Gateway to India Lunch Buffet

This one was a no-brainer for Our Protagonist; some of the best, tasty entrees and side dishes from Gateway's dinner menu all lined up in attractive copper kettles in an all-you-can-eat buffet!  The price is ridiculous, too, as three people can eat for around 25 bucks.  Rather than give you a listing of every dish that was sampled (because every dish WAS sampled), here are the memorable moments.  A plate of naan baked in the tandoori oven is brought to your table, and salad and a few condiments (the very liquidy tamarind chutney, more sauce than chutney, and creamy raita) were on a side table next to the Lineup.  From this Our Protagonist highly recommends the tandoori chicken, perhaps a bit dry, but excellently spiced.  Today's Masala was mushroom; nice.  This was probably the best of the vegetarian offerings, but the Aloo was tasty, too.  Clearly there is a rotation of treatments and the main ingredients, but these two would most likely be best bets in any form.  Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the things to look for on the dinner menu, so if it shows up on the buffet line, you won't be disappointed.  The best was saved for last, though, the Fish Korma.  This sauce of yogurt and cashew paste is simply incredible; fish could only hope to be so well dressed.  The dessert of the day was a surprising carrot pudding.  Our Protagonist's dining partner was very impressed with this, and this led to the desire to explore more desserts, namely, the homemade mango ice cream.  It had been made in a small terrine, evidently, as it was sliced in small rectangular blocks.  It's best trait is that it actually tasted like mango, and not too syrupy-sweet with unnecessary added sugar.  The perfect ender!  Definitely try to find your way in here for lunch.  The best part?  Since it's buffet, you don't have to worry about the service slowing you down!  Just get your check as soon as you sit down and then enjoy the flavors.

Gateway to India
1960 Hillview St
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-364-4777 

Voocaray (Gulf Gate) [CLOSED]

Fried Green Tomatoes
Okra Bites
Jambalaya (shrimp, andouille, chicken, cajun spices)
Crawfish Creole (tomato, garlic, mushroom, creole seasoning)
Voocaray Beans and Rice (shrimp, fried eggplant)
Chocolate Beignets
Beignet Bread Pudding (blackberry brandy caramel sauce)

Amongst the charming collection of shops along Gulf Gate and Gateway sits Voocaray, one of the very few Cajun/Creole eateries in Sarasota.  Being just two doors down from Our Protagonist's friends at Transatlantic Sausage Company (and Bakery!) made it a nice twofer for the evening.  In fact, the Bakery supplies the Po-Boy New Orleans-style baguettes.  However, there were more pressing menu choices to be made on this particular evening. 

When in Rome (or the South), one must do as the locals do, which here means order the Fried Green Tomatoes.  This turned out to be an excellent axiom to follow, as Our Protagonist experienced what he would define as the Best Fried Green Tomatoes, Ever.  It was half Mother Nature, half technique; they had a perfectly thin breading, and the tomatoes were simply delicious to start with.   The Okra bites were nearly equally addictive, and the remoulade made for a good, tangy dipping sauce.  The Jambalaya very hot from the steaming chicken, and wasn't so much of a stew as a nicely-moist one-pot; a perfectly acceptable version of the classic.  The Crawfish Creole, which was the recommendation from the server, was hearty, featuring a great, chunky vegetable sauce.  It was, indeed, refreshing, to not be subjected to weighty sauces that usually plague Cajun and Creole dishes. Our Protagonist's dining partners had Red beans with Shrimp, and with Fried Eggplant, respectively.  The eggplant version looked almost other-worldly with long, thin cacti leaves of sliced eggplant sprouting up and out of the beans and rice.  A cute presentation, and since none of the other dishes had been subjected to this treatment this was simply fun rather than an annoying running joke.  The Chocolate Beignets were long cylinders, an unexpected direction in the shape from the Cafe du Monde version.  Think more like churros and you would be close.  To close the deal, the Beignet Bread Pudding was satisfyingly soft, and the blackberry brandy caramel had nice tang.  Our Protagonist only hopes that the mostly empty dining room isn't a bad omen for the future; it would be a pity for this to be overlooked in the sea of far-too-average dining choices that run the length of Tamiami Trail. 

Voocaray Cajun Cuisine and Bar
6566 Gateway Ave
Sarasota, FL 34231
941-926-2266 ‎  

Ortygia (Bradenton)

Antipasto Ultimo: Torta di Carciofi, Torta Rustica, Portobello Ripieno, Peperone Ripieno, Pate di Pollo con Pistachio, Pate delle due Sicilie, Bruschetta con Caponata
Farsumagru
Amberjack Special
Dessert Sampler: Lemon Parfait, Chocolate Pate, Citrus Baklava

In preparation for this rare jaunt to Bradenton and Ortygia Restaurant, Our Protagonist poured over the online menu, made a strategy, and then browbeat his dining companions (four all told, this time) to go along with his selections for maximum menu coverage.  Hence, the Antipasto Ultimo; an extensive but so-worth-the-price sampler of the best antipasti that Ortygia has to offer.  The Torta di Carciofi was described as "Artichoke, Caramelized Onions, and a 'touch of sweetness.'"  The other torte consisted of ricotta with provolone and Reggiano Parmesan on a layer of prosciutto.  To be honest they both had a wonderful "touch of sweetness"; the edge went slightly to the Artichoke version, because those caramelized onions just had such a wonderful flavor, but that's only if one really has to choose.  Get both and stage your own debate.  The Portobello Ripieno featured a portobello stuffed with sweet Italian sausage, Gorgonzola, spinach, and marsala.  Yes, it was as good as it sounds.  It's "ripieno-ed" companion was a sweet red pepper stuffed with provolone, Reggiano, tomato, pine nuts, red currants; the ingredients list alone is making Our Protagonist hungry again.  It was a push which was better; it simply comes down to if you're more of a pepper person or mushroom.  Then came the two pates (did we mention we're still only on the appetizer?); the first, chicken, basil, caramelized garlic done "country style" with pistachios was very tasty.  But here Our Protagonist will happily plant his flag; the "Two Sicilies" pate, a "Classic Monzu mushroom pate" with capers, olives and dry marsala was not just a dramatic chestnut brown, but the fascinating earth tones of the dish made one sorry there wasn't more.  The final antipasto offering was the Bruschetta con Caponata, which featured sweet and sour eggplant, a Mediterranean vegetable medley, salted capers, celery, and olives, and was served with Italian pesto crisps.  Wow.  On second, no, third thought, don't make any decisions; just order this for table and slowly work through the myriad flavors.  This is experiential food which you can't find other places; this is why one diets; so they can not feel guilty about indulging in such wonderful pleasures as this kind of meal. 

Our Protagonist went with the Farsumagru as his main course upon recommendation from Gaetano, the chef/owner.  Sirloin stuffed with prosciutto, provolone, sweet sausage, egg, asparagus, and pancetta, and braised in red wine and tomato was yet another hearty combination of flavors.  One could quickly become addicted to this style of cooking!  The Amberjack special of the evening, which some of the dining companions chose featured caramelized fennel as the accompaniment, which is one of Gaetano's specialties in terms of treatment.  One should always try to find something with fennel to get the full sense of the Chef's talents.  For dessert, since everyone was in a sampling mood, naturally, the dessert sampler was chosen.  Everything was just as it should be; the Lemon Parfait was perfectly light, the Pate was perfectly rich in its chocolaty-ness, and the Citrus Baklava was a yet another eye-opening flavor combination and "riff" on the Mediterranean staple.  Our Protagonist is exhausted just going back over all of these foods, but would not be sorry to see any of them on his plate again.  And some just might be obsession-worthy, even. 

Ortygia Resturant

1418 13th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34205-7239
941-741-8646

Euphemia Haye

Brown Walnut Bread
Snails Leslie
Pistachio crusted Red Snapper with lime-jalapeno buerre blanc
creamed spinach
Duck Breast in Framboise Sauce with Stella Artois Fennel
Peanut Butter Mousse Pie
Chocolate Ganache Cake
Pecan Pie a la mode (Buttered Pecan Ice Cream)

Euphemia Haye, having the reputation of "Best Restaurant on Longboat Key", is a a place in which Our Protagonist expected to see the da rigeur items of a classic American restaurant.  What was nice is there were a some nods to French cooking as well that amped up the expectations, especially when they arrived at table.  The Snails Leslie was such a dish; the snails melded in with rich sauce of garlic and mushrooms quite nicely; the earth tones all complementing one another, and yet remaining just individual enough for one to savor their favorite taste of the trio.  Even the sauce was poured out and consumed.  The accompaniment of an unnamed brown walnut bread had just the right amount of sweetness to take the edge off the garlicky sauce, and quickly became an addiction all to itself.  The Snapper had a good flavor; the tang of lime and jalapeno's zing nicely offsetting the pistachio crunch and the succulent fish.  Creamed spinach was fine; here was your neon-sign reminder that this is an "American" establishment, but it was nothing particularly remarkable.  The Duck Breast foisted onto Our Protagonist's plate by one of the dining companions was very tender, and the Framboise sauce was remarkable.  Then came the sojourn upstairs to the Loft to gander at all of the desserts.  The Peanut Butter Mousse Pie, for its mile-highness, was surprisingly light.  The Chocolate Ganache Cake was as dense and intense as the peanut butter was light, and Our Protagonist's choice, the Pecan Pie, was an extremely favorable rendition of an old favorite, laced with just a touch of bourbon without being overdone.  The accompaniment of buttered pecan ice cream requested by Our Protagonist, naturally, gilded the lily, but one only lives once.   But then one hopes to live again, if for nothing else but to visit the Loft once more...

