Derek Barnes: Executive Chef/Owner

Question: What is Derek’s Culinary Casual?

Answer:  An absolutely delightful spot for mid-week lunch!

Smoked Pork

Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich: A perfectly toasted bun (warm and crunchy on the outside; slightly charred on the inside) was the ideal vessel holding moist, stringy, tender pork with layers of subtle flavor. This is truly a refined pulled pork sandwich; absolutely delicious! In fact, I nominated it on my Foodspotting page.

Chopped Wild Salmon Salad

Chopped Wild Salmon Salad: A plate full of flavor, color, texture, and goodness. The light, healthy, and satisfying lunch

Chicken Banh Mi

Bell & Evans Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich: An interesting twist of this Vietnamese staple, full of flavor and textures. Once you taste this chicken, ordinary chicken will never do again. Amazing.

Banana Cream Custard

Banana Cream Custard: A signature dessert and one we always order. Also a Foodspotting nomination!

In addition to the above, Derek’s has many other lunch options.

Derek’s Culinary Casual
Welcomes You to New Year’s Eve 2012 

FIRST COURSE 

SEA SCALLOPS & CAVIAR
house made pasta,TaylorBayscallops, caviar, preserved lemon butter

SONOMA-CUTRER, Chardonnay, 2009, Sonoma
14. additional with wine pairing

~or~

BLUE CRAB BRANDADE
grilled corn bisque, blue crab, parmesan & truffle oil whipped potato, tatsoi greens

FRANCOIS MONTAND, Sparkling Wine, NV, France
10. additional with wine pairing

~or~

HOUSE CURED FOIE GRAS
ginger & citrus scented cranberries, walnut streusel, sauternes & vanilla bean vinaigrette

SCHLOSS VOLLRADS, Riesling, 2010, Germany
12. additional with wine pairing

SECOND COURSE

BEEF SHORT RIBS
chorizo mashed potatoes, black olive roasted green beans, crispy onion,
smoked shallot sauce

AMALAYA, Malbec, 2009, Argentina
10. additional with wine pairing

~or~

MALLARD DUCK
crispy roasted ½ mallard duck, house made potato gnocchi,
wild mushroom & foie gras ragout

LOLA, Pinot Noir, 2008, Russian River
15. additional with wine pairing

~or~

ARROZ CON MARISCOS
crispy barramundi, shrimp, calamari & mussels with toasted rice, white beans,
aji pancha broth, red onion & cilantro condiment

LAS BRISAS, Sauvignon Blanc – Verdejo   Blend, Spain
9. additional with wine pairing

~or~

BUTTER POACHED LOBSTER TAIL
parsnip, sweet pea, mint, preserved lemon, vanilla bean butter

HONIG, Sauvignon Blanc, 2009, Napa Valley
11. additional with wine pairing

THIRD COURSE

SMORES CHOCOLATE COOKIESANDWICH
Michigan cherry curd, pistachio crumble

WARRE’S WARRIOR, Special Reserve Port
9. additional with wine pairing

~or~

POACHED PEAR
lavender & honey poached pear, goat cheese ice cream,
black pepper caramel sauce

DOMAINE de BEAUMALRIC, Muscat de Beaumes de Venice, France
10. additional with wine pairing

~or~

ARTISAN CHEESE PLATE
candied pecans, dried apples, guava pâté

PEDRO XIMÉNEZ, Solera 1927
12. additional with wine pairing

 75 DOLLARS, PLUS TAX, PLUS 20% GRATUITY

Please note space is limited and reservations are a must. To make reservations, please contact Derek’s Culinary Casual at 941-366-6565.

With the holidays falling on a weekend this year, many restaurants are taking a well deserved break and closing; while others are choosing some variation of openings and closings. We did a survey of various Sarasota restaurants to see which are open, and what special menus may be offered. While we did find most restaurants closing for the Christmas weekend, many are open for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Here is a sampling of what we found for 2011 Holiday Dining Options. Please note you can see our review of the restaurant by clicking on the restauran’s name in the list. In addition to our editorial on the restaurant, all of the restaurants’ contact information is available as well as google maps for directions on the review page.

SRQ Reviews wishes you the Merriest of Christmas’ and the very best New Year!

