Siesta Sand (sec 2) - September 2023

Things to do on and around Siesta Key

New turf for Meaney’s

The mini-donut business takes big step with second location on Old Stickney Point Road

Meaney’s Mini Donuts has cornered the market -- the mini donut market on Siesta Key, that is. When its new walk-up window opened Aug. 18 in the plaza that holds Crescent Beach Market, it became the second Meaney’s donut destination on the island. Donut lovers on the north side of the island continue to flock to the original shop in the heart of Siesta

By Jane Bartnett

Key Village, which opened 11 years ago.

“Crescent Beach is a great location,” said Anthony Pallaria, who owns the business with his wife, Lindsay. Her parents, Vince and Karen Meaney, founded the original Meaney’s.

“I grew up on Siesta Key,” said Pallaria. “There’s always been a totally different vibe on the south

Page 11 Here’s to the black skimmer

end. When Lindsay was growing up and she and her family came to visit from Michigan, they would vacation on the south end and never go to the Village.”

Today, Pallaria and his wife own both Siesta Key locations. Vince and Karen Meany own and manage the Continued on page 6V

What’s new ... on Siesta Key

Putting the special in specialty

Project Coffee opens in Siesta Center, boasts unique blends from various regions

Lovers of specialty coffees have a reason to rejoice.

Project Coffee, one of Siesta Key’s newest entries to the casual dining world, opened its doors July 28 in the Village’s Siesta Center. This 100% vegan establishment is a perfect place to drop in to relax and enjoy a specialty coffee, tea, pastry, bowl or smoothie. Hot chocolate and ice-cold drinks are also on the menu.

“This is a neighborhood kind of place,” said co-owner Ian Steger, a Siesta Key native who grew up on Midnight Pass Road, as he stood behind the counter of the welcoming and brightly lit space that exudes a cool, calm and coastal atmosphere with

By Jane Bartnett

its soft blonde woods and small tables.

He is one of five owners of this fouryear-old successful Sarasota business that now boasts three locations.

In 2019, Steger and Emily Arthur opened the original cafe in Sarasota’s Burns Court neighborhood. A second shop opened in January 2023 in the city’s Rosemary District, featuring a café and a full coffee roastery.

Coffee is this young entrepreneur’s passion. Following his graduation from the Sarasota Military Academy, Steger began his career in the restaurant business working at Sarasota cafes and restaurants. After sampling an Ethiopian coffee at Starbucks that tasted like blueberries,

he became fascinated with specialty coffees.

A fast-growing trend in the food world, Steger reported that a growing number of Michelin Star restaurants are adding specialty coffees to their menus.

Importing directly from Mexico, South America and Africa, Project Coffee’s brews are served by the cup as hot or cold drip, double-shot espresso, double-shot Americano, hot or iced latte, double-shot cappuccino, and cortado coffee. Only oak milk is used.

“Our coffee offerings change every few months,” Steger reported.

Continued on page 14V

Keeping with tradition, Thom Williams hands over the first dollar bill to a Meaney’s employee at a grand opening. Kelly Leissler gladly accepts. (photo by John Morton).

Employee Savannah Yoder offers-up a beautiful latte at Project Coffee.

(photo by John Morton)

Outdoor Waterfront Dining!

… $22

Sea Scallops … $22

Shrimp and Seafood Au Gratin … $16

Fisherman Platter … $32

Baby Back Ribs … $24

Orange Pecan Chicken … $16

Filet Mignon … $24

Filet Mignon & Stuffed Shrimp … $34

Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail … $48

Stuffed Shrimp & Maine Lobster Tail … $42

Twin Maine Lobster Tails … $54

FRIED SEAFOOD PLATTERS

Coconut Shrimp … $22

Large Gulf Shrimp … $20

Fish & Chips … $19

Fried Combo … $28

PASTA & BOWLS

Shrimp & Crab Scampi … $24

Salmon Pasta … $21

Chicken & Shrimp Curry … $21

Sweet ‘n Spicy Chicken & Shrimp … $22

Pasta Primavera … $16

DESSERTS

Turtle Pie … $9

Key Lime Pie … $9

Sample Platter … $12

Ice Cream Bar … $6

*Prices subject to change

Arts on the Horizon

Last tango in Sarasota

Well, maybe not the last, but certainly the latest. The origins of the tango show that it has always lived between two worlds. Between the sacred and the profane, the classical and the improvisational, and between cities on either side of the Rio de la Plata. This dance started out in the bars in the port cities of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay) where the sailors impressed the ladies that frequented those establishments, with their gyrational prowess. The roots of the music, the dance movements, and even the name itself, are variously attributed to Niger, Spain, Cuba, the Congo, and Poland. But once the tango moved from the river bars to the nightclubs of the big cities, the hands of great composers molded the pattern of the notes into what we hear today. Not just as tunes to lift your spirits but as spiritual masses played in churches and cathedrals across the world; including in Sarasota on Sept. 23 at Church of the Palms.

