Sarasota doesn’t boast a food hall, but the city doesn't need one thanks to Hi Hospitality Group, the creative minds behind Kojo and Bar Hana on Palm Avenue. With the opening of its newest restaurant, Palm Avenue Deli, the team is building out a block chock full of culinary experiences that draw on traditions from across the globe, from the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii to the bustling delis that define New York City.

“This concept is a tip of the hat to the classic New York delis, pulling from institutions like 2nd Ave Deli, Carnegie Deli and Katz’s Delicatessen. For decades, they have been staples of the Jewish community there,” says Robert Castellon, the group’s director of operations. “The food has Eastern European, Russian, Ukrainian and Polish influences that come from the Jewish immigrants in that in the 1940s to 1960s, opened delis serving up dishes reminiscent of the food with which they grew up.” While Sarasotans could experience these restaurants by visiting The Big Apple or viewing them in television shows and movies like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or When Harry Met Sally, Palm Avenue Deli represents an opportunity to experience this slice of Americana in our hometown. According to Culinary Director Hart Lowry, “The majority of the deli’s menu is comprised of our team’s family recipes, which pay tribute to the generations who have passed them down.” Guests can enjoy stuffed cabbage, as well as corned beef, pastrami and other iconic sandwiches. They will delight in Natalia’s Syrniki, pancakes made with sweetened farmer's cheese. This comfort food hails from Russia, and the deli serves it with condensed milk and raspberry preserves, making it an ideal breakfast option. The team puts a few twists on the menu, like the dill pickle fried chicken and chilled beet and watermelon gazpacho, a play on borscht, but keeps their focus on tradition.

Emulating its big city cousins, Palm Avenue Deli offers convenient grab-and-go prepared meal options that can be enjoyed at home or on the run. While the team wanted to create a casual environment in which guests can be in and out within one hour, they sprinkled in higher-end touches, like a caviar selection. A Staten Island native bakes the desserts, including New York cheesecake and rugelach cookies, a favorite at Zabar’s, giving the menu’s sweet offerings an authentic touch. The restaurant will be open for breakfast and lunch, with the goal of expanding to 24/7 service.

“This type of cooking is greater than the sum of its parts,” adds Lowry, who hopes that the simple pleasure of classic favorites served in a nostalgic setting complete with black and white tiles, mid-century modern touches and a wall dedicated to celebrity photos will appeal to all visitors. “We wanted to create something that would leave you thrilled,” he says “whether you’re a New Yorker from a Jewish family or a sixteen-year-old who’s never visited the city.”

Palm Avenue Deli, 1297 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, palmavenuedeli.com. 

New York deli staples will be featured at Palm Avenue Deli. Photo by Mae Mu and courtesy of Unsplash.

On Ideas, a full-service branding, advertising and PR agency with offices in Sarasota and Jacksonville, Fla., and Charleston, S.C., has been selected by Chiles Hospitality as its agency of record. The agency is responsible for brand strategy, media planning and buying, public relations, digital and social strategy for Chiles Hospitality and its related brands. Founded by Ed Chiles, Chiles Hospitality owns and operates three waterfront restaurants, an organic farm, an in-house bakery and a special events department based in Manatee County: Mar Vista, Longboat Key, Fla., The Sandbar, Anna Maria, Fla., Beach House, Bradenton Beach, Fla., Gamble Creek Farms, Parrish, Fla., Anna Maria Bake House, Anna Maria, Fla., Chiles Hospitality Events, across all locations. Chiles Hospitality began in 1979 with the purchase of the Sandbar and the goal of preserving the local restaurant’s history. Over the last 44 years, Chiles Hospitality expanded its portfolio to include all its existing brands, fostering collaboration between the individual businesses. Each restaurant features a unique coastal experience while serving quality, organic ingredients sourced from sustainable practices, representing an environmental commitment shared by the brands. Chiles Hospitality works closely with All Clams on Deck and several community programs that support environmental initiatives focused on water quality, restoring estuaries and fueling the local ecosystem. On Ideas works with regional and national brands across various industries, including hospitality, healthcare, home goods and lifestyle. In addition to Chiles Hospitality, the agency recently expanded its client roster to include BenefitHub and OGX Beauty. On Ideas was recently recognized with a district-level award from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) for a campaign implementing augmented reality and event activation for Suerte Tequila. For the third consecutive year, the agency received an Amy Award from AAF’s Suncoast Chapter for distinctive innovation applied to 9-round’s 30-day Challenge campaign, as well as awards for digital marketing and integrated branded content. For more information about On Ideas, please visit onideas.com. 

