Hump Day Fun

Wednesday's hold a special place in my heart because it's couscous night at Mozaic. The thought of Chef Dylan Elhajoui's flavors combined with a heavenly atmosphere (think a NYC shotgun style bar) and a wine list that will change you for the better makes hump day one of the best days in Downtown Sarasota.

I think we can all agree the Mozaic is one of the best menus in town but CousCous night is rare anywhere you go....PLUS....Mozaic does not offer it year round so it's unique to the year rounders and that's why we are giving it a big thumbs up.

Speaking of being a year rounder...don't forget to get to know the local restaurant owners during the summer. It will make your experience getting a table in the winter much easier. Support your neighbors and shop local.

I Love to Eat

Here is my suggestion for enjoying Cafe Amici in the summertime...

After work head to the local main stay Cafe Amici (think locally owned, recipes passed from generation to generation, and traditional Italian). Now, I know the early bird special is not what most of us go after. However, in the generation of eating six small meals a day this 5:00 - 6:00 window is a perfect time for a feeding. For $10 you sit down and have a three course dinner off the menu.

Typically what we do on a Cafe Amici night (Tuesdays):

1) leave work at 5:45
2) eat until 6:30
3) Run the bridge until 8:00
4) Shower (and grab another bite at our respective houses)
5) Meet up at Evies for $2 Tuesdays.

The total night costs less then $20 and that includes drinks. A-maz-ing.

Pee Wee and M.O.E.

The fun behind a secret word has always held some form of excitement. As a kid I remember waking up every Saturday morning to hear Pee Wee Herman announce the secret word of the day. When the word was mentioned throughout the show we were to scream with delight....and I did.

As an adult we lose some of those simple pleasures....until now. Michael's on East has Secret Word Mondays and here is how it works. Go to the MOE Facebook Page at 10:00AM to learn the word of the day. Remember the word all day long and when you get out of work head to MOE and let a bartender know the word and you will get that item for free....not a bad gig, right?

So for example if you were to go tonight you would whisper the word "Calamari" and they will happily bring you

Crispy Calamari:
Artisan-cured La Quercia Rosa Prosciutto, Olive Salad,
Manchego Cheese and Sherry Aioli

Not too shabby huh? You can let them know you are coming by clicking here

Nik Wallenda and a TV show

I think it's cool that when I go to Whole Foods for a smoothie I am greeted by a circus performer. In fact, I have been in bars and ended up having drinks with contortionists and circus stars...and I even lived across the street from the tiny cottages John Ringling placed his "little people" It's the randomness of these occurrences that make me love Sarasota....

Tonight there is an event on St. Armands Circle. Nik Wallenda of the high wire circus fame is getting shots for a new TV show and using his home town as a background. At 6:00PM be in the grassy part of the circle and watch Nik perform stunts on the high wire with his family and friends. I suggest showing up at 5:00, calling ahead for reservations at your favorite circle restaurant and enjoying something extremely unique to Sarasota.

Enjoy the video of Nik on the highwire at the Ritz.

Tim On Palm

It's true. Tim Salem (or as you may know him, Tim Sukits from Creative Loafing) is pretty amazing on the guitar. Tim plays at Cafe Palm on Thursday nights and I suggest you check him out. What is great about this you ask? Well, I'll tell you. Cafe Palm offers drink specials and discounted food so in looking at their menu I concluded:

1) A crepe
2) 2 drinks
3) Live music

Total cost will be less then $18. It's a deal and gets our stamp of approval. Also, we are attaching a few pictures of Tim.

Tim On Palm

It's true. Tim Salem (or as you may know him, Tim Sukits from Creative Loafing) is pretty amazing on the guitar. Tim plays at Cafe Palm on Thursday nights and I suggest you check him out. What is great about this you ask? Well, I'll tell you. Cafe Palm offers drink specials and discounted food so in looking at their menu I concluded:

1) A crepe
2) 2 drinks
3) Live music

Total cost will be less then $18. It's a deal and gets our stamp of approval.

Libby's

From the time I began to drink booze I have always wondered why the girls got all the good deals. I get it...girls attract guys and guys buy girls drinks so if I were a bar owner I would do the same thing. However, for the record I wish they would have a "man night".

However, Libby's is offering a special tonight and I feel it is blog worthy. Tonight between 8:00 until Midnight ladies will get $2 3 Olive Martinis, $2 Champagne and $2 wine. Not too shabby. For me? I will sit around and try to figure out a way for men to buy me drinks.

Finds In Town

Summertime in Sarasota is filled with traffic that moves at a normal pace, not having to make reservations at restaurants and the locals owning our city once again. The only downside to Summer in Sarasota (if you are in a business like mine) is you don't have money....

Because of this phenomenon I find myself finding the best deals in town. In fact, my friends and I have become real experts in discovering the best places to get happy hours, dinners and planning dinner around 1/2 priced sushi. So, I figured we could share them with you in the blog. Enjoy.

Oh yeah, I wish I had my first "deal" but I won't until my next post.