Outback, Fat Point, Dry Dock, Rosemary & Thyme: Restaurant News

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

2 Sarasota Restaurants Named Best in U.S. for Outdoor Dining

Two Sarasota-area restaurants were named to Open Table’s 2023 Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America.

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill in Longboat Key and Rosemary & Thyme in Sarasota both made the list.

Bijou Garden Café Offers Summer Prix Fixe Menu

Bijou Garden Café, an iconic downtown restaurant offering fine dining with an intimate and inviting ambiance in the heart of Sarasota’s theater and arts district since 1986, is offering a summer prix fixe menu now through the end of August.

Guests can enjoy the summer prix fixe menu for $49 per person. The promotion includes a choice of two courses along with a glass of wine. Taxes and gratuity are not included.

Diners have the option to select an appetizer and main entree combination, or a main entree and dessert, from the restaurant's recently launched summer seasonal menu.

The portions for the prix fixe option are slightly smaller, but guests can choose to upgrade their main entree for a small additional fee.

Sarasota Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty To Tax Charges: U.S. DOJ

A Sarasota restaurant owner pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to provide information to the IRS, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

Karl Knocker faces up to three years in federal prison. A sentencing date hasn’t been set.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Knocker owns Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill, which is located at 1500 Stickney Point Road.

Since August 2013, he and his co-owner, Madeline Nikolson, hid cash sales from the IRS, the DOJ said.

New Outback Planned in Bradenton

A new Outback Steakhouse is coming to Bradenton. It will be the brand’s third restaurant in the area, according to the Bradenton Herald.

The new location will open at 12245 State Road 70 E. in Lakewood Ranch, just east of Lorraine Road.

Fat Point Brewing Opens in UTC Area

Fat Point Brewing, founded in Punta Gorda, opened its new 2,500-square-foot location in the University Town Center area. Its soft opening started Friday afternoon.

“Fat Point UTC is finally open,” the brewery wrote in a Facebook post. “We know you've been eagerly waiting, and we appreciate your patience. While our kitchen is getting fully operational, we're currently offering a limited menu that includes some delicious options: chips (and) salsa, wings, gator bites (and) coconut shrimp.”

The brewery also has a full liquor bar.

Fat Point gets its name from Punta Gorda, which literally means “Fat Point” or the area where the waters of Peace River and Gasparilla Sound meet, according to a news release from the brewery, which is part of the Big Storm Brewing Co. family.