Photo of the Duck Confit dish, courtesy of Holly Johnson.

With the recent opening of Blasé Bistro & Martini Bar—a secondary destination of Siesta Key’s Blasé Café—Southside diners are arriving hopeful and departing impressed. The global fusion of French-Mediterranean and Moroccan flavor profiles make up the new bistro-style menu. French home-style cooking and slow-cooked foods make appearances in craftful and thoughtful dishes.

Roasted Beets comes plated with spicy orange, radish, fennel, pistachio dukkah (Egyptian spice mix) and honey vinaigrette while the Red Curry Mussels arrives in a bowl of ginger, chili, cilantro, lime gremolata and housemade laffa (taboon) bread. The Day Boat Scallops is a perfectly-executed highlight with prosciutto and a lightly-seasoned citrus pesto, while the Spiced Lamb Hummus tapas with hazelnuts, Medjool dates and housemade garlic laffa opens up a whole new world for hummus lovers—used to the common versions of store bought variations. Last, and certainly not least, one particular standout makes its way onto the ‘Plats du Jour’ specials, which will now be featured on Thursdays. The Duck Confit quite literally falls off the bone into its accompaniments of butternut squash and roasted brussel sprouts, marinated in a house honey mustard. 

“As in the Euro-style, dishes may vary slightly everyday based on what is fresh and available,” says Holly Johnson of Blasé Bistro, which seems to be a testament to the creativity and ingenuity coming out of the kitchen of this new global hotspot. 

Special prix fixe menus are planned for Christmas Eve with a Feast of the Seven Fishes, and a Masquerade Ball on New Year’s Eve featuring Alie Kats band, party favors, masks and champagne toast. More information on both events found in link below.

Photo of the Duck Confit dish, courtesy of Holly Johnson.

Blasé Bistro & Martini Bar, 1920 Hillview St., Sarasota, 941-941-312-6850.