Perhaps no holiday is more focused on food, football, family, and fun than Thanksgiving. Serving as the official “Kick-Off” to the holiday season, Thanksgiving family traditions run deep. Whether it is a family football game, a trip to the beach, a visit to grandma’s house, or just a planned viewing of the NFL games, all the planned activities revolve around the Thanksgiving meal.

Although the traditional home-cooked/home-made Thanksgiving Day meal is still the predominant manner of celebration by most, hectic schedules and lifestyles necessitate dining alternatives. For many, going out for a Thanksgiving dinner works best. After all, there is little prep and no clean-up involved! Sarasota is blessed with many fine restaurants; here are a few for your Thanksgiving Day Dining options:

Two Chefs Casual:  2:00-8:00pm. By reservation only 941-355-5151.  4 courses, $30 includes coffee, glass of house wine, beer, or soft drink.  Children under 12 years old $12 for 2 courses plus soft drink.

Patricks 1481:  3 course meal.  5 options prices ranging from $18.00 to $28.00.  For reservations 941-955-1481

Ophelia’s:  Regular menu plus traditional Thanksgiving meal $24.  For reservations 941-349-2212

Bijou Cafe:  Regular menu and specials. Traditional dinner plate $24.95.  Noon – 8:00pm.  Reservations 941-366-8111

Libby’s Cafe and Bar:  11:00 am to close (last seating at 9:00 pm)  Thanksgiving Special Dinner Plate is $30/adult and $13/child, 12 and under  – including a Turkey Brown Bag To Go.  Beverages, taxes and gratuity are additional.   Ala Carte limited menu items range from $3 to $36. For reservations call  941-487-7300

Cafe Baci:  Noon to 8:00pm  941-921-4848, 3 courses $27

Michael’s On East: From 2:00-8:00pm Traditional and special holiday menu available; For reservations, please call 941-366-0007

Polo Grill and Bar: A gourmet Thanksgiving buffet, available from noon to 5 pm. For just $32.95++ for adults, $14.95++ for children 12 and under, and free for children 4 and under; For reservations call 941-782-0899 ext. 2; 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch

The Sandbar: Traditional turkey dinner and regular menu; 11:30am to 9:00 pm; 100 Spring Avenue • Anna Maria, FL 34216  941-778-0444

The Broken Egg: open for Thanksgiving brunch at each of their three locations from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm

 6115 Exchange Way, Lakewood Ranch  941-388-6898

4031 Clark Road, Sarasota   941-922-2869

140/144 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key  941-346-2750

So whatever your choice, traditional home-made or dining out, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy!

SRQ Reviews, the restaurant guide you need to find the best dining in Sarasota, Florida.

With an artistic eye and a historical perspective of performance art, Denise Kowal founded and sponsored the first Avenida de Colores Burns Square Chalk Festival in November of 2007. With a small beginning and a large vision, the Sarasota Chalk Festival has quickly become one of the most successful Festivals in Sarasota and certainly one of the most anticipated. Last year’s attendance was estimated to be 45,000 attendees over the period with many more anticipated for the 2011 event.

A 3D work in progress

The dates for the 2011 Festival are November 1-7. Currently underway, one can easily stroll the streets of Burns Square and watch the street art take an amazing form. On Sunday November 6th, the Sarasota Opera will be performing select scenes from Madama Butterfly at 11am, 3pm, and 8pm at the Chalk Festival. I have been watching the stage construction on the side street and it is truly something not to be missed.

One of the drivers for The Sarasota Chalk Festival’s popularity is its base simplicity. Pavement, pastel chalk, artists, talent, and time, all combine to form a multi-day interactive experience for the artists, sponsors, and spectators. By scheduling a number of visits over a few days, one can stroll the streets and watch the individual creations evolve and take on a presence which just has to be seen.

3D Street Art

In addition to performing street art, The Sarasota Chalk Festival offers a range of events spanning the entire week. Planning to come to the are and looking for a place to have a meal? There are a number of restaurants in the immediate vicinity which you might want to try:

Dining Al Fresco at Bond

Bond: Bistro style lunch

Burns Court Cafe: Casual Parisian style breakfast and lunch and happy hour

Fresh Start Cafe: Breakfast

Gallileo: Italian

Nancy’s BBQ: Casual lunch and dinner

Owen’s Fish Camp: Casual seafood dinner

Retropolitan: Casual Gastropub with happy hour

SRQ Reviews, the restaurant guide you need to find the best dining in Sarasota, Florida.

