SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012

Good morning, and again welcome to the sights of the season.  Only two more days until Christmas and one week until the last blog of 2012.  Again, this week I will begin with the sights of the season.

 If you are looking for a last minute gift, several of the area's restaurants are offering $incentives with certificate purchases.  Among them, STONEWOODS, JPAN, OUTBACK GROUP, CARMEL CAFE, and HYDE PARK.  In most cases you receive $20 for every $100 spent. 




This week with family here we visited several restaurants, some old, but one a reinvention of itself that is very, very good!!!  me'.Lan.ge the evolution of LAN has become a smart upscale restaurant with snacks, soups, salads and small plates for every appetite and best of all, the prices are reasonable.  The owner/chef is behind the kitchen/bar preparing the dishes as you watch.  Outstanding is the mushroom strudel, beef short ribs, and mini cheeseburgers.  Best of all, they are open until 2am.  Next door is 1564 MAIN STREET, with an even simpler menu of soup, salad and sandwiches.  And, if you like pizza, EVIE'S is the place for you; especially on Wednesday when 14" pizzas are $7 and 18"are $8.  They have several locations around SARASOTA and are open late most nights.

Another new arrival RINCON CUBANO was written up this week in the Herald Tribune.  Though my review would not be as glowing, if you like Cuban food and don't like spending an arm and leg for it,  RINCON, tucked in a strip-mall on Honore and 17th is an ideal neighborhood restaurant for a fast bite.  We also visited old favorites, JPAN and CARMEL CAFE.  Both continue to grow in popularity, especially JPAN which has a wait most nights in both locations.

Also ventured to RIVERWALK along the BRADENTON waterfront.  A few miles of sidewalk along with parks, amphitheater, skate boarding, a water fall for kids, and areas for sitting, this is an ideal location for a walk or bike ride.  From there a few miles west on 12th street  is OLD BRADENTON, where you can find several dining options from coffee, to sandwiches, to bar food. 
 

For several years now, BRADENTON has been easy to avoid, but with it's MANATEE PLAYERS thriving along with its SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM and Bishop Planetarium, it is thriving as a tourist destination or a day trip for those of us who live here.






Next week I will give a review of 2012 along
with a preview of PINEAPPLE DROP, the return of SARASOTA'S traditional New Year's Eve celebration on Main Street.

Until then have a great week.  Jason is actually here editing and proofing the blog this week.  He is on his way to Ft. Lauderdale for Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas.  See you  next week..... JIM.