Euphemia Haye
5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Longboat Key, FL 34228

941-383-3633

Lucia's Italian Grill

Shrimp campagna
Mussels fra diavolo
Cheese Pizza
Creme Brulee Cheesecake

Lucia was a place Our Protagonist was hardly aware of, but after finding out it was in the rich culinary Hillview district, he was very much game to give it a try.  The Shrimp Campagna, shrimp sauteed with garlic, prosciutto, and diced tomatoes served over white Tuscan beans, could have been a meal unto itself; the marriage of flavors was outstanding and promised a very lovely evening.  After the last 'fra diavolo' debacle at Caragiulo's Our Protagonist was both filled with trepidation as well as a desire to wipe the memory from his mind.  His fears were immediately allayed, as the mussels were quite nicely 'diavolo' for a change, thank you very much.  The red sauce was both spicy and zesty; just plain great tasting.  His dining partners enjoyed their cheese pizza; the crust was a major improvement on the burnt travesty that was the previous experience at Primo.  Then came time for dessert; after getting a recommendation from the server for a chocolate cake that had been shipped in from Texas(!), she admitted that the best thing that she, herself, made, was the Creme Brulee Cheesecake.  Our Protagonist will go with the local over the mail ordered anytime there's a viable choice, and this was truly a watershed moment; the cheesecake actually tasted like a true creme Anglaise.  You could even see the vanilla beans.  It seemed inconceivable that the server had tried to encourage the table to order a different dessert, especially considering that it was her own creation.  After raving about it for a time both at the table and then to the server, directly, she poured salt on the wound by refusing to give out the recipe, claiming "family secret" status.  The horrible tease!  Our Protagonist still is fuming about this final insult, but at the same time is plotting how and when he will get back to have this magnificent creation again.  Where was that email address for Bon Appetit's RSVP column...?

Lucia's Italian Grill
1812 South Osprey Ave
Sarasota, FL 34239

941-954-5400

Savory Street

Quiche wih red peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms, side of fruit
Creative Crater: France (eggs with ham, brie, and bacon)

Savory Street, located in the quaint Citrus Square, had been beckoning Our Protagonist for some time, and on this particular morning, he had time to answer that call along with a dining companion for breakfast.  The draw, here, is that all the bakery goods are made in-house, something that is on the rise, but still not too common an occurrence.  The special that morning, the Quiche with Red Peppers, Broccoli, and Mushrooms, needed to be sampled to verify the claims to baking excellence.  Sad to say, Our Protagonist found it fine, average really, in terms of the crust.  Or, what was that term he heard first to describe Key Lime Pie in one establishment?  Oh, yes, "Serviceable."  The filling, too, screamed nonchalance, not at all the breakfast aspired to by these noble ingredients.  One must note that each into themselves have mild flavors, so spices should have been added to the mix to boost the zestiness.  The Creative Crater, eaten by the dining partner, was very cute; sort of an artisan baker's take on toad-in-the-hole.  Of course, one can't go wrong with ham, brie, and bacon, and the bread did get a good nod from the partaker.  The best thing going for Savory Street is that they have lovely presentation; the fruit accompaniment was arranged lovingly on the plates, almost to the point of making one feel guilty for disturbing the sculpture.   Now if only their dishes can rise to the level of their presentation, we'll really have something here.

The Savory Street
411 N Orange Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-312-4027

Selva Grill Return

Triologia
Mirin Roasted Sea Bass
Skirt Steak over Sweet Plantains, beet relish, chimichurri
Tres Leches Cake

Our Protagonist looked forward to his Selva Grill repeat; a not all-too-common experience, sadly.  Not wanting to completely diverge from his pleasant experience previously, he requested another round of the Triologia Ceviche, with one exception; since only the white fish came with the wonderful aji amarillo, he swapped out the portion of tuna in ginger and got a double portion of white fish and then the single of the Maya Shrimp.  The white fish ceviche is so good they really should offer it by itself on the menu, which is a remarkable statement coming from someone who isn't exactly an aficionado of white fish.  So the Triologia was more like a Duologia, but one can't go wrong with this sampler.  Here's hoping the management will explore other sampling pairs and trios in the future...

On to the entrees; in honor of his mother, Our Protagonist opted for her go-to dish, the Sea Bass (which also held the seafood theme).  The main attraction, though was that corn custard flan accompaniment as well as the bok choy and a desire to see where the chef would go with his black bean sauce.  It was all remembered fondly; it only ended too quickly with the good company that was shared, but that is hardly the fault of the restaurant.  Speaking of the company, his dining companion went with the Skirt Steak again, which is interesting in that this was a different, not to mention far more attractive partner than last time, which would be fully acknowledged by the previous dining companion.  Or at least should be.  At any rate the Skirt Steak worked its magic similarly, and a plantain was stolen along the way to savor.  Our Protagonist craves to learn how to make these at home; they come out such a nice red-orange color and taste just perfect in their caramelized softness.

For dessert, they turned to an old classic that IS something our Protagonist makes at home, the Tres Leches cake.  Not unlike Key Lime Pie in terms of ubiquitousness, Tres Leches now finds its way on nearly every Latin restaurant's menu, with differing levels of execution.  [As a sidebar; don't ever order another Key Lime Pie again if you haven't found your absolute to-die-for favorite.  Just get a pint of Ciao Bella Key Lime Graham Gelato, and then you will have discovered that missing slice of heaven.  Don't care for the graham swirl?  Then get a pint of GaGa Key Lime SherBetter; equally valid, just not Key Lime "Pie", exactly.  End sidebar.]  How was this execution, you ask?  Not quite as good as Our Protagonist's version, spiked with rompope, a Mexican eggnog liqueur, but it was close.  That will have to constitute as high praise in this instance, and the Gentle Reader will have to accept it as such.  As a passing note, Our Protagonist did miss the extent of the "art" to which the plates had been painted with their sauces, previously.  This, sadly, seems to have been toned down a bit, but really was one of the experiential joys of Selva Grill.  I hope the management will not leave this aspect behind, because the smells and tastes really deserve the beauty that was put into the presentation, previously; it really does all go together.  Otherwise, Olé, Selva!

Selva Grill
1345 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-362-4427

Primo Return

Artichokes Casanova
Pasta Sophia Lauren
Pineapple Pizza

Sometimes one must accept the inevitable; that there are so many restaurants one would like to visit for the first time, however, circumstances beyond one's control will, all too often, lead one right back to a place they would rather never have visited to begin with.  Such is Our Protagonist's relationship with Italian food, and having had so many issues with Americano, it still is far and away above what is served at Primo.  Alas, it was dinner, and Our Protagonist made the best of the situation.  The Artichokes Casanova weren't bad; a little on the oily side, but roasted artichoke hearts baked with cheese is a simple enough dish and tasted just fine.  Pasta "Sophia Lauren" started with such promise, meaning that it would have been perfect in a sun-dried tomato-cream sauce, a pink sauce of some sort.  However, it was a just straight cream sauce with the sun-dried tomatoes merely in the sauce along with the crabmeat and asparagus.  The cappellini was a nice tender touch, and one can't go wrong with crabmeat and asparagus, but, once again, this dish proved just not at all exciting.  Our Protagonist probably could have thrown this together on his stove in about 30 minutes of just staring into his refrigerator; this is not the criterion for a meal to eat out.  His dining companion went for the Pineapple Pizza; unfortunately, the crust had been charred beyond all recognition, and the only flavor one got was charcoal.  So much for the wood fired oven; if you burn your food, all the fancy gadgetry in the world means nothing.  Dessert was even forgone to, instead, drown our sorrows at World of Beer.  Perhaps Our Protagonist should have just reviewed that instead?  It certainly brought on a much improved mood...

Primo Ristorante

8076 N Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-3690

Pastry Art

Black Bean Soup
Spicy Chicken Panini (roasted red pepper, caramelized onions, chipotle olive oil mayonnaise, rosemary roll)
Molten Chocolate Cake

This was yet another location Our Protagonist had walked by again and again on his daily routine, his eye on the pastry counter nearest the window.  Being within spitting distance of C'est la Vie and their heavenly pastries is quite gutsy, but this place was clearly standing on its own and deserved to be sampled.  Soup and sandwich seemed the way to begin, the Black Bean Soup being tasty in the way black beans can't help but be tasty.  This begs the question about the food in so many restaurants; is it the assembly, or merely the ingredients?  If it is the ingredients, then one's own powers of industry is all that stands in the way of having the same food at home!  But we digress; the soup was good, not memorable or earth-shattering in any way.  The sandwich, with all of those lovely ingredients listed above, had a great taste of the caramelized onions and the red peppers, but the chipotle olive oil mayonnaise failed to deliver all that the name promised.  An all-too-common occurrence in restaurants these days, really; why name your specialty condiment if it's not going to be the star of the show, or at least get a Best Supporting Actor nod?  Our Protagonist says, go back to the lab and amp this stuff up and really earn that name!  The rosemary in the bread was a nice combination with the chicken; simplicity itself sometimes overcomes the best of culinary intentions.

