Historic St. Armands restaurant Café L’Europe is kicking off its 50^th anniversary today, Feb. 15. Over the course of the next year, the restaurant is inviting guests born in the same year as the restaurant—1973—to divulge their birth year in exchange for a complimentary glass of Champagne to pair with their main course.

Café L’Europe was officially opened on Jan. 21, 1973, by Titus Letschert and Norbert Goldner, who were inspired by hotel in Amsterdam called De L’Europe Hotel. The restaurant occupies a St. Armands Circle space built in 1926 that was originally supposed to be John Ringling's real estate office.

The restaurant was acquired by Oysters Rock Hospitality (which also owns Anna Maria Oyster Bars) last February, and—in addition to complimentary Champagne for its fellow quinquagenarians—will celebrate its anniversary through a variety of special events. Those include a Legacy Chef Wine Dinner series, where local chefs who cut their teeth at Café Europe will return to tell their stories alongside dinner and wine pairings.

The first dinner of the series kicks off on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1, when chef Ray Arpke, the retired former owner of Euphemia Haye, will return to Café L’Europe to serve by a five-course Italian wine dinner. Interested attendees can reserve here.

Café L’Europe is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week at 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. For more information, call  (941) 388-4415 or click here.