SRQ DAILY Jun 16, 2020
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"Korean food is kinda like Thai or Mexican food it's hot but there's still a lot of flavor."
“Do you like spicy food?” asks Charlie Chi, who owns and operates Charlie’s Bulgogi on Bee Ridge. It’s a difficult question to answer. I can enjoy a little bit of heat in the context of an entire dish, maybe even appreciate the physicality of an occasional spicy experience—tingling lips, runny nose, eyes aglitter with tears. But I am by no means a capsaicin connoisseur, one of those spicy food athletes that can down hot wings until their face goes numb. Chi can sense these deliberations churning in my head as I attempt to answer the question in a way that implies a willingness to try something new but expresses a healthy regard for the well-being of my mouth. “Korean food is kinda like Thai or Mexican food,” he says, “it’s hot but there’s still a lot of flavor.” “I like a little bit of heat,” says I, a diplomatic response that does not really answer his original question. “Then I think you’ll like this,” says Chi.
“This” refers to budae-jjigae, a spicy stew whose name translates into “army stew.” The dish, or, rather, the title “Korean Army Stew,” caught my eye when browsing the extensive menu of the small Korean restaurant. The next two words intrigued further— “kimchi” and “Spam.” A Google search was in order to try and make sense of how kimchi and Spam could conceivably have ended up together in a dish. As it turns out, the dish materialized in response to food shortages in South Korea following the Korean War. When the U.S. abandoned its army bases following the armistice, they left behind all manner of canned goods and processed meat products like hot dogs, sausages and Spam. These ingredients combined with the native cuisine to yield a hearty stew of mystery meats, kimchi and spicy, gochujang-flavored broth. Variations of the stew continue to be enjoyed widely in South Korea. “It’s my favorite,” says Chi, whose smile beams through his mask.
The meal is bagged and paid for and only when I get home and gaze at the container of broth do I start to worry about the aforementioned heat. The broth is fire-engine red, Tabasco red, red like a glass stove-top set to high. I shake the container and warily watch a turbid swirl of cabbage and red chili flakes and chunks of meat. A second container holds rice and four small accompaniments of corn salad, bean sprouts, pickled daikon and kimchi. Piling the ingredients into a bowl, I sit down with a tall glass of ice water and spoon the first bit into my mouth before my nerves get the better of me. Chi was right. The broth is spicy but not fiery, hot but not at the expense of flavor. Between the rice and protein chunks (sausage, spam, tofu), this eats much like a Brunswick stew but with more tang and less acidity. The small bit of dairy from the corn salad turns the broth a less menacing orange, while the cabbage adds a nice crunch to the more pliable textures.
The stew was delicious, but I still don’t know how to answer the question, “Do you like spicy food?” 
Pictured: Charlie's Bulgogi, 4567 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 941-554-4806; courtesy of Andrew Fabian
Southside Village’s popular Blasé Bistro & Martini Bar has re-opened for happy hour and dinner with a newly designed Mediterranean menu. The new menu offers a creative blend of house made dishes that typify a classic euro-style dining experience.
Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, diners can choose to dine in with the safe-guard of appropriately spaced tables, enhanced cleaning and safety measure practices, and newly installed special air conditioning filter system. The bistro is also taking online orders for takeout and curbside pickup, which also includes packaged liquor options. For those staying in and wanting delivery service, orders can be made through BiteSquad.
Menu prices range from $8 to $27 with 15 plates under $20 as well as a Savor Sarasota 3-course menu, June 1-14, for $32/person , which includes a Chopped Summer Vegetable Salad, Cioppino and Pineapple Cake with Rum Caramel.
Happy Hour is also back for in-restaurant dining only Tuesday-Friday from 5 to 6:30 pm. Happy Hour specials include $2 off small plates and $6 select martinis, cocktails, champagne and wine. Dinner service will be available until 9 pm. Tuesdays-Thursdays and 10 pm. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Blasé Bistro’s new menu highlights include the restaurant’s signature euro-style small and large plates, perfect for sharing or on their own, with several gluten free and vegetarian options. Many dishes can also be adapted to accommodate dietary requests.
Signature small plates include housemade Agnolotti Pasta with corn puree, wild mushrooms and pine nuts, Spiced Eggplant or Lamb Hummus with housemade Laffa bread, Red Curry Mussels, and Greek Spiced Pork Ribs with charred red cabbage, orange, radish salad and coriander yogurt.
