For a taste of Hawaii along the Gulf Coast, stop by the new Island Fin Poke Co. location in Nokomis. “I lived for 11 years in Las Vegas, and I had five restaurants there and five in Southern California. Then, poke was on every corner in California,” says CEO and Founder Mark Setterington. “Our food is California-style, but the culture in the restaurant comes from my love for my time in Hawaii.” In Hawaii, Setterington worked for Margaritaville and helped open Jimmy Buffet’s at the Beachcomber. “What I loved was the Aloha Spirit and the culture of Ohana, where you’re not greeted with a handshake; you’re greeted with a hug. It’s all about family,” he adds.

From the moment guests step into the restaurant space, the Island Poke Co. brand epitomizes both the Aloha Spirit and Ohana. “In our restaurants, we don’t have trash cans in the dining room, you’re greeted with a warm welcome, when you leave you get a fond farewell, we run your food to the table, if you don’t order a drink we bring you a cup of water and everyone gets a Dole soft serve sample. It’s a very unique fast food experience,” Setterington says. While he opened the first restaurant in 2017 without plans to franchise, the company has grown and expanded across the nation.

The Nokomis location features a pick-up window for app or third-party delivery orders, giving guests another way to experience the brand. “The best thing to do is to build your own bowl,” adds Setterington. Nearly everything on the menu is gluten-free, except for three crispy topping options. Diners can choose from 10 housemade sauces, ranging from spicy to sweet, which are made with Aloha Shoyu premium gluten-free soy sauce. They can also customize their bowl with over 30 toppings, including fresh fruit, vegetables and in-house pickled daikon and cucumber. Guests can also opt for one of the five preset bowls, such as the Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl or the Salmon Bowl. After savoring your meal, enjoy the Dole soft serve, which is dairy-free, gluten-free, fat-free and vegan-friendly. “It’s quite an experience,” he says. “You want to come in and see, feel and taste it, and experience the brand as a whole.”

Island Fin Poke Co., 997 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, 941-233-7653, islandfinpoke.com. 

Pictured: Enjoy a poke bowl from Island Fin Poke Co. in Nokomis. Photo courtesy of Island Fin Poke Co.

Island Fin Poke Co.

Sage Restaurant, a culinary destination offering worldly cuisine and crafted cocktails in downtown Sarasota, is elevating its rooftop experience by introducing a brand-new gourmet street food menu available exclusively on the 4th-floor open-air rooftop. Set against the backdrop of an elegant ambiance and mesmerizing city views, this gastronomic journey kicks off on Friday, Nov. 10 and will be available every Thursday through Saturday evening. "We've noticed a growing demand for a unique culinary experience on our rooftop,” shares co-owner and Executive Chef Christopher Covelli. “Our guests enjoy the live music, sophisticated vibes and inspired cocktails. Our culinary team has created a menu of delicious handheld options that capture the essence of global flavors, designed to be enjoyed under the Sarasota sky." Highlights from the rooftop menu include Cod and Baby Shrimp Ceviche with Assorted Chips; Guacamole with House Made Chips; Confit of Patatas Bravas; Smoked Beef Empanadas; House Blend Smash Burger with Kimchi and Garlic Mayo; Pulled Chicken Sandwich with Tomato-Bacon Jam and Cabbage Slaw; and Panino with Eggplant Confit, Capicola, Porchetta and White Truffle Aioli. While the food promises to tantalize your tastebuds, the rooftop continues to offer a full-service bar, open table seating and, in line with Sage's commitment to providing unparalleled experiences, guests can enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday evening. While reservations are encouraged for the main dining area, the rooftop does not require reservations. However, given the excitement around this launch, early arrival is recommended for the best seats under the stars. Sage is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. To make a reservation, visit SageSRQ.com or call 941-445-5660. 

Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood. is offering a New Year’s Eve dinner on December 31st from 3pm-11pm. The 3-course menu features chef-curated entrée selections including a choice of a Filet Marsala, Ocean Platter, or Coconut-Crusted Fresh Catch. The New Year’s Eve menu is the exclusive menu at Duval’s for the evening meaning their regular menus will not be available after 3pm. For guests who would like something different, Duval’s offers three other options on New Year’s Eve: Land & Sea Alfredo, Ribeye, or a Seafood Sampler. Duval’s also offers the New Year’s Eve menu for takeout and free delivery! To view Duval’s delivery zone, visit https://www.duvalsfreshlocalseafood.com/free-delivery. Pre-orders are recommended for takeout and delivery to guarantee your desired timeframe. To pre-order, call (941) 312-4001 or visit https://www.duvalsfreshlocalseafood.com/nye23. Limited reservations remain for dine-in. Please call the restaurant to reserve your spot. Duval's shuttle service may be running with limited availability on New Year's Eve due to road closures. Please contact the restaurant to reserve your ride. Duval’s is located at 1435 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236. 

It’s officially the first day of winter, and we’re excited to share that the Winter White Cosmo is available at Bonefish Grill once again! Shaken up with Reyka Vodka, Cointreau, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, white cranberry juice and fresh lime juice, this refreshing drink cannot be beat. Pair this hand-crafted cocktail with a popular dish with a twist – the new Crispy Bang Artichokes! This appetizer features crispy artichoke hearts, tossed in Bonefish Grill’s famous Bang Bang sauce. Additional Bonefish Grill winter specials include: Linguine Del Mar: Hard-shell mussels tossed in a white wine butter sauce over roasted bay scallop and shrimp linguine. Topped with fresh grated parmesan cheese and diced tomato, a returning guest favorite, Old Fashioned Cedar Plank Salmon: Atlantic salmon grilled on a cedar plank, brushed with a Jim Bean bourbon honey glaze, finished with a Bordeaux cherry gastrique – served with a choice of two signature sides, Smoky Tomato Grouper with Parmesan Risotto: Wood-grilled Grouper, topped with smoky tomato butter, made with smoky chili seasoning, sun dried tomatoes and fire roasted tomatoes. Served with Creamy Parmesan Risotto and fresh seasonal vegetables. Fan of the land? Enjoy the Smoky Tomato Butter Bone-In Pork Chop or the Smoky Tomato Butter Bistro Filet. Guests can now order a premium side of Parmesan Risotto topped with house made herb oil with any entrée. Finish your meal with a sweet treat! The decadent Chocolate Lava Cake features a rich chocolate cake with a molten center, served warm, topped with fresh berries and house-made whipped cream. Smoked Old Fashioned: Woodford Reserve Bourbon with Angostura Bitters and Bordeaux cherry smoked with oak and served over a colossal ice cube.  

To learn more, visit

Sage Restaurant is proud to announce a unique culinary event, "Taste of Japan: Rooftop Food & Cocktail Tasting," scheduled for Wednesday, January 10 at 6 pm. This special evening is dedicated to exploring the fusion of gourmet cuisine with traditional Japanese Shochu, set against the backdrop of Sage's stunning rooftop views. Executive chef Christopher Covelli and bar manager Cliseria Padilla-Flores have teamed up to create a five-course tasting menu that perfectly pairs with handcrafted shochu cocktails. Guests can expect to delight in dishes such as sea urchin crostini brulee, bao buns with pork belly and lobster, and miso glazed eggplant, each course complementing the unique characteristics of shochu. “This is an exciting category for mixing cocktails because of how unique the flavors and textures can be,” said Padilla-Flores. “We’re able to bring out rich, savory characteristics we may not get to experience with other spirits.” Adding to the evening's allure, Christopher Pellegrini, founder of Honkaku Spirits, will be in attendance. Pellegrini, an authority on koji-based spirits and author of ‘The Shochu Handbook,’ will provide insights into the world of Honkaku Shochu and Ryukyu Awamori, offering a deeper understanding of these traditional Japanese spirits. The evening promises an exquisite blend of culinary innovation and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Tickets for this exclusive event are available for $60 per person. This price includes five courses of gourmet food dishes and accompanying shochu cocktails. Due to limited seating, early reservations are highly recommended. For reservations, guests can call Sage Restaurant at 941-445-5660, email admin@realmrestaurants.com, or book directly through Eventbrite. 

Pictured: Christopher Pellegrini founder of Honkaku Spirits. Photo courtesy of Sage Restaurant.