Eleven down, one to go. 2021 went pretty quickly, all things considered. That means that we are down to our last LIST of the year. At the end of the month, we’ll post our Top 25 for 2021. Keep an eye out for that.
This is going to be a BIG eating month. You’ve got Hanukkah, just past. That means there were a lot of latkes and brisket consumed. Next up, all of the pre-Christmas parties and the holiday cookies that go along with those get togethers. And finally, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Those two alone can add a few upticks to the scale.
I’ve gotten way past my ability (and desire) to even manage all of that delicious holiday food consumption. I know I’m going to eat it. I know it’s not on my normal diet. So why not just go with it, enjoy, and forget the self imposed guilt trip?? Give it a try this year. You can get back on track Jan 2nd (and I know you will!).
OK, here we go. Just like every month, we’ve added some new restaurants into the dineSarasota.com database.
First up, Stiks. Last week we wrote an entire piece on the opening of this soon to be popular Asian restaurant. You can read that HERE. Nikki Lum-Kleiber and her husband, David, are turning out some delicious fast-casual Asian cuisine out of the former Taste of Asia kitchen. You really should give it a whirl.
The Fire Fresh Grill opened on lower Main Street. This is a second-floor place that has been home to a few restaurants in the past several years (does anyone remember Blue Bayou?). Big deli sandwiches, burgers, and more populate the Fire Fresh menu. It’s “Hot Food for Cool People.”
Deck’s Plate rounds out our December additions. This one is a little different. 100% plant-based menu. No dine in, they specialize in carry-out and delivery. They offer catering too. There have been quite a few vegan/veg places that have opened this past year. Add Deck’s Plate to you list of options.
We wish all of our new Sarasota restaurants the best!
Here are our top Sarasota restaurants on the website for the past month:
I can’t really explain the resurgence of Phở Cali (1578 Main St., (941) 955-2683) in our monthly lists. But I will say that I like it. Moving up from number three in November to take the top spot this month. The phở noodle soups are definitely a great choice with the cooler weather.
The Drunken Poet Cafe Thai Bistro & Sushi Bar (1572 Main St., (941) 955-8404) slides back one spot to number two. Again, Asian cuisine just taking Sarasota by storm! It really seems like there is a theme building here.
Long time Siesta Key favorite, Ophelia's on the Bay (9105 Midnight Pass Rd., (941) 349-2212) clocks in at number three for December. A very romantic setting and a fantastic finer dining menu make this place so popular.
A few other notables on this month’s LIST. The Alpine Steakhouse makes it. I think that may have something to do with November and their famous TurDuckEn. I mean, it’s just a theory. Also, Yoder’s Restaurant (Think pie here. They baked 6,000 of them this Thanksgiving). El Melvin Cochina, Star Thai and Sushi, and Owen’s Fish Camp are all new additions this month.
Here's a link to the full December List.
Some coming attractions. We have great posts waiting for you this month. We’re going to take a look at dining out in Gulf Gate (part 1 of 2), a dineSarasota Holiday Gift Guide, another edition of our Make it at Home series, plus a few other surprises. If you’re not already subscribed, we would love for you to be. It’s an easy to fulfill New Year’s resolution!
Let’s wind things up here. Being a kid in Chicago in the 60’s and 70’s, holiday time was fun. You could usually count on some snowy days to enjoy with your friends outside. The anticipation of some time off from school was building. And, if you happened to catch either Bozo’s Circus, Garfield Goose and Friends, or the Ray Rayner show, you would probably see some super old-school black and white holiday cartoons. The animation here is definitely crude but oddly entertaining. Enjoy!
SARASOTA FOOD EVENTS CALENDAR
We’ve done all of the heavy lifting for you! All you need to do is make that reservation. Here are some upcoming local food events that we think you might find interesting…
DEC 9 - Burgundy Wine Tasting- Mademoiselle Paris - INFORMATION
DEC 9 - Sarasota-Manatee Originals, Holiday Dining Certificate Sale - INFORMATION
DEC 12 - A Wine Dinner with the Master of Piedmont Walter Lodali Himself! – Andrea’s - INFORMATION
DEC 24 – Christmas Eve Prix Fixe Dinner – Duval’s - INFORMATION
DEC 31 - New Year’s Eve Candlelight Dinner – Ortygia Restaurant - INFORMATION
DEC 31 – NYE’s Beach Bash – Sharky’s on the Pier - RESERVATIONS
DEC 31 – New Year Celebration - GROVE Restaurant - INFORMATION - RESERVATIONS
DEC 31 – New Years Eve Celebration - Mademoiselle Paris - RESERVATIONS
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