To see the Sarasota Chalk Festival 2011 Works in Progress Photo Album just click here:

Click on the link above to view the photos

A Special Dining Date for Mom

Mother’s Day is right upon us. Have you made your plans yet?
Here are a few options for you to consider? Here is a sampling of restaurants offering a special event for Mother’s Day Dining.

•  Ophelia’s on the Bay: 9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, FL 34242
  941-349-2212
  Sunday Brunch 10:00am – 2:00pm $30 per person, Mimosa/Bloody Mary included Dinner 5:00 pm
• Cafe Continental Pattisserie: 5221 Ocean Boulevard, Siesta Key, FL 34242
  941-346-3171
  Regular hours7am-2pm, glass of champagne or mimosa for every Mom who orders a meal.
• Bijou Café: 1287 First Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
  941-366-8111
  Regular menu plus specials Dinner 4:00 – 8:00
  

  Two Chef's Apple Strudel

• Two Chefs: 1617 Desoto Road, Sarasota, FL 34234
  941-355-5151
  Open 2:00-9:00pm.  Special menu/special pricing
• Libby’s Café and Bar: 1917 South Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239
  941-487-7300
  Mother’s Day Brunch 10:30am-4:00pm, $29/$12 for kids.  Regular a la carte dinner service 4:00pm-10pm.
• Salute!: 23 North Lemon Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236
  941-365-1020
  Regular hours, regular menu plus specials

• Terrace on the Circle: 419 St. Armands Circle, St. Armands Circle, FL 34236
  941-388-2222
  Regular Sunday hours, Complimentary Champagne cocktail for Mom!
• First Street Chop House: 1296 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
  941-554-4375
  Sunday Brunch 11:30-2:00 a la carte, Dinner 5:00-9:00pm
• Fleming’s Steakhouse: 2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239
  941-358-9463
  Mother’s Day Brunch, 11:30am-3:00pm, $32.95 per person/$15.95 for children, plus Mom gets a $25 Fleming’s Gift Card to use at another time.  Also, regular menu
• Mediterraneo: 1970 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
  941-365-4122
  Regular hours, regular menu plus specials
• Derek’s Culinary Casual: 1825 South Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239
  941-377-2486
  Although closed on Sundays. Will have dinner specials for Mom on Saturday May 7^th

 So if your plans for Mother’s Day include dining out, you might want to consider one of these spots as you finalize your plans.

Happy Mother’s Day!

When it comes to celebrating holidays, there is no better combination than family, food, and friends. Easter is no exception. In fact Easter has 2 distinct traditional meals: the Easter Brunch and Easter Dinner.

SRQ Reviews surveyed a number of Sarasota restaurants to see what specials might be offered. Although many restaurants will be closed for Easter, there is still a wide assortment open for your choosing. Here is what we found:

Libby’s Cafe & Bar, 1917 South Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239, Phone: 941-487-7300
Easter Sunday Brunch, 10:30-4:00, $29 per person. Regular menu starting at 4:00pm

The Bijou Café, 1287 First Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, Phone: 941-366-8111
Noon to 8:00pm, Sunday dinner. Regular menu with specials

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, 2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239, Phone: 941-358-9463
Easter Sunday brunch 11:30am-3:00pm, 3 courses, $32.95 adults, $15.95 children, and regular menu throughout the day.

First Street Chop House, 1296 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, Phone: 941-554-4375
Regular hours and menu, Sunday Brunch 11:30-2:00 and Dinner 5:00-9:00

Ophelia’s on the Bay, 9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, FL 34242, Phone: 941-349-2212
Champagne Sunday Brunch, 10:00am-2:00pm, $30 per person

MoZaic, 1377 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, Phone: 941-951-6272 Regular menu plus specials

Salute! Ristorante-Enoteca, 23 North Lemon Avenue, Sarasota, FL 3423, Phone: 941-365-1020
Regular Sunday hours 4-10, regular menu plus some specials

Cafe Amici, 1371 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236, Phone: 941-951-6896
3 course dinner includes a bottle of wine $50/person 5:00pm-10:00pm

Marina Jack’s, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, Florida 34236, Phone: 941-955-9488
The Dining Room: The dinner menu will be featured all day (11:00am-10:00pm) along with Easter Specials.
Deep Six Lounge: The lunch menu will be featured from 11:00am to 4:00pm with the dinner menu starting at 4:00PM. Live music starting at 6:00pm.
Portside Patio: The patio menu all day starting at 11:00am. Live music starting at 4:00pm.
Marina Jack II: Two cruises will be featured on Easter Sunday with live music. The cruises will be at the following times; 1:00pm-3:00pm and 6:30pm-8:30pm. Full buffet menu. Prices for cruises will be $59.95 per person plus tax (Kids under 9, $39.95) both prices include gratuity.