After eying all of those desserts in the counter over the past year, Our Protagonist thought to get a sampling; however, he was directed by the man behind the counter to go with the Molten Chocolate Cake; an interesting choice in light of all of those pastries.  The cake, microwaved to get the center going again, was fine; again, nothing earth-shattering here, which seemed all the more stunning an indictment of the pastries, which is, after all, in the very name of the establishment.  Our Protagonist has almost given up the idea of a true event occurring when ordering lunch where the fare is soup and sandwich, but, then again, he has fond memories of soups and sandwiches from other restaurants in other cities, or the lunch at Station 400, for example.  Or C'est la Vie, for that matter.  The hope, here, was to really go over the top with the dessert, which simply didn't happen.  It's merely another coffee and eats and sweets shop to avoid ending up at Starbuck's. 

Pastry Art
1512 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-955-7545

Drunken Poet dinner

Som-Tum (Green Papaya Salad)
Tom Yum Goong--Traditional Thai soup with shrimp and mushrooms in a spicy lemon grass broth.
Chicken Pad Thai
Khanom Thuay (Thai "cup" cake)

Our Protagonist had walked by this particular restaurant almost every day, peering in, noting the daily "Sexy Man Roll" special, that, oddly enough, never changed (which begs the question, shouldn't it just be a regular menu item?)...Finally, he broke down and finally dined by himself.  The most important question was, was the Papaya Salad indeed a "green" papaya salad; the answer was a definitive yes.  This sealed the deal, as this happens to be one of Our Protagonist's favorite Thai dishes.  Looking at the other offerings, he actually avoided any of the typical coconut milk soups or curries, and went with the Tom Yum Goong, a spicy little number in a lemon grass broth.  Our Protagonist asked for both dishes to be "authentically" spicy, and was even brought chili paste to bolster the spice level.  Both disappeared very quickly, the soup being a nice introduction to the dish, and the salad a lovely and well-executed version of an old favorite.  Chicken Pad Thai, that dish that everyone ordered but Our Protagonist when dining Thai-fashion, again, pulled his attention away from the coconut curries, wanting, instead, to go someplace different.  This, too, was a tasty little dish, and Our Protagonist marveled at the interesting noodles so different than our typical, everyday pasta.  For dessert, he went with something described as a cup cake, but it turns out that this is merely what the dish is made in; essentially a rice and coconut milk pudding baked in a cup in a hot water bath, the texture was not at all what he expected.  Later, upon researching the dish and how it was made, it became quite clear, and the thick, sweet, liquid-y pudding made a nice ending to the meal, especially in light of it being the only coconut dish consumed on this particular outing.  When it comes to Thai food, man cannot live on coconut alone...

Drunken Poet Cafe
1572 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-955-8404

Gateway to India

Chili Paneer
Chicken Tikka Masala
Lachha Paratha
Mango Chutney
Tamarind Chutney
Hot Indian Pickle
Raita
Ras Malai

Our Protagonist had heard many great things about Gateway to India, so he ventured to find out for himself, with the assistance of two dining partners, regulars, as it were.  The appetizer of Chili Paneer, stir-fried Indian cottage cheese flavored with ginger and garlic, and tossed with both sweet and chili peppers was a very interesting first course, from both a texture and flavor standpoint; they were a standout of the meal.  The Chicken Tikka Masala, a boneless chicken marinated and cooked in a tandoor oven and sauteed with a tomato-based sauce was extremely flavorful, if a bit creamy by the end.  Our Protagonist still looks back fondly on the great spices in this dish.  The Lachha Paratha, layered and grilled whole wheat bread had some interesting dipping sauces to go with, most notably the Mango Chutney.  Tamarind Chutney, on the other hand, which was also the accompaniment for the Paneer, was more of a liquid sauce than a chutney, so it didn't add any texture to the simple crispy bread.  Hot Indian Pickle, described as "assorted vegetables picked in a traditional Indian way, flavored by special herbs and exotic oils," was also a fun dish as there were several kinds of veggies in the little ramekin.  Raita, made from grated cucumber and salty yogurt provided a nice contrast from some of the spicier dishes.  On to the desserts; the Ras Malai, delicate patties of shaped Indian cottage cheese, soaked in thick saffron flavored milk, was the perfect exotic end to this cuisine Our Protagonist has barely scratched the surface of.  The food was quite lovely all around, but the service, well, was quite lacking.  If one isn't in a hurry and can get something from the bar quickly to take the "edge" off, then a great time will be assured.  Just keep drinking the wine as the servers make mistakes, and you'll become much more forgiving.  Too bad they forgot to even bring Our Protagonist his wine, and then charged him, anyway.

Gateway to India
1960 Hillview St
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-364-4777 
 

Primo Dinner

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Seafood Risotto
Zuppa inglese

Come to Italy!  The large billboards have tried to entice Our Protagonist out of his usual downtown scene and up Tamiami Trail to the home of bottled salad dressing.  Through a series of machinations, Our Protagonist found himself eating alone at a table for two on this particular occasion.  The Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, the soup of the day, was excellent.  Rich tomato flavor, creamy texture, good basil and spices profile.  He passed on bottle of salad dressing unceremoniously brought to the table, as following a creamy soup, Our Protagonist had no desire for creamy salad dressing, with or without Carlucci's name on it.  Bring the balsamic vinegar, please!  The Seafood Risotto, raved about by his server, was boring; rice in a simple butter "sauce" with seafood; honestly, what's the point?  Just saute the seafood and leave off all the rice.  But, wait, couldn't that just be done at home?  Yes, it can.  Does one need to spend close to $20 to eat this in a restaurant?  Our Protagonist says, resoundingly, "no."  Fortunately, the Zuppa inglese was a nice exploration of smooth and creamy textures, and served as a rebound to a quickly spiraling meal.  An Italian take on an English style trifle, it was also a welcome change from the ubiquitous and wholly overdone Tiramisu.

Primo Ristorante

8076 N Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-3690

First Street Chop House Dinner

Veal "Awesome" Bucco
Grilled Pear Salad
Lobster Gemelli
Rice Pilaf
Jack Daniel's Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Raspberry Bread Pudding

Our Protagonist has, indeed, made many trips to this restaurant; he admits to having a soft spot for it, and appreciates that it has a menu that can actually be sampled over several visits, rather than the myriad choices at, say, Sangria, where one would simply have to move in for awhile to get a handle on things.  Today, he ventured into some unknown parts of the meal, but also visited some old favorites.  He had been hounded by servers to get the "Awesome" Bucco.  Unfortunately, the Veal was not as awesome as name suggests; it was quite average, really.  If only it tasted like the veal equivalent to Moroccan Lamb Mechoui...The Grilled Pear Salad was a "redo" from the lunch where he was still suffering from burned taste buds.  It featured nicely crisp pears, lightly seared, so it was true to its name sake (without needing to add hyperbolic adjectives, such as "awesome").  The Lobster Gemelli is, and continues to be, the best riff on mac and cheese Our Protagonist has ever tasted.  Case closed.  Which was good, because the rice pilaf was, well, pretty much just rice.  The gemelli, however, redeems most sins culinary; it is that good.  On to dessert, which was "something old, something new."  The Jack Daniel's Chocaolate Cake is for icing lovers, especially considering it's the icing that gets the whiskey spike.  However, Chocolate Raspberry Bread Pudding cannot be beat; surprisingly light for a bread pudding and featuring a beautifully executed sauce, this is one of the best renderings of what could be considered an overdone restaurant offering.

First Street Chop House

1296 1st Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-554-4375

Square 1 Burger

Rise & Shine Burger
Green Chile Cheeseburger
Peanut Butter Pie

The new Square 1 Burger that suddenly popped up on Tamiami Trail caught Our Protagonist's eye on one of his drives around town, and gourmet burger locales have to be sampled to see just what they're offering.  Two different burgers were sampled courtesy of the dining partner; Our Protagonist went with the southwestern selection of the Green Chile Cheeseburger, while his partner went with the brunch-inspired Rise & Shine.  Unfortunately, the fire-roasted poblano sauce just wasn't the inspired taste he was imagining.  The jalapenos brought the heat, of course, but you can get grilled jalapenos at Whataburger...The Rise & Shine was the nice choice; one can't go wrong with the addition of egg (see the Croque Monsieur/Madame comparison), and something magical happens with the combination of the three proteins of beef, bacon, and egg.  So, is it the burger itself?  Well, it was executed just fine in both instances, and some imagination is definitely happening, but was it much better than Patrick's?  Not at all, in Our Protagonist's opinion.  The Peanut Butter Pie, though, was memorable; it was a dessert special of the day, and the silky peanut butter mousse was quite lovely.  A good burger, yes.  Just don't expect an outstanding burger.

