When some people hear “small plates” and “elevated” as restaurant descriptors, there’s a certain connotation. Those of us with formidable appetites may envision an inevitable stop at McDonald’s on the way home to fill the gaps left by tweezer-manicured plates full of alien ingredients that lack substance. Not the case at Meliora.

This Hillview Street hotspot is approachable, fun, a celebration of flavor that doesn’t overly rely on gimmicky molecular gastronomy tricks. The interior is a picture of minimalist class and sophistication. A trip to the bathroom, however, takes you through a graffitied hallway that reminds you that the very definition of fine dining is evolving before our eyes. The crowd was hip, skewing younger. A man in a tailored suit and his similarly well-dressed date sat next to a couple in trendy T-shirts and jeans. And the food? Meliora brings it. The menu is simple: Small, shareable plates with a couple of larger entrees. It’s divided between a hot and cold side, and we opted for two smaller plates from each side and a shareable entree.

The Japanese milk bread is served black thanks to, I assume, the charcoal powder that many Hokkaido recipes require. The Maitake mushrooms with cauliflower mousseline and tamari was a smoky surprise that was heartier than it should have been. Our goat milk ricotta looked like an advertisement from the Whole Foods produce section. I lost count of how many fruits and veggie varieties it came with (radishes, beets, heirloom carrots, pears, to name a few), each a perfect complement for dipping.

For us, there were two standout stars to the meal: The gnocchi and the Rohan duck.

If Sarasota held a pillowiest gnocchi contest, Meliora would be untouchable. The gnocchi themselves are exceptional, but it’s the parmesan cream sauce and a dehydrated brown butter crunch on top that take this dish far beyond the conventional. According to Executive Chef/Owner Drew Adams, "The main reason our gnocchi is light and airy is because we do not use eggs in the recipe, only potato and flour. It's the Parmesan cream sauce that ties everything all together!"

And the duck! The roasted leg and breast cuts were perfectly cooked, served with a side of kimchi, scallions, and Hoisin sauce, creating a DYI bao kit that was unrelentingly flavorful — crunch, roasty, tangy and sweet in every single bite. "The bao buns are made in house every day by our chefs," says Adams. "The duck dish is one of our most labor intensive dishes as every component of the dish is made in house. Many steps go into preparing the dish and if one is missed or not done properly the whole duck is ruined."

We capped our night with a jaunt south to check out Dive Wine & Spirits on Clark Road. Walk through what looks like a standard strip mall liquor store to the back and you’ll find yourself in one of Sarasota’s sleekest bars. The cocktails are clever, the atmosphere is super cool.

And no, we didn’t need to stop at McDonald’s on our way home.

Pictured: Meliora offers an abundance of globally inspired fall flavors and a variety of small and larger dishes. Photo courtesy of Meliora.

To learn more, click here.

For most people when you mention the month of December the holidays come to mind. For music and blues fans, instead of conjuring up visions of sugar plums, the month conjures up another vision – one filled with authentic blues, dancing, and fun. The Bradenton Blues Festival and the Blues Fest Brunch! The final event of the weekend of the Blues Fest is a Blues Brunch hosted by Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille. Chef Paul Mattison creates a special menu every year to highlight delicious, all-natural brunch items sustainably sourced. The Blues Brunch is the perfect way to round out the weekend of music, dancing, and enjoying the beautiful weather we have this time of year. Realize Bradenton’s Blues Festival The Bradenton Blues Brunch is Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, from 11am-2pm, at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille featuring Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations. Doors open at 10:30am. A limited number of tickets are available for $90 each (price includes ticketing fees, taxes, and gratuity). Enjoy a three-course, seated-and-served brunch created by award-winning Chef Paul Mattison. First course: Smoked Salmon Tostada with cream cheese and dill topped with fresh endive, orange supremes, finished with preserved lemon vinaigrette, garnished with fried capers; Second Course: Pork belly Croque Madame crispy pork belly, gruyere cheese, corn bread, topped with a poached egg, served on a bed of heirloom tomato butter sauce; Dessert: Banana flambe Parfait chocolate chips, toasted granola, cinnamon rum crème fraiche, Bottomless Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas, and non-alcoholic beverages are included. The Blues Fest is an annual festival held in December in Downtown Bradenton, organized by Realize Bradenton, a group which promotes Bradenton's Downtown as a destination for arts, culture, history, and sports. The performers are both national and regional blues artists. Kindly note: The Bradenton Blues Brunch is offered by Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille; Realize Bradenton is only offering ticket sales for this event. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.bradentonbluesfestival.org/bradenton-blues-brunch/ or by calling 941-301-8445. Tickets are only on sale through Realize Bradenton. 

