SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

AS THE SUN RISES ON ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY IN PARADISE,  I WELCOME YOU TO .....JIM KNOWS SARASOTA.....

If you missed REVOLUTIONS last Saturday at the Opera House,  you missed one of the best concerts of the year.  Miri-Ben-Ari was superb as was the entire orchestra.  Farewell to Dirk Meyer as he joins The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra later this year.   He will be missed.

Tickets are on sale now for Sarasota Music Festival,  June 3-22.  Alternating venues Holley Hall and the Opera House feature lectures and concerts with performers from orchestras around the country.  clickhereformoreinformation .  We went to the closing concert at the Opera House last year and it was fantastic.

I am pleased to say last week's blog created quite a buzz for rev-el-ry.  Their address is 3005 University Parkway, near Michelangelo's and Tires Plus.   CIO Debbie's review sent many of you for a sample.  We went back Sunday; sat at the bar; watched Tiger, and ate pizza and hamburger.  Delicious....

Delicious is a good word to describe recently opened Vietnamese Restaurant north on the trail across from Ringling College.  If you are a devotee of this type of food, LEANH'S is the best I've ever tasted.  Portions are huge, so go as a group and share the soup, noodles or moo-shoo pork and so much more.   Family owned and operated, the menu is full of familiar Vietnamese favorites.  Your server will help create the best combination for your table. What distinguishes LEANH'S from their competitors is the distinct sauces and flavor of their dishes.  The restaurant is small, busy and warm.  Reservations are accepted.  Their address is 2901 N. Tamiami Trail 941-355-7909.

ATTENTION.......Here's the news Debbie and I promised in last week's blog.  Many of you were disappointed with the closing of one of the more popular Main St. eateries, Brasserie Belge last summer.  We are pleased to report owner Christian has purchased a Kentucky Fried Chicken location on Fruitville Rd. and is currently in the process of converting it into A.'s/ ANTOINES . The menu will consist of Belge's many favorites and more.  Fresh seafood delivered from Sammy's seafood of Tampa.  Guests will be able to choose from mussels, lobster, salmon and much more. We will let you know when A.'s is open.

TELEVISION ALERT......CIO Debbie writes..." For those of you who love TV as much as me, set your DVR to record two upcoming programs.  Tomorrow (Monday, 5/20) PBS  (AMERICAN MASTERS) features two hours of Mel Brooks.  Running 9-11pm, it features some of his greatest hits including Blazing Saddles and The Producers. One week from today (Sunday, 5/26), HBO will broadcast BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, the story of Liberace and his young lover, Scott Thorson.  Michael Douglas plays Liberace, in a role already being Emmy acclaimed, while Matt Damon is Thorson.  Also featured in this all-star cast are Dan Akroyd, Rob Lowe and Debbie Reynolds as Liberace's mother.  Lurid only begins to describe what the story is about.  It airs next Sunday at 9pm."

ON DEMAND......There are several first run movies on demand this week....Venus and Serena, a documentary about the Williams sisters, To The Wonder with Ben Affleck and The Reluctant Fundamentlaist...both currently playing at BURNS.  Another movie out this week, which we have seen, The English Teacher with Julianne Moore, Nathan Lane and Greg Kinnear .  It is a terrific comedy/drama worthy of your time.  It can be found in the non HD section of new releases.

If you're looking for something to do outdoors today the 10th Annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Fair continues in its new location, Gulfstream Avenue and Main Street across from the bay front.  for more information click here .  Is it just me, or why does the same show at different times of the year change annual...10th, 18th, etc...please tell me, if you can, what is different about the shows other than quality?  Anyway, at least the new location comes with a breeze.

 

Kudos to Justine Griffen for her reporting about the possibility of THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY joining several other restaurants at UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER when it opens next year.  She mentioned several more, but did not include California Pizza Kitchen, which I understand is also considering inclusion.  Come a year from October, our restaurant choices will give me many items for this blog.  

While I'm at it, Gabrielle Russon deserves Kudos as well for her articles about Booker High standout Trevyon Thomas.  If his story does not touch your heart, I don't know what will.   Justine and Gabrielle are two recent additions to the HERALD TRIBUNE staff who make reading the paper a must each morning.

Jim's rant this week is not funny!!!!!  Our roads are becoming speedways; especially now that snowbirds and tourists are gone.  University Parkway, Fruitville Road, Highway 301 and Rte 41 are not in competition with Indianapolis.  That race is next week.  Drivers, all of us need to slow down AND stop before yellow turns to red.........

Another week is over.  They go by so fast these days.  Enjoy this one.  Don't forget SAVOR SARASOTA starts in a few weeks.  Menu's are now posted for most participating restaurants.  I'll have more on this next week, along with another oldie revisited by Debbie.  AND, next week I will reveal what all the activity in front of the TARGET CENTER is all about.   Another  out-parcel restaurant featuring breads, salads and soups.  You figure it out!!

Thanks to Tracy for her weekly magic.  She never ceases to amaze me.  And Happy Birthday Tracy.  Thanks also to Debbie for visiting the area restaurants and keeping up with great television programs, and to Carole who continues to add new members to the blog group .  And a much overdue thank you to Carter Lasalle, who many months ago showed me the way to create this blog.  To the rest of you, have a great week.........JIM.........