OK, I’ll admit it. My husband and I are snowbirds — that’s what year-round Floridians call us northerners who flock to their sunny coasts in the winter. Because most of us want to take a break from cooking as well as the blizzards up north, restaurants in southwest Florida can get mighty busy during peak season. Reservations are always advised, even if you want to eat before 6 p.m. The state is a haven for retirees who love the smaller, less expensive dinners on the “early bird menu”.
That said, there’s great food in my favorite cold weather getaway, Venice (it’s about 20 minutes south of Sarasota along U.S. 41).
Yes, as you may have guessed from the name of the town, there’s a large Italian-American population in Venice. The annual festival sponsored by theItalian American Club of Venice (held in late February) is an eagerly anticipated event, but the club also serves pasta dinners at its clubhouse (1375 Ringling Drive, Venice, Florida – ) every Friday evening except during the festival..
Cassariano Italian Eatery
Cassariano Italian Eatery (305 West Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida; 941:485-0507 – ) is a relatively new and welcome addition to the fine dining scene downtown. Partners Luca Cassani (front-of-the-house) and Antonio Pariano (who serves as chef) both come from northern Italy, and the menu reflects their origins. They divide their menu Italian-style, with both primi piatti (first courses featuring pasta) and secondi piatti (second courses highlighting meat, fish or chicken). I almost always order the Insalata Caprese (pictured above, right). My favorite is their lobster ravioli, but I can sometimes be tempted by one of the veal scaloppini offerings.
Café Venice
(116 West Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida; 941:484-1855 – ), not surprisingly, is known for its wine list as well as its food. This is a white-linen-tablecloth place with a menu not only classically Continental but unexpectedly Polynesian. My husband and I have dined here for years. He usually gravitates toward the pork tenderloin, while the crab cakes are my favorite entrée. Their spicy Thai seafood soup is not to be missed. New on the menu are a series of tapas — small portions to encourage ordering several to share.
The Back Eddy
OK, so the name is a pun. Not only is the chef/owner named Ed Glennon (his wife, Allyson, runs the front-of-the-house), but a “back eddy” is water that twists back on itself, such as a whirlpool. (239 West Miami Avenue, Venice Florida; 941: 244-2643 – ) has a menu that changes frequently, but features the classics – marinated grilled lamb chops with fig preserves and balsamic glaze (pictured, at right), pistachio crusted grilled duck breast with fresh pear and Madeira wine sauce, almond crusted tilapia with white wine lemon butter sauce. If I’m not particularly hungry, I’ve been known to order an appetizer as my entree (I’m partial to the Crispy pan fried sweet potato pancakes with smoked salmon, chives lemon cream and pear coulis.)
The following restaurants are “off the island” — a term that needs a definition. A chunk of Venice was carved off from the mainland in the late 1960s, when the Intercoastal Waterway was extended along this portion of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Venice became two parts: island and mainland, with three bridges connecting the two. The town (as laid out in the 1920s) is on “the island”, while the newer development (think: condo complexes and shopping centers) are “off the island”.
Thai Bistro
Because I’ve made a couple of trips to Thailand, I’m always on the lookout for authentic Thai restaurants when I travel. (537 East Venice Avenue, Venice, Florida; 941:484-0056 – ) isn’t fancy but their Pad Thai is terrific. Actually, that classic dish (made differently by each cook) is all I’ve ever ordered. Definitely yummy.
Curry Creek Café
(920 South Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, Florida; 941-485-6560 – ) is a small, family-run restaurant with an eclectic menu reflecting the preferences of the chef (an American) and his wife (Indonesian). My husband likes their comfort food: meat loaf, filet mignon, mixed grill. I order from the Indonesian specialties (the eggplant and shrimp is to die for — it’s rated “three chilies” for hot). (Nokomis is just north of Venice.)
The Frosted Mug
No trip to Venice would be complete without a lunch at the (1856 Tamiami Trail South, Venice Florida; 941:497-1611 – ). No reservations necessary (or accepted) at this eat-in, carry-out diner that opened in 1957, when Tamiami Trail (also known as U.S. 41) was just a two-lane country road. As you may have guessed, the default beverage is root beer served in a frosted mug. I usually get a hamburger, but my husband is partial to their hot dogs.
Planning a trip to England this year? Consider timing it to partake of a Culinary Master Class at the Swan Hotel in Lavenham (map), Suffolk, England (the hotel dates back to the 15th century, by the way).
Themes for upcoming classes are “Fabulous Fish” (March 24), “Spring is in the Air”...
