Located at 1990 Main St. in the space formerly occupied by Buddha Belly Donuts and Brasserie Belge, a new Sarasota restaurant has emerged. M.A.D.E., an acronym for Modern American Delicious Eats, is the shared vision of two friends, Michael Ripatranzone and Mark D. Woodruff.

When is a downtown restaurant not quite a downtown restaurant? Answer: When it is the Star Keeper Café. Let me explain. Most downtown restaurants share a few common attributes, such as visibility, street presence, familiarity and a storefront-like entrance. Although the Star Keeper Café is located downtown, it would be a stretch to apply any of the aforementioned attributes to its description. It is unique in appearance and history. The Star Keeper serves breakfast, lunch and a bit of nostalgia, too! Nestled between Main Street and Ringling Avenue in downtown [...]

Whenever the Caragiulo name is attached to a new restaurant, there is no such thing as a “quiet opening.” Such was the case with Owen’s Fish Camp, Nancy’s BBQ and most recently Shore Diner. Why such an immediate response from the public? It is not because of the grand opening fanfare — there is none — nor the saturation of ads with discount coupons, which are non-existent. This gushing public desire comes from the anticipation and expectation of a great dining experience in a new Caragiulo restaurant. Pent-up demand, created and cultivated [...]

John Dough Bakery on University Parkway is already a local favorite, thanks to the incredibly flavorful soups and artisan sandwiches served daily in the bright, high-ceilinged café. Now, thanks to the talented Chef Walt Murawinski, they’re poised to become the best bakery to turn into a bistro since Savory Street. My brother Gordon has been working at John Dough for the past couple of years whilst pursuing a degree in engineering at USF, and when he raved about the nightly specials served at the new “John Dough Bistro,” I hastened [...]

Understated on the outside, simple upscale décor on the inside, the new State Street Eating House + Cocktails is now serving lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner daily, Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30am-11:30pm. Occupying the former location of the Old Heidelberg Pastry Shop, the transformation from a working bakery to urban chic eating house is amazing. Utilizing the high ceilings, exposed brick, rafters, duct work, glass and wood, the design team created a space that is modern, minimalist and urban, yet warm and inviting—an excellent backdrop for the food and cocktails. [...]