Mademoiselle Paris, Il Panificio, Amalfi Bakehouse, Willy-Ums: Restaurant News

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Check out the latest restaurant and bar news in the Sarasota and Bradenton area:

Sarasota-Manatee Originals Launches Reimagined Culinary Tour Series

Sarasota-Manatee Originals is relaunching its signature food-and-wine trolley experience under a new name, with tours scheduled this spring and summer across Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The newly rebranded Originals Culinary Tour, formerly known as The Blend Trolley Tour, will feature progressive tasting stops at local restaurants in Sarasota, Bradenton, Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island and the Nokomis-Venice area.

Each ticket includes five chef-crafted dishes with wine pairings, trolley transportation between stops, gratuities and a $20 wine credit at the end of the tour.

Bradenton Hot Dog Restaurant Owner Releases Children’s Book

A Bradenton hot dog restaurant and food truck owner has released a children’s book inspired by his son and his business.

Robert Williams, owner of Willy-Ums, recently self-published “Zac and the Magical Hotdog Stand” to celebrate the ninth anniversary of his restaurant.

“It’s something that I’ve had in my head for a long time,” he told Patch. “Probably a good 10 or 12 years, I’ve had it in my head, even before I opened my restaurant. And after it opened, it was still there.”

He wrote and illustrated the book, aimed at children ages 5 to 10 years old, to help kids feel more confident through the story of a shy, young boy named Zac who discovers a magical hot dog stand run by a kind man named Mr. Rob.

French Cafe Chain Moved Downtown Sarasota Restaurant Into Bigger Space

French cafe Mademoiselle Paris has relocated its downtown Sarasota restaurant to a new location at 1766 Main Street.

“What an incredible first day… thank you all so much for your support, your smiles, and your patience today,” the company wrote in a social media post. “We are so grateful to welcome you into our new space and share this journey with you.”

The new location, which offers the brand more space for dinner and wine events, serves coffee and pastries, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also has a full bar.

Italian Bakery And Cafe Opening Soon

A Mediterranean bakery and cafe inspired by Italy’s Amalfi Coast is opening soon in Sarasota, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.

Amalfi Bakehouse is being opened by Canadian entrepreneur Tracy Calabrice, who is moving to Florida on an E-2 Treaty Investor visa from Montreal, in August, the report said.

“I’ve always loved teaching, but I felt like it was time to make a change and pursue another passion of mine,” Calabrice said. “I thought to myself — why not take my passion for baking and my love of the Amalfi Coast and create a business that will bring something distinctive to the area?"

Il Panificio Opens Second Downtown Location

Il Panificio has opened a second location in downtown Sarasota.

The restaurant took over the space at 1995 Main Street, near the Hollywood 11 movie theater, that was formerly home to Bravo’s Pizza, the Observer reported.

It’s just .3 miles down the road from its longtime restaurant at 1703 Main Street.

“This draws from a different side of the street,” operations manager Ali Davidson told the Observer, adding, “This has a lot of foot traffic” from the courthouse area.

Il Panificio also has a location on Siesta Key at 215 Avenida Madera.

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