When it comes to Belgian food, most people think of chocolate and beer. While it is true that both are integral parts of Belgian cuisine, there is a great deal more out there to experience. Truly at the crossroads of Europe, Belgian cuisine has evolved by incorporating various European influences into its own style of preparation and presentation. It has been said that Belgian cuisine incorporates the quality of French preparation with the heartiness of German quantity — in other words, large portions of great food! With a commitment to [...]

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Rob and Dana Gourley, owners of local company AquaNew and producers of Ultra Pure Water Watt-Ahh. Watt-Ahh, along with Morton’s Gourmet Market and Catering and Birdland Media Works, sponsor local Super Boat Offshore Race Team Team REDS, who will compete in the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Boat Race on July 1. The New Boat: Since winning first place in class P-3 of the SBI World Championship in 2010, Team REDS has moved up in boat size and racing speed. The locally-based crew now races a [...]

David Byrne knows how to make muti-modal transportation sexy. The Talking Heads frontman is an avid bicyclist and (who knew?) bike rack designer in New York City. With support from many others, such as Mayor Mike Bloomberg , NYC is transforming the city by elevating the role of feet, bikes and transit. Like NYC, the city of Sarasota has a plan for mutiple modes of transportation, which was the subject of the June 13 Planning Board meeting. You want less traffic and more fun getting around? This is where you [...]

The Background: Chef and owner Diana Durand opened Canta Rana in December 2011 after more than seven months of renovations. To make the historic Fruitville Road house into a vibrant restaurant, Durand moved the kitchen, creating a private room for receptions, events and business lunches. Using vivid colors, a beautiful mural by local artist Yulner Diaz Amaro and modern chandeliers, Durand created a series of intimate seating areas as well as a lush backyard that is perfect for meals with friends or date nights as well as parties and Sunday morning brunches. The Menu: [...]

“Pride is love, pride is respect for yourself.” – Aretha Franklin, “A Deeper Love”   You don’t have to be Gay or Lesbian to have pride, but you probably won’t see straight pride parades anytime soon. “We haven’t seen a straight pride parade because the world is 90-something percent straight. They don’t have to have a pride, because that’s already the way it is,” said local musical talent Lucifers Axe when I spoke to him at this month’s Gay Guy Happy Hour (G2H2).   G2H2 is a monthly event that ‘provides [...]

For weeks, I have wanted to write about a unique gem that sits a few blocks from my house:  Tango and Salsa Dance Studio.  I first visited this place a few weeks ago and was welcomed by owner-instructor Albert Rombold, who treated me to a two-hour session of dancing that impressed and enthralled.   During these two hours, I experienced a kaleidescope of feelings: enthrallment with this sensual yet highly poised dance form, frustration with my own inability to “follow” and “flow” with Albert’s excellent lead — and then, even [...]