MAY 28, 2017

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2017

Please take a few minutes this weekend to remember those who gave their lives in sacrifice to our country.....

SAVOR SARASOTA RESTAURANT WEEK...Returns this Thursday and runs through 6/14.  A three course lunch will cost you $16 while the same number of courses is $32 for dinner.  With over 80 area restaurants participating, I'm sure you'll find a favorite at their extensive web site.  If you are planning to eat out multiple times, then I suggest downloading the APP, which includes menus from participating restaurants.   Click here to download their App.

Several restaurants are starting early. In fact, The Rosemary began serving their Savor menus today, and plan to extend beyond 6/14.  Unlike many participants, The Rosemary's menus are extensive, and include some of their most popular items.  Trust me you will not leave hungry.  I suggest you call early for reservations, as most favorable seating's will be booked.  Call 941-955-7600.  You can click on here to view both menus. 

Rosemary's Chef Steve

This year marks the 12th of SAVOR SARASOTA.  Along with The Rosemary, and Jack Dusty's, Michael's On East, The Capital Grille, Eupheimia Haye, Hyde Park, Table Creekside and dozens more.   Keep reading throughout the summer, as I will attempt to keep up with the restaurants extending their  promotion.

For those of you still in mourning for last week's Ringling Bros. Circus finale, you're in luck.  Feld Entertainment & The Ringling Museum's summer program begins June 13 and runs through July 29.  This year featuring one of the stars from Circus Sarasota, Bello Nock.  The program is aptly called "IncrediBello!"  He, a world-renowned, gravity-defying comedic daredevil with foot-high hair!

This one hour performance is in The Historic Asolo Theatre.  Tickets are a very reasonable $15 Adult and $12 Child(12 and under).  To order tickets on line just click here. If the phone is your thing 941-358-3180. Or go to box office form 10daily.

Good Enough to Eat!!!

One restaurant not participating  in Savor Sarasota is newly opened BRICK'S BBQ, 1528 State Street. (Some of you may have had samples at Saturday Farmer's Market).  Their menu does not lend itself to that kind of dining; however, if you LOVE BBQ, along with full bar and modern interior, then this is the place for you.

Had dinner there a few weeks ago, and  found the ribs, beef and pulled pork outstanding.  I'd call this an upscale version of Nancy's.  No reservations here, so be prepared to wait during peak hours and weekend.  Their website and logo are a work in progress.

The ODD Couple

Beginning  Thursday on Netflix,  you can stream the 5th season of Frank Underwood's Presidency;  House of Cards returns.  If you're not suffering fatigue from our own election process and it's sorry aftermath then you're really going to enjoy this season as President and Claire Underwood embark on a campaign nearly as bizarre as ours.  Only a television show, shot before and during our election process could be art imitating life.

University's Diverging Diamond

Looking for something to do over the Memorial Day weekend???  Head over to Ellenton's  Premium Outlet Malls exit 224.  We did just that Thursday, before the mad rush.  Even took Diverging  Diamond onto northbound I75, and pleasantly surprised with speed we SAFELY got on expressway.  A vast improvement from opening day Sunday.

Ellenton's Premium Outlet Malls

It's been at least 12 months since last visit, and we picked the right time for this one.  I swear, every store entered  from Saks to Under Armour to Polo to Michael Kors had unbelievable sales.  Discounts from previous discounts; who could come home empty handed????  We didn't!! Open from 10am to 9pm, with extended hours this weekend. 

Parking is sometimes difficult; however, you will always find a space behind Saks.  From there it's shop til you drop!!!

Before my weekly rant, I want to tell you about a landscape lighting company I've had the pleasure of doing business with for over 12 years.  Night Affects  Inc. will design, install and maintain your lighting both front and back for as long as you own your home; and probably after, knowing Mike Flanegin.

Your Pool Area Can Look Like This

It's hard to describe the beauty of our lanai lighting without a picture, but every evening at dusk, I revel in their majesty.  Over the course of these many years, our neighborhood landscape company has either cut a line or hit a light several times.  Without fail, either Mike, Will or Doug have been here the next day to repair the damage.  See Night Affects work for yourselves at their unique web page, by clicking here.  or you can call Mike 941-925-4821.

JIM'S RANT...The deadly attack last week in Manchester put a whole new spin on terrorism.  Targeting children outside an Araina Grande Concert shows the scum will go to any extreme to prevent us from living a normal life.   I can understand Grande's devistation, and  her postponement of a few performances.