Six Handheld options range from the classic Blasé Angus Burger and Crispy Softshell Crab to The Vedge and Shrimp Salad Sandwich. For large plates, highlights include Shrimp & Polenta, Orecchiette Pasta with summer vegetables, Steak Frites and a daily Catch of the Day.
“We designed the new menu with the diner in mind, dishes they can enjoy at the restaurant or for takeout,” said Kevin Skiest, partner and co-owner with Cindy Breslin, who also both own and operate Blasé Café and Pi 3.14 on Siesta Key. “We understand and are happy to accommodate people’s preferences for dining in or out, which also includes packaged liquor options,” Skiest added.
Blasé Bistro and Martini Bar; 1920 Hillview Street in Sarasota's Southside Village
All three Mattison’s Restaurants will be open on Father’s Day featuring chef inspired menus and dad approved fun. All guys dining at Mattison’s will automatically be entered to win one of three fishing charters giveaways and a fun day of fishing local waters. Mattison’s has partnered with several fishing charter captains to provide a half day fishing trip for up to two people, valued at $600, complete with gear, bait and all the necessities for a great day of fishing. Even guys getting meals To Go or using Curbside Pick Up are eligible to enter.
- Mattison’s City Grille Fishing Charter Winner : Compliments of Tearin’ Em Up Fishing with Captain Doug for two people for a 3 hour trip. www.fishingsrq.com. Included is a beachside lunch created from some of the day’s catch. Additional people can be added for $100 each to join in the fishing fun.
- Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille Fishing Charter Winner : Jewel of the Bay Charters with Captain Doug Deming. www.jewelofthebaycharters.com. Enjoy a 3 hour, inshore fishing excursion for up to 2 people.
- Mattison’s Forty-One Fishing Charter Winner: Captain Tom Reutter will take up to 3 people out for 3 hours to fish local inshore waters. https://www.facebook.com/treutter
Mattison’s Father’s Day menus will feature a variety of chef created dishes fit for a king including all natural, hormone and antibiotic free steaks, burgers and pork, fresh seafood choices, hearty sandwiches and delicious appetizers and desserts. Mattison’s offers a full bar so dad will have a choice of drinks to choose from including craft beer, an extensive wine list and traditional cocktails. Reservations are encouraged by calling the restaurant.
All three Mattison’s offer outside, open-air dining. Our number one priority is the safety and care of our guests and staff so all staff will be wearing masks and sanitizing all surfaces after each guest.
Join Boca Market on Wednesday, June 17th for a decadent menu of artisan cheese and chocolate tastings, complete with carefully curated wine selections. This three-course tasting is priced at $25 a person and reservations can be made between 5pm - 10pm. The menu includes Dark Chocolate Custard Toppped with Chocolate Streusel paired with a Roth Moody Blue and the Mollydooker Shiraz, Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cheesecake Topped with a Berry Compote paried with a Port Wine Derby and the Bouchard Bourgogne Reserva and a Curry Spiced White Chocolate Bark with Golden Raisines, Toasted Pine Nuts and Thyme paired with a Sage Derby and Truchard Chardonnay. Reservations are strongly recommended.
View the full menu below and call 941-256- 3565 to make a reservation
The Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust (Flanzer Trust) has announced an exciting expansion of the Flanzer Philanthropic Trust Matching Program. Launching the Matching Program this past January 25, 2020, the Flanzer Trust sought to encourage broad-based, grassroots support of Sarasota-area social service, social welfare, K-12 education, and health care non-profits by matching dollar-for-dollar donations of $5-$500 up to $500,000 this calendar year. Interest in the Matching Program and disbursements has exceeded initial projections; in just over four months, the Flanzer Trust has processed matching contributions from 1,955 donors benefiting 84 agencies.
In the program’s next phase, the Flanzer Trust will seek contributions from private donors in addition to their $500,000 in annual matching funds, with a goal of increasing the total annual match and making the program sustainable and available year-round. In a few short weeks, they have received $155,000 in private donations for a total of $655,000 in match dollars so far this year.
Individual and organizational funders who have made donations include Edward Milstein; Graci and Dennis McGillicuddy, All-Star Children’s Foundation; John Hart, CEO, Sarasota Private Trust Co., and Emigrant Bank of New York City led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard P. Milstein. Emigrant’s investment in Sarasota over the past few years includes establishing the Sarasota Private Trust Company with other local investors and acquiring the BMO Harris Bank Building.
