Next time you’re in the mood for a tasty and homemade meal, stop by Michelle’s Brown Bag Cafe. Owned by Michelle Ettinger, the Brown Bag reopened in a new location in Burns Court this past February.

The Brown Bag has been in business since Ettinger opened it in Bar Harbor, Maine in 2002. “We lived on the island, which is home to Acadia National Park, and there wasn’t a sandwich shop,” she says. “Everyone’s goal when they come to the island is to go into the park, so I opened up Michelle’s Brown Bag, and we were one of the busiest restaurants in Maine because there weren’t any places where you could grab a great fresh sandwich and head into the park.” The eatery maintained its success when she relocated it to Sarasota’s financial district and now the Burns Court area. “The menu has been the same for 22 years because everything sells,” she adds, noting that the only thing she’s changed is the names of the items which now have a signature local flair.

The cafe is beloved for its mouthwatering sandwiches, like the Bird Key, Longboat Brie and Harbor Master. With all-white meat chicken salad, tarragon, lemon, homemade mayonnaise, fresh celery, gorgonzola cheese, sliced Granny Smith apples, sliced tomatoes, sprouts and fresh spring greens, the Bird Key has been the bestselling sandwich for 22 years. Guests also love the Longboat Brie, a ham and brie sandwich with mango chutney. “Opening in Maine originally, I’m a stickler for quality Maine lobster. I stay true to the Maine lobster, and it comes in fresh two days a week. It’s fresh-picked lobster meat and our homemade dill mayonnaise. We put a few capers in there and serve it on a locally made baguette from St. Armands Bakery. It has lettuce, tomato and crisp cucumbers,” she says. While most of the sandwiches come with half a dill pickle, the Harbor Master also includes a side. All the sides are homemade, but the house chips are a classic favorite. The Brown Bag sources its baked goods from St. Armands Bakery and strives to use local produce whenever possible.

The cafe also carries all-day breakfasts like omelets and sandwiches, which Ettinger says is unique for a sandwich shop. “If you’re going to the beach, you can come in and get your breakfast sandwich and lunch at 9am,” she adds. With an eye on opening future locations on Siesta Key and Longboat Key, Ettinger is poised to grow her business. When it comes to delicious sandwiches, Michelle’s Brown Bag Cafe has got it in the bag.

Michelle’s Brown Bag Cafe, 630 S. Orange Ave., Sarasota, 941-365-5858, michellesbrownbagcafe.com. 

Pictured: The interior of Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe. Photo Courtesy of Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe.

Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe

You’ve probably heard of the Michelin Guide, but what about the prestigious Gambero Rosso? This Italian company is “the leading platform for content, training, promotion and consultancy in the Italian Wine Travel Food sector. It offers a complete range of integrated services for the agricultural, agri-food, dining and Italian hospitality which constitute the most successful sector with a significant contribution to the constant growth of the economy,” according to their website.

Gambero Rosso awards spicchi, or slices in Italian, to top Italian restaurants across the world. This year, they awarded the most authentic Italian restaurants, wine bars and pizzerias in Miami according to the ratings from the digital guide Top Italian Restaurants. “For the first time, they awarded two places outside of Miami and one was us, Osteria 500! We are very excited, as we received the "2 Spicchi" Gambero Rosso 2024 award along with some of the most authentic restaurants and pizzerias in Miami,” says the restaurant’s Co-owner Carmine Ussano.

This latest award comes on the heels of Osteria 500’s win at the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas in March. For a restaurant that’s been open for less than a year, these accomplishments signal a bright future, one that Co-owner Giuseppe Del Sole, who sold his shares of Napule Restaurant in Sarasota last year to focus all of his effort on Osteria, is especially proud of, along with fellow co-owners Carmine Ussano, Andrea DeDominics and Salvatore Scaccino. “We are very happy to have received two prestigious awards since 9 months of the opening of Osteria 500,” adds Ussano. "Only time will tell what this restaurant will cook up for us next."

Osteria 500, 1580 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota, 941-866-8962, osteria500.com. 

Pictured: Gambero Rosso awards two slices to local eatery Osteria 500. Photo Courtesy of Osteria 500.

Osteria 500

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits’ Mother’s Day Beachside Brunch - May 12, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a ticketed event. 100 Spring Avenue, Anna Maria, FL 34216. The restaurant will be offering a special Mother’s Day menu along with a special Kid’s menu. A bottomless mimosas and Bloody Mary’s selection is provided.Beach House Waterfront Restaurant’s Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet: May 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  No reservations or tickets needed; this is a walk-in only event. 200 Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217. Pricing: Adults: $69.99. Kids 12 & Under: $29.99. Bottomless Mimosas & Bloody Mary Bar: $24.99. The delectable spread features include: Pastry and Breads with Jams, Scones, Muffins, Bagels, and Cream Cheese; Cold Area delights including House Salad, Caprese Salad, Fruit Boards, Parfaits, Cheese Boards, Sliced Deli Meats, Pickles, Grain Mustard, Jams, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Oysters, Crab Claws, and Smoked Salmon; Hot Breakfast favorites like Scrambled Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Sausage Links, Crispy Bacon, Waffle Station, and Cheesy Potato Hash. Customize your omelet at the Omelet Station with an array of toppings; A Carving Station featuring Roasted Turkey Breast and Prime Rib; Hot Area specialties including Bacon and Leek Quiche, Baked Brie Cheese, Ravioli with Bell Pepper Ragu, Honey Glazed Carrots, Crab Cakes, Seared Mahi, and Roasted Garlic Mash Potatoes; A Sweet Dessert Table of Cakes and Pies, Mousse, and even Candied Bacon from Anna Maria Bake House! Plus, a kids’ buffet offering Sliders, Chicken Fingers, Fries, and more. 

