against any James Beard winner.We love the service, ambiance and quite frankly the cocktails and cuisine really are some of the best in Southwest Florida. So when I heard about their summer tasting menu [...]

Sweets Bakehouse in Village of the Arts. A few weeks ago while clicking channels I spotted a local baker at her sweetshop on TV. It was an adorable little cottage, very shabby chic in nature, and the baker/owner was as bubbly and passionate about making her cupcakes and wedding cakes for locals as anyone could [...]

The ultimate crab cake at Coyne’s Pier 28. There is a new place to "dock" your appetite in South Sarasota County. Coyne’s Pier 28 has opened next to the much-anticipated construction block that is going to be Costco at Sarasota Square Mall. The Coyne’s crew. Thanks to fellow food writer Abby Weingarten, I decided to [...]

Perfect ahi tuna. New restaurants get a lot of attention, be they good or bad, because they are, well, new, and people want to read about what’s new. But sometimes in all the excitement of covering new places, we forget to acknowledge those successful and longtime culinary innovators who deserve both our patronage and praise. [...]

Mmm-fresh-baked muffins. I have often owned up to not loving breakfast. I can usually deal with a small taste of plain yogurt or a handful of blueberries, and sure, on vacation I indulge–but I have no idea why the romance of a full breakfast at a beautiful inn in Maine seems to be a natural, [...]

Isan Thai on South Tamiami Trail And they keep coming–these entirely new and wonderful restaurants. Large and small, from ethnic to wine bar, Sarasota is emerging from any inkling of a slowdown. In fact, just last night, while tucking into chickpea fries and a glass of wine at Carmel Café, fellow food writer Abby Weingarten [...]

A schnitzel a day keeps the doctor away—or with you for a wholesome meal! Schnitzel Kitchen has opened in what I like to refer as our own little European village–Gulf Gate. While the “gourmet German" restaurant on Palm was short-lived and never caught my eye, this little gem on Superior Avenue has what it takes [...]

The new kid on the block: Downtown Sarasota’s Mozzarella Fella. What’s in a name? EVERYTHING!!!   My gut told me Mozzarella Fella was going to be something good. My gut was wrong–it isn’t  just good, it’s GREAT! Slicing up glorious fresh mozzarella. Picture yourself tucking into real New York bread–you know, the kind you have to [...]

Since the fearless and unique Mr. Chatterbox announced his very own Best Of picks, how could I resist picking my own? There must be a best of second-tier list somewhere. Certainly we all have our own best of lists–some unique and some worthy of their own holidays. Heck, if there is a National Stinky Cheese [...]

David and Yara Shoemaker’s wedding decor. My husband, Paul, and me. It was a near out of body experience this past Friday evening. Yara and David Shoemaker celebrated their marriage with an incredible party that made us all feel like royalty. Yara, certainly one of the best additions to the style and hostess scene in [...]