Square 1 Burger & Bar
1737 South Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-870-8111

Nancy's BBQ

Pulled Pork Sandwich
Brunswick Stew
Derby Pie--Pecan, Chocolate, Bourbon
Red Velvet Cupcake

Our Protagonist had been kicking himself for some time about letting the Panini Press close before ever darkening their door, so he promised himself to not let the same occurrence happen again with the new incarnation that he watched metamorphose before him, Nancy's BBQ.  At last the day arrived when they opened, and he was able to pull in some assistance to get a good bead on the lunch scene.  There are actually s surprising amount of selections on the menu, which caused Our Protagonist to hold up the line as he second, third, and fourth-guessed his choices.  The recommendation that "Pulled Pork built the house" sealed the deal, and he went with the sandwich.  For the price, the meal was an incredible deal; a sandwich, generously topped with pulled pork and two giant sides for $6.95.  As for the main ingredient, the pulled pork nice and tender, still juicy; something you might not appreciate until you're served lousy barbecue.  Brunswick stew, a new experience, was basically a vegetable-and-potato soup with meat.  This could easily have been a meal unto itself; and it could be, for $5.95 for a pint off the Sides Menu.  The Derby Pie was an excellent take on pecan, Kentucky-fied, as it were, with the bourbon, but the addition of chocolate also proved noteworthy.  The pie even developed a nice crisp outer shell on top which added to the entire texture-and-flavor profile.  The Red Velvet Cupcake?  Our Protagonist can't speak to that as he was told by his dining partner to "Get your own!"  Even the salads looked good, here.  And then there's that "Real Banana Pudding" calling Our Protagonist back; if it's served hot, he will definitely come a-runnin'. 

Nancy's BBQ
301 S Pineapple Ave
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-955-3400

Caragiulo's Third Lunch

Pasta Arrabbiata with scallops, shrimp, and whitefish

Our Protagonist, staying true to usual form, went with the recommended special of the day, the Pasta Arrabbiata.  While the seafood that was included was tasty, of course that was the responsibility of the fish, not the chef!  The sauce, unfortunately, which under the direct supervision of the chef, was not very "arrabbiata"; while this shouldn't necessarily be reaching "Thai spicy" levels, you expect it to have at least a little kick.  Our Protagonist even recalls this particular dish as being the hottest he has ever eaten, all cuisines considered.  Of course, that rendition simply tasted like burning on top of more burning, so that wasn't particularly enjoyable, either, but this was, frankly, boring.  Perhaps it was toned down for the local palate?  Then don't serve it at all, rather than serve a watered-down version of a classic dish, Our Protagonist opines!   

Caragiulo's

69 South Palm Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-951-0866

Sangria

Tomate pan y queso: Tomato, manchego & basil on garlic rubbed bread and balsamic reduction
Tabla de quesos: manchego, fontina, and brie with fresh fruit
Pato con peras: braised duck confit with mushrooms, pears, and port wine sauce
Pollo in cerveza: beer marinated chicken wings with garlic sauce
Pincho de pollo al mojo picon: chicken brochettes served with caramelized onions and cumin-garlic     aioli
Crema catalana

Our Protagonist had help from two dining partners on this occasion, allowing for more than the usual sampling and less than usual guilt, afterwards.  One of those mysterious but wonderful Iberian dishes are the versions of garlic-rubbed bread.  Having grown up with Italian style garlic bread with a big roasted clove on each piece, it is a wonder to Our Protagonist how much garlic flavor really is imbued to the bread from the mere act of rubbing.  Combining this with an excellent balsamic reduction, fresh tomatoes and basil, and the never-fail Manchego cheese, and we have a winner.  The "Table of cheeses" speaks for itself.  Manchego joined with Fontina and Brie; how much better can it get?  That Duck confit?  Excellent; one really not need elaborate.  The Pincho de pollo?  It was fine, but was not the Duck; the Duck was simply that good as to wipe everything else out, memory-wise.  It certainly had a presence-demanding aioli, though, and contrasted nicely with the caramelized onions.  The beer marinated chicken wings were also good; slightly different than norm with their tangy garlic sauce, so a nice change of pace from your typical sports bar Buffalo-style offering.  The Crema catalana was a nice finish; smooth and creamy, but still light.  But was it the Duck, you're asking?  No, just make sure to not skip the Duck and your evening's happiness will be assured; no such guarantee on anything else.  Except, well, anything that includes Manchego cheese...



Sangria
1532 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-955-8272

Michael's On East

Epicurean Adventure: Naples

L'uovo e Formaggio Due Modi:  Chilled Grilled Asparagus with Black Pepper Pecoino Zabaglione, Crispy House-Made Guanciale, Crostini and Arugula
Creste e Gambertti Arrabiata:  Local Shrimp with Olives, Fennel, Basil, Lemon with Spicy Tomato Sauce, Home-Made Creste di Gallo Pasta
Pasticcio di Ricotta:  Ricotta and Farro Pie, Orange Blossom Water, Hint of Cinnamon, Apricot Compote, Lemon Curd and Fresh Blueberries

Our Protagonist finally sallied forth to try one of the Epicurean Adventures At Michael's On East.  The L'uovo consisted of a picture-perfectly topped egg filled with a refreshingly light and just-peppery mousse-y zabaglione.  This was clearly the best part of this plate, as the guanciale was quite disappointing and tasted like, well, merely bacon.  Our Protagonist highly questions the claim that it was "house-made", or that it was even the right cut of pork to be guanciale.  Rumor has it that a vastly superior guanciale has been created down at Gulf Gate's Transatlantic Sausage Company, but all digressions aside...The rooster comb pasta was a fascinating shape for the arrabiata, which wasn't quite so "mad" as it was citrusy; the lemon really dominated the flavor palette, but what was missed was some more heat.  The other spices, though, bolstered the lemon quite well.  A citrus lover's dream come true.  The pasticcio continued the citrus-y trend with lemon now joined by orange.  This is the Italian version of a buttermilk pie, but with a good, hearty crunch due to the farro crust.  The Apricot Compote, Lemon Curd and the blueberries all helped round out the dish in a swirl of sweet and tart flavors.  A very nice finish.  All in all, Our Protagonist heartily approved, at both the meal and the prix fixe price; a very affordable jaunt to Italy!  He will be pouring over his tour guides to see where he should travel to, next...

Michael's On East
1212 East Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34239

941-366-0007

 

Bijou Cafe

Duck Mousse
Daphinois Potatoes
Red Grouper with lobster and Edamame Succotash
Roasted Asparagus with Truffle Hollandaise
Chocolate Banana Croissant Bread Pudding

When one sits down to an Easter dinner, one should expect to indulge.  And then there was this meal Our Protagonist overindulged in at the Bijou Cafe.  The Duck Mousse was superb, but a note; this could (or should) be your entire lunch!  It was VERY filling, and came with little to no help from the other two dining companions as well as its own salad, so the Rocket Salad order was canceled lest Our Protagonist would explode a la The Meaning of Life.  Left with more Mousse than crispbreads, he resorted to schmearing it on his bread.  The Grouper was a bit dry, although the accompanying succotash was flavorful, and the lobster was succulent enough.  The roasted asparagus, though, was another perfect choice.  Nice, smokey flavor and the truffle Hollandaise was truly addictive.  The Daphinois potatoes, really, are all about the cheese; the potatoes are merely a vehicle.  The cheese was so nicely crisp though, that more overeating occurred.  And then onto dessert; chocolate banana croissant bread pudding was surprisingly light for its title; then again, maybe not so surprising at all.  The croissant picked up just the right amount of batter, and the bananas lent a certain lightness as well, punctuated with chunks of chocolate.  Heavenly.  Our Protagonist will return after he has lost the weight he gained from this meal. 

The Bijou Cafe
1287 1st Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-366-8111

Paris to Budapest (Gulf Gate)

Duck Soup
Tomato Soup
Rabbit Paprishka with Spaetzle
Chocolate "Goose Feet"

A fascinating juxtaposition in a restaurant's title such as Paris to Budapest really demands exploring, and Our Protagonist finally found it way there one afternoon for lunch.  The Duck soup was like high-end chicken soup; the farina dumpling dissolved completely into the soup almost making it a European gumbo.  He enjoyed the large mushroom cap that was mixed in with the broth, although, would have been easier to eat if it had been sliced (Re: Pho Cali review).  The Tomato Soup of his dining partner looked and tasted very hearty.  Both had a a typical Hungarian entree; Our Protagonist's Rabbit Paprishka (while the dining partner had the chicken version) was very tasty and spicy, albeit quite bony.  It proved to be a lot of work for not a lot of meat!  The side of spaetzle was a little cool by the time it came out according to partner, but perhaps this was a timing issue that wasn't quite as good as it could have been.  Our Protagonist didn't mind, though, as he mixed the flavors together and didn't even notice it having overly cooled.  The surprisingly-named Chocolate Goose Feet (which derives its unusual title from the wedge shape and color of the dessert) was quite yummy; a chocolate sponge cake (dry, typical of Hungarian-Viennese style desserts, and served with the da rigueur "schlag" of whipped cream) topped with a chocolate custard and finally with a ganache.  The ganache was the best part in Our Protagonist's opinion; it had just the right amount of crispy-and-chewiness all combined.  Also there was a nice hit of cinnamon or another spice just at the bottom of the layer that really stood out.  He even took a piece to go to share with a friend.  Our Protagonist looks forward to making another trip to either Paris OR Budapest in the near future.

Paris to Budapest
6551 Gateway Avenue
Gulf Gate, FL 34231
941-552-9707

C'est la Vie return lunch

Poularde Crepes and Side Salad
"Nice" Toasted Sandwich
Strawberry Mousse

Finally, Our Protagonist had a very welcome return to a great lunch spot!  The crepes in the Poulade Crepes were made from savory buckwheat; very flavorful.  The sauce was filling, but the portion was small, making the serving just right.  Our Protagonist just can't get enough of that salad dressing!  Simple, but delicious.  His dining partner enjoyed the Nice Toasted Sandwich (i.e. from the city of Nice), but didn't share, Sacre Bleu!  The Strawberry Mousse proved an excellent dessert choice; whipped so smooth and topped with a barely broiled meringue, with just a hint of a crisp outer layer before plunging through the warm softness. Que magnifique! 

