When downtown Sarasota’s Social Eatery & Bar has bouillabaisse as its “Gulf to fork” option of the day, run, don’t walk, to the First Street restaurant. The dish is packed with seafood, including lobster tail, salmon, mussels, shrimp and sea bass, all artfully presented atop a flavorful broth. We’re not sharing.
JPan has opened its new location near The Mall at University Town Center, and we’re loving its sunomomo appetizer ($9). The dish is comprised of chilled octopus, shrimp, conch and kani atop a seaweed and cucumber salad, and it’s cutely presented in a cocktail glass. Definitely a new favorite.
Oak & Stone is the newest place in town for sampling craft and global beers and enjoying some delicious, original pizzas. A favorite is the Cedar Key Clam pizza, made with fabulous clams from Florida’s largest commercial clam farm, white cheddar cheese, roasted garlic, fried bacon and a sprinkling of oregano. $14 and absolutely first rate.
You can’t go wrong with classic quiche Lorraine for breakfast or brunch, and--as you would expect from a French cafe--downtown Sarasota staple C’est La Vie’s version is delicious. The quiche is stuffed with Swiss cheese and bacon and served with crispy diced potatoes on the side. Pair it with a mimosa and you’ve got a perfect meal.
It’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu at Owen’s Fish Camp, but we’re partial to starting our dinner with the fried green tomato salad ($6.99 for a small; $9.99 for a large). Flavorful fried green tomatoes are topped with creamy goat cheese and crunchy country ham crisps, then drizzled with buttermilk dressing. Yum.