But, the show must go on, and as Joe Perry of Aerosmith put it when deciding to continue his tour, "I don't think we want to live like that, or the band wants to live like that, and our fans don't want to live like that..so we've notched it up a bit, and now it's a celebration of freedom and we're not going to stop."   I couldn't agree more!!!!

Ariana Grande is going back to Manchester sooner rather than later.  She is headlining a huge concert in the city a week from today(Sunday).  She will not be alone, as several yet to be named performers will be joining her.  Live Nation will be producing with ALL proceeds going to victims and their families.......

 



It's good to be back...See you next week...JIM



 

MAY 21, 2017

JIM KNOWS SARASOTA IS AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND, BUT WILL BE PUBLISHED AGAIN IN TIME FOR MEMORIAL DAY




 

Already at work for next week's edition!!!

JIM.................

MAY 14, 2017

WISHING YOU A MEMORABLE DAY....YOU'VE EARNED IT.........

NOTE:  To all of you who received a Jim Knows Sarasota last week, please accept my apologies.  It was an error by blog company.  No blog next week, but will publish following week 5/28...JIM

In the blog of 5/1 I wrote of fitlife foods opening on University and Honore.  Never expected to visit them so soon, but a $10 coupon, and a trip the following morning, took us to their store.

Though small in size, their product choice was ample.  Not to bore you with menu, but cut right to the chase; with WHOLE FOODS soon to open across the street, there really is no need for this place.  Even with the $10 discount, we walked out the door having spent $16.  Consider the WHOLE FOODS options from salad bar to prepared foods to soups to deli, you can easily spend $16 and get more bang for your buck!!!  We're not going back.

WARNING.....If you're planning a trip to Snatched any time soon, FORGET IT!!!  What a waste of talent.  Not one decent laugh in two hours.  I made the mistake of not trusting the reviews:WRONG.

Almost 3 years ago, one of the first restaurants I reviewed was Epicure.  I've been back several times since, but had a very good experience this past week with ROMEO group.  Tuesday was not my  first lunch at Epicure, and surely will not by my last.  Lacking was the noise that accompanies dinner most evenings, I enjoyed my meal without having to shout to whoever was sitting next to me.

This is no Sister to Mediterraneo, but a reasonably priced, casual authentic Italian trattoria in the heart of Sarasota at the corner of Main and Palm.  Using the freshest of ingredients, everything is made from scratch daily from fresh pasta, bread, desserts and gelato.  Call 941-366-5648 for reservations inside or out.

Florida Studio Theatre continues its season by offering three Mainstage and the same number of Cabaret shows beginning May 31 and running Through August 22.

The first Mainstage offering sounds too good to pass up.  Burt & Me features the music of icon, Burt Bachrach in a musical drama.  Familiar songs from Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head to I Say a Little Prayer keep you humming throughout the performance.

Cabaret's first Revue The Jersey Tenors gives us music of Frankie Valli along with Queen, ABBA, Frank, Springsteen and more.  Always creative, this one could perform as well as this season's Piano Men.  To subscribe for the season click here.  Packages start at only $34 for each venue.

There's a relatively new restaurant at 1369 Main St. Sarasota.  You'll have to walk up several stairs or ride an elevator to get there, but The Coolinary is worth it; especially if you go before 6pm, when their menu is 25% off and drinks are 2for1.  If you go later, though the menu is creative and the food outstanding, it is over-priced. 

The decor will remind you of Boca; airy, modern, noisy (even at 1/3 full), modern-bar, etc.  The food is organic, freshly made, and served in a creative manner.  I had short ribs and buffalo mozzarella salad.  I'd wait for next month's Savor Sarasota, unless you don't mind an early dinner.

If you're looking for something to do next weekend, check out the inaugural St. Armands Seafood & Music Festival.  May20-21, 11AM-8PM, there will be Arts&Crafts, live music and delicious seafood by local restaurants.  I'm sure there will be small samples, but if you really want to indulge, there will be $ involved.  It's always fun to walk these events for an hour or so; especially early before the Sarasota sun and heat take over. For a list of vendors and craft people click here



JIM'S RANT.....Am I dreaming, or didn't an overwhelming majority of us approve the sale of Medical Marijuana last November?  Yes we did; then why is our "esteemed" Florida Legislature taking so long to implement our wishes?  Yes, Sarasota is PARADISE, no doubt about it.  Our legislature, on the other hand, is a living Hell!!....... 



I am taking another week off, but will be back to kick off the summer season 5/28.  Until then watch out for those unfriendly love bugs....they're backkkkkk...JIM

 

MAY 7, 2017

JIM KNOWS SARASOTA IS NOT PUBLISHING THIS WEEK...WILL RESUME 5/14!!!!!!


JIM