When friends reach out for Sarasota restaurant recommendations for a special occasion, I usually give them a list of five of my favorites. State Street Eating House + Cocktails is always on that list, and I was reminded why last week.

Of the countless ways that someone could prepare chicken, I found out during this experience that there is, in fact, a perfect approach: chef Michelle Wolforth’s harissa chicken. It’s butter basted and harissa glazed, with a side of incredibly light and creamy Nora Mill grits, surprisingly flavor-packed glazed heirloom carrots and shishito peppers.

The harissa glaze coats the large, round plate that houses the free range half chicken and its geniously crafted companions. The outside of the chicken is crispy and flavorful. Inside, it’s tender, juicy. Every bite blends so well with the smoky, spicy harissa. There’s a kick to this glaze, but not the type of kick that overwhelms and eventually overpowers the flavor of the meat.

Also worth a bushel of heaping praise is Wolforth’s cioppino. Phenomenally fresh mussels, shrimp, and a catch of the day join with toasted fregola, coriander butter and charred ciabatta. The star of this dish is the spicy tomato fennel broth. I intend no hyperbole when I say that I did not know tomatoes could do this. It’s been five days and I keep thinking about it.

In addition to the delightful elevated American cuisine, no State Street trip is complete without experiencing their craft cocktails, which served as a bookend for us. They were the perfect start to our evening, and punctuated with a nightcap cocktail at the bar next door. In between, a truly memorable meal. A taste of perfection.

State Street Eating House + Cocktails, 1533 State Street, Sarasota, statestreetsrq.com, 941-951-1533. 

Pictured: The free-range half chicken at State Street features a harissa glaze that achieves an ideal balance of spice and smoke. Photo by Kevin Allen.

Drink your beer and eat it too! Ford’s Garage, your neighborhood burger and beer joint inspired by the heritage of the Ford Motor Company, invites guests to enjoy a limited-edition Celebration of Craft menu, featuring unique seasonal comfort dishes with a special ingredient – beer. The beer-inspired menu spotlights specialties like: Double Cheese Pub Burger – Half-pound of Grilled Black Angus, Ford’s Beer Cheese, Sauteed Mushrooms, Chopped Romaine, Crispy Onion Straws and Garlic Aioli on a Pretzel Bun. Served with a side of Beer Cheese and Ford’s Fries, Crispy Bacon & Beer Cheese Dip – Ford’s Beer Cheese topped with Crispy Bacon Tomatoes and Green Onions. Served with Pretzel Crostini Dippers, Ultimate Steakhouse Mac ‘N Cheese – Tender, juicy Steak atop Cavatappi Pasta, tossed in Ford’s Beer Cheese and topped with Muenster Cheese Blend, Tomatoes and Green Onions. For the perfect pairing, guests can choose their own adventure with a Ford’s Garage Flight, a classic beer flight, customizable with guests’ selection of their four favorite taps. 

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Offering a prix-fixe, four-course turkey meal, as well as a limited à la carte menu, Cafe L’Europe will be open on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 24, 2022) from 12pm until 8pm. Festive signature cocktails and wine features will also be available for the occasion. A 100% vegan menu item will be offered as a plant-based alternative (plant-based sausage ravioli). Reservations for parties of up to 8 guests may be made via OpenTable or over the phone. More than 8 people are requested to call. All reservations must be secured with a credit card on file. Cancellations after November 10, 2022 will be subject to a $50 per person cancellation fee. Can’t make Thanksgiving but interested in Holiday Dining at Cafe L’Europe? Reservations for Christmas will be available in early November. 

Sage Restaurant is pleased to announce its first wine dinner of the season scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. Presented by executive chef Christopher Covelli, the evening will consist of a five-course dining experience, expertly paired with wines from the Italian based Banfi winery. Cristina Mariani-May, third generation family proprietor of Banfi wines, will be in attendance and guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with her. “We are fortunate that we’re able to step up and host this wine dinner with Banfi,” said Covelli. “Each of their wines are very unique, and it’s been exciting to create a food pairing that celebrates the true flavors of Italy. ” This event was originally scheduled to be held at a restaurant in Boca Grande, Florida. When the venue suffered damage from Hurricane Ian, the team at Sage volunteered to host the dinner. Limited to only 100 guests, the five-course meal will be comprised of cannellini and truffle crostini with lobster arancini; seafood raviolo with white wine-saffron cream sauce; bison short rib with eggplant caponata and mushroom demi-glace, and sliced New York strip with arugula, lemon citronette & parmesan shavings. Guests will conclude their meal with a hazelnut and chocolate cake with raspberry coulis. Throughout the evening, each course will be expertly paired with wines from the Banfi collection, including Fontanelle Chardonnay and Magna Cum Laude Super Tuscan. The all-inclusive wine dinner is $195 per person, which includes tax and gratuity. For reservations, call Sage Restaurant at 941-445-5660 or email admin@realmrestaurants.com. 

Architect Mark Smith has dealt with county issues on Siesta Key for decades. Now he wants to represent the region and much of Sarasota on the County Commission and advocate from the dais. And he feels a change in how members of the board get elected will empower him to do just that.

“A single-member district has got the undivided attention of one commissioner,” Smith said.