Bandoneonist Ben Bogart and pianist Winnie Cheung are back

By Rodger Skidmore

again in Sarasota, along with four dancers of the traditional tango. They will whisk you from Bee Ridge Road to those nightclubs of Argentina as they present Misatango, Martin Palmeri’s sixmovement Latin mass blending the rhythms, harmonies, and sensualness of the tango with the voices of the Key Chorale.

The nuevo tango style, following the model of Astor Piazzolla. includes elements of church music with extended fugues in the opening and closing movements of the mass. The melding of mezzosoprano soloists, Amy Connours and Stephanie Jabre with the mixed choir, brings an additional dimension to the presentation.

Want even more tango music?

Stay seated, there will be works by Astor Piazzolla, Osvaldo Pugliese, and Juan de Dios Filiberto.

The world’s first Oktoberfest was held on Oct. 12, 1810 when Ludwig, king of Bavaria, got married and invited everyone in Munich to hoist a few. We will be celebrating that occasion with beer and bratwurst in a biergarten after binging on three days of Bach –Oct. 13 through 15.

The Bachanalian festivities, held at the Church of the Redeemer, start off on the 13th with the Key Chorale Chamber Singers performing an all-Bach program beginning with the Brandenburg Concerto. The next day begins with a lunchtime organfest on Sarasota’s largest pipe organ. Music continues that evening with selections from the time of Bach played by a baroque chamber ensemble using period instruments. That concert concludes with Bach’s Jesu, meine Freude.

The Bachtoberfest on the 15th features soprano Mary Wilson and trumpeter Aaron Romm, both hitting their high-Cs on Cantata No. 51 followed by the entire chorale celebrating the 300th anniversary of Bach’s Magnificat. Afterwards all get to celebrate in the church biergarten while being serenaded by Bill Milner’s Oompah Band -- kinda, sorta like what happened in 1810. Full info at keychorale.org/concerts.

Not rock ’n roll

As the Joan Jett song goes, “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” but what about just the rocks themselves? Some, when referring to a diamond ring say, “Wow, look at that rock” and, according to Marilyn Monroe, diamonds are a girl’s best friend. With the right cut, diamonds can glisten, sparkle, and catch your eye with their brilliant reflections of light. But, after staring at one of them for a moment or two, aren’t they a wee bit boring? Besides, even though diamonds may be called rocks, they aren’t, they’re crystals made of one substance -carbon -- how boring can you get?

Real rocks are, by definition, aggregates of two or more minerals, thus can be of any size, and come in many colors and shapes. Special ones are formed when hot or cold liquid material flows or seeps around another and hardens into something that can hold your attention when looked at from different directions.

During the Song dynasty, back before you were born (9601279), the Chinese started collecting small stones of interesting shapes which they called “gonshi” or spirit stones. Some, shaped like distant mountain peaks, were thought, as mountains were the meeting place between heaven and earth, to bring the owner of such

rocks closer to the gods.

As the physical shape of a spirit stone could invoke an image in one’s mind, so could the juxtaposition of the elements from which it was made. In such a stone, while one might see a chrysanthemum, another could see an angry parrot biting an outstretched hand, or an eagle beginning to land, or all three. Rural peasants might not be able to afford a painting but all could find an interesting rock.

The more interesting ones can wind up in the hands of series collectors and scholars, and ultimately in the collections of museums -- like the Ringling. It hosts Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond through June 23, 2024.

The Ringling has also dug deep into their archives to mount a photography exhibition which explores how a labor-saving device called the camera showed how the labor-saving devices of the industrial revolution, and labor itself, have developed since the invention of the camera. Working Conditions through March 3, 2024. Info at Ringling.org.

Sit back and relax

There’s nothing like leaning back, relaxing, having a sip and a bite, and listening to some good sounds. Of course, the type of food, drink, and music must be in your

zone of ultimate contentment for all of this to work.

