SARASOTA, Fla.—Nothing befits a night out on Florida's Cultural Coast like an elegant dinner, and Sarasota's fine diningoptions certainly reflect the high calibre offerings its museums, theaters, ballet, symphony and opera exhibit. Few destinations contain as dense a population of award-winning establishments as this glistening city along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. World-renowned chefs are drawn to Sarasota as much by its diverse culture as its balmy weather and pristine beaches.

Chef Jean-Pierre Knaggs and his wife Shay own and operate The Bijou Café, which boasts a European décor complete with French windows and doors and freshly cut flowers. Knaggs' South African and French cuisine has received numerous awards and recognition in Town & Country, Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazines. The Bijou's wine cellar houses the most extensive selection of South African wine in the state of Florida. Its steak au poivre is a favorite, a center cut in a savory sauce of garlic, brandy and shallots served with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Chef Tommy Kauber, owner of Pattigeorge's Restaurant on Longboat Key, is recognized as an outstanding chef by Chefs in America and is the recipient of the James Beard Rising Stars of American Cuisine Award.  Pattigeorge's cuisine is a blend of Asian, European and American influences as evidenced by its sizzling Palermo pad Thai stir-fry and paella a la Valencia.

 Also on Longboat Key is Euphemia Haye Restaurant & The Haye Loft, which is owned and operated by cookbook author and Chef Raymond Arpke. Known as much for its romantic ambience as its excellent food, patrons will enjoy the tropical greenery and birds of paradise set among the twinkly lights of a vintage wooden cottage setting as they feast on exquisite menu choices such as gamberetti e Capellini, noisettes of beef Madagasgar or Key West snapper with seasoned pistachios.

Roessler's has been a Sarasota mainstay since 1978. The restaurant sits on three acres of manicured gardens with a pond, bridge and gazebo. Its traditional menu consists of such dishes as Steak Diane, Veal Oscar and Wiener Schnitzel Holstein. This exquisite dining establishment has been recognized by Gourmet magazine, and its wines have received Wine Spectator's award of excellence.

Recently recognized by Wine Spectator in 2011 is Salute! owned and operated by Chef Laszo Bevardi.  The restaurant, which Bevardi opened in December 2010, serves up classic Italian cuisine that includes homemade pasta and whole fish filleted at tableside. All dishes are prepared with extra virgin olive oil from their vineyard in Tuscany. 

Chef Paul Mattison has succeeded in opening not just one establishment, but two: Mattison's Forty-One and Mattison's City Grille. Mattison's Forty–One's comfortable ambience and award-winning tapas menu is a Sarasota treasure, as evidenced by Mattison's signature artichokes Esther, a sumptuous blend of crispy artichoke hearts in a tomato, lemon and caper butter sauce topped with aged parmesan. Mattison's City Grille takes outdoor dining to new heights, with a menu that varies from oven pizzas to rack of lamb. Each of Mattison's restaurants continues to win Florida Trend magazine's Golden Spoon Award year after year.

Many Sarasota establishments have been in business for more than 20 years. Café L'Europe has enjoyed a thriving business nestled among the boutique shops of St. Armands Circle for 38 years. Established in 1973 in John Ringling's original real estate office, Café L'Europe's continental cuisine strikes a delicate balance between tradition and innovation, with many dishes prepared tableside. Its brandied duckling is a Sarasota tradition.

Michael's On East, owned and operated by  Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini, has not only been in business for more than 20 years, but has ranked among Florida's Top 20 restaurants for nearly 20 years by Florida Trend magazine and was just inducted into The Fine Dining Hall of Fame by Nation's Restaurant News in 2009.  Its innovative blend of flavors are reflected in such specialties as its duck two-way, a crispy thyme leg comfit and honey fennel-lacquer breast in a pomegranate demi-glace served with yellow beet and fingerling potato hash. 

Ophelia's on the Bay recently celebrated its 23rd season on Siesta Key. Situated on the waterfront of Sarasota Bay, Ophelia's offers guests panoramic views of the water through two glass-walled dining rooms. Ophelia's menu mixes American culinary flavor with Asian tradition on a menu that changes nightly and relies heavily on local seafood and produce. Among its numerous accolades, Ophelia's has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in Florida by Epicurean Rendezvous and rated Extraordinary by Zagat Guide for 10 years in a row.

Just inside the Venice Inlet on the Intercoastal Waterway you will find the Crow's Nest Restaurant, Marina & Tavern.  The first floor holds the casual, dark-wood paneled tavern for a meal or a late night snack while the second floor offers a romantic, upscale dining room with a panoramic view of the Intercoastal Waterway serving the highest quality seafood and steaks.  Their wine cellar boasts over 950 selections and they have been awarded the coveted Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” since 1996 and the “Best Of” Award of Excellence since 2004. 

Sarasota's culinary excellence is celebrated in food and wine festivals held throughout the year, most notably the Forks and Corks celebration hosted each January in the courtyard of the Ringling Museum. Fifty Sarasota area restaurateurs join vintners from around the globe for tastings and interactive seminars that has continued to draw wine lovers and foodies for six years running.

June offers the culinary tourist and local alike the opportunity to “Savor Sarasota”.  This 14 day restaurant celebration brings the best local eateries and foodies together for a chance to experience the epicurean talents of some 30+ chefs.  Creating pre fixed three course meals that delight, these chefs present an event that is not only pleasing to the palate but to the wallet as well.   

For more information on discovering Sarasota County on Florida's Gulf Coast, call VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY at 800-522-9799 or visit www.visitsarasota.org.

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Contact:

LYNN HOBECK BATES

VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY

941.955.0991 ext. 103

LHOBECK@visitsarasota.org