“We launched the matching program pre-COVID-19 to bring awareness to and encourage community support of people in need through small yet important donations,” said Eric Kaplan and Dr. Dean Hautamaki, Flanzer Trust co-trustees. “During the pandemic, people who never expected to seek assistance and never have before, found themselves in dire need. For so many, one incident of unexpected misfortune or lost income can make a profound difference. We seek to grow the Matching Program so that whether it’s an unexpected emergency like a pandemic or hurricane, or routine support, our partner non-profits will have resources to make a difference” they added.
“We appreciate the Flanzer Trust’s leadership in shining a spotlight on the importance of grassroots fundraising and small donations to make a meaningful difference in our community,” said Arthur Lerman, JFCS of the Suncoast interim CEO. “The Matching Program has allowed us to make important investments in our COVID-19 relief efforts and seniors’ support programs to make an impact during this critical time,” Lerman added.
“Our family has longstanding ties to the Sarasota community dating back to the 1970’s when our beloved aunt and uncle, Gloria Milstein Flanzer and Lou Flanzer first came to Sarasota,” said Howard P. Milstein. “Over the years, we also came to appreciate the beauty of the Sarasota community and its needs. We are excited to join in the Flanzer Trust’s matching gift program and to participate in the continuing growth of the Sarasota community,” Milstein added.
To learn more about the Matching Program or make a donation contact Eric Kaplan at 917-915-0404.
Sarasota, Florida-based property and casualty insurer FCCI Insurance Group (FCCI) is again expanding its geographic reach, announcing it will begin writing commercial insurance in the state of Pennsylvania as of September 1, 2020. The Pennsylvania operations will be coordinated through FCCI’s Mid-Atlantic Region, which is headquartered in Richmond, Va., and also operates in Maryland and Washington, D.C. The company’s move into Pennsylvania demonstrates FCCI’s ongoing commitment to maintain strength and stability while leveraging new market opportunities.
Sales and marketing efforts in Pennsylvania will be led by senior business development specialist Scott Hillegas and supported by an experienced group of insurance professionals under the direction of Courtney Hart, who is senior vice president for the Mid-Atlantic Region and a resident of Pennsylvania. With 37 years in the insurance industry, Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the market.
“We are confident Courtney’s experience in regional operations, product development, target marketing and strategic planning – along with the solid relationships he has built with key agency partners – will support successful growth in our newest state,” said Christopher S. Shoucair, interim president and chief executive officer of FCCI Insurance Group.
FCCI has been providing commercial and contract surety in Pennsylvania since January 1, 2015. Once FCCI begins writing commercial insurance in Pennsylvania, it will bring the total number of states in which it operates to 20 and Washington, D.C. FCCI began accepting new business submissions from its appointed agents on June 15.
“With its vast number of diverse industries and dynamic agency professionals, Pennsylvania is a key state in our strategic growth and expansion plans,” said Hart. “This has been a much-anticipated move and we are excited to finally be here to serve our valued agents and businesses across the state.”
In addition to commercial insurance and contract surety, FCCI offers unparalleled risk control services, medical management, and prompt and fair claim handling, with the goal of developing and sustaining strong, long-term business relationships with its agents and policyholders. It operates in industries including manufacturing, real estate, construction, distributors, retail and wholesale.
Centauri Specialty Insurance Holdings and its subsidiaries are excited to welcome Rick Moore as their new Vice President of Sales and Agency Relations. As a crucial part of the leadership team, Moore is responsible for the growth and management of numerous sales channels, including expanding Centauri’s footprint within the independent, general agency and national partner network. In addition, Moore oversees agency relations, corporate marketing and communication for Centauri Insurance..
Moore started his career at the Progressive Insurance in Cleveland, Ohio where managed various aspects of service and sales throughout his eight-year career there. He later started an independent agency from scratch and reached more than $10 million in premium sales with locations in three different states. Moore decided to sell his agency and joined Brown & Brown Insurance which is currently the 7th largest insurance intermediary in the world. At Brown & Brown, he managed various departments and served as the National Segment Leader for Personal Lines and Small Commercial.
Four attorneys are running to fill one judge position in Manatee County Court - Melissa Gould, Connie Mederos Jacobs, Chris Pratt and Kristy Zinna. There is no incumbent and all the candidates are nonpartisan. How do you decide? Join the candidate forum today from 1-2pm. See each of the four candidates, hear their backgrounds, reasons for running and ask them questions—then vote informed. Presented by the League of Women Voters of Manatee County.