There is music six nights a week (Monday through Saturday) at J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Café out on Packinghouse Road. There are quite a few different groups that perform there from month to month. On the 21st the Ron Kraemer’s Trio (guitar, bass, and drums) will be providing blues, jazz, and swing tunes. Bluestar with Johnny Guitar is all blues but with added keyboard and sax -- a real nice vibe on the 23rd. Mixing it up on the 27th, with Beatles tunes and other contemporary and pop songs, will be vocalist Paul Dudrich on acoustic guitar..

To cover the taste side of your enjoyment palette there are award winning burgers (voted best in Sarasota), Cuban sandwiches (top 10 in Florida), wings, and a whole lot of other good stuff. And, of course, a variety of beers, wines, and softer drinks. More info on food and music groups at Packinghousecafe.com.

If you’re an early to bed, early to rise type of person then you might enjoy both the music and food at Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse. Good grub (SRQ-Best Local Barbecue) and music (pop rock, country, and blues) at various scheduled times throughout the afternoon and early evening (Wednesday through Monday). Info at Stottlemyerssmokehouse.com.

Florida Fish of

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Forecast

Tarpon will move into estuaries this month. You may also find juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals and turning basins. Reds should be schooling on shallow flats and big trout will prowl the same waters at dawn. Also look for trout on deep grass flats mixed with blues, pompano, Spanish mackerel and more. Catchand-release snook fishing should be good around lighted docks at night or in the surf. Look for false albacore (little tunny) to possibly show up in the coastal gulf later in the month. Tarpon addicts will still be able to get their fix this month. You should still find a few tarpon in the coastal gulf early in the month. Drifting live baits or casting flies, DOA Baitbusters, DOA Shrimp and DOA 4-inch CAL shad tails should all work. As tarpon thin out along beaches, they will move to inside waters where you may find them schooling around bridges or rolling on deep grass flats. They will also feed in schools of ladyfish that are feeding on the surface. You should also find juvenile tarpon from 10 to 30 pounds in creeks, canals, turning basins and around dock lights. Your snook tackle will work fine for smaller tarpon although you’ll need a leader of 40 to 50 pounds to keep them from going through it. Fly anglers should score with 8- or 9-weight fly rods, floating or sink tip lines and scaled down tarpon flies.

Regulations for spotted seatrout have changed in southwest Florida to a three-fishper-person bag limit and a six-fish boat limit.

Trout must be from 15 to 19 inches with one allowed per vessel larger than 19 inches. In my opinion it’s important to protect larger trout, which are usually female breeders. Full regulations and details for all species can be viewed at www.myfwc.com.

You’ll find snook around lighted docks and bridges in the Intracoastal Waterway and in the surf. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, DOA Shrimp, or CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms, should all work well. The same lures and flies will work at night and in the surf, although you should be observant of what size baits are in those areas.

Reds should school-up this month, although their numbers have been thinner for the past couple of years. You should find them on shallow flats where they’ll be easier to find when the tide is low. Look for “nervous” water when it is slick calm or a slick patch of water when there is a ripple on the water. They may push a wake that looks like a boat wake. I try to be as quiet as possible in shallow water, poling to locate them.

Once you’ve located a school of reds, try to get ahead of them to intercept them, much like tarpon fishing. If you work around the edges of the school, you may be able to catch a few of them before they spook. We often also find big jacks, blues and other predators in the mix along with reds. Top water plugs and fly poppers or Gurglers may draw some big bites. The DOA PT-7 top water bait and 4-inch CAL shad tail should both work well on schooling reds.

Trout fishing should be good this month. You may find a big trout in skinny water at first light. Focus on mullet or bait schools to find them. Top water plugs, fly poppers or Gurglers should be very effective at that time of day. Handle big trout over 19 inches gently, since they are usually females that may be full of roe. I like the same areas for big trout that I like for reds.

After it gets bright and starts to warm up, drop out to deeper grass flats (4 to 8 feet) for trout and more. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with CAL jigs and shad tails or jerk worms or an Ultra Hair Clouser fly fished on a sink tip fly line. I make a series of drifts to locate fish and then shorten the drift or anchor depending on conditions. Ladyfish may feed in glass minnow schools and if they stay up long enough, it will attract trout, blues, mackerel, tarpon or sharks.

