New Business Spotlight

Mozzarella Fella: Fresh Italian Cuisine for Diners on the Go

Downtown's newest Italian sandwich shop is a fast neighborhood favorite with its delicious quick bites made from only the freshest local ingredients.

Walking into a sandwich shop for the first time during lunch hour and encountering a line to the door can induce a swell of feelings — hunger, of course, being the primary one, and it tends to come with a side of impatience. While waiting in that line, though, the sights and smells of the bustling business and the chatter of its satisfied patrons beckons a second surge of emotions — excitement and mouthwatering anticipation — as you realize your taste buds are in for a treat. Such is the case at downtown’s newest Italian eatery, Mozzarella Fella, which has quickly risen in the ranks as a local favorite since it opened its doors at 1668 Main Street on May 10. Mozzarella Fella is owned and operated by husband and wife duo, Michael and …

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Culinary Corner

Italian Family Dining Squared

With over 20 years in the restaurant business, the Caragiulo brothers know a thing or two about dining. Their Italian American restaurant located on South Palm is a family run, family styled restaurant serving "old world" homemade Italian.

An anchor on South Palm Avenue, the family owned and operated Caragiulo’s has been serving the Sarasota community since 1989. Originally started by their father, the restaurant today is run by his sons; the successful Caragiulo brothers whose other restaurant interests include Owen’s Fish Camp and Nancy’s BBQ. Caragiulo’s is a classic old world, family styled, Italian restaurant oozing with charm, character and casual comfort. With thre different venues for seating; the bar, the main dining room, and alfresco, the total space is deceivingly large but divided which complements the casual comfortable ambience. The food preparation is what one would expect from an Italian family run restaurant; homemade, fresh, simple and plentiful. The bread…

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Culinary Corner

For the Love of Food and Music

From the outside Puccini's Italian restaurant does not appear special. However one step inside and you immediately know that it is.

When Chef Richard introduced Puccini’s to Sarasota a little more than a year and a half ago, his concept was simply elegant; offer the freshest ingredients, superbly prepared, in a casual yet romantic setting. Puccini’s does just that. Upon arrival our first impression was “yet again another Florida strip mall eatery.”  However, one step inside and all preconceived thoughts of a strip mall dining disappeared. Ceiling’s draped in fabric, opera music playing in the background, small cozy tables, candle lit ambience, an open aired kitchen, and a warm friendly greeting made for a remarkable transformation. The stage was set. Puccini’s specializes in fresh, made to order dishes. Therefore, the menu is limited and changes frequently.  For our …

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Culinary Corner

An Eclectic Italian Restaurant Thriving in Gulf Gate

Sarasota has a full line-up of Italian restaurants. Opened for about two years, Oh Mamma Mia serves mid-range Italian cuisine in a friendly fun setting.

A simple sign outside lets you know you arrived at Oh Momma Mia. One step inside and you feel as if you stepped into the set of an Italian cooking show. A large open kitchen is the main focal point of the room with peripheral tables, bar seating with overhead reflecting mirror to observe the culinary techniques of the chef, and a friendly staff cooking and greeting you. The restaurant is small, simply decorated, and a bevy of activity. Although the restaurant states it accommodates walk-in’s, reservations are de rigueur. On all our visits we observed the restaurant to fully booked; perhaps a reflection on the size of the space, the quality of the food, or both! The menu is extensive offering a wide selection of hot and cold appetizers, …

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Culinary Corner

A Main Street Casual Italian Eatery Serving Something Familiar Yet Different

With the plethora of good Italian restaurants in Sarasota, it becomes difficult to find something different. Italian cuisine from Sardinia is familiar yet different. Cafe Americano is serving some interesting and flavorful Sardinian specialties.

In Sarasota there are a plethora of Italian restaurants ranging from the simple pizza place to the fine dining establishment. The popularity of Italian cuisine is only eclipsed by the regional variety of the food preparation and the style of the restaurant. Café Americano does both. When you first arrive at Café Americano you are immediately struck by the casual outdoor seating, the simple yet stylish indoor décor, and the relaxed style of the staff. The menu offers a wide range of appetizers, salads, pastas, grilled items, seafood and Sardinian specialties. Since the co-owners hail from Sardinia, we decided to “stick” with the Sardinian selections on the menu. Our thinking was simple: “When in Rome…or in this case Sardinia, do as the …

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Culinary Corner

Refined Italian on Palm Avenue

Looking for a new place to dine? Interested in a mid-1920's setting? How about refined Italian cuisine? Maybe you should try Aria European on Palm Avanue.

The name may say European but the cuisine at Aria is definitely Italian. Giorgi Oldano, who previously operated Da Giorgio Ristorante on Anna Maria Island, recently opened Aria in the former Zak’s Steakhouse location on Palm Avenue. A circa 1926 building, the new home to Aria is warm, inviting, cozy, and just oozes charm. For those interested in alfresco dining, there is an equally charming courtyard area. The menu at Aria is large but not overwhelming. There are a range of hot and cold appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts. For our meals we chose the following: The wait staff was professional, knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. Aria offers a full range of soft drinks, beer and wine to accompany your meal. Opening a new restaurant …

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Culinary Corner

Understated Italian Fare on the North Trail

When choosing an Italian restaurant in Sarasota the selection process can be challenging because there are so many from which to choose. Etrusco Ristorante is setting itself apart.

Just outside of downtown, on the North Trail between 4th and 5th Streets, tucked inside a small strip mall is the Etrusco Ristorante. Look closely because it is easy to miss and that would be a shame. Simple and subtle on the outside, small, bright and airy on the inside, Etrusco is serving Italian cuisine with perhaps a slight bent on seafood. The menu is large but not overwhelming and there are always some fresh daily specials. For our meals we had the following: Etrusco offers an adequate selection of beers and wines to accompany your meal. We found the wait staff to be in keeping with the style of the restaurant; casual, friendly and attentive. Offering Italian cuisine in Sarasota is a challenge. There are so many Italian restaurants …

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A Consistently Devine Dining Experience

Started as a family business in 2004, The Divino Restaurant has been serving Italian specialties complimented with a hand picked selection of undiscovered Italian wines.

Opening and operating a high quality restaurant is a challenging undertaking. Distinguishing that restaurant from all the others is a never ending difficult task. One of the most critical success factors in the restaurant business today is consistency. Started as a family business in 2004, The Divino Restaurant has been serving Italian specialties complimented with a hand picked selection of undiscovered Italian wines. Even though there have been changes over the years, their recipe for success can be summarized in one word; consistency: décor, food, service, special offers, and experience. A warm, inviting, and comfortable décor, Divino offers a fine dining experience in a casually elegant setting.  Offering a range of salads, soups, …

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Culinary Corner

A New Italian Restaurant in Downtown SRQ: Salute

A newcomer to Sarasota restaurants, Salute opens in downtown. Read the review of this new entrant.

A new Italian restaurant emerges in downtown Sarasota… On the corner of North Lemon Ave and 1st Street, in the space formerly occupied by Crepe Suzette, Sarasota's newest Italian restaurant, Salute, recently opened. With significant renovations and interior improvements, Salute offers four distinct areas for dining: al fresco, a casual bar, the wine room and the main dining room. The menu at Salute is varied and extensive, offering bruschetta, appetizers, imported Italian cheeses, cured meats, salads, pasta, veal, chicken, pork and seafood with additional nightly specials. With so many great dishes from which to choose, making a choice can pose a challenge. For our meals we chose the following: 1) Insalata di Rucola- Fresh arugula salad, …

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