Email Info@lwvmanatee.org to receive instructions to join the Zoom teleconference.
Time lapse video of the Queen of the Night Bloom at Selby Garden. Courtesy of Selby Gardens.
How the Brain Health Initiative is providing a boost to the community when we need it most.
Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.
Local entrepreneur Kara Nelson has added a wellness centered community hub to Sarasota. Her newest venture, Fixxation Boutique, which opened in October of 2019, aims to connect like-minded women who value quality goods and demand a clean conscious. Completely unassuming from the outside, Nelson has filled the boutique with reputable clean beauty and wellness products, along with clothing brands that focus on ethical production processes and design with sustainability in mind. After having to close her doors after just five months of being open due to to COVID-19, she is now back open and planning a series of events that aims to bring together other local business owners and create a small business alliance. Adapting to the new business retail environment, Nelson has planned an array of exciting events that allow for social distancing, while providing locals with a taste of normalcy. The grand reopening events will start on Wednesday, July 8 and ends on Saturday, July 11, having one event per day.
On Wednesday July 8 from 11am to 1pm, Nelson will be hosting the Sun Coast Blood Center for a blood drive. Every donor will enjoy a free BeautyCounter Charcoal Mask while giving blood. On Thursday, July 9 from 6:00pm to 7:30 pm, Nelson is partnering with Clinical Herbalist Paige Charron for a CBD & Yoga workshop. On Friday, July 10th from 3pm to 6pm, Nelson is collaborating with a number of local boutiques to put on a fashion show, showcasing the diverse retail businesses that make up the Sarasota community. On Saturday, July 11th from 10am to 11am, Nelson is partnering with Gabrielle Otero who owns The Barre Releve to offer a fun and energetic barre and brunch event. Each barre class will be 30 minutes. After class, guest can enjoy morning mimosas, nail painting and sustainable shopping.
Insects inhabit every domain of our daily lives, performing essential functions that balance our fragile ecosystem on Earth — functions that often go unnoticed because of their small size or scale. Now, using cutting-edge technology and custom methods that put tiny insects on a human scale, artist and photographer Bob Sober allows visitors to see the patterns, textures, colors and details that have always been present, but too small to appreciate in The Bishop's newest special exhibition: Small Wonders: Insects in Focus.
Creating human-scale images of insects, with resolution so high that every hair, dimple and tiny structure is clearly revealed, was impossible prior to the technological advancements of the past 10 years. Now, Sober's skills allow us to see the intersection of natural science and art in the smooth metallic finishes and heavily stippled textures, strange body shapes, delicate wing structures and beautifully engineered body components in this series of 30 images that will be on display in the Museum's second-floor Rincon Gallery and throughout the Museum.
Small Wonders: Insects in Focus opens this Wednesday and will be on display until Oct. 20. Seeing the exhibition is included in the cost of admission.
"My attitude is that the insect is the artwork," says Sober. "My role is to create a human scale image that may allow the viewer to see the patterns, textures, colors and details that have always been present, but too small to appreciate. I also hope that my images stir a new curiosity in the viewer as they have in me. A sense of wonder about the world around them, a desire to learn more about why their bodies are made the way they are, why does their skin have this texture, why are antennas the shape they are or why does one insect color its scales and another has color in its skin?"
Enjoy the special for the day— a Father's Day Steak 14oz bone in ribeye, grilled to perfection, served with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes. Also offering brunch and regular menus. Saturday, June 20 from 11am to 9pm and Sunday, June 21 from 10am to 3pm.
Libby's Sarasota 1917 S Osprey Avenue | Sarasota, FL | 34239 | 941.487.7300
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce that it has received a $60,000 grant from The Shubert Foundation. The grant will be used for general operating support for Sarasota’s Contemporary Theatre through the end of May 2021. Due to COVID-19, FST had to cancel the remainder of its Winter Season, its 2020 Summer Season, and postpone its annual Sarasota Improv Festival until 2021.
These cancellations are projected to cost the theatre over $1.5 million in lost revenue. The Shubert Foundation’s financial support will help the nonprofit theatre offset these sizeable financial losses. “The awards this year represent a record number of grants,” said Diana Phillips, President of The Shubert Foundation. “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the field, creating the greatest need in the history of the foundation. We hope that the general operating support the foundation provides will be particularly meaningful at this uniquely difficult time.” This year, the Shubert Foundation awarded a total of $32 million in unrestricted funding to 560 not-for-profit performing arts organizations across the country.