Wide profile plastic baits or flies fished slowly around the edges of breaking fish will help keep ladyfish off your lure or fly and give you a chance to catch a tarpon. When blues, Spanish mackerel or sharks are in the mix, add 6 inches of wire or heavy fluorocarbon. Also look for tripletail around crab trap floats, buoys or channel markers in inshore waters this month. A CAL shad tail or DOA shrimp rigged weedless or my Grassett Flats Minnow fly with a weed guard should get the job done.

You might find false albacore (little tunny) or

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters (941) 923-7799

Spanish mackerel in the coastal gulf this month. Look for baitfish to find them. The Tampa Bay ship channel is often one of the first areas where I find them this time of year. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, poppers or Crease flies should all work well. Spin anglers should score with CAL jigs and shad tails. You’ll need to add wire or heavy fluorocarbon when

toothy fish are around.

Even though it is one of the hottest months of the year, there are lots of options this month. I usually tarpon fish as long as I can either in the coastal gulf or in inside waters. An early start for snook or tarpon around lighted docks or bridges and then on the flats for reds, trout and more is a good option.

Ken Babineau, president of Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers, had good action catching and releasing snook and a red (above) before daylight, and later a trout (below), on the flats at the golden hour of the morning while fly fishing Sarasota Bay. Early-hour fishing is a good way to beat the current heat. (submitted images)

Siesta Key Dog Siesta Key Dog

Meaney’s Continued from page 1V

Meaney’s shop on St. Armands Circle that opened in 2021.

941-376-2711

941-376-2711

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

Insured, Bonded, And Overnight Sitting

The new Meaney’s is located at 1223 Old Stickney Point Rd. It sits on the corner next door to the Coconuts boutique in space once occupied by a RE-MAX real estate office.

Visitors to the plaza will find that it is taking on a refreshed look and will easily spot Meaney’s familiar signage, illuminated on top of a new awning. Directional signs point the way to the walk-up window.

“When our landlord Mike Granthon called to say that he and (building co-owner) Chris Brown had purchased the plaza, he encouraged us to open a second outpost,” Pallaria said. “Vince and Karen were in real estate for 30 years and my father-in-law was also very encouraging about this move.”

Speaking of the island’s southend business region, Pallaria added that “watching the Daiquiri Deck’s success and seeing how Captain Curt’s has expanded has been very inspirational. It’s a great footprint and they are great role models.”

The menu will be exactly the same as the Village location, as mini-donut lovers will find the same highly sought-after sweet treats for which Meaney’s has become famous. Choose from the classic powdered sugar and Bavarian creme to the more daring varieties such as key lime and peanut butter.

Online reviews, posted by customers, have called the donuts “incredible, tasty, and over-thetop.” One reviewer wrote that the little donuts reminded him of the beignets that are a New Orleans

culinary treasure.

“In addition to the donuts, our Crescent Beach menu includes our popular soft-serve ice cream, locally roasted coffee, frappes, and our amazing lemonade,” Pallaria said. “The espresso and the

lemonade are out of this world.”

The hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For large orders, call (941) 2609176 in advance.

Employee Tyler Cole prepares plates of sweet delights at the new Meaney’s Mini Donuts on Old Stickney Point Road. It opened for business Aug. 18. (photo by John Morton)

‘One of a kind’ season coming from Key Chorale

Key Chorale, the Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus under the baton of artistic director Joseph Caulkins, announces season No. 39.

This season you’ll experience a U.S. premiere by an Iranian composer based on an ancient Persian love story, be swept away by the Argentine tango, be immersed in the genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, and awestruck by the spine-tingling harmonies of Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen.

Combine that with dynamic collaborations with the Sarasota Ballet, the Circus Arts Conservatory, Artist Series Concerts, modern marimba, and the Venice Symphony, and Key Chorale knows you will agree that season 39 is truly “one of a kind.”

Season 39 concerts at a glance:

Sept. 23 – Tango, celebrating the Argentine Tango

Oct. 13-15 – Bachtoberfest – three-day

festival with Bach & beer

Nov. 18 – CEASAR: Power. Fate. Conquest. –an Artist Series Concerts collaboration

Nov. 26 – Wintertide, with the Sarasota Ballet’s Studio Company

Feb. 10 – Triumph of Love, U.S. premiere of a Persian love story

Feb. 20 – Tomorrow’s Voices Today, high school choral festival

Feb. 23 & 24 – Disney’s Maestro, a Tribute to Alan Menken – a Venice Symphony

collaboration

March 22 & 23 – Cirque des Voix with the Circus Arts Conservatory

April 7 – Light & Gold – luminous and lavish settings by Eric Whitacre & Morten Lauridsen

April 23 & 24 – The Crown Jewel Finale – a Venice Symphony collaboration

Season subscriptions and single tickets are on sale at keychorale.org or by calling (941) 552-8768.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it, is the hangout with the laid-back, beachy atmosphere that will get you right into the Island Spirit. One of the things that set SKOB apart from the other restaurants in Siesta Key Village is that we have some of the best food on the Key.

