Pictured: Costa Rican yucca cakes appetizer. Photo courtesy of Bijou Garden Cafe.

Bijou Garden Café, an iconic downtown restaurant offering fine dining with an intimate and inviting ambiance in the heart of Sarasota’s theatre and arts district since 1986, is offering a summer prix fixe menu now through the end of August. Guests can enjoy the summer prix fixe menu for $49 per person. The promotion includes a choice of two courses along with a glass of wine. Taxes and gratuity are not included. Diners have the option to select an appetizer and main entree combination, or a main entree and dessert, from the restaurant's recently launched summer seasonal menu. The portions for the prix fixe option are slightly smaller, but guests can choose to upgrade their main entree for a small additional fee.  The full summer menu, still available during the special promotion, includes a range of new seasonal entrees. Summer appetizers include Costa Rican yucca cakes with mango salsa and chipotle aioli, flash-fried oyster mushrooms with smoked paprika cream sauce, and cucumber and avocado gazpacho with fresh crab and roasted tomatillos. The summer main courses include rack of lamb with smoky apricot glaze, rosemary potatoes and zucchini rosettes; orange miso salmon with daikon medley, snap peas and soba noodles; shrimp and scallops over cilantro jasmine rice with green coconut curry sauce, among others. There is a new selection of summer desserts, including a gourmet “Moon Pie” made of graham cracker sponge cake layered with marshmallow mousse and hazelnut ganache, coated in dark chocolate and salted caramel; white chocolate cheesecake with mango swirl, lime curd and fresh fruit; and a lemon berry tart with lemon posset and blackberry jam in vanilla shell with berries, pistachios and blackberry meringue. There is also a new seasonal cocktail list inspired by the restaurant’s proximity to area theaters and arts organizations, with drink names including Show Stopper and Curtain Call. The full menus are available online at BijouGardenCafe.com/menu. To make a reservation, guests can visit BijouGardenCafe.com or call 941-366-8111.

Pictured: Costa Rican yucca cakes appetizer. Photo courtesy of Bijou Garden Cafe.