Since the Foundation’s grants program was founded in 1977, over $505 million has been awarded to non-profit arts organizations. The Foundation makes an effort to support professional theatre and dance companies, like FST, that develop and produce new American work. New Play Development is the lifeblood of FST. Within the past year, the theatre has commissioned four playwrights to create brand new plays inspired by the fight for women’s suffrage and hired 33 artists across the country to write new plays, sketch comedy revues, and musical theater revues for the stage. “The Shubert Foundation has been one of FST’s most significant supporters for over 25 years,” said Rebecca Hopkins, FST’s Managing Director. “They have always understood the importance of general operating support in building the strength of the theatre. That they have continued their commitment this year means so much.
The Shubert Organization is America's oldest professional theatre company and the largest theatre owner on Broadway. The Shubert Foundation supports non-profit professional theatres across the country. At a time when Broadway has been devastated by the pandemic, the foundation is continuing to support the field. To me, it speaks to why the name Shubert is iconic in the theatre world.”
For more information on The Shubert Foundation grant, please contact Lydia Baxter, FST's Public Relations Associate, at (941) 366-9017 x338 or at lbaxter@floridastudiotheatre.org
The Manatee County Agricultural Museum located at 1015 6th St. West, Palmetto, is pleased to announce it will be welcoming visitors back. Hours will be limited and visitation will be by appointment time only. The Ag Museum will be open Tuesday through Friday for visitation appointments only. Appointments will be available at 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30. You may schedule an appointment on EventBrite.com and search for Manatee County Agricultural Museum. Maximum time in the Museum is 1-1/2 hours. We will be unable to admit visitors prior to their appointment time. If you are running late, we will do our best to accommodate you up to 20 minutes late. You will still need to leave 30 minutes prior to the next scheduled appointment to allow for sanitizing. If you need assistance scheduling your appointment time, you may call us at 941-721-2034. Visitorship is limited to 8 individuals per appointment. This will allow visitors to maintain social distancing while in the Museum. Visitors over the age of two are respectfully asked to bring and wear their own mask. Staff will be wearing masks when visitors are present. Local Artist Pat Robertson’s Watercolor Art Exhibit has been extended indefinitely.
Starting June 20th Designing Women's Boutique will be open on Saturday's from 10am -4pm.
Designing Women Boutique, 1226 N Tamiami Trail Suite 101, Sarasota
In partnership with the DOH Sarasota County, CenterPlace Health is hosting free drive-up testing, by appointment, at three sites in Sarasota County. This community based COVID-19 testing is for anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell) or who works in a health care setting. No prescription is needed.
All patients must have an appointment to be tested. Please call one of the locations below to be evaluated and scheduled for an appointment.
Child Health Center
(at the Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center)
1750 17th St., Bldg E, Sarasota
941-529-0100, then select option 3
Ringling Health Center
2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota
941-529-0200, then select option 3
North Port Health Center
6950 Outreach Way, North Port
941-529-0300, then select option 3
Sarasota-based law firm Bentley & Bruning P.A. is pleased to announce partners Morgan R. Bentley and Kevin R. Bruning, along with David A. Wallace and Jennifer L. Grosso, have been chosen for the 2020 Florida Super Lawyers list. Only five percent of attorneys in Florida receive this distinction. Caroleen B. Brej, Brian D. Goodrich, and Amanda R. Kison received recognition as Rising Stars. Selection for the Super Lawyers list is based on independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Recognition is a reflection of the excellence an attorney brings to his or her practice and the quality of work provided to clients.
“We are just over the moon that so many of our folks got this recognition," says Bentley. "We have a diverse, hard-working group and they deserve it. Even during the COVID crisis they have continued to give extra effort to keep our clients’ interests at the forefront. I just couldn’t be prouder of this group of lawyers.” The practice at Bentley & Bruning P.A. is primarily focused on business and real estate litigation. Businesses throughout Southwest Florida turn to the firm for pointed advice and assertive legal representation. The team is well-equipped to handle even the most complex, high-profile commercial matters in an effective manner. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is the most widely-distributed legal magazine in the country reaching more than 13 million readers, and has one of the top-viewed legal websites.
For more information, 941-556-9030.
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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