Island Chatter

Crystal Classic helpers sought Siesta Key Crystal Classic volunteers are being sought for all positions. The event is slated for Nov. 10-13 on Siesta Beach, featuring sand sculpting participants from all over the Sign-up online by visiting signup.com/client/invitation2/ secure/373099116049/false#/

Or, call Mia in the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce office at (941) 349-3800.

Island Chatter

To order, use the QR code on the sign near the pavilion as you enter the beach, or the QR code on the flags located at the four lifeguard stations, and choose your pickup spot of any of those four lifeguard stations (yellow, red, green, or blue). The items ordered will be delivered by cart.

New delivery service brings food, beverages to the beach

A new beach-side delivery service has debuted, provided by the Siesta Beach Eats operators of the public beach’s Sun Deck and Sand Pavilion.

Between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, beachgoers can use their cell phones to order select snacks and beverages. Options include bottled beers, seltzers, wines, non-alcoholic drinks, and the famous “Mango Marg.”

Pedestrian bridge on Midnight Pass Road is repaired

The timber walkway attached to the Midnight Pass Road bridge over Grand Canal and the sidewalk leading up to the bridge was repaired by Sarasota County Public Works crews between July 31 and Aug. 4. A broken handrail and a damaged support beam were among the concerns. Afterward,

crews inspected the walkway from a boat in Grand Canal. The bridge is located just east of Commonwealth Drive.

The walkway was built by the Siesta Key Association, records indicate.

In 1990, it was dedicated with a plaque to former Siesta Key Association director Robert Tribolet, a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

Great Strides event is

Sept. 30 on Siesta Beach

The annual 3-mile Great Strides walk on Siesta Beach will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 9 a.m. Check-in is at 8 a.m.

To walk, support a walker, or volunteer, go to: fightcf.cff.org/ site/TR/GreatStrides/36_Florida_ Tampa?pg=entry&fr_id=9563.

Sept. 7 is next Siesta Key Association meeting

The Siesta Key Association civic group meets the first Thursday of each month at St. Boniface Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Rd.

The next meeting is at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in the church’s community room. Meetings are free and open to the public.

To inquire about membership, visit siestakeyassociation.com. The annual cost is $35.

KEY COCKTAILS

Siesta Key Rum Drum Circle Daiquiri

You’ll be feeling the beat of the Siesta Key Drum Circle as you sip a delicious Siesta Key Rum Drum Circle Daiquiri. Made with Siesta Key Silver Rum, this special daiquiri has all the flavors of the late days of summer.

Whip up a small pitcher of this refreshing and utterly delicious cocktail, listen to your favorite beach tunes and enjoy!

It’s the perfect recipe for entertaining during these late summer days.

Ingredients

1.5 cups Siesta Key Silver Rum

4 cups Ice cubes

16 oz package of frozen strawberries

½ - ¾ cups lime juice, to taste

½ - ¾ cups simple syrup, to taste Servings vary. Makes a small pitcher.

Preparation

Blend and serve. Garnish with strawberries, whipped cream. Or pour a small amount of rum over the back of a spoon on top of the drink and create a special bartending effect called a rum floater!

Black skimmer (Rynchops niger)

This medium-sized, black and white shorebird with a bowl haircut flocks to Siesta Key’s public beaches with all the sunseekers. The skimmer is also called a scissor-bill because its orange and black bill, with an extreme underbite, resembles a pair of scissors.

As the bird glides on wing mere inches above calm, shallow waters, the lower part of its razor-thin bill skims just below the surface. When it meets an unsuspecting fish, the bill snaps shut. Its extremely sensitive bill allows the skimmer to forage by feel even in total darkness!

Between hunting sorties,

skimmers find safety in numbers on the beach. Whenever a perceived threat gets too close, the flock either shuffles away in unison or evacuates all together. By turning its head sideways and tucking its bill under a wing, the skimmer can rest while keep an eye on curious beachgoers.

