Cities across the country host restaurant weeks annually. This is when eateries dish out special deals to encourage residents and visitors to taste menus and experience the ambiance at affordable prices. Boasting one of Florida’s highest concentration of Zagat-rated restaurants, it is befitting the Gulf coast community of Sarasota celebrates its culinary charm with 14 days of multi-course menus at unbeatable prices.
The Dish on Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week: June 1 – 14, 2009
Now in its fourth year, the annual event is coordinated by the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau and partnered with Sarasota Magazine. The week now spans a 14-day time frame and showcases more than 30 eateries, 17 of which are members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a local association for independently-owned restaurants. Savor Sarasota participating restaurants will offer multi-course menus, $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner, plus taxes and gratuity.
Where to Dine During Sarasota Restaurant Week
Restaurants satisfying every palate are offering mouthwatering menus. Participating eateries range from Bradenton's Vertoris Pizza House where they serve gluten-free pizza to the Crow’s Nest in Venice for fresh seafood dishes in a smart-casual atmosphere. A few hotel restaurants are participating including the Mobile four-star rated Vernona Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, praised for its Mediterranean and French cuisine and the restaurant at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort on Longboat Key.
Some of the participating Longboat Key favorites include Drydock Waterfront Grill, Euphemia Haye and Pattigeorge's. City of Sarasota favorites in the Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week include 5 One 6 Burns, Bijou Cafe and Michaels on East. Anyone who has visited Sarasota and dined in these restaurants knows they make the perfect spot for special celebrations, date night or a just because evening. And, these diners know $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner is a bargain.
Foodies who have not ventured to Sarasota in the past few years will want to check out what is new in the dining scene. Derek’s Culinary Casual, located in the Rosemary District, is a must-visit for its creative and adventurous dishes. Libby’s Café + Bar, located in the Hillview Neighborhood, has been voted best new restaurant for 2009 by both SRQ magazine and Sarasota Magazine readers, for its extensive menu with simple ingredients, unforgettable flavor and comfortable ambiance.
Resting the Head After the Belly’s Full During Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week
Various hotels, resorts and a rental agency are offering special packages during Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week making it easy to find a place to rest a fully belly after a day of feasting on great food. Savor Sarasota vacation deals fit every budget including $74.95 per night at the Comfort Inn, Clark Road (Tel: 941/921.7750) and $99 per night at Hotel Ranola (Tel: 941/951.0111), a boutique hotel in Sarasota’s downtown.
Various summer deals beyond Restaurant Week are offered by several other hotels including the Reconnect Package at the Ritz-Carlton (Tel: 800/241.3333) for $299 per night, which includes a $100 nightly resort credit and breakfast for two each morning, and a mid-week Florida resident special of $159 per night at the Hilton – Longboat Key Resort (Tel: 800/282.3046). All prices exclude taxes and subject to change without notice.
Planning a Sarasota Vacation
Advance reservations for lodging and restaurants are strongly encouraged and a listing of participating restaurants and hotel packages can be found on the Savor Sarasota Web site. Planning a vacation around Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week is a smart way to save on the travel budget and guarantees no one will leave hungry. When planning a visit, be sure to check out some of Sarasota's quirky attractions and travel to Stephen King's Duma Key.
Jennifer Huber - A 20-year veteran of the tourism industry, Jennifer's career path began during college when she followed the hiking path in Yellowstone ...
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