Osteria 500 opened in July of 2023, but it has already made a splash in Sarasota’s culinary scene. Foodies have fallen in love with the eatery’s exquisitely crafted authentic Italian cuisine, and earlier this year the restaurant received a prestigious Gambero Rosso award. Now Osteria 500 has added to its impressive accolades as the recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Wine Spectator is a lifestyle magazine that focuses on wine culture and ratings and is widely respected as one of the premier publications on wines. Each year, the magazine highlights restaurants that have curated wine lists that are not only superlative in their own right, but that also pair exceptionally well with the food that is served. To be recognized in this fashion in the first year of operation is a truly remarkable feat, and much of that credit goes to Carmine Ussano who is a co-owner of Osteria 500 and serves as the wine director.

“What we try to do at Osteria 500 is to be 100% authentic,” says Ussano. “We make our own bread, we make our own pasta, we make our own sauces, we make our own sausage. With this concept of being super authentic, my thought with the wine list was to be even more authentic.”

Ussano has managed to curate a wine list that is wide-ranging, yet thoughtful and unique. While there is one page devoted to wines from “the rest of the world”, the focus is primarily on Italian wines. The wine list is organized by region, so reading through it is almost like taking a journey through Italy. In addition to co-owning Osteria 500, Ussano has run a private tour company in Italy for the past twenty years. In that time, he has cultivated relationships with small family vintners who don’t even have websites, much less distributors. WIne enthusiasts who are on the lookout for something new are bound to stumble on some hidden treasures on the Osteria 500 wine list.

“One of the most iconic winemakers in Italy at the moment, it’s very hard to even contact him,” Ussano says. “He doesn’t have a website, he doesn’t have an office, no one works for him. He does everything himself. Sometimes I have to wait four, five, six months to get wine from him.”

Ussano’s willingness to go above and beyond to source these special and unique bottles of wine is just one of the things that elevates the wine experience at Osteria 500. He also designed the temperature-controlled wine room which holds between 2000 and 2500 bottles of wine and displays all of the labels, and invested in a system that preserves an open bottle of wine (even sparkling ones) for 21 days.

“Because of that we have the opportunity to have wines like Barolo or Brunello by the glass as well as some other unique wine blends that you usually don’t find on a wine list by the glass,” Ussano says.

The issue of  Wine Spectator that recognizes Osteria 500 will be on newsstands on August 31, 2024, or you can visit the magazine’s website at winespectator.com/restaurants to see the award recipients.

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

Pictured: A peek into the award-winning wine room at Osteria 500. Photo courtesy of Osteria 500.