These short-legged birds nap standing up. Don’t be alarmed, however, if you find a skimmer lying flat, outstretched, with its head down on the sand. More than likely, it’s simply resting overworked neck muscles that support its cantilevered bill while skimming.

Jan Baumgartner’s handmade notecards are available at Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures, 6635 Midnight Pass Rd., in Crescent Plaza.

HAPPY HOUR 4pm-6:30pm Happy Hour Food & Cocktails MONDAY

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE

With our map on the next page you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease.

The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flat-tops, fades, tapers, blowouts, razor cuts, and straight razor shaves. Owners, Erick and Dawn use a back to basics approach to grooming with a precise attention to personal detail.

Their commitment to excellence has provided them with many loyal customers. They welcome the opportunity to earn your trust. Hours: Tues. – Fri. 8:30am – 6pm, Sat., 8:30am –3pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Gulf Gate Barber Shop (G-7) has been an institution in the community for years, owned by Kyle Flannery. The super-clean barbershop’s clientele is comprised of primarily men, but the shop services children as well. Scott Reich, formerly of the Siesta Key Village Barber Shop has relocated to this location.

West End Pub (G-49) Where else can you watch your favorite game with a great selection of beers, wines and liquors served by a friendly staff AND where you’re allowed to bring your own restaurant or deli food? Right here. 6500 Gateway Ave. 941-554-8905.

Tony’s Chicago Beef Company (S-16) is owned and operated by true Chicagoans. Dedicated to deliver Chicago’s best food - Chicago style Hot Dogs wit’ the works...dragged through the garden on poppy seed buns with fresh cut fries, Italian Beef Sandwiches anyway you like, dipped or dry, sweet or hot. All served in true Authentic Chicago Style.

Solórzano’s Late Night Pizzeria (S-34): At every Solórzano’s, they offer an experience familiar to those who understand the importance of family and dedication. Their recipes and techniques have been perfected through three long generations based on the

traditional simplicity of the methods used by their Italian ancestors. Dine inside, outside, pick up, or DELIVERY anywhere on Siesta Key, or in Sarasota until 3:30 a.m. 6574 Superior Ave., 941924-5800.

Gulf Gate Food + Beer (S-51): Sarasota’s late-night hot spot for the service industry, night owls, and midnight snackers. It’s not your typical sports bar, offering unique menu selections for carnivores and vegetarians. Be sure to check out their menu online at: eatfooddrinkbeer.com.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sun. - Thurs.) open until 2 a.m. (Fri & Sat.).

Roberts Realty, Inc. (M-5) John Garner, Broker Assoc. & Diane Shane, Broker Assoc. have a combined 40 years’ experience in Sarasota of making dreams come true for our clients. For buyers, we have had great success in finding the right property for our clients because we listen closely to their wants and needs and matching that as close as possible. For sellers, over the years we have successfully listed and sold many, many properties throughout Sarasota County. Our philosophy is to have fun, enjoy the experience, achieve great results, make friends and receive referrals. We’re with you every step of the way! Call 941-924-2330 or drop by our office.

Only Eyes Optical (S-24) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary eyeglasses and sunglasses to the community. Licensed and experienced optician available to fill your prescriptions. Only Eyes Optical has a large assortment of free frames with the purchase of new lenses. Call 941-444-7984 to set up an appointment with their licensed optician.

Zuzu’s & Moondoggy’s (GG26, GG25) Ready for an evening out?

Choose from Zuzu’s -- an exotic Polynesian top shelf cocktail lounge where you can dress to impress and enjoy cocktails with friends, or Moondoggy’s -- a fun surfing-theme atmosphere where you can chill and have fun. Located at 2234-2236 Gulf Gate Drive, Zuzu’s & Moondoggy’s has 13 big screen TV’S, MLB Package, ACC, BIG10, SEC, NFL Package, pool table, SUPER CHEXX BUBBLE HOCKEY and a punching bag! Zuzu’s is open 12:00 PM – 2:30 AM daily. Moondoggy’s is open 7AM – 2:30AM daily.

Scandinavian Gifts Baked Goods and Grocery (GG-37) A fixture in Sarasota for 32 years, Scandinavian Gifts offers an assortment of linens, glassware, cookbooks, jewelry, candles, food items, and Christmas collectibles. Located at 2166 Gulf Gate Drive, the store is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Skinny Dip (G-26) Established in 2020. The Sarasota Skinny Dip location is a family-owned business, with husband-and-wife Alex and Sorelly, and their kiddos, Sophie and Noah. The business specializes in letting you make your frozen yogurt the way you want it! We specialize in Skinny8 Froyos, which are only 8 calories per once! Also available vegan and low-fat options so that all Dippers can, well, dip!