Pictured: Bottomless Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and non-alcoholic beverages will be included at the Blues Fest Brunch.

The Players Centre congratulates immediate past-chair Donna DeFant on her long and impactful run as head of the Board of Trustees. Donna DeFant started at the Players Centre in 2010 acting on stage in musicals and plays. She also lent her time and talent backstage as a dresser, as a stitcher in the costume shop and prop mistress for several of The Players Broadway Series Shows. Donna was Assistant Director for 12 productions and directed two plays over the years including an outdoor adaptation of Spoon River Anthology. In 2013 she joined the Board of Trustees, in 2015 became Secretary, and in 2017 the Chair of the Board of Trustees and continued for the next five years. DeFant helped The Players navigate through the sale of its former home, Covid-19 and the conversion of its temporary space in The Crossings at Siesta Key mall. The Players would like to thank DeFant for her unwavering support and tenacity in guiding Sarasota’s original theatre through the many challenges of the past few years. Her strength has allowed this community staple to continue providing visitors and locals with life-changing theatre experiences. Donna will continue as a Trustee in the capacity as Immediate Past Chair for the 93rd season along with Bill Porter as Chair, Bill Rusling as Vice Chair, Sarah Glendening as Secretary, Joe Kaminksy as Treasurer, Tom Tollette as Vice Treasurer, and the following trustees: Brian McCarthy, Tracey Coakes and Amy Weinberger. The Player Centre Advisory Council for the 93rd season is: Michael Brown, Terry Kozlowski, Dawnyelle Singleton, Barry Godin and student board member Fontaine Chambers. 

Celebrate the holidays with Bradenton Beach during the fourth annual holiday boat parade returning to the area on Dec. 3. Boat owners are invited to show off their holiday spirit and beautifully lit vessels during the festive parade along the Intracoastal Waterway. Entry is free and open to powerboats and sailboats, and cash prizes will be awarded in multiple categories, including Best Lighting and Most Holiday Spirit. The parade will kick off at 6 p.m. near the south end of Jewfish Key and travel along the Longboat Pass Bridge before heading north through the Intracoastal Waterway, passing the Bradenton Beach City Pier and ending at the Bradenton Beach Marina. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch the parade from the Longboat Pass Bridge between 6 and 6:30 p.m. and from the Bradenton Beach City Pier between 6:30 and 7 p.m. The fourth annual holiday boat parade is part of Bradenton Beach’s Holidays in Paradise. An afternoon of fun activities, including music, food and entertainment, will start at 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 on Bridge Street. For more information about the parade and entry forms, visit Boat-Parade.com or call Mia or Mike at 941-778-2288. 

Pictured: Last year’s holiday boat parade, photo courtesy of Bradenton Beach Marina.

Friday, November 25, 2022 marks the opening of Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County’s 68th Annual Christmas Tree Lot. Since 1954, families from as far away as Orlando have been visiting the Boys & Girls Clubs’ tree lot as part of their family holiday tradition. The tree lot is located between Publix at Westgate Shopping Center at 3913 Manatee Avenue West, and McKelvey Park in Bradenton, and adjacent to Jessie P. Miller Elementary School. On opening weekend, the lot will be open Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, November 27 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. After opening weekend, the lot will be closed Mondays through Wednesdays; open Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Purchases can be made using credit or debit cards, checks or money orders – no cash sales this year. 

“Last year we sold out by the end of our second weekend and we’re anticipating a similar demand for our Fraser fir trees and wreaths this year, so we’re encouraging everyone to get their trees early,” said Dawn Stanhope, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. 

For more information click here

Challenging economic conditions, surging costs of living, and the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian are hitting the most at risk in our community hard – especially children, families and seniors. When basic costs increase – and disasters strike – food can be the first thing to go. For too many of our neighbors, the holidays may mean additional financial difficulties and stress … and empty plates. 

All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. Together with our partners, we provide healthy solutions to end hunger in our community. In 2021, we distributed 17 million meals through mobile pantries and farm markets, school and family pantries, backpacks for students, summer hunger programs, holiday turkey distributions, and our partner agencies. 

This year, with the support of the ThankFULL fundraising campaign, All Faiths will distribute 13,000 turkeys and 3.6 million delicious holiday meals to families in need.

The holidays offer the perfect opportunity to showcase the true spirit of the season – especially for our neighbors who are struggling. Please consider a gift to All Faiths Food Bank to help us turn empty plates into ThankFULL tummies. 

Click here for more info.

SUPER GROUPER | Why has this fish become the official food of Southwest Florida? We went on a mission to find out.

Learn about Kevin’s love for the local grouper through this link, on our social media, or in the November edition of SRQ Magazine! 

Read Here!