Pork belly is the meat of the moment, and one of the tastiest renditions around is Libby’s, which pairs the melt-in-your-mouth pork with kimchi fried rice. (Note: The best fried rice in town comes from a restaurant where the executive chef is Italian!) The dish executes a thrilling balancing act between delicate shitake mushrooms, sweet fresh pineapple and fiery housemade apple kimchi and wasabi. Every bite is a burst of sweet, spicy, sour and luscious.

Libby’s Café + Bar, 1917 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota. (941) 487-7300.

Read more Sarasota dining news at chef Judi Gallagher’s “Foodie’s Notebook” blog.

This article appeared in the February 2012 issue of Sarasota Magazine.

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