Maryland’s Talbot County is on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay. Described as historic, friendly, charming, sophisticated, oh-so-beautiful, and — lately — delicious. For those in the know, the county is now a destination for serious foodies. (Indeed, no fewer than 12 Talbot County...
In the restaurant world, “new” and “hot” tends to grab the attention, but it’s the older places that create the character of an area, and that provide the foundation on which more recent dining establishments can thrive.
Any foodie who’s wandered New Mexico knows that a wealth of cuisine...
The second-annual Kelseyville Olive Festival is set for March 20, 2011, at the Kelseyville Olive Mill, 5625 Gaddy Lane, Kelseyville, California. It celebrates the olive industry in Lake County, as well as other local agriculture. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The festival will feature locally produced...
Heading to Florida, snowbirds? Consider going all the way south to the Key West Food & Wine Festival. It’s next week: January 27 through 30, 2011.
Events range from walk-around tastings during Key West’s famous sunset, to educational wine and food seminars led by local talent, to local...
Who doesn’t love a good food fight! Canada’s Top Chefs are set to battle for Gold Medal Plates glory in Kelowna, British Columbia (map) next month — and you can watch the fight.
When a country’s best chefs congregate for a little creativity in the kitchen, it’s bound to cause a stir. Add...
Sparkling wine is a traditional toast to love, and where better to sip vintage bubbly than in Champagne, France! After all, European Union law reserves the term “Champagne” exclusively for wines that come from this region located about 100 miles east of Paris.
Let me point out that Champagne...
A cold day in New York won’t stop the determined traveler from hitting the streets – but knowing where to get a delicious cup of coffee will definitely make the day more pleasant. Nothing provides extra energy for a marathon day of shopping or a jolt of enthusiasm for skipping an afternoon...
Just one event wasn’t enough for the hometown of Indiana University. An entire week of chocolate events is scheduled throughout Bloomington, Indiana, beginning January 29, 2011, and continuing through February 5, 2011.
The signature event, The Art of Chocolate, is 5:30 to 8 p.m. January 30, 2011,...
“Wine” and “Arizona” are two words that don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. Isn’t it too hot in that southwestern state for wine grapes? Nope.
And, to prove it, there’s the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Meander through this part of Northern Arizona, and you’ll...
An exhibit of historic Hopi photos circa 1890-1970 will be unveiled by the Hopi Natwani Coalition during a one-day expo set for January 22, 2011, in the Moenkopi Legacy Inn, Moenkopi, Arizona.
The photos show the heritage of dry farming that has been the staple of Hopi life on the mesas for a thousand...
The 78th annual Lemon Festival — Fête du Citron — will be held February 18 to March 9, 2011, in Menton, France. This city on the French Riviera goes all out to celebrate the yellow citrus.
To say they have a parade with fruit-filled floats is to slight the extravaganza known as Parade of Golden...
Culinary travelers headed to California next month are in luck. January is the Golden State’s Restaurant Month.
Take, for example, DineLA Restaurant Week. Actually two six-day weeks, this is a great opportunity to check out a new restaurant in Los Angeles (map) while dining on a specially priced...
National Pie day is January 23, 2011, so it’s perfectly logical that the whole town of Rockland, Maine, goes “pie-wild” to celebrate. (After all, this is the town dubbed “Pie Town USA” by the Food Network when Bobby Flay visited for a pie throw down.)
Its seventh annual Pies on...
It’s no surprise that food is one of the highlights when visiting Barcelona – it is perhaps the number one reason to go, with the great weather and atmospheric culture running a close second.
One interesting thing that I’ve found in my subsequent Spanish travels is that “tapas”...
Once upon a time, England was seen as a culinary wasteland. A place where bangers and mash were considered fine dining, and the epitome of London cuisine was a bit of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.
The occasional foreign restaurant (remnants of the Empire) provided the only exotica.
My, how things...
Foodies traveling through St. Louis, Missouri, should take a side trip to the Soulard Market, which claims title as the oldest farmers’ market west of the Mississippi River. It’s open Wednesdays through Sundays year ’round in the historic Soulard neighborhood just south of downtown...
Those of you who are tequila fans might consider a trip to San Diego, California, before January 2.
That’s because a unique exhibit of “Tequila Bottles as Art” closes at the end of that day in the Warren Theater Gallery at the Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado (on the Plaza de Panama in...
Chocolate, cheese, wine and coffee are four of the special tastings promised at the “Taste of Christmas”. The foodie extravaganza will be held from December 3 to 5, 2010, at ExCel London.
A dozen of London’s top restaurants will be serving up seasonal menus of everything from traditional...
