Sarasota Food and Wine Festival, Then a Speakeasy

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

This month’s food and wine festivals began with last night’s Sarasota Food and Wine Festival sponsored by the American Lung Association. Southgate’s Hilllview Street was transformed into a mecca of food and wine. You know I’m a happy girl when I’m faced with a street lined with food from 25 restaurants and caterers and an array of wine to taste from Premier Beverages. I could be seen rushing from table to table in an effort to taste every edible sensation. With mission accomplished, I can tell you that the highlights of the night were the Mozzarella Beignet with San Marzano sauce from Libby’s Café, Main Street Oyster Bar’s New England Clam Chowder with a stock made from crushed clams, Pacific Rim’s gorgeous presentation of sushi, Carrabba’s Mussels and Gateway to India’s Navratan Korma (vegetables cooked in a cashew sauce) as well as their ChickenTikka Masala. Crab cakes and tuna tartar were repetitive items at the festival –risky items for restaurants to feature unless theirs happens to be the best. Desserts were abundant from cupcakes to donuts, but the brownie with orange cream from Peterbrook Chocolatier won my favor. However, one friend returned over and over again for the Broken Egg’s comfort food dessert, Cheese Blinis.

While it’s a sure thing that I’ll make every effort to try all the food, the wines were much too plentiful to imbibe them all...besides a girl's got to eat. Peter Lehman’s wines from Australia’s Valley are always a favorite of mine. Another wine I had never tried before, Four Vines Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, received high marks from me.

After the Sarasota Food and Wine Festival, I couldn’t bear the thought of going home when Big Mama’s Juke Joint Speakeasy was happening at the Hub. In spite of my full tummy, I couldn’t resist making a quick change to prohibition era speakeasy attire and heading down the street. While Kat Williams belted out jazz and casino games were played, I was in my glory people-watching. Almost everyone complied with the mandate to dress in the style of the 20s. I do love the fashions and the glamour of the era. Don’t men always look good in suits? Sally Schule who is always a style icon was wearing an amazing dress that I wish hung in my closet. Matt Orr and Rich Swier stepped up to the plate to produce a fun and unique event, once again transforming the face of Sarasota’s nightlife. Best of all, the fundraiser benefited another one of my favorites, Florida Winefest.

And now, I’m looking onward to next weekend’s Forks and Corks, the Fresh Originals’ three day food and wine festival. This one will feature the crème de la crème of our local restaurants at a Grand Tasting, wine dinners at various restaurants and a Forks and Corks University where you can be on your way to becoming a wine connoisseur. You don’t want to miss this festival...but please, no more crabcakes!