Smith won the Republican nomination in August in Sarasota County Commission District 2. But while that in past years has often been viewed as a coronation, the change to single-member districts also means he has an uphill road in terms of demographics. District 2 as of the latest voter registration report on Oct. 7 serves as home to 25,013 registered Democrats and 23,542 registered Republicans, as well as 17,083 voters with no party affiliation and 1,411 minor party voters.

But he holds a substantial financial advantage. He raised $181,325 to run for the seat compared to Democrat Fredd Atkins’ $87,349.

He also has attended neighborhood meetings, some of which never saw countywide candidates for Sarasota County Commission ever in attendance. He hopes even in Democratic areas, people appreciate his understanding of many issues that transcend political party.

“They have issues like stormwater drainage issues, and we have that on Siesta Key,” he said. “It’s getting the county to respond, and those are the kinds of things we need to tackle. We have air pollution being caused by cement recycling plants, and that needs to be addressed. That’s a serious health issue for families and kids, so that needs to be addressed. It’s a county responsibility, and it’s an issue that before I ran, I wasn’t even aware of.”

But Smith believes as a commissioner, he will be able to address the matter and others effectively, the way he has pushed for positive changes on Siesta Key. He notes a majority of sitting County Commissioners, who are all Republicans, endorsed his campaign.

But he also has a history of success that dates back all the way to 2000, when he advocated for a beautification effort in Siesta Key. New architectural standards helped turn the island into a legitimate world class destination and a paradise for residents. That has helped the entire region by boosting a tourism economy.

He also has pushed for quality of life improvements including better parking management on the island. The same ability to work with county government and elected leaders should make his an effective advocate when it comes to improving sewer service and infrastructure in North Sarasota County.

“These aren’t partisan issues— water quality air pollution, making sure the sewage systems are working so they aren’t dumping sewage into the Bay,” he said. “Talking to neighborhood leadership, they want something done. I’ve told them with my background, I’m confident I can get the two other votes necessary to get what you need.” 

The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime is honored to be recognized for not one, but two awards during the SarasotaOut Award Ceremony. They won Favorite Non-LGBTQ+ Owned Business and Favorite Boutique. The Bazaar is home to more than 40 local creators and curators selling unique one-of-a-kind items, clothing, art, gifts, plants, jewelry, vintage, and so much more. Hamlet’s Eatery is located in the courtyard and musicians play live in the afternoons. Open Thursday - Saturday 10-3pm at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. SarasotaOut.com mission is to enrich, promote, and unite Sarasota LGBTQ+ community though supporting and promoting local businesses and hosting LGBTQ+ friendly events. 

I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO OWNS multiple business- es and properties in Sarasota. I co-created The Realm Restaurant Group with my partner, Chef Christopher Covelli, and together we own and operate Sage Restaurant and Bijou Garden Café. I am known for saving old buildings and turning them into fine dining establishments. I’ve renovated and redesigned the Sage and Bijou buildings, and I am currently working on restoring two other locations to bring more restaurants and venues to Sarasota. I am an outspoken ally to the LGBTQ+ community, and a founding member of Project Pride SRQ, as well as a board member of Equality Florida and a recipient of the 2021 Voice for Equality award. 

I love improving things. When I see something wrong or neglected I want to make it right. When I bought Sage and Bijou my goal was to preserve the buildings, but once I got inside I realized that with a little work I could make them so much nicer. I do a lot with the LGBTQ+ community because I feel like this is another area where I can help to make a difference and maybe make the world a little better. I've witnessed a lot of injustice and inequality. As a child, I was raised around prejudice and misogyny which not only led me to become a voice for equality but also motivated me to create a world where I could freely express myself. MY SECRET SAUCE Follow my passion. If I don't love what I'm doing then I'm not on the right path. Every day I am thankful for my beautiful children, supportive friends, and this incredible life I'm living. YOUR OUTLOOK IN SIX WORDS. Be kind; have fun; be grateful.  

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In recognition of Veteran's Day, the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is honoring military veterans and active-duty personnel by providing complimentary passport photos, notary services, and copies throughout November. Complimentary copies include, but are not limited to, marriage licenses, deeds, court records, and more. Also, this includes certified copies. The Manatee Clerk's office implemented this small token of appreciation to say thank you. Applicants must provide a valid form of identification, including a DD214 or military ID, for the waived fees. For more information on accessing the complimentary services, please call our office at (941) 749-1800. 

The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre presents The Righteous Brothers Bill Medley and Bucky Heard on Monday, March 13 at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 4 at 10 am. Blue-eyed soul pioneers The Righteous Brothers are back! With a string of #1 classics, including the most played song in radio history, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield topped the charts in four decades. After Bobby’s death in 2003, Bill Medley continued to perform to sold-out crowds around the world, but fans and friends pleaded with him to keep The Righteous Brothers alive. Says Medley … "No one could ever take Bobby’s place, but when I caught Bucky Heard’s show it all came together – I found the right guy to help me recreate the magic. The concert experience features their biggest hits – Lovin’ Feelin’, Soul & Inspiration, Unchained Melody, Rock and Roll Heaven, Medley’s GRAMMY® Award-winning Dirty Dancing theme The Time of My Life and much, much more! 

To learn more click here.