Tired of trudging your family through crowds to find a spot to watch the 4th of July fireworks? Make it easy – come to Red, White, and BOOM! at The Bishop! Grab a front-row seat or bring your blanket to our Riverside Plaza for a safe contained area to enjoy the fireworks over the Manatee River. Local food truck, Willy-Yums, will be vending delicious bites while the family can cool off with a sweet treat from Kona Ice. Thirsty? There will be a cash/card bar for adult beverages, soda, and water while you sit back and relax for the show. We’ll even have activities to keep your kids entertained! Tuesday, July 4 | 5pm. $25 Admission / Children 4 and under FREE. 

To register click here

The City of Sarasota Parks and Recreation Department and the Sarasota Police Department (SPD) are partnering for a free, after-hours program for kids ages 8-15 at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex (1845 John Rivers St.) on Wednesday, July 26. Called Kids and Officers Promoting Solidarity (KOPS), participants play sports including basketball and soccer, kickball, indoor games and more with SPD officers in a fun and safe environment. Food and refreshments are also provided free of charge. For Tara Green, the program is great for kids to build a positive relationship with law enforcement. Green says these are the officers her daughter Aja will see in their community, and the KOPS program can help her feel comfortable asking for help if she needs it. “There’s a lot the city is doing that’s helping to build our sense of family. I grew up here, and I want my kids to be members of this community, be safe, and feel good about it,” Tara Green added. Aja, 11, also attends summer camp at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. She loves playing sports. hanging out in the game room and making new friends. She attended a recent KOPS program at the Bay, but it was impacted by bad weather so she’s looking forward to all the fun activities at this new session. “It sounds like there’s going to be so much to do. I think the sports will be the best. I really like playing soccer because I’m very fast,” Aja said. The program will be offered in two sessions: 5-7 p.m. for ages 8-11; 7-9 p.m. for ages 12-15. Space is limited to 25 kids per age group. Registration is required and available by visiting this link. Registration can also be completed in person at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. For more information, call (941) 263-6562.about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov. 

City of Sarasota single family homeowners have the chance to purchase a mature tree for their property at a significantly reduced price through Phase 3 of the City’s Mature Tree Program. The City will fund up to $500 of the cost of purchasing and planting an approved mature tree when a homeowner meets a $100 minimum deposit requirement for the program. Homeowners can select from five approved tree species: live oak, silver buttonwood, mahogany, red maple, gumbo limbo. Palm trees are not included in the program. Depending upon the species, prices range from $545 to $725. Homeowners are responsible for a $100 deposit plus any balance beyond the City’s $500 contribution. Program participants will purchase the tree through the City’s vendor, Tree Biotics, whose team will work with City staff to determine the best placement of the tree between the front plane of the house and right-of-way. In most cases, planting under utility lines will not be allowed. The homeowner will own the tree and be responsible for care and maintenance. Approximately 25 trees will be funded and planted on a first come, first serve basis during Phase 3 of the Mature Tree Program. In Fall 2023, Phase 4 will be announced and an additional 75 mature trees will be funded. The program is limited to one tree per resident per calendar year. Program details and Frequently Asked Questions are available in the Mature Tree Program guidelines at www.SarasotaFL.gov. Since its launch in February 2021, the Mature Tree Program has funded the planting of 100 mature trees throughout the city. The program is funded through the City’s Tree Mitigation Fund, which collects a portion of tree removal permit dollars to be used specifically for urban canopy programs. $50,000 is allocated for Phase 3. In addition to beautifying the community, trees provide significant benefits including saving energy, cleaning stormwater runoff, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cleaning the air, lowering the urban heat island effect, providing wildlife habitat, and improving overall health and well-being for people.