SRQ DAILY Dec 19, 2023
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"What made us love Playa Bowls is their love for creating a high-quality product that is presented well and in an awesome environment."
Sometimes, we all need a sweet and refreshing treat to brighten up the day. At Playa Bowls Sarasota, a new location of the popular nationwide brand, brothers and franchise owners Ethan and Jacob McGowan are sharing the company’s fruit bowls, smoothies, juices and other delights with our community. After working together in the real estate industry, the McGowan brothers decided to break into the restaurant world with Playa Bowls.
While Jacob was attending college in California, he and Ethan enjoyed sampling the acai bowls that had become ubiquitous on the West Coast. Upon moving to the New York metropolitan and north New Jersey area, they discovered Playa Bowls. “Ethan and I thought, ‘We’ve had them in California, but Playa Bowls is way better than anything that we had out there.’ Going to school in California, I thought that since they started there, they’d be best there, but Rob and Abby, the founders of Playa Bowls, did a really good job creating the formula in Jersey,” says Jacob. During the pandemic, Ethan vacationed in Sarasota and recognized the need for this unique business in the area.
Playa Bowls was founded by Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor, avid surfers who sampled acai and pitaya bowls throughout their travels and wanted to bring their version of the dish to the United States. “A lot of people will just serve acai, but Rob and Abby went to the source; they went to Brazil and found distributors, and they created a facility,” Ethan adds. “They do that with all of the fruit bases. They go to the fruit’s country of origin, find the best producers of fruit there and then make the bases in-house in New Jersey. What made us love Playa Bowls is their love for creating a high-quality product that’s presented well and in an awesome environment.” Each store has a welcoming, on-vacation vibe, beckoning diners to come in and relax.
“They do a good job of sourcing and finding the best products before we bring them onto our menu,” says Jacob. For first-timers, he recommends trying the classic acai, whether in bowl or smoothie form. “We get positive feedback on our pitaya and coconut, which are also original bases,” adds Ethan, suggesting the Electric Mermaid, a pitaya bowl topped with granola, kiwi, pineapple, mango, coconut flakes and honey. “Because we have seven or eight bases, tons of different fruits and drizzles,” he says, “you can tell us what you like and we can make a bowl around you.”
Playa Bowls Sarasota, 1427 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-260-9941, playabowls.com. 
Pictured: A variety of bowls from Playa Bowls. Photo Courtesy of Playa Bowls.
Acqua Pazza, with a menu inspired by the Italian coastline, is now open in Downtown Wellen. Developed by D&D Restaurant Group, Acqua Pazza offers indoor and alfresco seating for 150 guests and an ambiance reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast, informed by the blues of the ocean with light accents, sun-kissed golden yellows and picturesque charm. Offering lunch and dinner, the restaurant honors the tradition and art of making pasta, bread and sauces by hand. Seasonal ingredients inspire rustic pasta dishes, slow roasted meat and grilled seafood entrees, as well as family favorite desserts. Signature entrees include a classic lasagna Bolognese, homemade lobster ravioli and fall-off-the-bone ossobuco. Acqua Pazza’s intimate bar serves refreshing, coastal cocktails and wine on-tap, as well as an extensive Italian wine list and full liquor bar. The restaurant is the newest Downtown Wellen concept by long-time local restaurateurs, brothers David and Dennis Valentino and partner Mark Costanzo. D&D Restaurants also operates The Banyan House, downtown’s premier lakefront restaurant and exclusive Solis Hall caterer, and Claw and Co., a casual eatery in The Yard. Acqua Pazza, located at 19750 Wellen Park Blvd. Suite D, is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For reservations, visit acquapazzaitalian.com.
Pictured: Acqua Pazza honors the tradition and art of making pasta. Photo courtesy of Acqua Pazza.
Enjoy the best of Florida this holiday season at Phillippi Creek Restaurant & Oyster Bar! Open 365 days a year, Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar celebrates the holiday season with the freshest seafood and new creative specials. The full menu and creative daily specials to please everyone is available for dine-in or curbside pickup every day, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Holiday Special includes Roasted Prime Rib au jus with creamy mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. Feast on fresh catch fish: whole snapper, grouper, salmon & mahi-mahi to mention just a few, plus local Florida stone crab claws, jumbo king and snow crab legs, King’s Seafood Boil, jumbo seafood boats, seafood paella, and succulent oysters served up all kinds of ways; full bar and specialty cocktails available. What’s not to love?? Known for the freshest seafood, oysters, and inspired award-winning cuisine year-round, Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. Savor the breeze off Phillippi Creek on one of several waterfront outdoor patios or relax in one of their large indoor dining rooms with beautiful water views. It’s no wonder Phillippi Creek has once again been named one of Sarasota’s best restaurants and best waterfront dining. In addition, Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar offers curbside pick-up and holiday platters to celebrate the luscious flavors of Gulf coast seafood, including platters of shrimp cocktail, crab legs and other delectable choices. Call to place your holiday catering orders today! The perfect place for the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Phillippi Creek has a variety of choices both on their full regular menu with all your favorites including seafood towers, a variety of fresh oysters, seafood boats, seafood paella and fresh seasonal tiki cocktails. You can even finish your holiday shopping at Creekside Trader’s gift shop. Choose from local artisan gifts and beach toys for the kids. Make your shopping easy and tasteful. Gift certificates available. After all, we don’t shovel snow, we bask in the cool temperature of 75 degrees and pure white sandy beaches for gift exchanges.
