This isn’t news, folks—I love J-Pan. Everyone who knows me knows that I usually order two or three volcano rolls when I dine there. When I bite into the sweet tuna roll and the warm, succulent crab topping gently placed over the fresh-sliced, creamy avocado with a black sesame garnish, I erupt into a state of culinary nirvana. I favor the original J-Pan on behind the Publix on Bay Road—I guess just because this is where we first fell in love—but the new J-Pan on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch [...]

Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, Yume Sushi  has a quiet, understated presence. Blending in with the rest of the storefronts the restaurant, it can be easily overlooked. But outside appearances are deceiving. Upon entering the seemingly small restaurant, one is immediately impressed with the size, the authenticity and the simple, understated Asian décor. Yume offers a large dining area separated into smaller sections with a prominent sushi bar, creating a cozy dining experience. The menu is extensive, with a wide selection of Japanese specialties, beef, chicken, seafood and, of [...]

Once a month, an acquaintance and client from work comes along and catches up with me. Sometimes we talk about her dog; other times we talk about her upcoming wedding, of which I know every detail except for the nuptial night (I have class!) and what the invite looks like, since I have not been invited. Don’t gasp, I am only an acquaintance! As this person leaves my workplace I always hear, “Don’t work too hard, Eduardo … ” Every single time I hear those four words it makes me cringe. [...]

Let’s talk beauty, fashion, art, music, living, food, drink and our social scene … because let’s face it! We are much more than clothes! PREEN & CHIC is a lifestyle, and I’ve got the key to our local hot spots, the trendy PYTs, the beauty and fashion gurus and of course an intimate setting of friendship with all the movers and shakers in town. The taste-makers have it, and I will share their secrets with you. So watch out, Sarasota! A new voice has arrived at TWIS, and this time [...]

Just one block north of Five Points, across from the Selby Library and tucked in around the corner from Starbucks is a quiet, understated, Japanese restaurant named Tsunami. Its opening less than six months behind it, Tsunami’s décor is dark, rich and casually elegant with a well-sized sushi bar and comfortable dining room. The menu itself is a tsunami of options ranging from sushi, sashimi, traditional rolls, hand rolls, special rolls, hibachi specials, traditional entrees, appetizers, soups and salads. There are daily lunch specials including Bento Boxes. For our meals [...]

I have a brother who went 17 years without eating a green vegetable. He tried spinach at age four, claimed he had been poisoned and refused to touch it ever again. If he gets a sandwich with lettuce on it, he throws it out. Not the lettuce, but the whole sandwich. Screw those starving kids in Africa; no way is he risking cross-contamination.Three weeks ago on a government-sponsored trip to Alabama, he got bullied into trying a salad. He got two bites down and promptly vomited. Our not-so-little Shrek (yes, [...]