OCTOBER 15, 2017

WELCOME BACK TO ANOTHER SEASON OF....JIM KNOWS SARASOTA

Sarasota at Sunset

Once again,  our wonderful community is called best place to retire for 2018 by US News& World Report in their recent publication.

Conducting interviews with hundreds of adults 45 and over and focusing on housing affordability, happiness, taxes, the job market and access to top-quality hospitals, Sarasota came out on top.  

"Much more than a beach town." The Sarasota school of architecture, orchestra, ballet, opera, theatre, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and Doctor's Hospital were mentioned as many of the reasons to retire here.

Several new dining options became available late last season and all summer long.  Thanks to all of you who sent suggestions and reviews these past few months.  I will get to ALL in the coming weeks, but I'm going to start the new season with a personal experience. 

Connors Steak and Seafood has been open for two weeks and, boy are they thriving. We were there this past Tuesday, and every table was occupied when leaving at 8:45.

Located  at Westfield Siesta Key in an area housing Metro Diner,  Bravo Coastal Bar and Kitchen, and soon to open Naples Flatbread and Wine Bar,  it is helping to bring relevance back to the Mall, still hurting from the opening of UTC.

Connors puts a casual twist on the traditional upscale steakhouse experience. With a price point between Outback and Capital Grille, this is a restaurant you could go to for a simple dinner, a special occasion, or a a happy hour during the week. 

Entrees come with side salad and baked potato, and are reasonably priced.  The lamb chops were excellent; the steak not so.

Open for lunch and happy hour daily you can go on line by clicking here.
or dial 941-260-3232 for reservation.  

FST Winter Cabaret Season is in full swing with Mack The Knife: The Bobby Darin Songbook kicking things off in grand fashion.  At the young age of 25, Darin was touring the world with his music and compelling stage performances. 

In addition to Mack, Darin was known for If I Were a Carpenter, Beyond The Sea and many more.  All are performed here.  Playing into February, you can get tickets by calling 941-366-9000 or by clicking here.

If planning on Main Stage or Cabaret this season,  a subscription is the best way to go.  Always offering a liberal exchange policy and pricing from $39

If you want to participate int this year's RINGLING INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL time is running out.  It begins  Wednesday evening with an eye-popping opening night party in their Courtyard with food, wine and beer.  Sometime during the evening there will be a performance of WANTED by eVenti Vertical.

Over the next several days attend performances of music, dance and theatre.  For more information please click here.  Your admission to any of these performances is an admission to Ringling as well.

Before departing, for those of you tired of television comedies and drama there are a couple of documentaries streaming now worthy of your time.   GaGa:Five Foot Two/ Netflix takes you back to her Super Bowl performance, and much more.  Spielberg/HBO, is a fascinating look at his career from beginning to now.

 

JIM'S RANT.....What use to be a charming, quiet, little known vacation or retirement location has grown into a  BIG CITY.  Sarasota, complete with most of the chain restaurants known to man;  cultural venues as good as most major cities; a social calendar competing with itself; and traffic which will be indescribable in a few months is no longer a rest stop between Tampa and Naples!! ......Until next week........JIM

Your best choice for before theatre dining