C'est la Vie
1553 Main Street

Sarasota, FL 34236-5802
941-906-9575

Divino lunch

Timballo
Papardelle with beef and red wine sauce
Chicken Parmigiana
Cannoli

For Our Protagonist, who doesn't like eggplant (except in baba ganouj), the Timballo was an eye-opening experience.  Described as a "pie of zuchini, eggplant, and mozzarella", he wasn't sure if it would be in a crust or not, having never tried such a dish before.  As it turned out, the only crust was the crispy skin of the zucchini which had a wonderful flavor.  The eggplant had a nice tenderness, and didn't taste the horribleness that had always associated with eggplant.  Even eggplants frying with parmesan could make Our Protagonist run from a room screaming just from the very smell.  On the contrary, he thought this was very good; imagine if he actually liked eggplant!  Homemade papardelle was very tender, with chunks of braised beef (also tender) in a lovely sauce.  It made one think of what beef stroganoff would purpose to taste like if only it could lose the awful accompaniment of sour cream, that catchall to add "flavor" when none is to be found, otherwise.  Simply, it was comfort food at its finest; was it the best dish ever?  No.  But was it excuted well?  Certainly.  The few bites shared of another's chicken parmigiana proved a nice experience as well.  This tired-old recipe really sang in the hands of the chef, as it was nicely spiced, not over breaded, and the chicken wasn't overdone!  The server assured that the cannoli were made from scratch, and a lovely thing they were, too.  The ricotta cheese filling had just the right amount of sweetness without being cloying, and the shells had delightful crispness.  This reminded Our Protagonist why he was so sad that Ben & Jerry's "Holy Cannoli" ice cream flavor had been retired; now he'll have to get some to cannoli shells to go and see if he can't crumble them into some sweet ricotta gelato...

Divino Restaurant & Bar
1766 Main Street
Sarasota FL 34236
941-330-9393

Il Panificio Dinner

Everything Pizza/Pepperoni & Sausage

With pizza, itt's all about the crust.  Pizzas live and die by the the quality of their crust, and if one can find a crust that is soft and crisp all at the same time, then you have attained true pizza nirvana.  As Our Protagonist discovered when he took his son for a fun outing, the crust at Il Panificio is just so described, with the toppings all trying to slide off, almost embarrassed to even think of overshadowing this fundamental element.  It was so unlike a chain pizza in every way.  The toppings were of very good quality, in spite of their attempt at a hasty exit, but it's the perfectly-burned-ness of the crust that will make Our Protagonist return; that just-barely blackened, caramelized outer dusting that seals the deal on a well-wrought pizza.  Bravo.

Il Panificio
1703 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-366-5570  

Yume Sushi

Sea Urchin Shot
Quail Egg
Dynamite Roll (California roll with conch, special sauce)

Our Protagonist had read about Yume Sushi's Sea Urchin Shot in Edible Sarasota, so he was dying to try it.  However, his dining companions tried to scare him with descriptions of sea urchin as having that most-appetizing texture of mucous.  But on he went, undaunted.  Having asked for instructions, he was told to down the sea urchin-sake and then munch the cucumber.  Perhaps, he wondered after the fact, should he have munched the cucumber first so that there would have been a better mixture of flavors?  Still, it was quite an interesting first foray into sea urchin!  The quail egg was tiny and looked very cute; it didn't have a huge taste on its bed of rice, but was subtle, and apparently all yolk.  The Dynamite Roll was aptly named, in that it tasted fabulous.  The conch and special sauce had fantastic flavor, and married well with the California roll base.  It was truly first rate sushi, just as described!  It would take months to work through the sushi menu; perhaps Our Protagonist should start making some reservations now?

Yume Sushi

1537 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-363-0604

Americano breakfast

Eggs, Leek, and Speck
Eggs Benedict

Our Protagonist, having been fairly disappointed thus far with too many of his meals at Americano, gave them one more shot, this time at breakfast.  Sadly, he failed to challenge the kitchen with this breakfast pick; besides the single egg over-easy, the speck merely had to be sliced, as well as the leek.  He had expected something a little more original then merely an egg, a piece of speck, and a slice of leek, but that's what it was.  Out of boredom he glanced over at the Eggs Benedict of his dining partner which had a rather runny-looking hollandaise.   This appeared to be mostly egg yolks and not a lot else, unfortunately, and apparently that's what it tasted like, too.  Our Protagonist hould have ordered a fritatta or something to let them show their abilities a tad more than simply demonstrating their knives were still sharp.  He could have made this at home for much cheaper than what the price was, which is another aggravating point about dining out; even simple dishes need to have their own twist or why eat out at all?  The next visit to Americano will be made kicking-and-screaming, Our Protagonist assures us.  

Cafe Americano

1409 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-365-1026

Tropical Thai return

Chicken Sa-tay
Beef Sa-tay
Pork Fried Rice
Chicken Pad-Thai
Squid Panang Curry
Fritters

A favorite of Friends of Our Protagonist, going to to Tropical Thai is basically one big excuse to overfeed oneself, and this visit was no exception to that rule.  The double appetizer of Chicken and Beef Sa-tay could easily proved a meal unto itself; the very tasty meats-on-a-stick would probably be one of the best street vendor fare one could hope to find in Bangkok.  The meat inside was still tender and moist, adding to the marvelously thick sauces they were happily drowned in.  Oh for a piece of bread to dip in!  But Our Protagonist digresses; still, it was probably the best part of the meal.  Afterwards it became an engorgement of epic proportions as Pork Fried Rice, Chicken Pad-Thai and Squid Panang Curry all made their way to the table.  One of these shared amongst the three would have been sufficient, but that wouldn't have been "fun" enough!  Our Protagonist has a hard time turning down squid in all its forms.  As well as Mussels.  And Scallops.  Oh, and one mustn't forget shrimps, but again Our Protagonist digresses.  But one can gather the similar overwhelming nature of all these dishes heaped around the table, and they were all tasty.  Not incredible, but tasty.  And then came fritters for dessert.  Dessert?!  Our Protagonist had to switch his scale's measurement units the next day to kilograms to feel better about himself, but such are the perils of dining out...

Tropical Thai
1420 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-364-5775

Pho Cali lunch

Pho Special Combo: Beef Broth Noodle Soup with Rare Steak, Rough Brisket, Flank, Tendon, & Tripe
Pho Mixed Veggies

After having walked by this Vietnamese spot over and over again, Our Protagonist finally managed to synchronize schedules with a regular.  And what to get in a restaurant called Pho Cali, but a bowl of warm, good-for-the-soul Pho.  Indeed, even though the companion was a vegetarian, he willingly overlooked the fact that a bowl of Pho begins with beef broth!  That boded well to the meat eater of the pair; looking to maximize the tastes of his first visit, he went with the "kitchen sink" approach, including that ever-so-not-popular menu item, tripe.  The textures presented by all the different proteins contrasted with the crisp snap of the vegetables.  Its basically a steak and salad in a bowl of soup.  Perhaps an untrimmed steak, at that.  His companion, not completely ready to cast off the shackles of vegetarianism, went with the "Mixed Veggies" version, which was his usual fare.  The beans, chili peppers, and flavoring sauces all came on the side to be added for one's taste.  The one complaint: the table service needs to include a cutting board and knife with accompaniments; no one wants to just throw a giant piece of jalapeno into their broth!  Sadly, the fork and spoon were inadequate to dice up the pepper, properly, but besides this flaw the soup was a fun exploration of tastes one doesn't get to experience everyday.  And isn't that truly what dining out is all about?  Our Protagonist intends to slake his next hankering for Pho at, you guessed it, Pho Cali.

Pho Cali
1578 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-955-2683 

Barnacle Bill's lunch

Seafood Crepes
Sesame-encrusted Salmon Salad

For this experience, our Protagonist left behind the all-you-can-eat attitude of the first Barnacle Bills experience and picked a nice selection off of the "recession specials" list.  The Seafood Crepes had a nice amount of seafood, and the crepes, themselves were very light and tender crepes.  There was nothing extraordinary about the veloute that the seafood had been prepared in, but it was pleasant enough.  The obligatory accompaniment of coleslaw was serviceable; thankfully, it had not been drowned in too much dressing as is the bane of many a restaurant.  His dining partner ordered the salad; the salmon was crusted with both white and black sesame for a nice color combination which also packed a slightly more peppery punch.  Our Protagonist, having recently discovered the pleasures of black tahini, is a fan of the black sesame, for certain.  Overall, the lunch was fine and reasonably priced; while our Protagonist probably wouldn't make a point of coming back just to eat here for lunch, he wouldn't be disappointed if the suggestion were made, either.  At least it isn't Cafe Americano...

