Bar Hana, Forks & Corks Festival, Waterside Place: Restaurant News

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Here's the latest restaurant and bar news in Sarasota and Manatee counties:

Downtown Mexican Restaurant, Rooftop Lounge to Open

Banditos Tacos & Tequila has plans to open in downtown Sarasota later this year at 1468 Main Street.

The space was originally set to welcome Tavern on Main Brewery, which never opened, according to Sarasota Herald-Tribune,

This Banditos location will be the brand’s first outside Maryland or Virginia.

New Tiki Bar Opens

A new tiki bar from the restaurateurs behind Kojo has opened next door on Palm Avenue.

Hi Hospitality Group quietly introduced the new bar, Bar Hana, according to Sarasota Magazine.

“We wanted to fill a void in the downtown Sarasota scene,” says culinary director, Hart Lowry. “A late-night bar with tropical drinks — but food available all day. We have an elevated bar menu with small plates and lots of finger food. But we jacked up the flavors so everything is salty, spicy, creamy and crunchy, the kind of food that complements our drinks.”

Ford’s Garage Owners Revive California Tiki Brand

The owners of Ford’s Garage are reviving a California-based tiki-themed restaurant brand, according to the Bradenton Herald.

Marc Brown, who owns 17 Ford’s Garage locations in the Tampa Bay area, including the one at University Town Center, is opening two Don the Beachcomber restaurants in Florida, the Business Observer reported.

While the first two will open in Orlando and Viera, he has plans to open another 10 to 15 locations in the Southeast over the next few years. This includes Tampa Bay area restaurants.

Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival Planned

Sarasota-Manatee Originals hosts its annual Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival April 19-24.

Events include University Master Classes, wine dinners at area restaurants and the return of the Grand Tasting at The Ringling Museum of Art and the Trade Tasting for industry professionals.

Find a full schedule of events here.

New Tenants Coming to Waterside Place

Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place has announced new tenants, including several dining and bar options.

These include Good Liquid Distilling Co. and Osteria 500, an Italian restaurant, according to the Bradenton Herald.

Other restaurants expected to open by the end of the year are Duck Donuts, seafood and oyster house Deep Lagoon, and the Mexican restaurant and tequileria Agave Bandido.

Forked — which serves breakfast, lunch, brunch and cocktails — and Florida Provisions Co., a retail and bar concept, recently opened.

Sarasota Ice Cream Maker Recognized at National Competition

Yoder’s Southern Creamery in Sarasota was recognized by a national competition through the North American Ice Cream Association. At the association’s annual trade show, the ice cream company won numerous awards, Sarasaota Magazine reported.

Yoder’s won overall Flavor of the Year for its toasted coconut flavor in the non-dairy category and also took third place in that category for its peppermint cane ice cream. The company also took home the second-place Flavor of the Year award in the non-dairy breakfast category for its cinnamon streusel coffee cake flavor.

Its traditional flavors — vanilla, chocolate and strawberry — also won awards.