Renowned guest vocalist Jay Camaro, known for his appearances on American Idol, is scheduled to perform at The Venice Symphony's Venetian Nights gala on January 5, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Venice Community Center. The VCC will be transformed into Venice, Italy with captivating visuals as statues and art come to life and Symphony musicians serenade attendees around every corner. On the menu will be an exquisite selection of Italian cuisine, curated by the award-winning Michaels On East, followed by dancing to the fabulous Venice Symphony Jazz Orchestra. Cocktail attire is suggested. Fo tickets call: 941-207-8822.
The Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library is currently displaying the work of Sarasota’s public high school students who won the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County’s YVote Contest for their essays and posters depicting why it is important for every eligible person to vote. Teams of League members and other Sarasota writing and art experts judged the entries. Essay winners were: 1st Place - Hayden Heaney, Venice High School, Grade 10 for his essay, The Pivotal Role of American Democracy: Voting; 2nd Place - Addyson Domian, Venice High School, Grade 12, for her essay, To the 44%.; 3rd Place - Kathryn Domian, Pine View High School, Grade 10, for her essay, Tiny But Mighty Spark. Poster winners were: 1st Place - Aliciana Harvey-Lopez, Pine View School, grade 12, for her poster, Empowering the Voice of Diversity; 2nd Place -Vito Sgroi, Riverview High School, grade 10, for his poster, Step Up.; 3rd Place - Jacquelyn Williams, Suncoast Polytechnical High School, grade 12, for her poster, All United Voting The students received their awards on November 28, 2023, during Sarasota School Board’s Moments of Pride Special Event. First place winners received $500; those in second place received $300; third place winners received $200. The League conducted the contest in partnership with Sarasota district public schools, and it was fully funded by Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The display will rotate through six county libraries between December 2023 and June 2024.
Join us for the inspiring stories of philanthropic work by our Sarasota and Bradenton Area's nonprofit organizations as we celebrate the season of giving. Explore ways you can make an impact through the programs of 13 of this year's SRQ Giving Champions.
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Our mission is to strengthen children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being. We envision a vibrant community that cherishes education, provides opportunities for children and families to grow and thrive, and encourages and empowers families in supporting their children.
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is excited to bring children and their families the magic of the holiday season with the latest iteration of Deck the Halls. This interactive family-friendly, music-filled show celebrates everything that makes the holidays in Sarasota special. Since Deck the Halls was first produced in 2016, the show has become a holiday tradition for many families on the Suncoast. This year, the festivities return with all-new sketches, all-new songs, and all-new memories ready for the making. Created by Caroline Saldivar and Sarah Durham with additional material by Dellan Short and Jeremy Weinstein, Deck the Halls plays select Saturdays and Sundays with showtimes starting at 10am and 12pm in FST’s Keating Theatre. For more information, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
The famed holiday cocktail pop-up bar Miracle is open at Tamiami Tap for the 2023 holiday season. Featuring festive original cocktails, over-the-top decorations, and exciting new mug designs to bring the holiday season to life, the Miracle at Tamiami Tap location will offer a menu of cheerful libations and saturated, floor-to-ceiling holiday decor, ranging from nostalgic to contemporary and everything in between. The themed cocktail menu returns with fan favorites such as the Christmapolitan and Christmas Cricket. New this year is Rudolphs Replacement, The Krampus, and Marshmallows and Unicorns. At the end of this year, Miracle HQ will donate 10 percent of all proceeds from the sale of Santa Pants, Christmas Carol Barrel and Santa Heads signature glassware to the Seva Foundation, a global nonprofit eye care organization that works with local communities around the world. Miracle at Tamiami Tap is located at 711 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota, https://tamiamitap.com/.
Kwanzaa is a beautiful celebration that honors African-American heritage and history. In order to celebrate Kwanzaa, the Friends of the Betty Jean Johnson North Sarasota Public Library and the African American Cultural Resource Center will conduct a series of candle-lighting ceremony events that feature family-friendly activities during the seven days of Kwanzaa, which runs from Tuesday, December 26, 2023, through Monday, January 1, 2024. These events are also free and open to the public. bettyjjohnsonfriends.org.