To learn more, visit

Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood. is offering Mother’s Day specials on Sunday, May 12th from 10:30am-10pm. The entrée selections on the menu include brunch-style selections as well as traditional lunch and dinner options. The entrée specials include Steak and Eggs, Chicken and Waffles, Seafood Linguine, Croque Madame, and a Citrus-Infused Pork Chop. The chef-curated menu will be available all day for lunch and dinner in conjunction with the regular menus. Duval’s also offers the Mother’s Day menu for takeout and free delivery! To view Duval’s delivery zone, visit 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/mothersday24.Limited reservations remain for dine-in. Please call the restaurant to reserve your spot. Duval’s offers a free shuttle to transport guests to and from the restaurant. For more information about the shuttle, visit www.duvalsfls.com/shuttle.

Duval’s, 1435 Main St. Sarasota. 

First Watch, the Bradenton-based restaurant serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, will open its newest location along State Road 70 and Lorraine Road on Monday, May 2. The restaurant will bring a chef-inspired menu to a 5,560-square-foot space that seats more than 200 people, offers outdoor dining under a covered patio, and serves signature juices and cocktails at a dedicated bar. Located at 14475 State Road 70 E., the restaurant will be open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. To celebrate the opening, customers who dine in at the new restaurant Monday, May 6-Friday, May 10 will receive a free cup of Project Sunrise coffee with their meal. First Watch’s menu takes an elevated approach to traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings. All dishes are made to order using fresh ingredients in a kitchen without heat lamps, microwaves or deep fryers. Fan favorites include Avocado Toast, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Million Dollar Bacon. From the dedicated bar, the restaurant juices daily using ingredients like Fuji Apple, kale and beet and brews its Project Sunrise coffee, sourced by women coffee farmers based in South America. Five times a year, First Watch offers a revolving seasonal menu that follows the position of the sun to source fresh ingredients. This menu has featured specialties like the Barbacoa Quesadilla Benedict, Elote Mexican Street Corn Hash and Watermelon Wake-Up fresh juice, among others. The State Road 70 restaurant will offer its first seasonal menu in Fall 2024. The restaurant will employ 30 people and operate on a one-shift a day, “No Night Shifts Ever” approach that enables its teams to enjoy their evenings and build a better quality of life. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply at careers.firstwatch.com. Further ahead, First Watch anticipates opening a restaurant in Parrish at 8990 US-301 N. by the end of 2024, and has several leases in various stages of negotiation. First Watch serves its entire menu seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. for pickup, delivery and dine-in service. To place an order or join a digital waitlist, visit firstwatch.com.  

Local restaurant Stottlemyer's Smokehouse is hosting a benefit concert on May 19th, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm to support Pat McDonald, a well-known drummer in the Southwest Florida music scene, and his family. McDonald, who has played with bands like Kettle of Fish, The Monsoons, and Charlie Daniels Band for over 20 years, recently suffered a stroke. While he has returned to performing, his wife Jen, who works full-time in healthcare and cares for their four children, has also been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. The benefit concert aims to raise funds to assist the McDonald family during this challenging time. The “Party of The Decade” event will feature EIGHT HOURS of live music from a variety of popular local acts. In addition to the music, attendees can participate in raffles, auctions, and giveaways throughout the day. There will be a silent auction from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with winners announced at 5:45 pm. (Mustbe present to win.) A 50/50 cash raffle will run from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with the winner announced at 6:30 pm. A live auction featuring two autographed guitars, one signed by that day’s event performers and another from Big & Rich, will take place at 3:45 pm.Stottlemyer's Smokehouse will offer its signature barbecue, along with drink specials and refreshing cocktails throughout the event.

Date: Sunday May 19, 2024, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, 19 East Rd, Sarasota. 

Pictured: Stottlemyer's Smokehouse will host a fundraiser for local musician Pat McDonald and Family on May 19.

CoolToday Park, the Spring Training Home of the Atlanta Braves, announces the 2024 Movie Nights, presented by Sharky’s on the Pier, Fins & Snook Haven. Back by popular demand, the Summer Movie Nights provide a unique experience for everyone during the summer, while remaining fun and affordable. The 2024 Summer Movie Night lineup offers something for everyone. Enjoy Paw Patrol Mighty Movie with little ones, make your Father’s Day celebration extra special with a movie for Dad, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, and end Shark week festivities like never before with a screening of the Shallows on our 40’X80′ scoreboard! Summer Movie Nights will take place on most Sundays during the months of June and July, inside the stadium at CoolToday Park. The movies will be shown on the scoreboard and will begin at 5 PM each night. Children ages 3 and under will receive free admission, while tickets for ages 4-9 are only $3, and ages 10+ are $7. Tickets are available now at the CoolToday Park box office, online at cooltodaypark.com/movies, or by calling 941-413-5004. Parking is free, seats will be available in the seating bowl. No outside food, beverages, or chairs are allowed inside the stadium. The Superior Pools Tomahawk Tiki Bar & Grill will be open for full dinner service.  For more information on the 2024 Movie Nights, or CoolToday Park, visit www.cooltodaypark.com, email springtraining@braves.com, or call 941-413-5000.