SUNDAY MARCH 6 IS OPENING DAY FOR THE 7TH ANNUAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
NINE GREAT FILMS OVER 8 DAYS...BUY TICKETS NOW
After all my negative comments about Sol Meyer's Delicatessen, did I ever expect to write the following. In his new location and with deep pocket partners, Sol Shenker has come up with a winner. SOL'S NYC DELICATESSEN 1991 Main St. (former home of Applebees); though not perfect yet, it's getting there.The food is as good as advertised. The portions huge. The cole slaw and pickles are what you expect from a delicatessen. The matzo ball soup as good as my grandmother use to make, and the potato latkas well cooked and delicious. The corned beef served hot and piled as high as advertised. The bread is still too thin, so a club roll may be a better choice. And they charge $1.00 for ice with bar drink....so it's not perfect, but it's your best option for deli outside of Too Jays. Plus its downtown location at the foot of Main and 301 is ideal.
And be prepared to wait longer than necessary for your food. It's not the servers, but the kitchen that is prolonging the delivery of your meal. I'm sure this will be fixed in due time.
We ate at the bar and had conversation with many. A turkey sandwich piled high was praised as was the tuna salad sandwich which was also a large portion. And, I found the price for most items fair and reasonable for the quantity and quality.Even with ample seating, there was a 30 minute wait on Thursday. When I left an hour or more later, several were waiting inside and out. Reservations are accepted; however,
There's another relatively new and exciting restaurant at 1936 Hillview St. Recently opened MERCATO, by former owners of Matto Matto on Pineapple in Burns Court area, is a charming and lively pizzeria and bar, with much more on the menu than their delicious brick oven pizza. Salads, pasta, seafood and meat entrees as well.And save room for their fabulous dessert of tiramisu. Made from a recipe by the owner's mother, it is even better than the one I remember from former location. Reservations accepted in main dining room. Bar area is open seating. Open for lunch and dinner 11am-10pm with extended hours on the weekend. To make a reservation or their menu options click here.
After a long wait, NANCY'S at the Ranch is open. Smaller than their Pineapple location, and without her fabulous bbq ribs, Nancy has kept all her other famous items for eat-in or carry out. The interior is modern and comfortable and when the weather is warm there is seating outside. For those familiar with Nancy and her early beginnings as a street vendor you will be pleased with her expansion. Those of you who are not, and live in the Lakewood Ranch area, will love their Main St location 8141 Lakewood Main St. Click here for an eat in or carry out or catering menu.
Next week's blog will be published on the eve of the 88th ACADEMY AWARDS. I have seen all nominees except Room. Last week caught 45 YEARS at Burns Court. Charlotte Rampling is nominated for a best actress award for her portrayal of a married woman who finds a dark secret about her husband days before their 45th wedding anniversary celebration. The theatre was packed for a 5pm screening and most sat in stunned silence as the movie ended. Everyone was left with their own ending. Mine was very simple....DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!!! 
Everyone who has seen it, has been lavish in their praise for SARASOTA Opera's version of Verdi's Aida. Eight performances remain before it closes. A classic tale of lover's triangle performed in our best venue for opera or music...the Sarasota Opera House. To purchase tickets through final March performances click here. 
And as far away as you can get from opera is a FST Cabaret production titled Yesterday with music from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks and other groups from that era. It is one of best reviewed shows of this or any season and has been extended to May 8. For a performance schedule and to purchase tickets click here.
Everyone is raving about this year's CIRCUS, RED WHITE and BELLO!!! Under the tent in Nathan Benderson Park adjacent to UTC. Time is running short. The show closes a week from today. And while there take advantage of the many dining opportunities in the area, both inside and outside the mall.Here are three very diverse Sarasota entertainment opportunities to visit while either living or vacationing here. Tickets for all are limited. Your best immediate option for FST is to purchase stand-by, as according to their box-office nearly everyone gets seated before showtime. There are still tickets available at the box-office for the other two.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday March 22 for the 12th annual JFCS Celebrity Chefs Food & Wine Tasting & Golf challenge What started as a small event on Longboat has grown with both golf and new this year men's and women's double play tennis added to the original concept of food and wine tastings. With over 25 of SARASOTA's best restaurants participating, it would be impossible to mention all , but here are a few, Selva Grill, Jack Dusty, Chart House , Sophie's and Michael's On East. For an up to date list of restaurants and to purchase tickets please click here.
The Resort at Longboat Key Club-Islandside is where all this happens. The food and wine portion is under a tented area. In addition there is a silent auction and live music.
JIM'S RANT....I know it just isn't me when I wish we could fast forward to the evening of November 8 and elect our next President. It's only late February and I've grown weary of both parties slinging insults and dirt at each other and the 24 hour coverage being provided by cable news stations as well as the debates and town hall meetings rotating on the major networks. Where I use to dread the start of advertising for Black Friday door-busters; this year I cannot wait!!! Oh come all ye faithful joy full and......ONLY A FEW WEEKS TO GO BEFORE PEDAL FOR PUPS IS HERE!!! You can register here...NOW...hope to see you Sunday March 6.
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