They pitched their products on the hit show Shark Tank and survived to tell you the tale. Join this informative webinar featuring a panel of Shark Tank veterans hosted by invention expert and inventor coach Brian Fried. In this webinar, our panel of experienced entrepreneurs will share their product development process from inception to commercialization, examining pivotal moments, challenges and triumphs that have led them to where they are today. During this engaging and interactive session, learn how to transform your creative concept into a market-ready product or service, the essential steps to bring your idea to life and reach your target audience, strategies for navigating the competitive landscape and scaling your business and how to approach investors/partners and present your business effectively. Live attendees will receive free business resources and a link to this webinar recording. Free, online webinar. score.org/manasota.
Local Honey features guitarist David Munoz with vocals by Emily Baar. The duo serenades our guests with holiday melodies, standard classics, and their original compositions. Tickets are $10.
The Circus Arts Conservatorys Sailor Circus Academy is poised to present an amazing spectacle as Red Troupe members, the most advanced Sailor Circus students, flip, fly and soar to new heights in the highly-anticipated new holiday production, Candyland. Patrons of all ages will enjoy the spirit of the holiday season while being wowed by acts showcasing stunning aerial artistry, heart-stopping acrobatics, light-hearted comedy, and more. Candyland is a sweet holiday adventure that brings the classic childrens board game to life. Acts the audience will enjoy include the trampoline wall, high wire, cloudswing, slack rope, hammock, juggling, bike for five, web, lyra, hand balancing, acro dance, skating, unicycle and the traditional closing act, the flying trapeze. All performances take place at the Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota. Showtimes are Wednesday-Saturday, December 27-30, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 31, at 1 p.m. Tickets are $20-$40. Call the Box Office at 941-355-9805 or visit circusarts.org.
Get ready to ring in the New Year like never before with the most thrilling event in town. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities is producing a dazzling New Years Eve Celebration that promises excitement, entertainment, and an unforgettable experience for all ages. Join us on December 31st at Waterside Place for an evening filled with incredible live music, delicious food and drinks, thrilling games, and a mesmerizing drone light show. For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Joanna Bailey at joanna@lwrca.org.
The 2024 Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival, hosted by the Sarasota Manatee Originals, will take place January 25 to 29. Grand Tasting tickets go on sale in October. A full five day slate of food and wine themed fun is planned, including the University Master Classes, wine dinners at area restaurants, wine shop tasting events, a trade tasting and the much anticipated Grand Tasting at The Ringling Museum of Art. Due to the unprecedented demand for tickets, ticket sales for The Grand Tasting launch on two consecutive Tuesdays: On October 10 at 9 a.m. there is a presale of the VIP and Early Access tickets and on October 17 at 7 p.m. General Admission tickets will be available and historically have sold out in a matter of minutes. All Forks and Corks Grand Tasting tickets will be available online only. For more information, please visit www.eatlikealocal.com.
The ALSO Youth Annual Prom is the most highly anticipated event for our LGBTQ youth each year. Youth from Sarasota County, Manatee County and beyond attend this unique celebration where they are free to come as they are, with whoever they wish, without fear of judgment or needing to mask who they are. We anticipate between 250-300 youth sending their RSVP to attend the ALSO Youth Prom on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Attendees will enjoy fun music, dancing, games, themed crafts, an awesome photo booth, and so much more. alsoyouth.org
Celebrate 75 years of inspiring music all season long, and our Celebrate 75 special concert and gala experience will be the party to top them all. We invite you to support 75 more years, and beyond, of enriching lives through music by purchasing tickets to Celebrate 75. For access to the best seats and the full celebration, opt for a Gala ticket, which includes pre-concert cocktails and a gourmet dinner after the performance. Concert-only tickets are also available for purchase. The concert program, led by Creative Partner Peter Oundjian, captures all the euphoria of reaching this milestone in our history as Florida’s oldest continuously operating orchestra. After two stirring fanfares written by Aaron Copland and Joan Tower, legendary pianist Garrick Ohlsson joins Sarasota Orchestra for the monumental Piano Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninoff. Paired with An American in Paris by Gershwin, a rhapsodic portrait of a stroll through the City of Lights, this one-night-only program promises to thrill. Gala begins at 6:00 pm, and concert begins at 7:00 pm. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, sarasotaorchestra.org.
Every Saturday this December, The Makery invites parents to indulge in some holiday me-time while their little ones delve into a world of creativity at our Crafternoon Kid Drop-Off sessions. Through Dec 23rd from Noon-2pm, parents can enjoy a guilt-free break as their kids, ages 6 plus embark on a festive journey filled with captivating crafts, including slime and ornament-making, clay fun, DIY delights, and more. Our skilled instructors and local artists will guide the children through these hands-on adventures, fostering imagination and artistic expression. Amidst the jingle bells and cheer, our Crafternoon Kid Drop-Offs at The Makery promise an engaging, safe, and inspiring environment for children to explore their creative sides while parents take a well-deserved moment for themselves. Join us at The Makery this December for Crafternoon Kid Drop-Offs, where creativity knows no bounds. For more information or to reserve a spot, please visit www.themakerysrq.com.
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