Sarasota Chef On Food Network, Pub 32, Food + Beer: Restaurant News

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

Sarasota Chef Competed On Food Network Show

A Sarasota chef competed on the Food Network show “Alex vs. America,” going head-to-head with three other chefs, including celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Sunday night.

Christopher Covelli, the executive chef at Sage and Bijou Garden Café, placed third in the competition, Sarasota Magazine reported.

Food + Beer Brand Opening In Venice

Local restaurant and bar brand Food + Beer plans to open a new location in Venice, expanding into South Sarasota County. It will take over the former Clock Restaurant space at 301 S. Tamiami Trail and will open by mid-September.

"I think Venice Island is really unique," co-owner Mike Whalen told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. "It’s just a fun, neat little area with a lot of great restaurants, and a lot of growth in that area. So we’re excited to just hop in there and put the Food + Beer concept in there.”

Irish Pub Closing With Plans To Relocate

Pub 32 Irish Pub & Kitchen closed its doors at 8383 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Its final night in business at that location was Saturday.

The restaurant shared the news of its closure on its Facebook page days before its last day.

“We have made so many wonderful memories over the years, through the thick and the thin, you all have kept us going, kept on cheering and helped us through the most difficult years in the restaurant industry, for that we can’t thank you enough. It takes a village … thank you for being our village,” the owners wrote in a post. “Unfortunately, a few months ago we began to have issues with our landlord and a significant increase in rent, the differences became irreconcilable.”

The owners, Ross and Louise Galbraith, who moved from Northern Ireland to Sarasota in 2007, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that they’re hoping to reopen on Siesta Key.

"We see a bit of light on the horizon and have some plans moving along," Ross Galbraith said. "We've been through the wringer with this pub, faced challenges with many things. To survive through COVID-19 and lose it at this point is demoralizing. Without divulging too many details, I hope we can relocate to south Siesta Key and that it will still be a location that many locals can come see us at."

Slim Chickens Coming To Lakewood Ranch

A fast-casual chicken restaurant is coming to Lakewood Ranch. Slim Chickens, which has six locations in Florida, is opening a new eatery in the Publix shopping center at Lorraine Road and State Road 70, according to the Observer Media Group.

The chain’s menu includes hand-breaded chicken, fried wings, craft sandwiches and more.

Italian Deli Opens On Venice Island

Abondanza Italian Deli has opened on Venice Island, serving subs, paninis, hot dishes, homemade desserts and deli items.

The deli, which opened in a former gas station, was opened by an Italian native, Freddie Mazzoccoli, who previously owned cafes in the Chicago area, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Five-O Donut Co. Opens Bradenton Location, Launches Vegan Offerings

Five-O Donut Co. is expanding once again with a new location in Bradenton. The new spot opens Saturday at 5942 34th Street W. in the El Conquistador Plaza, according to a news release from the company.

It’s the fifth and newest location for the Sarasota-based brand.

Giveaways on opening day include one free donut per person, a free t-shirt to the first six people in line and a free mixed six-pack of donuts for the first 12 fans that arrive wearing Five-O Squad shirts.

The donut shop is also launching its new vegan line-up, which founder and CEO Christine Nordstrom calls “long awaited and heartily requested.

"A new vegan menu with (four to six) creative options will be dropped each month,” she said. “We will be producing on vegan dedicated equipment with all vegan ingredients. Our vegan line be available at Bradenton, UTC and Siesta Row locations to start. We will eventually roll it out to all locations system wide as we perfect the process.”