This summer, my wife and I celebrated our tenth anniversary with a trip to Maine. Upon learning this, several friends and family members asked, “Why Maine?” Those who have been there understand. Maine is a utopia for the food obsessed and the beer-nerd lot, and I am both.

That trip to Maine, still fresh in our minds, was the first thing I thought about when my wife suggested we try Speak’s Clam Bar in Lakewood Ranch. A favorite takeout destination during the height of the pandemic in 2020, we had gotten so used to it being one of our favorite takeout options that we never actually dined in there.

That all changed Saturday night when I knew exactly what I wanted to order before my keister hit the seat at the table: The Maine lobster roll. Its decadence is in its simplicity. A generous portion of cold water lobster knuckle meat is very lightly dressed, tossed with celery, sparse herbs and spices, and placed atop a traditional New England roll. It was a textbook Maine lobster roll, served cold with a generous portion of French fries.

Each bite brought back another memory of that trip: hiking Acadia National Park, a beer-laden train tour around Portland, bar hopping in Bar Harbor, and the curious groundhog I befriended on our hotel grounds (did I feed them my stash of dried blueberries? Perhaps I did, dear reader.).

So, how did it stack up against the lobster rolls I ate in Maine? I won’t say it was better, because nothing beats a vacation meal, but if you served this version on the wharf overlooking Casco Bay, it would delight even the most rugged of lobstermen.

Speak’s in Lakewood Ranch (there’s another location on St. Armand’s Circle) was slammed on Saturday. It was so great to see that high quality food and great service are still rewarded here, even on a holiday weekend when so many of my fellow Ranchers were skipping town. Even with the restaurant buzzing, the service — from the hostess’ warm greeting to our server Tristan’s expertise on the entire food and beverage menu — was excellent.

It may not have been a vacation meal for us, but if a local food scene is judged by its diversity and quality of offerings, then places like Speak’s are a crucial piece of what makes ours so incredible.

Speak’s Clam Bar - Lakewood Ranch, 8764 State Road 70 E, Lakewood Ranch. 941- 232-7646. 

Pictured: Cutline: The Maine lobster roll at Speaks Clam Bar in Lakewood Ranch is served cold on an authentic New England-style roll. Photo taken by Kevin Allen.

For full menu click here.

A graduate of San Diego State University, LaFemina has advanced to this position less than two years after starting his commercial real estate career as an Associate Advisor. This marks only the second time in the firm’s history a person new to the industry has earned this promotion in such short order. Since starting with SVN Commercial Advisory Group, LaFemina has worked on the closing of more than two dozen deals, with several more set to close in the coming months. A Sarasota native, LaFemina pursued his education in California and returned to Florida to participate in the office’s internship program. Every year, SVN Commercial Advisory Group selects four or five college students – often business and real estate majors – to spend time in the office and get acquainted with the business. Larry Starr, SVN Commercial Advisory Group’s Executive Director, has served as one of LaFemina’s mentors at the Sarasota office. He said that LaFemina’s progress has been remarkable. “Everyone thinks you have to turn 30 before you’re any good at commercial real estate, but nobody told Jake that,” Starr said. “He has the ability to process information and talk to clients and other brokers with the finesse and skill that usually comes with years of boots on the ground. I get phone calls from experienced advisors asking me who he is because they’re so impressed.”

About SVN Commercial Advisory Group: A full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, SVN Commercial Advisory Group works with large corporations, middle market businesses and individual entrepreneurial investors. The group provides advisory services for the sale, leasing and management of commercial properties. Advisors at SVN Commercial Advisory Group have deep experience working with many types of investment real estate. They serve the greater areas of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. For more information on the SVN Commercial Advisory Group, visit suncoastsvn.com. For more information about SVN Commercial Advisory Group’s internship program, contact Managing Director, Matt Christian, at matt.christian@svn.com. 

Michael Baker, REALTOR®, ABR®, SFR®, with RE/MAX Alliance Group & The Baker Global Team, located in University Park, FL, attended this year’s annual Florida Realtors® Convention & Trade Expo held Aug. 24-25, 2022, at Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, Fla. Realtors from around the state came to the convention to discuss key issues that shape their profession. Members could select from nearly 40 education sessions such as how to sell luxury homes, the post-pandemic future of global real estate, how traditional brokerages can increase their profit margin, how to create videos people will watch, and proven strategies for “irresistible” listing presentations. Florida Realtors’ Governance Meetings also took place on Aug. 26-28, 2022. The convention featured entrepreneur, celebrity, and self-made billionaire Martha Stewart, who shared her real-life business insights. Convention-goers also enjoyed the music of “Party on the Moon” during the Dance Party, then were entertained by comedian Mike Goodwin at the annual Awards Luncheon, which honors Realtor excellence and service. This year’s Trade Expo featured more than 200 industry experts and exhibitors showcasing the latest marketing, technology, and other business tools. Sponsors for the 2022 convention include: the Miami Association of Realtors; EXIT Southeast; Boomtown; Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors; LPT Realty; FindAMortageBroker.com; real/MLS; Elm Street; Northeast Florida Association of Realtors; Stellar MLS; Osceola County Association of Realtors; Orlando Regional Realtor Association; Realtor.com; Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association; Brokermint; Realtors Association of Lake & Sumter Counties; Pillar to Post Home Inspections; HomeVist by CoreLogic; Realtors Association of Citrus County; Greater Tampa Realtors; Hernando County Association of Realtors; Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee Inc.; Pinellas Realtor Organization/Central Pasco Realtor Organization; GTE Financial; Homes.com/Homesnap; SecurityNational Mortgage Company; TigerLRM; Sentrilock; ENVOY Mortgage; Curbio; Amendment 3; Tech Helpline; Form Simplicity; Acra Lending; FPL Evolution; Old Republic Home Protection; HomeTeam Inspection Service; Zillow; Lendai; National Title Solutions; Suncoast Credit Union; and Yardi Breeze. Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida and provides programs, services, ongoing education, research, and legislative representation to its 225,000 members in 51 local boards/associations throughout Florida. 

More than 400 adult enrichment classes in a wide range of subjects will be offered this Fall 2022 term, running from October 3 to December 17. If you are interested in having priority enrollment, the cost of patron membership is $50 per year and allows patrons to register early for popular classes and attend a free class chosen by ACE each term. This fall’s free offering for patrons is When Market Volatility Threatens to Crack Your Nest Egg: Dos, Don’ts & Cautionary Tales, offered by Joseph & Michael Walsh on September 28 from 2:00PM – 3:30PM. Registration opens for patrons on Tuesday, September 6. Online, Phone and In-Person Registration opens for everyone on Monday, September 12. Registration is ongoing until classes are filled. For more information and to view the fall schedule, visit ACE’s website ace-sarasota.com or call 941-361-6590. Come join ACE this fall, be inspired, and find your new passion! 

LIFE IN MOTION | Sarasota raised and Los Angeles based artist Christian Sampson specializes in color-light projection.

Learn more about Sampson's life in motion through this link, our social media, or in the September edition of SRQ Magazine! 

Featuring the newest As Seen In SRQ Magazine video with co-owners Bruce Pike and Executive Chef Drew Adams featuring Meliora's popular warm-poached scallop dish. Meliora is a new experiential restaurant located on Hillview Avenue in Sarasota, Florida. Click here to read the article on Meliora from the May/June 2022 edition of SRQ Magazine. 

View the video.