Irish 31, JR’s Old Packinghouse Café, Breakfast Co.: Restaurant News

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

The Breakfast Company Opening Second Location

The Breakfast Company in East Bradenton is opening a second location in Sarasota’s The Landings, likely sometime in November.

“We’ve been looking to expand into Sarasota for some time, and The Landings provides a perfect, central location,” Dimitri Syro, who owns the restaurant with his mother, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. “We love the upgrades that have been made to the center and the restaurant’s location right next to the remodeled Publix, and we can’t wait to bring our warm, comfortable vibe and scratch-made dishes to the area.”

New Ice Cream Shop Opens on Old Main Street

Millie’s Sweets & Treats, an ice cream and dessert shop, recently opened on Bradenton’s Old Main Street. It’s one of the retailers to move into the City Centre Building at 251 12th Street W.

It’s owned by Mildred Golden, whose husband. Rev. James Golden, is a Manatee County School Board member, the Bradenton Herald reported.

Wine Festival Planned at Plantation Golf & Country Club

Taste more than 20 unique wines Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Plantation Golf & Country Club Wine Festival.

Vendors will also be set up and “a fabulous spread” will be provided by the country club’s chefs, according to the Facebook event page.

Cost is $30 for club members and $40 for non-members.

Irish 31 Closes in Sarasota

The Irish 31 Pub House & Eatery at 3750 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota has closed for good.

"The Sarasota market and demographic was hit particularly hard by COVID and as we move into our franchising phase we felt like it was in our brand’s best interest to exit this particular market, at least for the time being," the Tampa-based chain told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. "We thank the Sarasota community for their support and look forward to seeing them soon at our other Irish 31 locations as we celebrate our 11-year anniversary next week."

Big Top Brewers Collective to Host Mac ‘n’ Cheese Fest

Six Sarasota food trucks will compete for the title of “Best of Sarasota Food Trucks Mac ‘N’ Cheese Dish” on Saturday afternoon, 5 p.m., at the Big Top Brewers Collective, 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton.

Food trucks participating in the mac and cheese festival include Smokin Momma Lora’s BBQ, Untamed Kitchen, Florida Poutine, Dee’z Diner, Horhay Mac N Cheese, and Fat & Happy Barbecue & More.

JR’s Old Packinghouse Café Opening Outdoor Patio

As it celebrates its 24th anniversary, JR’s Old Packinghouse Café, at 987 S. Packinghouse Road in Sarasota, is adding an outdoor covered patio and beer garden.

“I decided to put a roof over our outdoor area so more people could sit outside,” owner J.R. Garraus told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. “Customers like being outside because of COVID, but also just because they enjoy the outdoors. We have a lot of people who want to have various celebrations here, so the ‘beer garden’ concept will be chiefly for that purpose.”

BeerSauce Shop to Host Beer and Sauce Fest

The BeerSauce Shop at 419 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton is hosting a Beer and Sauce Fest on Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Enjoy unlimited samples of more than 50 regional craft beers paired with the shop’s award-winning sauces and rubs.