Burns Court Café: three years young and growing

With its quaint appearance and casual style, Burns Court Café has been a welcome addition to our tight-knit Sarasota community. A true Parisian café serving pastries, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, quiche, soft drinks, coffee, beer and wine; Burns Court Café is a go-to place for Sarasotans in the know. I recently caught up with Arieh Aizenberg, the proprietor of Burns Court Café, to learn more about his plans for expansion.

Tell me a little bit about how you got started.

I had this idea for some time. Traveling through Europe, I could see cafés where people spent their time talking, eating, and drinking. I took that experience and combined it with my love of art and music and came up with the idea for Burns Court Café. We started with this idea three years ago on Bastille Day (July 14th) and continue building it out today.

My experience with Burns Court Café has been delightful. The food and coffee are delicious, but I always sense there is more to it than just the food or coffee. Am I on to something or just delusional?

Ah yes, very funny. We are trying to provide a unique experience for all our customers. Yes, the food and coffee are part of the experience, but there is more. We want our customers to sit back and enjoy the once-a-month changing art we have hanging on the walls. Or listen to the music we are providing on the second and fourth Friday evenings. We know our customers. Many of them come here every day. So we have to try to make the experience special.

And how do you make the experience special?

We are focused on providing simple quality. We try to provide food that is slightly different by using quality ingredients and offering a menu with items which are not typical, like our quiches or salads. We make everything to order and bake fresh daily.

I see you are physically expanding your space. Can you tell me a little bit about your plans?

Yes, we are expanding by taking over the space next door. Although it may look like an expansion of the café, I intend for it to be more.

How so?

We are looking to create a food-and-wine experience. We want to create a European/Mediterranean inspired wine bar. We are currently working on the menu. We will offer a variety of items, with a focus on fresh and unique, which fills a niche in Sarasota. In essence, we would like our customers to take a step into the new space and be transported to a new experience — one which is relaxing, casual and fun.

So, I guess this means an expansion of hours?

Yes, for sure. We will be expanding our hours into the evenings and stay open every day until 9:30 p.m. We will also be offering a happy hour and evening meals paired with wine, beer and music. We are calling our new room the French Quarter, because music, food and wine are all part of the experience.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. It's always nice to see a local success in action.

It's my pleasure. Burns Court Café wants to be a neighborhood kind of place. Thanks to our customers, we have the opportunity to do so.

The new French Quarter at Burns Court Café will be officially opening at the end of July. If you are a regular, then you know what to expect. However, if you have not tried Burns Court Café, treat yourself to a special coffee, gelato or light meal. You will certainly enjoy the experience.

Burns Court Café / 401 S. Pineapple Ave. / 312-6633

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

http://www.burnscourtcafe.com/

https://www.facebook.com/burnscourtcafe