Embrace the pumpkin flavors at these Sarasota eateries

It's that time of year when I contemplate deleting all social media platforms. Even though I moved to Florida nearly nine years ago, it still happens.

Come September and early October, I battle seasonal depression. While the heat prevents me from escaping into the outside world, my thumb works overtime skimming social media.

I lose endless hours of my life following friends on Facebook to see their babies' milestones, eyeballing Instagram to see how people spend their time in low-humidity environs and perusing Pinterest for ideas about what my Halloween costume might be if it wasn't hotter than Hades outside.

Then the first fall photo pops up and I sink into my couch harder than before.

Apple-picking families at the orchard, leaves changing into stunning autumn hues and pumpkin-flavored confections consumed in colorful settings make my Connecticut born-and-bred heart shatter. 

But I can't let go of that fall feeling completely, so I sip and smash pumpkin-flavored staples in the sweltering Sarasota sun. Here are the local spots where I choose to embrace the change of seasons, sans turtleneck and boots.

The Clever Cup Coffee Shop

6530 Gateway Avenue, Sarasota; 941-284-5503; TheCleverCup.com.

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Hello Gourd-geous: As seasons come and go (in most places), so do seasonal flavors at this Gulf Gate coffee shop. Still, their fall flavors are here for a while — at least until the temperature breaks 80. Treat yourself to a pumpkin spice latte ($5.25 and up), perfect for any WFH employee looking to spice up the morning routine, or to a pumpkin caramel latte — available both iced and hot. Here's to toasting (not roasting) to fall.

Feeling Pump-ed: While I normally would be sure to apprehend an almond croissant for being dangerously delicious, we are here for the pumpkin. Be sure to order a pumpkin cheesecake muffin ($5) to pair perfectly with your pumpkin coffee. It's gluten-free and vegan, so all-almond moms can cool it on the breakfast time guilt.

Big Top Brewing Co.

3045 Fruitville Commons Blvd., 225-8438; 975 Cattlemen Road, 371-2939; 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton, 941-708-2966; BigTopBrewing.com.

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Hello Gourd-geous: As the Addams Family to come or beg Beetlejuice to join (but just once, not three times) because this beer is one of the best pumpkin adult beverages in Sarasota. Pumpkin Stiltskin ale, at 8.9% ABV, blasts your palette with baked pumpkin, cinnamon, roasted honey, brown sugar and fresh vanilla beans. With one, you'll be feeling fine. After two, you'll be walking like Frankenstein.

Feeling Pump-ed: For a pleasing plate packed with flavor for football Sundays, order the chicken chili ($16). I know, there is no pumpkin here, but this dish that delivers fall vibes had to creep into a gourd-driven piece. White meat chicken, white beans, roasted green chilies, with all the fixings, served over smashed cauliflower and topped with fried corn tortillas — I can already hear myself singing, "Bear Down, Chicago Bears!" 

Yoder's Restaurant & Amish Village

3434 Bahia Vista St.; 941-955-7771; YodersRestaurant.com.

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Hello Gourd-geous: It's the most wonderful time of the year because the pumpkin cream pie (whole pie, $20.95) is back in town. Yoder's famous pies are baked from scratch, of course, every morning. Like they say, "No meal at Yoder's is ever complete without a piece of homemade pie." So save some room for this pie that will transform your tastebuds. Not feeling the fluffiness? I might not agree with you, but the classic pumpkin baked pie (slice, $7.95 or 10-inch pie to take home, $28.95) is also an option at the Amish Village eatery.

Feeling Pump-ed: Not a pie fan? Don't tell anyone, but neither is my mom. When she flies down to Sarasota for Thanksgiving, I'm taking her to Yoder's for her pumpkin fix in the morning. We'll order pumpkin stuffed French toast ($8.95) and pumpkin pancakes (one, $6.95 or two, $7.95). See? There really is pumpkin for everyone.