SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL - Here's the latest bar and restaurant news in the Sarasota and Bradenton area:
FL Asian Street Food Chain Coming To UTC
Hawkers Asian Street Food, a Florida-born restaurant chain known for its Asian street food-inspired menu and shareable small plates, is coming to University Town Center.
The restaurant will occupy a 5,054-square-foot space along Cattlemen Road in UTC's West District, according to a news release from Benderson Development, which owns and manages the property. The opening date hasn't been announced.
This planned Sarasota location will also introduce a new concept for Hawkers: its first street food sweet shop. Details about the sweet shop also haven't been released.
Downtown Bradenton Restaurant Closing After 10 Years
A popular Bradenton restaurant is closing its downtown location later this month after 10 years in business at this site.
Sage Biscuit Café shut its doors for good at 1401 Manatee Ave. W. on Sunday, the owners wrote in a social media post.
The restaurant's 10-year lease for the location expired and the building's current owner decided he no longer wants a restaurant operating in the space, Sage Biscuit Café's owners said.
The company's sister location at 6656 Cortez Road W. will remain open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. This location offers the same menu, and some downtown staff members will move there.
Beloved Sarasota Cheese Shop Closing Despite Efforts To Save It
A beloved downtown Sarasota cheese shop is closing for good despite efforts last year to save it.
Artisan Cheese Company, located at 550 Central Ave. in the Rosemary District, is selling its equipment, including deli cases, sandwich prep fridges and grab-and-go fridges, meat slicers, ovens and more.
"I tried unsuccessfully to keep the doors open, but I have failed," owner Louise Converse wrote in a social media post, adding, "The cheese industry is incredible. I wish I could have stuck it out. I love all of it. I have been so proud to be part of it. I have let you down. I am so sorry. I mean it."
Converse wrote that she had new owners slated to take over the cheese shop, and she's been working with them in recent months ahead of the planned transition.
"But sadly the space will end up going to a restaurant as the restaurant won the Landlord's approval over the cheese shop, as is their prerogative, as I am in rent arrears," she wrote.
Chicken Salad Chain To Open First Sarasota County Restaurant
Chicken Salad Chick is expanding its Southwest Florida footprint with the opening of its first Sarasota County restaurant.
The new restaurant, located at 6650 Fruitville Road, just east of Interstate 75 in the Fruitville Farms shopping center, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, a news release said.
Beachfront Restaurant Reopens Two Years After Helene
Two years after being destroyed by storm surge from Hurricane Helene, Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach celebrated its grand reopening on Sept. 25.
The Gulf-front restaurant, located at 6600 Gulf Drive, is open daily for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m.
"Our lovely beachfront restaurant sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico beach and boasts an authentic, mahogany 'Old-Florida' feel that we've loved and maintained for the past 39 years. Choose to enjoy your tasting experience in our intimate bar lounge, cozy Main Dining Room overlooking the beach, or Beach Dining on our outside dining patio. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Beach Bistro," according to the website.
French Cafe Moving Into Former Bookstore Space
A French cafe is coming soon to the former Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe space at 2805 N. Tamiami Trail.
Comptoir - The Counter Cafe plans to open in October, according to the restaurant's website, though an exact opening date wasn't shared.
The menu focuses on house-baked breads and viennoiseries, crepes and quiches, cold baguette and hot-pressed sandwiches, classic bistro salads, made-to-order espresso drinks, and authentic pastries.
Southside Village Restaurant Closes
A Southside Village restaurant, 1818 Grill, located at 1818 S. Osprey Ave., closed its doors for good Saturday night after two years in business.
The owners, Tommy and Mandy Lovell, are selling the restaurant to the Siciliano family that owns the Legends Sports Pub next door at 1816 S. Osprey Ave., which plans to expand into 1818 Grill's space to include a full bar and kitchen, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported. Currently, Legends only serves beer and wine, and doesn't offer food.
Tommy attributed various economic factors to 1818 Grill's closure, including a slow off-season, as well as rising prices of gas, produce, cooking oil, and beef.
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