Apothecary Shoppe (S-6) Eric and Laurie’s knowledge of pharmaceuticals and natural/holistic remedies enables the safe integration of traditional and natural therapies. Their organic skincare line is compounded on site by Laurie who started her career as a make-up artist for the Today Show, Saturday Night Live, and so many more. Eric is a pharmacist and also certified in naturopathy, wanting the best natural options for his clients. Open M-F 10-5 pm, Sat 10-3 pm.

Blooming this month: African tulip tree

The African tulip (Spathodea campanulate) is the tallest of North American hardwoods, growing to 100 feet or more and used in making furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, and wood veneer.

The tree grows up to 6 feet per year, is shade tolerant, and resprouts after cutting. The seeds are numerous, wind-dispersed, can contaminate other potted plants, and they can float on water.

Planting in an open, park-like setting, large yard, or edge of the forest is best. Avoid areas close to power lines or buildings.

Since the flowers attract bees and hummingbirds, it’s a good tree to plant if growing flowers and fruits

and trying to attract pollinators to your landscape.

Tulip tree requires full sun — six or more hours of direct sunlight each day — and moist, welldrained soil.

If you have one tulip tree on your property, you can propagate more. Propagation of tulip trees is either done with tulip tree cuttings or by growing tulip trees from seeds.

Don’t miss our Ghostly Gala flower show on Oct. 28. It’s free and open to the public. Visit sarasotagardenclub.org for more information. The club is located at 1131 Boulevard of the Arts.

Submitted by CJ Danna

Project Coffee

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Next month, he and Project Coffee’s head roaster Kieran Walker will head off on a seven-day trip to Colombia, where they will meet with their importer.

“Each growing region has different coffees growing at different times of the year,” Steger said. “Many coffee growers are transitioning, turning their businesses over to the younger generation and expanding to grow specialty coffees. We’re very excited to work with them.”

Coffee, he explained, grows on trees. “It’s a stone fruit like a cherry. Picked by hand, the fruit is peeled away, leaving the pit that is dried and sorted by size,” he said.

South American coffee, he added, is washed in water and then dried, while process for African coffee involves drying the coffee on concrete beds before reaching the desired moisture level.

Bags of Project Coffee’s whole bean specialty coffees are sold in-store and online at projectcoffee.us. In-store customers may have the coffee ground for either French press or drip.

Currently, a bag of the rare IPA coffee from Quindio, Colombia is being sold for $29. Described as “a masterful example of experimental processing,” it features flavors of lemongrass, lime and green tea.

From Cusco, Peru the Yanatile Reserve coffee promises flavors of milk chocolate, almond and sugar. It retails for $22 per bag.

Coffee from Narino, Columbia is also $22 per bag. It has the taste of cacao, brown sugar and apple.

Two Ethiopian coffees that retail for $24 each are also offered: The Bale Mountain G1 Natural Coffee from Guji holds flavors of blackberry, wine and red grape, while Tore #3 from Yirgacheffe is reported to be crisp, clean and lemony with flavors of Meyer lemon, hibiscus and chamomile.

For an everyday coffee, Steger recommends the Colombian Aldemar Urbano. Retailing for $22 a bag, the coffee has a creamy taste with hints of cane sugar sweetness and flavors of cacao, brown sugar, and apple.

Looking for a special decaffeinated coffee? Steger suggests the San Cristobal Decaf coffee from Chiapas, Mexico with flavors of cacao and red fruit. It also retails at $22 per bag.

Tea lovers will be happy to find mocha latte, hot or cold; chai tea, hot or iced; golden latte, hot or iced; loose leaf tea, hot or iced, and hot chocolate.

A selection of cold drinks includes Kombucha, Topo Chico, orange juice, Mexican Coca-Cola, and water. The Key Lime Lassi, a special drink made with Matcha, coconut yogurt and key lime, is sold only in the Siesta Key store.

Located at 5055 Ocean Blvd., Project Coffee is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Project Coffee is located in the Siesta Center, located at 5055 Ocean Blvd. Below, co-owner Ian Steger works the counter; a view of the shop’s interior. (photos by Jane Bartnett and John Morton)