- November 2, 2024
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Mote Marine Vice President Dan Bebak said the Seasonal Tasting at Nathan Benderson Park on Wednesday night was a way to raise awareness of the future Mote Science Education Aquarium while also connecting with future neighbors in University Town Center and Lakewood Ranch.
However, judging by the comments of many of the people at the fundraiser, the connection already exists.
Vertical construction of the aquarium is underway and it is expected to open its doors late in 2024.
Alessi Keen, a manager at Selva Grill, said her 2-year-old son, Hayes, will love visiting the aquarium when it opens.
"He already has whale pajamas," she said.
Keen was serving tropical ceviche to the guests alongside fellow manager Racheal Ruiz Del Vizo, who said she grew up going to the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota.
Other UTC restaurants serving at the fundraiser were Seasons 52, PopStroke, Mademoiselle Paris, Rusty Bucket, JPan, Georgie's, The Capital Grille, Sodexo Live/Sophia's, and Five-o Donut Co.
Angelica Rossi of Lakewood Ranch was one of more than 250 people who attended the event.
"I am so excited (about the aquarium)," she said. "I have a 4-year-old and a 6-week-old and I love that Mote is going to be so close."
PopStroke Head Chef Chris Raineri and his fiance, Nicole Strang, were serving up Southwest chicken egg rolls. They think about Mote all the time.
"Our first date was at the other Mote (aquarium)," Strang said.