It's time to save and savor Sarasota's eateries

The area's annual Restaurant "Week" runs through June 14.

By Monica Roman Gagnier
| 5:00 a.m. June 4, 2024

The Bistro in Sarasota Art Museum is offering an Heirloom Tomato and Bacon Tartine with corn and basil as part of its $25 two-course lunch.

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Dinner and a movie? How about a prix-fixe lunch and a museum? The Bistro restaurant in the Sarasota Art Museum is serving up a special lunch as part of Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week, which runs through June 14.

Diners at the Bistro will be able to enjoy a two-course lunch of Stone Fruit Salad with toasted hazelnut, watercress and harissa vinaigrette followed by an Heirloom Tomato and Bacon Tartine with corn and basil for $25.

The special, which will be offered for the entire month, is just one example of the many dining deals to be found during Savor Sarasota.

When the event was launched 19 years ago by Visit Sarasota County, “three-course dinners were $25; now they are $40,” notes Visit Sarasota President/CEO Erin Duggan.

But $40 for an appetizer, entrée and dessert is still a great deal. Both lunch and dinner prices are unchanged from last year.

As much as locals enjoy Savor Sarasota, the two-week event is designed to attract visitors to town and “put heads in beds,” Duggan says.

Nearly 70 Sarasota area restaurants are participating this year, with newcomers like Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar, Cafe Barbosso, Kolucan and the Original Wolfie’s and Rascal House joining veterans like Bavaro’s, Mattison’s Forty-One and Michael’s On East.

In the Lakewood Ranch/UTC area, there are at least seven eateries taking part in Savor Sarasota. Grove, which opened in 2018, is a first-timer, says Jennifer Bradtmueller, Grove general manager.

“Being part of Savor Sarasota raises our profile and invites new diners to enjoy our scratch kitchen, fresh fish program and our bakery. We make all our desserts in-house,” Bradtmueller says.

On St. Armands and Longboat Key, new arrivals to Restaurant Week include Chart House, Speaks Clam Bar St. Armands Circle and Tommy Bahama Restaurant.

For a complete list of participating restaurants, including eateries in the Nokomis/Venice area, go to VisitSarasota.com/savor-sarasota-restaurants-menus.

For a complete list of participating restaurants, including those in the Nokomis/Venice area, go to VisitSarasota.com/savor-sarasota-restaurants-menus.