As a native Floridian, I had been to Sarasota, but had not spent much leisure time there. So when an opportunity came up for me to experience a Girls Getaway to Sarasota, I took that chance. I arrived in Downtown Sarasota for lunch with my friend Heather at Patrick’s 1481 that is located on Main Street. The Downtown area has something for everyone....from upscale and luxurious to hip and trendy, fining dining to casual al fresco dining, and some of the best people watching anywhere. Downtown’s Main Street offers a quaint a charming small town vibe. We had a lovely outdoor lunch at Patrick’s, then it was offer for a few hours of beauty at Diane K Salon & Spa just a few blocks down the street. After I got my “hair did,” it was time to check in at the Ritz Carlton – Sarasota. The Ritz served as our host for the weekend. Always ready to impress, the Ritz provided a waterview room and their Signature massage that completed my day of R&R. Many thanks to Norma for 50 minutes of pure bliss!
After some down time, I was ready to get my drink on at the Exclusive Winemaker Dinner at Ceviche, which is located in the historic Times building, originally constructed in 1925. The 4-floor restaurant features an incredible roof-top bar with views of the water and unforgettable happy hour sunsets. Our five-course meal, which was paired perfectly with winemaker-chose wines, included paella, ceviche, tuna, stuffed quail, tabla mixta, beef tenderloin and flan. WOW...what a meal! This Winemaker Dinner was the kick off event for the Annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival that takes place in Sarasota each year. The event is sponsored by the Sarasota-Manatee Fresh Originals, which is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 2003, of more than 50 locally owned, independent restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Member restaurateurs are dedicated to preserving the culinary heritage of the Suncoast.