Barnacle Bill's
1526 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-365-6800

Patrick's

Kress Burger (Bacon Cheese Burger with lettuce, tomato, onion rings, and side of chili)
Bacon Cheese Burger

Sometimes one cannot live on gourmet food alone; one must also indulge in the occasional burger.  Our Protagonist, having heard good things about Patrick’s, decided the experiment was in order.  To get more bang for his buck, a Kress Burger was decided upon with both chili and fries to get a good smattering of different tastes.  The server assured the chili was good.  It was fine.  For comparison's sake, he chili at Waffle House is also fine; nothing to write home about, but edible.  The fries were fries; nothing bad, nothing particularly outstanding except a good outer crunch.  The onion rings rated more words; a nice outside batter, crispy, tender inside.  These were quickly conscripted as a burger topping along with the choice of freshly sliced bleu cheese.  The burger, itself, was cooked exactly to order, a beautiful medium rare, which few places know how to do properly.  His dining partner also got his medium rare, but ate more daintily with a knife and fork.  He was also saving half for later, so he carefully bisected his meal.  A good burger, however, is easily recognized by the request for more napkins, which became an emergency at one point, with our Protagonist's dining partner play-acting as the mirror to an obviously messy face that needed a mother’s attention.  The knife-and-fork procedure, though, did reveal the perfection to which the burger was cooked; it looked like something out of a grocery store circular advertising ground beef for the Fourth of July, with the textbook searing cocooning the light pink inside and finally morphing into the beautiful warm red center.  Lovely.  Perhaps the sides aren’t that special, but the burger clearly is something done “well” here, and still at discount prices, to boot!

Patrick's
1481 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-955-1481

Derek's Culinary Casual

Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare
Prince Edward Island Mussels
Duck Two Ways
Braised Lamb Shank
Banana Cream Custard
Poached Pear
Smores

Our Protagonist had heard many good things about Derek's, and he was not to be disappointed.  It was truly eye-rolling pleasure from start to finish.  The mussels came in a treatment of a spicy tomato broth with garbanzos that still had "bite" to them, and the addition of sweet peppers and house-made chorizo meant that every last drop of sauce was consumed, thanks to the grilled bread that was served alongside.  Speaking of bread, the tiny brioche/biscuit/mini-popover that was served to the table was just lovely in its cheesy goodness.  One dining companion shared his Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare, a generous portion accompanied by kimchee; the taste combination subtle, but good.  Another dining companion ordered the lamb shank, a quasi-Morrocan dish featuring a fig puree and preserved lemons, but served alongside root vegetables to anchor a hearty wintertime meal.  It was fall-apart tender, just as it should be; in short order, his plate was empty.  Our Protagonist went with the Duck Two Ways; the duck breast was perfectly seared outside, with a juicy medium rare inside.  The pecan crusted leg confit was extraordinary, especially paired with the creamed spaetzle.  The bacon braised greens with burnt honey jus were a perfect complement to the comfort food-like concept of the platter; it was exactly what he wanted.  Dessert proved a slight argument, but all ended up happy.  One companion's banana cream custard with riccotta doughnuts was nice, but didn't approach the show stopping power of the flavors of the Pear poached in lavender and honey, topped with goat cheese ice cream, and sitting in a spicy bed of black pepper caramel sauce.  Eyeopening, to say the least.  Our Protagonist's choice was switched from the Frozen Trio due to a change of menu to the Smores; a homemade marshmallow caramelized atop a coffee mug of chocolate pate, or, the most haute cuisine take on Swiss Miss one could ever imagine.  All that was missing was the crackling fire and cozy blanket.  The silent nods of approval abounded, just as they had throughout the course of the meal.  Service was unhurried, to say the least, but when the food was finally ordered, the dishes arrived in good order. One would become easily frustrated if they were in a rush to be somewhere afterward.  Thankfully, a good bottle of wine softens the edge of such things...and paves the way for a second visit in the hopefully-not-too-distant future.

Derek's Culinary Casual
514 Central Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-366-6565

Caribbean Pie Company

Cuban Divorce Soup
Southwestern Panino
Key Lime Pie
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Pie

Today our Protagonist decided to take up the challenge of the best Key Lime Pie in town.  Unfortunately, the particular variety he was looking for was out, today.  But before we come to that, we must explore the rest of his lunch.  The Cuban Divorce (the opposite of Mexican Wedding, apparently), a hearty white bean and shredded pork soup,  was nicely seasoned, the white beans still slightly firm to the bite.  The Southwestern Panino called to our Protagonist with its spicy guacamole aioli, but it could have used more kick.  He felt it was slightly "gringo-fied" in it's southwestern-ness; a pandering, if you will, to Yankee tastes that can't abide spices.  Our Protagonist, being a hedonist at heart, prefers to be overwhelmed by spices rather than underwhelmed.  Well, within reason of course.  And now we come to the main event; Key Lime pie samples abounded, and were very creamy, with a lovely consistency to the graham cracker crust which just crumbled to the touch.  His dining companion thought the chocolate peanut butter cream pie was just as good as Dutch Heritage.  Of course, with Yoder's being the locally accepted pie standard, we wonder how it would stand up in a taste test.  A return visit to sample more Key Lime Pie must be in order to better round out the survey, although this particular experience did prove most promising.

Caribbean Pie Company
1952 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-953-5758

Barnacle Bills

North and South Special
Sesame Crusted Salmon Salad
Fried Shrimp Dinner
Key Lime Pie

At this establishment, it's about the seafood, and the quality is good.  Our Protagonist decided to try the North and South special, pitting Alaskan King Crab against Florida Stone Crab.  Just like the Civil War, the north won this contest, but in much shorter order.  Having not had stone crab before, he didn't quite know what to expect,  however, the sweetness of the meat and the ease of which one could peel away that sweet meat from the massive King Crab legs made the stone crab look like a poor cousin. Our Protagonist gave it a good benefit of the doubt, anticipating delicious claws like other crabs he had tried previously, such as in Maryland.  Unfortunately, the meat didn't have the smooth texture of the Alaskan; in fact, he found that he prefers pretty much every other crab eaten to date to the stone crab, and the fact that he was in the presence of greatness from Alaska drove that point home even deeper.

His dining companions enjoyed their shrimp dinner and the sesame crusted salmon salad; it certainly was well encrusted with sesame, and the dressing was apparently very tasty.  The sides in this case were steamed vegetables, which weren't particularly flavorful, but not particularly offensive, either.  They merely served to make one feel less guilty about the "indulgent" meal they were eating!  The key lime pie wasn't bad, especially if you enjoy the taste and texture of lime curd.  Our Protagonist feels this should only be paired with a meringue topping and not the non-dairy topping that was squirted (thankfully) on only one part of the pie, but it was entirely serviceable.  And after the sweet, sweet crab, a little tanginess was just what the doctor ordered.

Barnacle Bill's
5050 N Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, FL

941-355-7700

Selva Grill

Triologia (Ceviche): white fish with aji amarillo, tuna in ginger sauce, Ecuador shrimp
Inca Cod
Skirt Steak
Flan with banana chutney and caramelized bananas

For our Protagonist and his dining partner, the trio of ceviche was a very tempting opening, but they had the best one first; the white fish in the creamy-garlicky aji amarillo.  White fish never had it better.  Ecuador shrimp in a citrusy sauce was a nice turn for second, but not enough to wipe out the memory of the first one.  Tuna in ginger sauce rounded out the trio, being the Asian-inspired part of the lineup.  A superior order would have been the following: Tuna, shrimp, white fish.

Inca Cod was as beautiful to look at as was to eat (actually, everthing was wonderfully presented); the cod was cooked with the spicy tomato sauce, chorizo, and rice in a banana leaf very similar to the Cochinata Pibil that our Protagonist loves so much; flavors were excellent, portion was perfect.  On the side, three skewers of roasted Cuzco corn impaled a lemon half, as though a miniature Picador  had slain a lemon-bull.  But the real star was the fascinating sauce mixture in the center of the plate; the transluscent colors of some idealized orchard fruit with the faintest outline of balsamic vinegar looked for all the world as though a suncatcher had been placed in the center of the plate.  A barely orange mango sauce peaked out on one edge, with a limey green on the other side, and a marmalade-y glaze dominated the center.  Stealing a plantain from the dining partner's plate was well worth it; perfectly caramelized, fork tender.  The Skirt Steak, however, was deemed off-limits, which attests to its own deliciousness. 

On recommendation, the grand finale was the flan accompanied by different preparations of bananas; the chutney would have made the best peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches ever, and the caramelized bananas were just kissed with brown sugar.  The flan was small but with wonderful texture.  Vanilla ice cream on the side was rather plain, especially accompanying a vanilla flan; perhaps banana ice cream would have been a better choice?  But this was the only blemish.  So many good menu choices; our Protagonist looks forward to returning in the not-too-distant future.

Selva Grill
1345 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-362-4427

Caragiulo's Second Lunch

Shrimp Gnocchi with tomato cream sauce
Ricotta-Honey Cheesecake

Our Protagonist has already proved that lunch specials are a good bet at Caragiulo's, and this one was no different.  The gnocchi were very tender, and the tomato cream sauce was beautifully spiced, demonstrating exactly why it's one of his favorites; thankfully, he restrained himself from licking the plate.  The Ricotta-Honey cheesecake was a nice departure from the typical New York style slab of sweetened, pasty cream cheese that our Protagonist has come to identify with cheesecake.  Instead, he found a small round drizzled with an assertive honey and an excellent texture, due to the ricotta.  Bravo.

