MARCH 15, 2019

As this is being written, CORONAVIRUS cancellations and suspensions continue to hit my inbox.  The most recent is the 84th Masters.  Already cancelled or suspended are March Madness, MLB, NHL, NBA, Sarasota Farmers Market, Van Wezel, Straz/Tampa, Sarasota Film Festival,  and OLLI classes at Ringling College, with more cancellations to follow.   I too am suspending Jim Knows Sarasota until the fall when we will be virus free.   Stay safe and healthy while enjoying the rest of our beautiful weekend.  


JOIN THE CELEBRATION TUESDAY......

Once a year we all become IRISH for the day and party.   There are several bar/restaurants with special menus featuring corned beef/cabbage and beer.   Along with Main Street's Patricks 1481, Lynches Pub at 19 N. Blvd of Presidents has been celebrating this special day for years.  They were joined last year by IRISH 31, Located 3750 S. Tamiami Trail.  But you don't have to be IRISH to join the celebration. Go for it!

Before enjoying a cold one or corned beef sandwich on Tuesday, March 17,  head to your polling location and vote in our Florida Democratic Presidential Preference Primary to help nominate November's candidate.  We know who will be the Republican nominee, but the Democratic nominee is still to be decided; though Joe Biden seems like a lock.    Remember, you have to be registered as Democrat or Republican to vote in our Presidential primary.  The Primary Election is August 18, and November we ALL vote.

The Rosemary District has seen a construction boom these past several months.  New apartments, condominiums and town houses are under construction all over the place.

Panang Chicken

And while this is going on, new restaurants are joining one of Sarasota's favorites,  The Rosemary, affording us many choices for a casual meal.  One such spot, Spice Station, serving sushi along with a knock-out Thai menu has quickly established itself in the area.  In fact several readers from the Lakewood Ranch area recently told me they "love" Spice Station.

Spice Station 

Their Thai and noodle options are easily shared with the table.  Sushi is individual, but ample for sharing as well.  Wine and beer are available.  It's best to go early or after 7:30, but this time of year there is ample outdoor dining.  Located 1438 Blvd. of the Arts, and open for lunch and dinner.  Parking is either on street or parking lot across street from restaurant.

Ate at Spice Station Friday evening around 7, and though tables were occupied inside and out, there was room for more diners.  It's too early to tell, but other than grocery shopping, people are not venturing out much until the coronavirus outbreak subsides.

Dali Lithograph on Display

Just received email from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens with good news.  Selby remains open during these difficult days; however events scheduled for next weekend have been cancelled due to size of anticipated crowd in confined location.  You can still stroll the gardens and enjoy their Salvador Dali:Gardens of the Mind exhibit throughout the gardens.

Open daily 10:00am-5:00pm, with adult admissions without membership $25, and children 4-17 $15.

BUT, this is an ever changing environment, so be sure to check Selby before venturing out at 941-366-5731.

Went to Regal Hollywood 11 yesterday to see new Ben Affleck movie The Way Back.  Unfortunately, not many others in theatre for the movie, but if you want to get out of the house, The Way Back is worth the trip.  Most theatres are reducing the number of tickets sold to help eliminate spread of virus; however there was no problem yesterday as only a few additional seats were occupied.






JIM'S RANT.......Those of you who have been with me for several years know one of my favorite Sarasota restaurants is Selva Grill; that is until recently.  Armed with an Open Table reservation for 6:30, arrived 5 minutes early only to to informed by unsympathetic hostess we could wait in bar for table availability.  Manager was of no help, and after 20 minutes we were seated.  I'm not going to bore or waste your time with their lame excuses.  The meal, as always, was great, but the evening ruined by attitude of management.....JIM......Thanks for reading........