Terrace on the Circle, 419 St. Armands Circle, St. Armands Circle, FL 34236, Phone: 941-388-2222
Complimentary cocktail with meal purchase (alcohol or non-alcoholic)

Beach Bistro, 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach , FL 34217, Phone: 941-778-6444
Regular Sunday hours 5:00pm-10:00pm, regular menu

Pattigeorge’s Restaurant, 4120 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228, Phone: 941-383-5111
Easter Champagne Brunch Buffet, 10:00am-2:30pm, $32.95 per person Plus Regular Dinner menu, 6:00pm-9:00pm

So if the quality of food is as important to you as the time spent with family and friends, you might want to consider one of the options above for you Easter celebration. Enjoy the holiday!

SRQ Reviews, the restaurant guide you need to find the best dining and new restaurants in Sarasota, Florida.

Chef Pavel Hasenohrl hails from a small town 45 minutes outside of Prague in the Czech Republic; where he started his love affair with cooking at the nascent age of 6. Pavel’s initiation to cooking started as a matter of necessity and responsibility and grew into a lifelong passion which he pursues today.

Young Hasenohrl’s father died when he was 6 years old. With his mother working to support the family, Pavel would prepare simple meals for the family after his day at school. He started with simple recipes such as soup and bread and built a solid foundation of ever increasing culinary skills and as a result more sophisticated food preparations.

Even though Pavel’s interests and desires put him on the path to culinary school, a promise made to his mother to finish
University was kept; yet during this time Pavel continued to learn new culinary techniques and improve his existing skills.
With an ever increasing culinary skill set, Pavel set out to obtain his culinary certification. This desire to obtain a culinary certificate created a conundrum. The cost of culinary school was high; yet Pavel had mastered most, if not all, the techniques which were to be taught. What to do? Being the persistent individual, Pavel was able to convince the administration to allow
him to take the culinary exam for certification without the requisite instruction. He passed the exam and earned his culinary certificate with ease.

Even though Pavel obtained his culinary certification, his constant desire to learn more and improve his own techniques
continued. He traveled to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France often staying in one location for 4-6 months at a time. He would work with some of the top chefs in the area building upon his culinary skills, honing his techniques and expanding his repertoire of recipes. Self-taught, continentally trained and experienced, Pavel’s ultimate desire was to open a restaurant in the United States.

In 2000 Pavel took the big step and moved to Florida to begin his dream of opening his own restaurant. He worked for a number of years cooking and baking all the while gaining an understanding of the Florida restaurant business. His break came 2 years ago when restaurant space on Desoto Road became available. Seeing the opportunity, Pavel jumped in with the perfect combination of enthusiasm, experience, and energy. Two Chef’s Casual Dining was born!

As one would expect, the restaurant and the dining experience are a blend of European and American experiences. Offering a stylish, contemporary, and colorful décor, Two Chef’s serves classic European cuisine with American styled casual dining and reasonable prices. With a focus on quality, all of the food is made from scratch utilizing fresh, high quality,ingredients. It is no surprise, today’s dining expectations, high quality food at affordable prices, perfectly matches Two Chef’s mission.

A persistent, quiet leader, Pavel continues to innovate and improvise as his culinary career unfolds. Realizing the potential
synergy between a wholesale baking company and his restaurant, Pavel launched the Two Chef’s Strudel Production Company which provides high quality wholesale baked goods to Tampa Bay businesses. If initial orders are an indication of success, the Strudel Production Company is off to a great start.

Four Steps to making an awesome apple strudel:

Add plenty of fresh apples

Cut the dough on an angle

Fold the dough and get ready to bake!

