Dining, drinking out info and deals for Sarasota and Manatee counties
Umbrellas 1296, the new occupant of the historic vine-covered building in downtown Sarasota now painted royal blue, opened Tuesday.
Located next door to the opera house, Umbrellas offers downstairs and upstairs dining with accompanying bars as well as outdoor seating in a handsome but fun setting that should appeal to folks headed to see the current production of Puccini's "Turandot" or a passerby returning from, say, Siesta Beach.
The globe-trotting menu includes items such as a Kobe beef bowl ($26), braised short rib ($25) and blackened salmon ($26) along with more casual fare like a cheeseburger or Impossible burger (each $15), fish and chips ($16) and chicken tacos ($14).
On opening day, the steak banh mi ($16), from the sandwiches section of the lunch menu, turned out to be a fine choice.
As previously reported, there's also a secret menu that may be obtained on request with a secret code, furthering the Prohibition-era theme. Craft cocktails like the Al Capone, which consists of Waterloo gin or Blue Ice vodka enhanced with lemon, sugar, Prosecco, mint and cucumber, will be featured by mixologist Spence Taliaferro.
Umbrellas 1296, at 1296 First Street, is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to “late close” and Saturday and Sunday for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner until late close. For more information, call 941-500-4810 or visit umbrellas1296.com.
Tableseide openings
Joe Seidensticker has several high-profile openings planned this year for the Sarasota-based Tableseide Restaurant Group that he oversees following the passing of his father, Steve Seidensticker, last year.
As previously reported, he hopes his Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie on Osprey Avenue will be welcoming guests next month along with a new “bar-tique” tenant of Seidensticker’s where patrons can lounge with a cocktail while shopping for stylish clothing. The new Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie in Lakewood Ranch, at the intersection of Lorraine Road and University Parkway, should debut later in the summer.
The other Tableseide openings planned for 2019 include the Oak & Stone craft beer and artisan pizza restaurant at 4067 Clark Road, scheduled for May; the Oak & Stone with a rooftop bar at the currently-under-construction Marriott Springhill Suites overlooking the Manatee River and Tampa Bay in downtown Bradenton, which Seidensticker hopes to see ready in September; and an Oak & Stone in Naples planned to open by the end of the year. In addition to the original Oak & Stone on University Parkway, launched in 2017, there’s another one now thriving in downtown St. Petersburg.
Tableseide also owns downtown Sarasota dining destination Louies Modern, Muse at the Ringling museum and Modern Events catering. Miss Susie’s Newtown Kitchen, another family project, ran over budget, Seidensticker says, but they’re continuing to raise funds so they can open as soon as possible.
And then there’s Seidensticker’s newest idea, Circo: A Taco and Bourbon Joint in The DeSota apartment building by Whole Foods in downtown Sarasota.
“It’s a love project,” Seidensticker says of the brand he hopes to see realized later this year. “It’s a really cool bar with good tacos, and it will evolve as it goes.”
Seidensticker, who lives close to downtown, looks forward to having Circo next door to local beer maven Mark Tuchman’s craft brew and wine room 99 Bottles, also slated to open this year.
“We’ll support each other big time, with him and us really energizing that block there,” Seidensticker says. “With everything happening downtown, it’s a perfect proving ground.”
OK, so why bourbon and tacos and not the traditional Tex-Mex pairing of tequila and tacos?
“Because it lends itself more for what I’m going with the bar atmosphere, and bourbon pairs so well with everything; it’s different and allows me to carry really cool bourbons, plus tequila, and switch stuff up like a margarita made with bourbon. It’s like how the menu will focus on Mexican food, but it could be anything if the cooks are in a groove. It will be fun with arcade games, pinball machines, live entertainment, and couches.”
Seidensticker adds, “Everything we’re opening has to be fun and approachable and interest our employees and be something the locals in Sarasota want to show off.”
La Norma Ristorante & Pizzeria
Ciao Italia, a popular restaurant located in The Centre Shops of Longboat Key for a number of years, unexpectedly closed its doors recently, but soon will reopen as La Norma Ristorante & Pizzeria with new owners. Native Sicilians GianFranco and Allessandra Santogati, who arrived in the U.S. two years ago, have refurbished and enhanced the interior of the new restaurant with artwork, lighting and accessories. They plan to open in a few weeks.