Caragiulo's

69 South Palm Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-951-0866

First Street Chop House Lunch

Shrimp Tomato Bisque
Lobster Tacos
Roasted Pear Salad
Chocolate-Raspberry Bread Pudding

Our Protagonist, having burned much midnight oil while driving, not to mention his mouth on cheap-but-strong gas station coffee, arrived at lunch full of willing spirit, but unable to taste anything.  However, the zesty flavors of the Shrimp Tomato Bisque were enough to shine through this impediment.   Unfortunately, this was not the case of the Roasted Pear Salad, something that sounded delicious on paper, but lacked the punch to to reach the numbed, deadened taste buds.  Coupled with the fact that the Lobster Tacos came with their own salad, this menu choice became all the more superfluous.  The tacos were quite tasty, and would have made an excellent light lunch unto themselves; the whole grain shells had a satisfying crunch, and the lobster meat was generously apportioned.  To the many thanks of the numbed tongue, the Chocolate-Raspberry Bread Pudding proved to be a wonderful ending for this meal.  The raspberry sauce sang through the chocolate, and the bread pudding, itself, was far above average, being more about the chunky white chocolate taste and texture than the typical soggy version shows for itself.  All in all a very nice lunch; the jury is still out on whether or not to try that particular salad again, though.

First Street Chop House

1296 1st Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-554-4375

First Watch, Second Breakfast

Roma Frittata

Sometimes it's not about where you go; it's about what you spend.  Today, our Protagonist had a free breakfast coming to him, and having had a good experience, previously, with First Watch, he was happy to share himself with the staff at their expense.  The frittata was fine; think eggs with a side of marinara, and you've pretty much got it.  However, the service was the star this particular morning.  Having not grown up having potatoes for breakfast, our Protagonist asked to switch these out, as well as the toast, which he reserves for special occasions and/or jam.  At no extra charge, out came three fruit cups, one that originally came with the dish, plus two more to substitute for the other items.  How many times has our Protagonist tried to get this very arrangement at other breakfasts to find that he would either be charged extra, or the same when he simply asked for less food.  A nice tip was left to thank the server for her attentiveness to someone who could have been so miserly as to have left no money at all.  Too bad birthdays only come once a year...will have to keep reading the specials board in the meantime.

First Watch
1395 Main Street
Sarasota, FL

941-954-1395

Ceviche

Camarones Aguacate
Tortilla
Pulpo de Gallega
Chorizo al Brandy
Crema Catalana

The first thing one discovers upon opening the menu at Ceviche is that it is staggeringly large.  Not that your table will collapse, but you may go blind from the tiny print describing the, quite literally, hundred-or-so items that march across the page.  One should do their homework before going.  Our Protagonist, unfortunately, had not.  One could return for months, years even, and never work through the menu!  A possible suggestion to management; a sushi bar-style checklist might be in order for the tapas selections. 

Excellent bread began the evening, with lovely outside crispness giving way to a nice, chewy inside.  And not a bad pesto dipping sauce, to boot.  The "creamy" shrimp salad was just that; it proved the answer to the question, "what would potato salad taste like with shrimp instead of potatoes?"  Our Protagonist was expecting a stuffed avocado with a small lump of shrimp, not the other way around.  The Tortilla was exellent potato and onion omelet; served with greens only dressed with a few olives, this could be a vegetarian breakfast or lunch by itself.  As an exploratory gesture to octopus, the Pulpo was chewy but tasty, placed over sliced potatoes with a paprika schmear.  Said potatoes were extremely underdone; these were only eaten in order to get to the paprika flavor.  As was mentioned previously, research should be done in advance; as the Chorizo arrived, and only then was it discovered that it was the THIRD entree to involve potatoes, but clearly the best of all.  At this point our Protagonist began to wish not to have eaten either the potatoes with the pulpo, or the aguacate.  This was because of the extreme fillingness of the brandy sauce the potatoes were prepared in that accompanied the chorizo.  Between the addictiveness of the crispy bread and these potatoes, the stuffing level was at its peak.  While the sausage, itself, was nice, the potatoes were clearly the star of this dish; one should order this and then see if you want anything afterward.

Dessert then became the fun challenge for our Protagonist of what wouldn't simply kill him, a la Monty Python's Meaning of Life.  The Crema Catalana was a nice finish, but nearly did him in; this take on creme brulee was in a crisp chocolate shell for that "extra touch", or, more correctly, the straw that broke the camel's back.  Four pounds later, our Protagonist thinks fondly on the meal altogether, appreciating the inherent dangers of the exploratory process.

Ceviche
1216 1st Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-952-1036

First Street Chop House return

Duck Sliders
Grilled Salmon with Maple Glaze and Blueberry Compote
Vegetable Saute
Lobster Gemelli
Grilled Grouper with Pistachios
Deconstructed Triple Chocolate Brownie Sundae
Peach Melba

Our Protagonist returned desiring to cut a deeper swath through the menu to get a better sense of the dinner selection, and at this task he was quite successful.  The duck sliders were quite generous in portion; they could easily have made a light dinner unto themselves (hence their appearance on the lunch menu).  The meat was quite tasty; an almost creamy consistency to the patty.  The Lobster Gemelli deftly treaded the fine line of over-indulgent and flavorful, yet retained some subtlety as well.  The Grilled Salmon was delightful highlight of this meal; gone was the sweet, thick glaze such as the cherry sauce over ham remembered from holidays at Grandma's house.  Rather, the salmon was just kissed with the blueberry compote, a true lesson in less is more, and the barely caramelized outside crust from the maple glaze gave the fish just a hint of crispness.  The Grouper that his dining companion enjoyed was nice, but the Salmon was superior in terms of overall flavor, and at its price proved an excellent choice.  The vegetable saute was serviceable; nothing earth shattering here.  However, the much-touted brownie was just that; moist in all the right ways of the word, chewy in all its possible goodness, and perfectly balanced sweetness to not turn into the usual sugar rush a brownie-based dessert entails.  Lovingly graced with caramel, this was the perfect ending to the meal.  The Peach Melba the dining companion selected had a lovely tang, but our Protagonist was quite satisfied with the choice of chocolate.  Time to dig up more of those gift certificates...there is an "Awesome" Bucco yet to be experienced!

First Street Chop House

1296 1st Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-554-4375

Tropical Thai

Sexy Man Roll
Pineapple Fried Rice
Chicken Cashew Nuts
Banana Coins with Coconut Ice Cream

Our Protagonist had heard lots of good things about this restaurant, but had never gone.  He finally managed to go with a couple who said it was their favorite restaurant.  When he arrived at the restaurant a bit behind schedule, he found that several things had already been ordered, including some decidedly non-Thai items, so there was to be no curry to be had on this instance.  A shame, really, as our Protagonist goes to Thai restaurants specifically for this purpose.  That, and Green Papaya Salad, but that will have to wait for another instance.  So Chinese and Japanese a la Thai it was!  The special Sexy Man Roll was excellent; good salmon topped with a wonderfully crunchy tempura eel, garnished with red and black roe.  Presented beautifully in a serpentine pattern, with a ribbon of spicy sauce daring you to use your fingers.  This should have been the entire meal, but no, there were things to share; the Pineapple Fried Rice had a nice touch with raisins.  The slightly-oddly-named Chicken Cashew Nuts was very mild, but featured straw mushrooms, a favorite of one of the dining companions.  Banana Coins with Coconut Ice Cream was a nice finish, lightly garnished with honey and sesame seeds.  A forklift was then summoned...not really, but for lunch, this was an insane amount of food.  The portions are very generous, and the prices are very reasonable; sushi, excepting, most things were under $10.  A return trip is in order, and curry MUST be ordered...

Tropical Thai
1420 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-364-5775

Caragiulo's

Wild Mushroom and Leek Soup
Open Faced Tuna sandwich with dill, and capers
Tiramisu

Today our Protagonist hit the third of the "Holy Trinity" of downtown Italian resturants; Caragiulos.  Yes, there are others as well, but along with Cafe Americano and Cafe Epicure, Caragiulos is definitely one of the go-to lunch destinations in downtown Sarasota.  Some even refer to Caragiulos as their "second office", and the day's experience provided good reason.

The mushroom soup was loaded with all manner of mushrooms; most wild mushroom recipes seem focus on a single type, calling into question the "wild" moniker.  This one was generous and hearty; a truly great soup.  The sandwich (offered as a special) was good in its simplicity, on perfectly toasted fresh baked Italian loaf cut on the bias, and generously topped with large fronds of dill weed.  The tapanade side of olives and mushrooms was tasty without overpowering the good taste of the tuna.  One dining partner's "Chinese" calamari salad looked and smelled quite interesting, in a ginger dressing and a generous amount of breaded and fried calamari; further investigation may be called for.  The Tiramisu was very light, which was a nice change from typical liqueur-drenched, cloyingly-sweet restaurant incarnations of the dessert.  It was accompanied by berries; unfortunately they appeared to be previously frozen rather than macerated, which was an unfortunate strike against an otherwise fine meal.  