It has often been said “people do best that which they love.” Pavel’s love and passion is food. It started at the age of 6 and continues today. Not only does he love to cook and share his creations with friends and family, he is really good at doing so!

SRQ Reviews, the restaurant guide you need to find the best dining in Sarasota, Florida.

For most of us, the noontime meal is a short break from work, a quick sandwich, salad, or heaven forbid “fast food.” On rare occasions we might go out as a group to a local restaurant for a sit down lunch but these times are infrequent. In Europe, the culture is oriented around food. A sit down lunch is common and occurs everyday. Perhaps that is the reason why Dolce Italia decided to add home-made daily specials to their regular lunch menu.

Insalata della Nonna

Owned and operated by a husband and wife team from the Isle of Ischia in Italy, Dolce Italia prepares homemade Italian food just like your grandmother used to make. This is not your everyday Italian place. All the food is home-made using family recipes and served in a very casual yet comfortable setting. In addition to the usual sandwiches and paninis, there is a special dish served each day.

Pizza Pazzo

Monday: “Pizza Pezzo” Home-made dough, fresh tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and Parmigiano cheese $7.99
Tuesday: “Insalata della Nonna” Arugula, grilled herbed chicken, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese $8.99
Wednesday: “Insalata Italiana di Spinachi” Spinach salad, roasted red peppers, pancetta, goat cheese $7.99
Thursday: Panino “Sasicce e Friarielli” Home-made italian sausage, rapini broccoli, fresh mozzarella $8.99
Friday: “Insalata di Mare” Romaine lettuce topped with shrimp, tuna, and mayo $8.99

Insalata della Nonna

If you are looking for a break from the ordinary lunch time meal, why not consider a home-made Italian speciality for a change? I am sure you will be glad you did!

SRQ Reviews, the restaurant guide you need to find the best dining and new restaurants in Sarasota, Florida.

Sasicc e Friarielli

Dolce Italia
6606 Superior Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34231
Phone: 941-921-7007
Fax: 941-921-7000

George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright once said “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”

Since food and love do go together, choosing a dining option for Valentine’s Day is an important decision. Depending upon the couple, many factors come into play when making such a decision. Some will choose a restaurant for Valentine’s Day dining based upon setting alone. Others will choose based upon the quality of the food. And yet others will pick based upon their favorites; food or place. Whatever factors influence your decision on where to dine; Sarasota has many options. Here are 14 places to consider when making dinner plans for the 14th of February:

Maison Blanche: Special opening for Valentine’s Day dining, offering a special 5 course prix-fixe menu $85/person; perhaps the finest food in the Sarasota area

MoZaic: Holiday specials all weekend with a special 5 course prix-fixe menu for Valentines Day

Pomona Bistro and Wine Bar: Offering their regular menu of small and large-sized plates in a warm intimate setting

Selva: Offering their regular menu of sophisticated Latin fusion in an equally sophisticated setting.

Bijou Cafe: Classic fine dining and service to match; offering special menu items for Valentine’s Day

Ophelia’s on the Bay: Located on Siesta Key; waterfront and water view dining at it best; offering specials and regular menu; always fills up so book early

Libby’s Café + Bar: Offering an innovative menu with specials for Valentine’s Day weekend in a casually elegant setting

Divino Restaurant: Family owned, classic Italian in a romantic and stylish setting

Ray’s at the Serving Spoon: Weekends only; 4 course prix-fixe menu; some of the finest food in Sarasota served in a very casual and unique setting, BYOB

Lavanda: Casually elegant, small intimate setting, classic European cuisine

Two Chefs, Casual Dining: Contemporary colorful setting; offering a special 4 course prix-fixe menu served on February 13th and 14th.

Terrace on the Circle: Offering a special 3 course dinner menu with complimentary bottle of wine or champagne $60/couple.

First Street Chop House: A warm romantic setting; offering Valentines specials in addition to the regular menu

Salute: A lively, new spot downtown, offering Valentine’s specials in addition to the regular menu.

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year, many restaurants will be celebrating the event starting on Friday and ending on Monday. It should also be noted many restaurants are usually closed on Monday’s but will be open for Valentine’s Day. As always, we suggest calling ahead before finalizing your plans.

Enjoy! Eat! Love!

SRQ Reviews, the restaurant guide you need to find the best dining in Sarasota, Florida.