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2007 Food in Review

By staff January 1, 2008

My top Sarasota taste memories of the year.

By Judi Gallagher

I have never been one to stay up until midnight, watching the ball at Times Square drop. And, goodness knows, I am not the type to make an unfulfilled New Year’s resolution to stop eating for fear of unemployment as well as end of enjoyment. However, I do annually reflect on my favorite tastes of the year.

Feel free to chime in by e-mailing me your favorites of 2007 as well. This list is in no particular order, other than how the culinary memories conjure in my brain. I’ve included only local delights from the Sarasota area, so if you are reading this blog after shoveling a foot of snow in Boston, sorry, and have a bowl of “chowda” at Legal for me.

The 2007 List

ü A simple yet perfect seared salmon, atop field green salad with house-made balsamic dressing at Café Italia on Fruitville;

ü The pan-fried dumplings and seafood pad Thai at Pho Cali (and, trust me, this place could take up a good part of the whole list);

ü A classic wedge salad at Fleming’s, with a glass of Lemelson pinot noir;

ü The chopped salad at Lee Roy Selman’s (followed, of course, by the pulled pork sandwich);

ü The himachi with bourbon-glazed, bacon-fried rice at Ophelia’s;

ü The Great Hill blue cheese (with truffle honey drizzle) at C’est Cheese;

ü The ginger duck at Taste of Asia;

ü The warm biscuits at The Table;

ü The seasonal salad at Michael’s On East;

ü A pork gyro with extra tzatziki at Ilia’s Mediterranean Grill in Nokomis;

ü The ham and cheese black pepper biscuits at Cork;

ü The roast chicken at Five 5 One 6 Burns, from new chef Seth;

ü The Hungarian goulash on potato pancakes at Bay Leaf Café (tied with the potato pancakes at Morels);

ü The tri-roasted pepper sandwich with Spanish potato salad at Sangria;

ü The wild mushroom risotto with duck confit special at Selva Grill (tied with my son’s butternut squash and truffle risotto on Christmas night);

ü A slice of Debbie Appleseed’s Dutch apple pie, warm, of course, with vanilla Haagen Dazs;

ü The mocha espresso cookies at Divinia Chocolates, especially warm out of the oven;

ü The eggplant and sausage pizza at Carrabba’s Italian Market, before I grocery shop (so I don’t binge buy because I am hungry);

ü A Publix sub of provolone, salami and lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions with a slight smear of yellow mustard and sub dressing, enjoyed on Siesta Beach at sunset;

ü The new tenderloin sliders at Beach Bistro, along with the Lipitor I take immediately afterward;

ü The goat cheese ice cream at Derek’s, topped with the black pepper caramel sauce;

ü The penne Bolognaise at Americano Café;

ü The seasonal pumpkin ice cream at Racers;

ü The shrimp tempura appetizer at Cosimo’s.

Have fork in hand, ready to take on 2008!

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