GianFranco, who grew up in the restaurant business, will be at the helm in the kitchen, offering Sicilian favorites from treasured family recipes. The two also own Isola Bella on Holmes Beach.
“We moved here because of the warm weather and location close to the water,” said the owners. “We love the friendly people here. Our customers have become our friends. We are passionate about our work and are happy to be living the American dream.”
La Norma will offer organic veggies, high quality meats, fresh seafood and imported cheeses in a wide array of selections with a Sicilian twist. Among tasty dishes will be lasagna, numerous pasta entrees, meatballs, chicken parm, pizza and salads. Among sweet desserts will be Italian house-made gelatos, fruits filed with sorbets, tiramisu and cannoli, plus specials each day.
The restaurant gets its name from the famous Italian opera as well as a popular Sicilian dish, pasta alla norma, which consists of eggplant, pasta, tomatoes and ricotta.
La Norma will serve beer and a selection of Italian wines. The restaurant, located at 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will be open Monday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/lanormalongboatkey.
Fresh Mozzarella’s Pizzeria
Nancy Amato and her family are in the process of opening Fresh Mozzarella’s Pizzeria in the former Ringling Pizza & Grill on the east end of downtown Sarasota. They expect to open later next March.
“I’m really proud of our heritage, proud to be a first generation American,” said Amato. “My family immigrated here from Sicily and they have been in the restaurant business in New York and Tallahassee for years. My father, Lorenzo Amato, has won the award for the world’s largest pizza (the last being 140 feet) four times!”
The Amatos are freshening the interior of the pizzeria with new paint and accents like a map of Italy and paintings of Sicily. The family restaurant seats about 50 but take-out and delivery services are provided.
The signature Sicilian pizza is square in shape and has a freshly made thick crust. “We also will have New York-style pizza,” added Amato who said customers may build their own from myriad toppings or might choose favorites like the white pizza with two cheeses, tomatoes and spinach or the supreme with meats, mushrooms, onion, green pepper and olives.
In addition to pizzas, the restaurant offers appetizers, salads, baked subs and traditional Southern Italian dishes like lasagna; spaghetti; ravioli; fettuccini Alfredo; chicken, eggplant or veal parm and marsala. For dessert, there will be classic tiramisu, cannoli and cheesecake, plus specials. Beer and wine will be available.
Fresh Mozzarella’s Pizzeria, at 2289 Ringling Blvd., will be open for lunch and dinner and may be reached at 941-330-8787.
Shark Bites Deli
Rich and Jennifer Searle have opened Shark Bites, an upbeat deli located on Venice Avenue. They have given the former Subway space a new look with colorful shark paraphernalia decorating the interior and seating for 40 inside and out, including a comfy lounge area.
“We decided to open the deli because of my wife’s passion for cooking,” Rich said. “She uses some family recipes, including her specialty, German chocolate cake.”
Shark Bites offers Boar’s Head meats and cheeses in custom-made sandwiches and like pressed Cubans and an avocado, bacon and turkey Great White. There are salads such as strawberry poppy seed and a steak version, plus deluxe nachos. Among tasty sides are baked beans, kale and apple slaw and mac & cheese.
The menu changes with specials daily, but there are always freshly baked brownies and cookies. Among favorite sweets are the snickerdoodle cinnamon bread, key lime pie and peanut butter chocolate cookies.
Children age 8 and younger eat free with an adult order and there are game tables with checkers and puzzles for all ages.
Beer, wine and sodas are available and take-out and delivery services are provided.
Shark Bites Deli, located at 1740 E. Venice Avenue, is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 to 7 p.m. For more information, call 941-244-2863 or visit sharkbitesdeli.com.
Poppo’s Taqueria
Poppo’s Taqueria has opened its doors to diners in downtown Sarasota at 1544 Main St.
The locally owned and operated fast casual chain specializing in Mexican inspired food has four additional locations in Manatee County.
For more information, visit poppostaqueria.com.
Email restaurant news to ticket@heraldtribune.com.
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20190221/restaurant-news-in-sarasota-bradenton-venice-feb-21-27 2019-02-21 10:28:50Z
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