RESTAURANTS &DINING BEST LOCAL TACOS Mi Pueblo There’s simply never a bad time to taco-bout Sarasota’s best spot to grab everyone’s favorite Mexican fare. When the question of what to eat comes up—tacos are always the answer. The sour cream of the crop for a second year in row is Platinum winner MI PUEBLO. Making the queso for Gold is HAMLET’S EATERY while REYNA’S TAQUERIA is a spicy Silver winner. Let’s not forget our Bronze winner this year is the tortilla-y amazing SCREAMING GOAT TAQUERIA. Our readers also couldn’t get enough of these hot sauce sensations so check out honorable Mentions—Tamiami Tacos, Circo, Wicked Cantina Sarasota, Jalisco Mexian Grill, Poblano’s Mexican, Poppo’s Taqueria, Killik’s Kitchen and Island House Taqueria. R. Barthman (Mi Pueblo): Tacos are fresh, crisp and full of flavor. Lisa Shields (on Hamlet’s): Great vegan jackfruit tacos. Mandy Mills (on Reyna’s): The most authentic Mexican food I have ever had—everything from there is so good every single time! Consistently mind-blowing deliciousness. Joan Boltax (on Screaming Goat): Just great! And they do vegan tacos—a plus! Dawn Scire (on Screaming Goat): I’d go there for the fiery-good queso alone! But the tacos and burritos are muy excellente! Jackie Laningham (on Tamiami Tacos): The chef is incredibly talented and accommodating. I eat the eldorado nachos a minimum of twice a week. The staff is always incredibly friendly and they out-execute every taco shop in Bradenton. Love, love, love, Tamiami Tacos! Lynne Corvelle (on Circo): Such a variety of tacos—you’ll find ones you love. The jugs of margaritas are delicious as are the chips and salsa or guacamole. Tammy Marshall (on Wicked Cantina): Best tacos for Tex Mex by far. Full of flavor and spice. All made from scratch in the kitchen. Renee Marquiss (on Killik’s): Their food is delicious and they give back to the community tenfold. Deborah Hartline (on Killik’s): Best Korean beef tacos and bento bowls in town!! Bang bang shrimp is yummy too.
BEST NEW RESTAURANT Korê Steakhouse Something old, something blue, something new—these brand-spanking spots burst on the scene with a bang and KORÊ STEAKHOUSE tops the debuts winning Platinum. MELIORA grabs Gold hot off the press and OSCURA secures Silver. Bringing home Bronze for the first time, REMY’S ON MAIN rounds out Sarasota’s nicest newbies. Other freshman finds to try out are Honorable Mentions—Wink Wink Modern Lounge, Shiny Gumbo and Flirt Sushi Lounge. Charles Kim (on Korê): I’m a first generation Korean, and have enjoyed the finest Korean dining in Korea, California and New York, and Korê’s food, drinks and ambience are all spectacular. Highly recommend it! Taylor Mcleod (on Meliora): What SRQ needed! Great cocktails and nice energy from owners. Cassandra Winters (on Meliora): The most wonderful and interesting culinary experience that has come to Sarasota. Jessica McMaster (on Oscura): Delicious and unique hidden gem in Bradenton! Love how the menu options change with the seasons. The food is yummy and the vibe is so cozy. Caden Krause (on Oscura): Great vibes! Amazing food and coffee. Nighttime venue with endless events. Monica Donley (on Remy’s): I have lunch there at least once a week, sometimes two. Amazing food, great atmosphere and most importantly, a loving
staff. Chelsea Kolenda (on Wink Wink): Amazing food and unique atmosphere. Sarasota’s new best-kept secret! Diamond Johnson (on Wink Wink Modern Lounge): The food is always on point, good, fresh and on time! Let’s not forget about the drinks, oh to die for! Patrick Spencer (on Shiny Gumbo): the best Cajun food in Florida! The biscuits and gravy are from another planet— the food is amazing. Jan Sirota (on Flirt): Finally a restaurant that has staying power in a great location. This one is a winner.
BEST LOCAL SUSHI JPAN You know when you get just the right amount of every item on the fork and take one perfect mouthful? Well, that’s every bite of sushi. The perfect combination of ingredients wrapped up into one blissful bite. It’s no wonder we can’t get enough. This year’s roll model for best sushi is our Platinum winner JPAN jumping into the top spot. Arriving gingerly in second is Gold winner PACIFIC RIM with TSUNAMI SUSHI & HIBACHI proving Silver’s soy-mate rolling into third place. Bronze this year is YUME SUSHI who made sure all their patrons had a rice day after dining there. Don’t forget there are plenty of other Sarasota sensations out there to maki your day so make your wasab-way to our Honorable Mentions—Drunken Poet Café, Fushipoke and Ramen, Bushido Sushi SRQ, Siam Gulf Sarasota, Kiyoshi’s Sushi, U-Yee Sushi & Grill and Flirt Sushi Lounge. Trish Will (on JPAN): Amazing food every time, always adding new rolls and fresh ingredients. Linda Doan (on Pacific Rim): Best sushi in town hands down! Their sushi is always so fresh and the presentation is beautiful. And the service is amazing! Jewel Truman (on Tsunami): The owner is phenomenal— always working to help out the staff and serve the customers. Brandy Harlan (on Tsunami): You simply can’t beat their vegan menu and their Lychee Martinis. Peter Alvey (Yume): Family owned, Yume has the freshest sushi and a friendly staff. Suzy Brenner (on Drunken Poet): Classic standards as well as locally sourced, creative concoctions! Aaron Toynton (on Drunken Poet): Awesome ingredients. Bold flavors. Kelly Williams (on Fushipoke): Absolutely the freshest fish, best service and cleanest spot around. Joseph Meth (on Bushido): Unbelievable sushi, well prepared and beautifully presented. For an unusual appetizer, try the apple/mango salad— never had it anywhere else. Two thumbs up! Ricki Le Vine (on Kiyoshi’s): Excellent, fresh sushi! Each one is a work of art! Roger Devito (on Flirt): Great for date night, lunch and/or events. The outdoor seating is a nice touch also. They have a large drink selection. The best part about Flirt is the attention to detail and cleanliness. Brandon Tucker (on Flirt): The building is historic and beautiful with a modern interior and great music to set the vibe. Friendly local staff that remembers your name.
BEST LOCAL OYSTERS Owen’s Fish Camp Salty, briny, sweet—oysters are a confusing symphony of sensations that can take a few years to get on board with. For the seasoned seafood enthusiast, Sarasota has an endless supply of (half) shells to choose from. Oh shucks! No hiding from this year’s Platinum winner for best local oysters—OWEN’S FISH CAMP. Perhaps you’ll find a pearl hiding in the salty goodness of Gold winner BRINE SEAFOOD AND RAW BAR or head over to Silver winner TRIPLETAIL SEAFOOD & SPIRITS for some beautiful bivalves. Thankfully Sarasota oyster lovers aren’t shellfish and let us in on all their favorites including Bronze winner VERONICA FISH AND OYSTER. Don’t forget Honorable Mentions—Monk’s Steamer Bar, Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Walt’s Fish Market and Captain Brian’s Seafood Market & Restaurant.
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