SARASOTA CULINARY CROSSING

nonstop SARASOTA

Sarasota Culinary

Crossing Restaurants focusing on local seafood and Florida-

By Stacey Wittig grown fruits and vegetables

Ophelia’s on the Bay at Siesta Key

Sarasota is home to a passionate community of culinary innovators dedicated to coastal cuisine. Since choosing between over 60 locally owned restaurants in the Sarasota area may be challenging, a selection of townies’ favorites will get visitors off to a good start.

Duval’s Fresh.Local.Seafood in downtown sources the finest ingredients from Sarasota’s fishermen and farmers. Look for black grouper or red snapper—two of the Florida Gulf’s most abundant fish—as the Signature Fresh Catch, which rotates daily. The popular eatery’s focus on freshness has netted the title “Sarasota’s Best Seafood Restaurant” by readers of the Herald Tribune for seven years in a row.

Crab & Fin on the infamous St. Armands Circle has been delighting loyal patrons since 1978 with their boutique oyster selection, quarter-pounder crabcakes and array of entrees. The menus are printed daily depending on the market catch, but rest assured, whatever is available will be fresh and delicious. Indoors or outdoors, the service is superb.

1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails, a vibrant Mediterranean restaurant and bar known for its contemporary flare, is where award-winning chefs delight and stretch the tastebuds with combinations they deem “a little risky.” The chefs cook everything on a wood-fired grill while mixologists craft cocktails with fresh Florida fruit and herbs.

For any veteran beachcomber who has not yet shed their footwear, Ophelia’s on the Bay will surely knock their socks off. Located on the tail end of Siesta Key, the restaurant’s menu changes daily. “Whatever comes in the morning is what we make at night,” says veteran server Csaba Kepecz, originally from Hungary. This lends to the Old-World charm of this enchanting spot on the water that was voted the most romantic restaurant in Sarasota. Special touches on their dishes include fried green tomatoes, which add a bit of crunchiness to the blue crabcakes, and house made apricot sauce served alongside the Ahi tuna.

Duval’s Fresh.Local.Seafood

Heirloom greens salad with Gulf shrimp at Crab & Fin Photo of Ophella’s on the Bay by Lauren Jackson; Duval’s Fresh.Local.Seafood and salad by Stacey Wittig

Come by Boat or Car! Beautiful View & Fresh Seafood (727) 300 - 0191 crabbysonthepass.com

12754 Kingfish Dr, Treasure Island

Hand-Crafted Signature Cocktails Outdoor Deck with Beautiful Water Views (727) 216 - 8085 saltysisland.com

437 S. Gulfview Blvd.

Famous Sunset Views & Live Music Nightly! The Best Breakfast on the Beach! (727) 608 - 2065 crabbysbarandgrill.com 333 S. Gulfview Blvd.

Incredible Pizza, Seafood, Mainland Dishes, and a great drink menu! (727) 330 - 1750 saltycrabnorthbeach.com

462 Mandalay Ave.

A Hidden Beach Gem! The Best Ice Cream on the Beach! (727) 231 - 6710 crabbyshideaway.com

45 Papaya St.

3 Stories of Dining with Picture Perfect Views of Clearwater Beach. (727) 210 - 1313 crabbysdockside.com

37 Causeway Blvd.

Visit all 5 of the Clearwater Beach Restaurants and earn a FREE Challenge T-Shirt!

For any veteran beachcomber who has not yet shed their footwear, Ophelia’s on the Bay will surely knock their socks off. Located on the tail end of Siesta Key, the restaurant’s menu changes daily. “Whatever comes in the morning is what we make at night,” says veteran server Csaba Kepecz, originally from Hungary. This lends to the Old-World charm of this enchanting spot on the water that was voted the most romantic restaurant in Sarasota. Special touches on their dishes include fried green tomatoes, which add a bit of crunchiness to the blue crabcakes, and house made apricot sauce served alongside the Ahi tuna.