Pictured: The Tomato Burrata with rustico toast, herbed ricotta, tomato, burrata cheese, basil and balsamic glaze. Photo by Laura Paquette.

When it popped up on Lemon Ave. like a slice of toast popping up out of the toaster, Toastique became a go-to eatery in downtown Sarasota. Laura Anderson and Paul Diballa own this location, which is the 19th in the franchise, and aspire to open more as time passes.

The restaurant is a gourmet toast and juice bar that also sells bowls and smoothies. Ingredients like homemade peanut butter, produced with no other ingredients besides peanuts, are prepared by the team and are then plated. “It’s simple food, and even though we aren’t cooking, we are composing eye-catching plates and boards,” says Diballa. Every detail has been thought out, including the knives sharp enough to easily cut through the toast without guests having to saw off pieces. This streamlined process means guests can chow down without long waits while enjoying the comfortable restaurant space, featuring high ceilings and light pouring in from the outside. “The interior is laidback and modern, but not too modern,” he adds.

The lovely setting complements the menu, featuring a delicious line-up of toasts. Diballa recommends the PB Crunch, a slide of raisin walnut toast topped with peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, granola, chia seeds, honey and a mint garnish. Seafood lovers can’t get enough of the Spicy Crab, which includes a piece of rustico toast topped with lump crab, melted Swiss and fontina cheese, siracha oil, tomato, bibb lettuce, jalapenos, micro greens and a lemon twist. Rustico toast compliments the herbed ricotta, tomato, burrata cheese, basil and balsamic glaze in the Tomato Burrata. Cap off the meal with a yummy smoothie such as the Iced Brew with coffee, banana, dates and almond milk. It’s a great afternoon treat for the summer heat.

Partnering together has made all the difference for Diballa and Anderson, who work as a team to provide guests with a welcoming place to enjoy a tasty meal or snack. “She’s been a true champion, and I look forward to collaborating with her in the future,” he says.

Toastique, 10 S. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, toastique.com.

Pictured: The Tomato Burrata with rustico toast, herbed ricotta, tomato, burrata cheese, basil and balsamic glaze. Photo by Laura Paquette.

Toastique