Like oysters or stinky cheeses, the appeal of truffles makes no sense. Its flavor—pungent and earthy like a sulfurous bog—defies expectations as it elevates pastas, potatoes or eggs. Difficult to harvest, more difficult to cultivate and subject to ruination at the hands of even the most subtle climate changes, truffles enjoy a prized spot in a restaurant’s refrigerator, fetching top dollar on account of their short supply and high demand. So, when a restaurant takes a leap and orders the pricey fungus, it had better know what it’s doing. 

Café Gabbiano knows what it’s doing. 

Their seasonal acquisition of white truffles from Italy’s Piedmont region inspires some specials while also transforming their already-savory selection of pastas prepared by Chef Paolo Di Costanzo of Ischia. A special crostini appetizer comes topped with poached pear slices, melted brie cheese, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, a dash of cinnamon and some crushed walnuts. But the white truffle shavings take this to another level, first by hitting the olfactory nerves and then by jazzing up the flavor profile with that funky umami.  

A ravioli comes stuffed with caciocavallo cheese (similar in taste to provolone) and black truffle pate and is then tossed in a butter and sage sauce before grated white truffles make their way into the nooks and crannies of the plating. To accentuate the umami without overshadowing the distinct flavor of the truffles, say “yes” when the server offers fresh parmesan cheese. The pasta comes cooked perfectly al dente and the whole dish is as rich as the soils from which the truffles were harvested. Finally, a veal scallopini takes the restaurant’s basic preparation and lifts it to new heights. The veal, breaded and topped with melted mozzarella cheese, comes topped with wild shiitake mushrooms, known to have high glutamate numbers (main compound behind umami). Served with a side of parmesan risotto, the meat entrée seems to take the shaved white truffles to their loftiest conclusion. 

For anyone interested in achieving culinary nirvana and who has some extra cash to burn, the restaurant offers extra truffle to the tune of $8/gram. Sommelier Marc Grimaud admiringly recalled a recent guest that topped their pasta with eight grams of white truffles. Don’t reach for a calculator, that’s $64 in truffles. So, grab your piggy banks and call ahead to make sure they managed to get a shipment in from Italy. White truffle season runs through December. 

Photo taken by Andrew Fabian

Café Gabbiano, 5104 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, 941-359-1423

You don’t have to fly 5,000+ miles overseas to get a real deal Italian-cooked meal. Members of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals—also known as 941 Originals—represent a sleu of locally-owned eateries boasting authentic international cuisine, character, culture and charm. But nothing reaps more responses to the all-enduring question from our loved ones of “What are you in the mood for to eat?” than the tried and true “Italian” response.

And thankfully, The Originals’ Italian restaurant Members reign supreme—a long-running list of established touchstones and heartfelt mom-and-pops—but all with one thing in common: delicious food. These menus range in Italian cooking styles, dishes and provinces, but they each hit the mark in their own unique way when it comes to Italy’s beloved carb-centric, savory sauce, sweet cheese and fresh herb flavors. 

From Bevardi's Salute! Restaurant offering “al fresco” Tuscan-themed dining and The Amore reinventing traditional Italian dishes with a Portuguese twist to Café Baci’s hand-rolled pasta with original family recipes and Café Gabbiano's intimate wine rooms of Italy vineyard varietals, there is no shortage of hearty dishes from these “bel paese” chefs and their atmospheric dining settings or endless vino. Furthermore, Cassariano Italian Eatery is the perfect expression of passion and culinary art in the form of "Contemporary Italian Cuisine" while Clasico Italian Chophouse’s modern menu does comfort food with a healthy twist. Flavio’s on Main has been a staple for homemade pasta, fresh seafood and pizza while Ortygia remains a hidden gem delivering true Sicilian fare. Meanwhile, Primo! Ristorante’s romantic setting, gourmet entrees and wood-burning pizzas delight the masses. Between these nine Italian-themed restaurants to choose from, you may catch yourself responding “Italian” to the inevitable query every night this week.

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals network promotes and sustains independent area restaurants and provides diners with a comprehensive resource of some of the finest locally-owned keepsakes from the tip of Anna Maria Island to the southern beaches of Venice.  The Originals consist of over 60 locally-owned restaurants throughout Florida’s Suncoast. Remember to “Eat Like A Local” and check out eatlikealocal.com or @941originals socials for restaurant updates, promotional deals and upcoming events.  

Photo courtesy of Cassariano Italian Eatery

Birthdays are always a reason to celebrate. But when you add champagne to the mix… need we say more? Take a trip to the Ranch this Saturday, September 25 to Atria Bread + Coffee to help the team celebrate its one year anniversary with a barista-loving, bread-making birthday bash. 