Taste of Spain is excited to announce the dates for their highly anticipated Tapas Cooking Classes and Flamenco Night: Class & Paella for the remainder of 2024! Due to popular demand, we encourage you to reserve your spots early. Tapas Cooking Classes: Join in for an immersive culinary experience where you'll learn the art of making traditional Spanish tapas.Each class includes hands-on instruction, wine tasting, and a take-home recipe booklet. Additionally, you will learn about the history of tapas and how to arrange a tapas party. Our classes are intimate, with a maximum of 8 students, ensuring personalized attention.Upcoming Class Dates: Wednesday, September 11, Wednesday, October 16, Wednesday, November 13, Wednesday, December 4. Classes begin at 6:00 pm. The cost is $75 per person plus tax, with a deposit of $40 or full payment required to secure your reservation. Flamenco Night: Class & Paella: Experience the vibrant culture of Spain with our Flamenco Night: Class & Paella! Begin the evening by learning the history of flamenco and mastering the basics of the dance with our expert instructor. Afterwards, enjoy a sit-down dinner featuring authentic paella and sangria, creating a truly memorable Spanish night.  Each event is limited to 8 participants for an intimate and engaging experience. Upcoming Flamenco Night Dates: Wednesday, October 23, Wednesday, November 6, Wednesday, December 11. Both the Tapas Cooking Classes and Flamenco Night: Class & Paella can be arranged for private events as well. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or planning a unique gathering, they can create a customized experience just for you.For reservations and more information, please call us at 941-580-8663 or visit our location at 2667 Mall Dr. Sarasota, FL 34231. 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat (Sarasota County, Florida) has confirmed that the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the Hermitage lease on Manasota Key. Most notably, the amendment extends the lease term of the Hermitage, in addition to providing other safety and security protections for the internationally renowned arts organization that has deep roots in the local community. This vote on July 9, 2024 was a culmination of many months of dedicated work, communication, and negotiation among Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg, Sarasota County Commissioners and staff, as well as the Hermitage Board of Trustees, leadership staff, and outside consultation from community leaders and past government officials.Among its notable changes, the newly approved lease amendment encompasses an extension of the lease through 2045, further extendable through 2055 upon the completion of planned improvements by the Hermitage and its campus facilities. Additionally, the lease confirms greater access to parking for the growing volume of community programs offered by the Hermitage, increased privacy and protection for Hermitage artists-in-residence, as well as other updates to reflect the County’s acknowledgment of the tremendous growth and expansion of the Hermitage’s impact in the greater Sarasota community. Each year, the Hermitage hosts nearly 100 acclaimed artists-in-residence on its historic beachfront campus. Hermitage Fellows, alumni, and curators are some of the leading artists and thinkers in their respective fields from across the globe. These award-winning and world-renowned creators share their artistic talents and insight into their creative process through more than 50 free community programs, hosted at the Hermitage and at partner arts, cultural, and educational venues throughout the region. These impactful and educational programs offer a wide variety of events to residents and tourists throughout Sarasota County. The original works created at the Hermitage regularly go on to renowned theaters, concert halls, publishing houses, museums, and galleries throughout the world; there are now over 800 Hermitage alumni creating and sharing work that traces its roots back to the Hermitage and Sarasota County. 

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome Debbie Gibson to Sarasota on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7:30pm. Tickets for Winterlicious – An Evening of Holiday and Hits will go on sale Friday, August 2 at 10am EDT. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. 

Multiple departments within Sarasota County have achieved accreditation and reaccreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA), reflecting Sarasota County’s commitment to excellence and strategic goals. The judgement from APWA allows Sarasota County to receive critique from a professional, third-party organization, resulting in the enhancement of governmental processes and service to the public.  Capital Projects, Public Utilities, Public Works and Solid Waste were reaccredited following their initial accreditation in 2020. Newly accredited departments this year include Breeze Transit; Communications; General Services; Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; and Planning and Development Services. APWA accreditation formally verifies and recognizes these departments comply with the recommended management practices outlined in APWA’s Public Works Management Practices Manual. The APWA accreditation process is available to all governmental agencies responsible for public works functions. Sarasota County began its reaccreditation and accreditation efforts in December 2022, starting with a self-assessment in February 2023. The county underwent an extensive submittal and review process to measure the success of its procedures and evaluate its service to the community. APWA’s accreditation process includes five major phases: Self-Assessment: Internal review of an agency’s practices compared with the recommended practices in the manual. Application: Submission of a formal application to commit to the Accreditation Program. Improvement: Addressing areas needing improvement to comply with recommended practices. Evaluation: Requesting a site visit for review and evaluation of the agency’s compliance. Accreditation: The Accreditation Council reviews the site visit results and team recommendations to decide on awarding accreditation. The initial accreditation is valid for four years, with semi-annual updates required to maintain compliance. After that period, a reaccreditation process builds on the original accreditation, encouraging continuous improvement and compliance with newly identified practices. Achieving the APWA accreditation is a 2024 strategic plan item for multiple departments. Sarasota County reaffirms its strategic plan annually, which includes a 15-year vision, mission statements and an annual action plan approved by the Board of County Commissioners.The accreditation and reaccreditation processes allow Sarasota County to review operations and procedures, gauge compliance with industry standards and make improvements to benefit the community. Sarasota County ensures it remains aligned with best practices and continually enhances its services. To learn more about Sarasota’s continued commitment to provide excellent service to the community, visit scgov.net. For more information about APWA Accreditation, please contact APWA Senior Manager of Accreditation, Jeanette Klamm at jklamm@apwa.org or (816) 595-5295. Please visit apwa.org to learn more about the American Public Works Association.acc 

Ryan and Christina Edwards are churning out craft ice cream at Great Heights Creamery, July/August 2024.

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