No Tipping At Korê, Taco & Tequila Crawl Returns, Banyan House Planned: Restaurant News

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

Tour of Spain Wine Dinner Planned at Pier 22

Pier 22 in Bradenton is hosting an exclusive Tour of Spain Wine Dinner Friday evening.

The immersive five-course wine dinner will feature wines from various wineries in Spain paired with locally sourced ingredients. Tickets are $125 plus tax and gratuity.

No Tips Accepted At New Korean Restaurant

A new Korean restaurant, Korê Steakhouse, has opened at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. Its menu reflects the heritage of its owner, restaurateur Daniel Dokko, who also owns JPAN Sushi & Grill in University Town Center and Sarasota.

“Thirty years ago, Chinese food was very popular,” he told the Observer. "Fifteen years ago, Japanese food was very popular. Now Korean food is going to be the most popular. And we didn’t want to open just any Korean restaurant. We wanted to become a staple.”

In addition to bringing authentic Korean dishes to the area, it’s also notable for its no-tipping policy.

Waterfront Restaurant To Open In Wellen Park

An upscale lakefront restaurant, The Banyan House, will open in Wellen Park, a master-planned community near Venice and North Port.

Serving new American cuisine, it’s expected to open in November as part of the first phase of development of Downtown Wellen, according to a news release.

The restaurant will offer seating for 320, a large bar and lounge under 6,100 square feet, including 2,000 square feet of alfresco dining – all showcasing picturesque water and sunset views.

The chef-driven menu will offer casual lunchtime selections, fusion-inspired new American cuisine during dinner hours, and a formal brunch with carving stations and a champagne bar.

Created by long-time restaurateurs, brothers David and Dennis Valentino and partner Mark Costanzo have operated the popular Venice and Port Charlotte restaurants for 25 years: Prime Serious Steak, Donato’s Italian Restaurant and Bocca Lupo Coal Fired Pizza. Their Bocca Lupo at Wellen Park’s Marketplace opened 18 months ago.

Taco & Tequila Crawl Planned in Sarasota

The Taco & Tequila Crawl returns to downtown Sarasota Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. Stroll down Main Street eating tacos, and enjoying exclusive margarita, tequila, and beer specials.

Participating restaurants and bars include Raffurty, The Office Bar, Pizza & Brew, Evie’s Tavern, Molly’s Pub, Smokin Joe’s, 3 Pepper Burrito and Circo.

Constellation Culinary Group Partners with Jewish Federation of Sarasota Manatee

Constellation Culinary Group, which currently operates Bistro at The Sarasota Art Museum, among other Florida venues, has partnered with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

The culinary brand will be the exclusive caterer for the 28,000-square-foot Morganroth Event Center on the Larry and Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life, opening in summer 2023, according to a news release. This venue, located on 32-acres, will provide more options for meeting, event and social groups in the region.

The multi-use complex boasts an expansive lobby with space for pre- or post-event receptions for as many as 300 participants and a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, which can accommodate up to 1,000 participants.

Constellation Culinary Group will curate all chef-driven menus for the center’s internal events as well as external events and facility rentals in the onsite 3,000-square-foot kosher-style kitchen.