Owners and founders, husband and wife duo, Jim and Weyli Angus are overcome with happiness to be celebrating their restaurant baby's first birthday. “Celebrating our one year anniversary is a really big deal," says Weyli, "because most restaurants don’t make it out of the first year, so it’s definitely something to celebrate." 

In honor of the momentous occasion, Atria will be giving away a free glass of their house-made champagne to the first 50 party guests or any first-time visitors. Atria’s champagne is similar to a bellini but packs its own distinctive twist. This drink boasts a fragrant cocktail of sparkling wine and Atria’s new signature syrup—a refreshing blend of orange, saffron, ginger, and cedarwood that perfectly matches the custom scent they created with Roma Luxury Goods. Champagne isn’t the only thing Atria will be sharing. Throughout the day, they will host a series of giveaways, with prizes including loaves of their fresh-baked bread, bottles of wine, Atria scented Roma Luxury Goods and gift certificates. 

“We have had such great support from our family, friends and community,” says Weyli. “We really couldn’t have done it without them. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone!”  

Photo courtesy of Atria

ATRIA Bread + Coffee, 4120 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, 941-751-1016, @atria.cafe.

The New College Foundation announces the 2021-2022 season of New Topics, a six-part dynamic lecture series showcasing regional and national speakers from a broad range of disciplines exploring topical issues. The series runs from October through April and will be presented via the Zoom platform for the first two events. A decision to hold the subsequent lectures in person will be made in December. Each lecture will be presented at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $10, and free for New College students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Registration is required and can be made at ncf.edu/new-topics or by calling the New College events hotline at 941-487-4888. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance to allow for processing and receipt email for Zoom link. 

Pictured: Justin Bloom, speaking Thursday, November 18 on "The Waterkeeper: A Watershed Approach to Environmental Advocacy"

Learn more topics to be discussed in New College's Lecture Series here

On Saturday, September 25th at its downtown Bradenton headquarters, Air & Energy will be hosting its 2021 Hiring Event where plumbers, electricians, warehouse personnel, air conditioning technicians and installers are invited to attend. Those interested in apprenticeships are also welcome to attend. The company, owned and operated by the Moon family, has been locally family-owned since 1983 and has now grown to almost 50 employees, all while focusing solely on serving the Manatee County community – which means low drive times for its employees and higher quality customer service for its customers. 

This event presents the opportunity for job seekers in the industries listed above to speak directly to managers and company owners about the benefits of working for a local family business and interview on the spot for the many open positions that are now available due to the company’s steady growth in Manatee County. 

To RSVP please call 941-778 – 0773 or visit airandenergy.biz/2021-hiring-event 

Photo courtesy of Air&Energy

SouthTech, the premier managed services provider of Southwest Florida, continues to grow. In recent months the company has added additional team members to multiple departments. A number of full-time employees have been added to SouthTech’s Client Care team. SouthTech management is planning to grow the team even further. “Our team has been absolutely crushing it,” said Nathan Bailey, CEO of SouthTech. “The growth that we’ve seen in both ourselves and our clients has been phenomenal, and while we are proud that our team is the largest it’s ever been, we have plans to add even more depth to ensure we can meet the needs of our clients now and in the future.”    

Owners of the average-valued home in Manatee County will see a $50 reduction on their county property taxes next year under a new tax cut approved by County Commissioners as part of the County’s 2021-22 budget. Commissioners unanimously approved next year's budget Tuesday, along with a plan set forth by County Administrator Dr. Scott Hopes which reduces next year’s property tax rate by .20 mills without sacrificing any County projects or programs. 

Rather than cutting current service levels, the millage reduction is made possible largely by another year of significant increases in local property values. Under the current tax rate, rising values would have resulted in a $21 million increase in revenues over the current fiscal year. Instead, Commissioners unanimously approved the .2 mill reduction which returns $8.3 million to taxpayers. The reduction will mean a $50 annual decrease for the owner of a $300,000 home, the average local home value. 

Even with the millage reduction, the budget invests heavily in local infrastructure improvements. Nearly $350.3 million in transportation and road projects, plus significant investments in public safety and law enforcement highlight the $923 million budget. 

“I think Dr. Hopes and (Chief Financial Officer Jan) Brewer have done a fabulous job in this budget,” said Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh. “It is wonderful to be working on such a large infrastructure program to help the traffic congestion in our county because of the population growth and to give the citizens a reduction in millage for the first time since 2008.”  

Nominations for our 2022 Best of SRQ Local open on Wednesday, October 13. Get ready to nominate your favorites! Remember, the people and places garnering the most nominations during the first phase of the competition make it to the voting playoffs in January. Nominate early and nominate often! We'll see you on the BOSRQ side!