Daiquiri Deck Owners' Lawsuits, Bijou Café Sold, Blue Rooster Closing: Restaurant News

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

Restaurant Owned by Man Who Inspired Billy Joel Closing

A restaurateur who inspired Billy Joel’s “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” is closing his Sarasota eatery, Café Baci, in May. Owner Roberto Mei plans to serve his last meal there on Mother’s Day.

Mei grew up in New York and worked for his family’s restaurant, Fontana di Trevi, which inspired Joel’s classic song, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Bijou Café Sold to Sarasota Restaurant Group

Bijou Café, which has called downtown Sarasota home for 35 years, has been sold to the Realm Restaurant Group, which is led by Sharon Carole, owner of Sage restaurant, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

“I was so happy to sell to Sharon because I know she will continue it,” said Bijou Café’s founder and owner, Jean-Pierre “J.P.” Knaggs. “It’s like having a wonderful antique car and someone buys it who loves it. You know it will be well taken care of.”

There won’t be any major changes at the café, as Carole plans to continue normal operations, though she does hope to expand the courtyard down the road.

Daiquiri Deck Owners Sue Each Other

The owners of the Daiquiri Deck, a frozen daiquiri and restaurant chain throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, are embroiled in two lawsuits against each other.

One lawsuit filed by owners Troy Syprett and Matthew Grover accuse the chain’s third owner, Russell Matthes of sexually harassing an employee, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Matthews, who denies the accusations, then sued Syprett and Grover for violating their company’s contract.

Venice Restaurant, Among Top 100 in the U.S., Closes

Café Longet, in downtown Venice, which was named one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2021 by OpenTable, closed for good March 31.

The restaurant’s owner, Steve Longet, said there were myriad issues that led to its closure, including staffing shortages and visa issues, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Sarasota Family Plans New Restaurant Concept

A Sarasota family of restaurateurs is planning a new restaurant concept for Palmer Ranch.

The Caragiulo family, which owns Caragiulo’s in downtown Sarasota and Owen’s Fish Camp in Burns Court, has opened more than 10 restaurants over several decades. Now, some members of the family are opening a fish camp restaurant in Lakewood Ranch and a Florida ranch-style restaurant in Palmer Ranch, according to the Business Observer.

The Blue Rooster to Close April 30

A popular venue for live blues music and Southern comfort food in the Rosemary District, the Blue Rooster, will close for good at the end of April.

The venue’s owner, Bill Cornelius, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that he’s selling the restaurant’s property at 1525 Fourth Street. The buyer, who hasn’t been named, plans to build a multi-story, mixed-use development with housing and retail space.

Sage Launches Seasonal Spring Menu

Sage restaurant recently launched its seasonal menu for spring, which includes a number of new entrees, desserts and cocktails.

The culinary team, led by executive chef Christopher Covelli, has continued to honor the Sarasota restaurant’s mission of offering a global culinary experience by frequently introducing new menu items that demonstrate French, Italian and Asian influence, according to a news release from the restaurant.

“We take great pride in offering a menu that is truly internationally inspired,” said Covelli, co-owner of Sage. “For example, we’ve created a dish that brings you Japanese fusion with Latin American culture all in one plate with our new hamachi crudo.”

Some of the other seasonal entrees include sautéed scallops with onion and fennel in Pernod broth; chilled mint and asparagus soup; carrot ginger spring rolls with shrimp, pickled vegetables and fresh herbs; Heritage Berkshire pork porterhouse with an espresso rub and cherry sauce over a red potato hash with balsamic cippolinis and broccoli rabe; and seared duck breast with truffle, foie gras sauce, Stilton pomme duchesse and a spring onion confit, among others.

The Spring Essentials cocktail list offers a number of refreshing alcoholic beverages crafted by Sage Restaurant bartenders, including the Agua Fresca, Kiwi Go Again and Tropic Like It's Hot, among others.

Guests can end their meal with a sweet treat from the new dessert menu, such as the chocolate glazed espresso mousse or the lemon pudding cake with key lime mousse.