JA Ramen Curry, Blaze Pizza, Hamlet’s Eatery: Restaurant News

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

Food Truck Rally Raised $10,000 for Kids of I-75 Crash Victims

A food truck rally hosted Aug. 21 by JFCS of the Suncoast and Big Top Brewing raised $10,000 for the children of a couple who died when their food truck flipped over and caught fire on I-75 two weeks ago, according to Sarasota Magazine.

Carlos Mendoza Herrera and Alondra Lopez Gonzalez had two children, a 6-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. They’ll be raised by Herrera’s sister.

The couple had only recently purchased the food truck – they hadn’t even named it yet – and served fresh Mexican food, the Bradenton Herald reported.

Miguel Ulloa, a family friend who also operates a food truck said, “They’d be happy to see this. Our goal is to get this family up and running.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser is collecting money for the family. As of Tuesday, more than $22,000 has been donated.

Blaze of Hope Partners with Blaze Pizza

The nonprofit organization Blaze of Hope has partnered with the Blaze Pizza in the University Town Center area to raise funds for its mission. The organization provides financial assistance to families with children who are hospitalized with life-threatening medical conditions.

On every last Thursday of the month, if a customer mentions Blaze of Hope when placing their order, 20 percent of their order will be donated to the organization, according to ABC 7.

Blaze of Hope will also host its annual Walk for Childhood Cancer Sept. 24 across the John Ringling Bridge. Learn more about the organization here.

Vietnamese Restaurant Closing in UTC Area

Bún-Haus Vietnamese Kitchen, located in The Market at UTC plaza, will close in September, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.

“With the inflation and everything, and it’s really hard to find workers — that’s the main reason," owner Liam Chu said.

JA Ramen Curry, a Phoenix-based franchise, will move into the space.

Rum-Pairing Event Hosted By Hamlet’s Eatery, Siesta Key Rum

Siesta Key Rum has partnered with Hamlet’s Eatery to host a rum-tasting event — “To Rum or Not to Rum, That’s Not Even a Question!” — at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime Wednesday evening.

The event will feature a five-course tasting menu from Hamlet’s paired with Siesta Key Rum craft cocktails.

Tickets are $80 per person and can be found online here.

Full-Service Restaurant Coming to The Shoppes of Moccasin Wallow

The developer of The Shoppes of Moccasin Wallow, which is located at I-75 and Moccasin Wallow Road, said a new full-service restaurant is coming to the plaza. Primerica Developments, Inc. of Tampa hasn’t released the name just yet, though, according to the Bradenton Herald.

Bars and eateries that are already tenants of the plaza include Corporate Ladder Brewing Company, TK Grill and Barbecue, and American Honey Creamery & Coffee Co.