Caragiulo's

69 South Palm Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-951-0866

Miguel's (Siesta Key)

Coquille St. Jacques
Sopa de Ajo
Vichyssoise
Escalope de Vaue "Oscar"
Salmon Vent
Le Petit Filet Mignon
Chocolate Pecan Tart

A celebration of French food calls for one to participate fully, as the above listing attests.  The Coquille St. Jacques featured tender scallops baked in a bed of mashed potatoes with white wine and cream.  Our Protagonist doesn't make a habit of eating potatoes, but this felt just right to him, somehow; it seemed to have touched the "comfort food" nerve.  The mistake was following this up with the very intense Sopa de Ajo; one should NOT have an appetizer if one is to have this.  This might also be a consideration with La Soupe a L'oignon Gratinee, which is another offering; you won't be able to eat your dinner afterward!  Just like the French Onion soup, the Garlic Soup was prepared with a generous melting of Gruyere on top, which when melted back into the mixture thickened with breadcrumbs, the consistency became not unlike fondue.  Our Protagonist was beginning to question the sanity, the wisdom, notwithstanding, of the Veal that was coming.  The vichyssoise that the dining partners partook of was lovely to taste, and probably would have been a safer following to the appetizer that wasn't shared. 

Veal is always a challenge in terms of the texture, and this one came out a little on the tough side.  The intense lemon of the saute wiped out the flavor of either the crab meat or the Bearnaise sauce.  The accompaniments became the star in this case, including a little vegetable ratatouille that even out-sweet-potatoed the sweet potato whip!  It had been caramelized to perfection, and resembled one of the best tasting baked yams, ever.  The salmon vent was good, but, again, my dining partner raved over the various accompaniments, rather than the dishes itself, and then proceeded to steal them from her husband's plate.  His Petit Filet seemed to hit the spot with no complaints, bedecked in its brandy sauce that seemed to be the house specialty.  Our Protagonist's salad had a maple vinaigrette, which was subtle but good.  In spite of nearly splitting in two from eating too much, he simply had to sample the chocolate pecan tart, for which he was richly rewarded for his previous troubles.  Although, he found himself eying the pineapple upside-down tort for a return visit...

Miguel's
6631 Midnight Pass Road
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-349-4024 

Pistachio Ice Cream Smackdown

Our Protagonist cannot live by eating out alone; no, sometimes he must brave his own kitchen to scrounge up sustenance.  That is, when he doesn't have time to whip up something gourmet-ish.  Case in point; a recent exploration of the eternal question, "Which pistachio ice cream is really the best?"  In order to come to a conclusion, a series of highly scientific tastings ensued involving four different brands, two of which were gelati, rather than ice cream: Ciao Bella and Talenti gelati, and Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's ice creams.  Here are the tasting notes:

Ciao Bella: decent flavor, but a gritty, not smooth texture.  Disappointing because of the texture.

Haagen-Dazs: very creamy, but the pistachios were chopped up into minuscule chips; the flavor was so subtle to be virtually non-existent!  Not what a pistachio lover would be looking for.

Ben & Jerry's (Pistachio Pistachio): good pistachio flavor and creamy; not as creamy as Haagen-Dazs, but at least it tastes like actual pistachio flavor! 

Talenti (Sicilian Pistachio): Wonderful texture, and overwhelming (but in a good way) toasted pistachio flavor.  THIS is what pistachio ice cream (err, gelato) should be about. 

Hands down, the Talenti was the overall winner; Ben & Jerry's the winner of the ice cream subcategory.  Sadly, this was yet another disappointing strike in the other over-arching question, "Is Ciao Bella gelato worth the price?"  So far, we have yet to find a reason to buy one of their flavors a second time.  Let us know which ice creams you want us to taste-test, and we will put them in our rotation; until then, you can tune in to our next installment; "Which orange ice cream/sherbet/sorbetto is the best?" 

Mozaic

Light Veloute of Green Asparagus with Lemon-scented Goat Cheese Crostini
Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli and Grana Padano with Fresh Sage and Sherry Maple Brown Butter
Braised Petite Veal Shank Tagine and Root Vegetables with Spring Peas, Lemon, Oregano, and Garlic
Morel Mushroom dusted Black Angus Rib Eye with Asparagus Risotto, Cipollini and Mustard Sauce
Spicy Merguez Sausage Couscous with Harissa
Strawberry Almond Napoleon a la mode with Tarragon Ice Cream, Amaretto White Chocolate Creme Brulee
Passion fruit Meyer's rum, Monteimar nuts & coconut sorbets, Gianduja Semifreddo and Tarragon Ice Cream
Chocolate Truffles and Biscotti

This modest list doesn't even include the amuse bouche of a lovely yogurt-y custard with a touch of mango sorbet that began the meal, or the individual ciabatta-like breads that came out fresh from the oven that were devoured with the accompanying oil and vinegar.  The veloute was deliciously light, with the lemon scent of the goat cheese providing just the right accent.  The ravioli-of-the-long-title was remarkable; but that's easily explained by the presence of the sage (etc. etc.) butter.  This simply translates as: pure goodness, i.e. Ravioli in Pure Goodness.  This dish is also offered as a full entree, and our Protagonist has already altered his Living Will to include it in his Last Meal.   The lamb shank and couscous dishes were served in individual tagines, which hides and cradles the delicious flavors inside to come bursting forth upon opening.  One dining partner wouldn't deign to share his rib eye, so our Protagonist will take that as meaning it was acceptable, like the rest of the food.  The staff was kind enough to make the merguez sausage couscous off of the Wednesday menu even though it was Thursday, and it was heavenly.  Err, acceptable.  The harissa was delightfully spicy, and the bowl would have been scraped out with a finger if not out in public. Meaning it was pretty good, average, really.  I'm trying, I mean, our Protagonist is trying to pace himself here.  The dining partners were amused watching every plate of food becoming dismantled as soon as it was set before him.  Our Protagonist had wanted to eat here ever since reading the ridiculous dessert choices last winter; the recommendation of the strawberry napoleon surrounded by strawberry soup, AND tarragon ice cream, AND capped by the the white chocolate amaretto creme brulee...the tears well up in our Protagonist's eyes just recalling it, mourning its passing.  Which means it was just ok...Oh, forget it, I can't help it!  Move over, scribe!  The whole meal was [expletive deleted] fantastic!  Or Fantastastic like I tried to write just now.  Then came the truffles and biscotti, which you bit into and thought, oh, that's nice, and then...oh...wowww...the finish was superb.  When have you had biscotti that did that?  Be honest, now.  The presentation was lovely; the napoleon had to clearly be constructed from just above scratch when ordered, so the long wait for it to appear was easily forgiven.  The wines were expertly suggested, and the choices of 3 or 6 oz glasses help you be able to switch between your favorites, or to drink on the cheap if you want.  You'll spend your money worthily on the food, believe me.  Would it be too soon to make reservations for tomorrow?

[The writer has thankfully been allowed to resume his duties, and apologizes for the preceding outburst.  Our Protagonist promises to keep his thoughts more in check and leave the typing to those with more skill.  Fantastastic, indeed!]

Mozaic
1377 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-951-6272

Americano the Fourth...

Salsiccia saltata con pomodorini e funghi
Insalate tropicale

Again with Americano!  So many lunch meetings here...but at least it was our Protagonist's turn to sample the Salsiccia saltata that had perked his olfactory nerve the last time.  It turned out to be very generous, more like a dinner portion, which justified its higher price than the other lunch offerings.  The sausage was flat rather than in a casing, and had curled up on the edges from cooking rather like bacon (except much larger!)  It was wonderfully spiced and accompanied by sauteed mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.  The only disappointment was when our Protagonist would spear what he thought was a mushroom cap, only to discover it was actually a slice of potato!  As heavy as this dish was, the potatoes could have been forgone altogether to make room for more mushrooms, instead.  The sauce was good enough to require two pieces of bread for supping in order to not leave any behind.  The dining companion had the salad with hearts of palm and avocado, but our Protagonist requires more protein to fulfill the definition of lunch.  Perhaps the salad will find its way into a dinner selection the next time he (inevitably) returns.  Our Protagonist left feeling very full, but high marks were given to the dish, nonetheless; it seems to be a point of consistency at the restaurant, so it is definitely recommended.

Cafe Americano

1409 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-365-1026

C'est La Vie

Croque Monsieur/Madame
Side Salad
Tart Tatin
Carnot

Our food explorations have brought us to a little piece of France in Sarasota, C'est la Vie.  There were so many good menu choices, but having to start with somewhere, our Protagonist opted for a typical French lunch offering, the Croque Monsieur.  Because our Protagonist is as thrifty as he is adventurous when it comes to food, he opted for the Monsieur version; however, it came out as Madame with the fried egg on top, which meant extra goodness.  The sandwich was delightfully crisp (a propos of its name) and smothered in wonderfully melted cheese.  Not a single crumb was left behind.  The staff was kind enough to only charge for a Monsieur, but future visits will most likely result in springing for the full experience.  The side salad was simple, but had a nice garnish of corn kernels and had a simple yet pleasing balsamic dressing.  The dessert choices were difficult, as a vast array of choices again faced our Protagonist.  In this instance, his dining companion chose the always aesthetically pleasing tart tatin, which never fails to fascinate our Protagonist with its thinly-sliced-and-reassembled apple perched on top.  However this was not to be today's dessert choice; rather, it was the last of its kind, hiding in the back of the pastry case.  He was told it was called a Carnot, but no reference to such a pastry has been found to date.  In any case the taste was just heavenly; a chocolate layer capped by a vanilla cream was finished on top with a meringue and then given a brulee finish.  This pastry alone will guarantee a return trip, and our Protagonist is counting the days...

C'est la Vie
1553 Main Street

Sarasota, FL 34236-5802
941-906-9575