BAKER&WIFE, open since March is located in the strip mall on Siesta Dr, near Rick's and Andreas. The food is good with generous portions. The atmosphere created; especially in the bar area, is akin to being in someone's kitchen. Open for lunch and dinner, but with the same menu. There are a variety of entrees for all different tastes. Click here for a look at the Baker&Wife menu I have only been there for lunch, but several friends who've been for dinner RAVE!!!
There was much anticipation as BEULAH took its time renovating what once had been a true SARASOTA gem, Dvino.Sad to say, Beulah is far from a gem. It is a dud!! So disappointing. From the noise level that greets your entrance to the food itself, it is difficult to fathom how Flavio's, a well- known Siesta Key casual restaurant, could have thought an upgrade would work on Main St. When not busy, the restaurant interior is charming and has an outside patio in back for quieter seating. Why it was not open on the night we were there is a mystery. If you have been there and disagree, by all means let me know at jfox1043@comcast.net
If you are in the mood for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, and live close to the Landings, I recommend you head to PHO SAIGON. Open for lunch and dinner, PHO offers a full variety of Vietnamese dishes of rice, soup and stir-fried. Especially now, while Pho Kali is on vacation and Main St. is difficult to traverse due to construction you can get your noodles here!!A frequently asked question from last week's blog "where is the new deli location?" It is currently under construction in Oaks Plaza at the corner of Central Sarasota Parkway and U.S. 41; however as of this writing there isn't even a firm lease. So before getting too excited let's wait for this one to actually happen.
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| Typical construction site |
The list of new restaurants either under construction or on the drawing board is exhaustive; especially in the University Corridor area which seems to be adding them on a daily basis.
There are several firm commitments moving forward as we speak. However, I don't have any opening dates. An interesting out-parcel across from CVS in the Home Depot shopping center will house three restaurants.
One, I've actually been to in Atlanta. NEWK'S is an express cafe offering a variety of salads, pizza and sandwiches. Reasonably priced with ample portions. You walk in. Order your meal and it is brought to your table in minutes. Not fine dinning by any stretch, but very good!!!
The second is KeKe's Breakfast Cafe open 7:30-2:30 serving, you guessed it, breakfast all day. I've never heard of this one, but I'm anxious to try it.
The third is a new creation from Tableseide, owners of Louie's Modern, Libby's, The Francis and recently opened Muse at Ringling Museum which I will review in two weeks. Its new creation is called Oak and Stone. Have no idea of menu, but if others are any indication, it will be creative, and more up-scale than their two neighbors.
I will address several more next week including the newest Evie's location on Main st. which includes a bowling alley. There are even more under construction in out-parcels at UTC as well as Cooper Creek Shopping Center.
With the fall television season slowly introducing its new shows, I will devote more time to them in the coming weeks. It won't be until October 7, when Lady GaGa makes her debut in the Ryan Murphy Brad Falcuhuck American Horror Story/ HOTEL(my favorite)!! If you can't wait until October, their new FOX series Scream Queens debuts next week. It is a "slasher-comedy"!!! I will be watching because this team has created some great television over the years. Remember Nip-Tuck and Glee?Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris starts LIVE this coming Tuesday at 10 pm NBC. The initial commitment is 8 weeks which takes us to Thanksgiving. More on this next week.
This past week Stephen Colbert assumed command of CBS's The Late Show, long the domain of David Letterman who signed off earlier this year. If the first week is any indication, Colbert is a qualified successor to Letterman, presenting an eclectic list of guests you would expect out of adult oriented late night television.
Though lacking the sophomoric humor of the two Jimmy's, Colbert in his own persona is funny, witty and intelligent. He is a worthy addition to the late night television. And his interview Thursday with Joe Biden was one for the ages. Get it On Demand.
Jimmy Fallon, who competes on NBC has picked up his game. The Friday Donald Trump interview was a classic as was his entire program. So far the same old from Kimmel.
While waiting for the fall movie product to surface, there is a wonderful one at Burns Court worthy of your attention. PHOENIX, a spellbinding mystery of identity, illusion, and deception. It unfolds against the turmoil of post-World War 11 Germany. A survivor of a concentration Camp returns home to find the person who betrayed her to the Nazi's. Phoenix grabs your attention immediately and doesn't let go until she learns the truth. AND, the good news for those of us who have difficulty with the Burns sound system, this one is with sub-titles. 
JIM'S RANT...It's been a year since opening of UTC. Though the jury is out on usage, I can tell from experience it is growing. The restaurants are always crowded, more and more people are walking around with bags, and new stores are opening. One BIG mistake was their parking lot with rows of the same numbers, but no additional information as to location. It was easy to misplace your car as I did on more than one occasion. I did mention this last year and finally management has begun to put letters on those numbers making it easier to locate your car. Tracy sends her best wishes for the New Year as she continues to slave over this blog. Roberta too, but no two cents this week!!!
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| L'SHANA TOVA! |
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