The menu reflects their successful union with south of the border flavors in a Peruvian-style surf and turf of grilled beef tenderloin and shrimp skewers dressed up with a cilantro chimichurri sauce and a seafood paella-style dish of shrimp, scallops, fish, mussels and calamari in a fresh ginger tomato sauce. “We do feature our South American
True Mixed Media They paint with sauces; they sculpt with cheese…their canvas, a gently warmed plate.
tapas,” Arana says. “We find people are really enjoying trying different things, and
At Café Baci, we call these
they can try them in smaller portions.”
artisans “Chefs” and feature
Javier’s has an extensive selection of hot
their masterpieces daily.
and cold tapas. A refreshing ceviche of Pacific corvina (flown here from Peru) is prepared with lime juice flavored with red onion, cilantro and aji pepper. Clayton’s Siesta Grille may be slightly off the beaten path, but its varied menu and convivial atmosphere have the restaurant
Authentically Fresh. Authentically Italian.
4001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota • 921-4848 • www.CafeBaci.net
buzzing even on a Wednesday night in slow, slow September. “We’re a casual fine dining seafood house,” says owner Clayton Thomas, “but some of our favorite items are not seafood items.” One of the restaurant’s best sellers is the braised boneless beef short ribs slow simmered in a Madeira shallot sauce. Well-loved lamb “lollipops” served with roasted eggplant puree and tzataki reflect Chef Dimitri Xinidis’ Greek heritage. A relatively new stone oven has made pizzas so popular Thompson says he wishes they had installed one twice as big. Still, seafood reigns with Macadamia Crusted Grouper, Trout “Almondine” and Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos. “We encourage customers to try something different. I tell them if they don’t like it, we’ll get them something else,” he says. “We’re a fun place. I think food and fun go hand in hand.” Couldn’t agree more. scenesarasota.com
����������������������������������������
���������������������������� ��������������������������l �������������� November 2010
| scene
69