Sarasota FL Real Estate Blog

Sarasota's Best International Restaurants

American cuisine is great, but sometimes a meal from a different country provides exactly what you're after. Great food from all around the world is found in Sarasota, Florida. Here are a few of the top choices for your next dinner out.

Yoder's - Amish

Since 1975, Amish cuisine has been found at Yoder's. This restaurant was featured on Man V.s Food and the 101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down. The homemade comfort food is provided in a comfortable atmosphere with many great choices on the menu. The restaurant is found of Bahia Vista Street.

DaRuMa - Japanese

Serving fascinating and delicious cuisine from Japan, DaRuMa is one of the finest restaurants in the area. You can choose to dine with traditional service or Teppan-style at your table cooking. Many classic favorites are available here, along with innovative dishes. You can dine in the sushi lounge and enjoy all the best from Japan here. The restaurant is found at 5459 Fruitville Road.

C'est la Vie - French

A slice of France found in Sarasota, C'est la Vie provides the best of authentic French cuisine. The doors opened over 15 years ago and this downtown restaurant provides everything you would expect from a French bistro. It's located at 1553 Main Street.

Selva - Latin

The most exotic flavors from Latin America are found at Selva. This restaurant provides plenty of excellent Peruvian dishes, along...

Waterfront Living in Sarasota, Florida

Water Club - SarasotaKnown for award-winning beaches and beautiful gulf views, Sarasota is one of the most popular destinations in Florida. Not only does the area provide some of the top beaches in the entire state, paired with crystal-clear gulf waters, but it also provides excellent boating conditions and so much more. Sarasota has long been known for attracting many residents because of the waterfront communities found throughout the area.

Surrounded by many unique barrier islands, this area of Florida is a great place for retiring or relocating, if you love great weather and beautiful beaches. The barrier islands in the area include:

  • Longboat Key
  • Lido Key
  • Casey Key
  • Bird Key
  • Siesta Key

These are some of the most pristine communities and they all provide a unique lifestyle. If you're searching for luxury along the water, any of these five barrier islands will provide exactly what you seek. They are home to some of the most luxurious homes, condominiums, townhomes and estates.

Top Place to Reinvent Your Life

If it's time for a change, Sarasota may be the right place for you. AARP Magazine named the area called the Florida SunCoast, which includes Sarasota and the barrier islands, as the fourth best place to reinvent your life. This area is also known...

The Best of the New in Sarasota

If you're bored with the old and you're looking for something new in Sarasota, you have plenty of great choices. There are a number of new places for music, shopping and so much more. Here is the best of the new in Sarasota.

Bradenton Riverwalk

Known as the best new public space, this Riverwalk has been in the works for quite some time. It's the jewel of Bradenton and provides a great place for families to enjoy. The innovative playground, skate park and splash area provide all types of fun. Along with these features, you will find an amphitheater for concerts and films here.

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center

The Kumquat Court now has a new place for small concerts. This venue provides a great place to watch an intimate show and enjoy a drink. If you're looking for a new place to enjoy music, this is the right choice.

Tree-Umph Adventure Course

A new place for fitness and adventure, Tree-Umph provides all types of challenges. You can enjoy the rope bridges, tightropes, 650-foot zip line and the dangling nets throughout the area. It's found in Bradenton of State Road 70 East.

Old Miakka Farmer's Market

With so many great farmer's markets throughout...

Sand Sculpting Coming to the Siesta Key

The Crystal Classic is a huge Master Sand Sculpting Contest and will be held in Siesta Key from November 15th to the 18th. Those in the area will be able to enjoy all kinds of works of art and so much more. Here is what you can expect.

Meet the Artists Reception

Before the event starts, you can enjoy this reception as you meet all the different sculptors participating in the event. This event will start at 5:30pm and last until 7pm. It will be held at the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar in the Siesta Key Village.

Amateur Competition

Amateurs can compete in the event, as well. Saturday, November 16th will be the Crystal Classic Amateur Competition. Registration starts at 9am, with sculpting starting at 10am. Winners will be announced at 4pm and only 20 plots will be available for this competition. Categories include:

  • Turtle Bale - Family or Friends with teams up to four members
  • Hatchlings - Children under 10 years of age
  • Loggerheads - Children ages 11 to 17
  • Leatherbacks - Adults 18 and older

Schedule Throughout the Event

Friday

  • Vendor Village - Open from 9am to 5pm
  • Masters Compete - 9am to 12pm
  • Sand Sculpting Demonstration - 11am to 11:30am
  • Live Music with DJ Jason Heinrichs and John Patti - 12pm to 5pm
  • Quick Sand Competition - 12:30pm to 1pm
  • ...

Best New Stores in Sarasota

New retail stores open up in the Sarasota area every year. Some become great choices for all types of shopping. Here are a few of the best new stores for this year.

Seaside Chic Boutique

This new store provide many shabby chic items for women. It's a women's apparel store with a young feel in Venice. This boutique is quickly setting new styles and providing plenty of great items. It's found at 305 West Venice Avenue near many other great shops.

As Good As It Gets

A new gourmet shop found on South Palm Avenue, As Good As it Gets provides plenty of great choices for food and wine. With the finest Belgian chocolate, charcuterie, cheeses, caviar and so much more, this is the place for all those hard-to-find gourmet foods.

Evelyn & Arthur

Although the clothing brand isn't new, the store is new. Evelyn & Arthur finally opened a store in Sarasota and provides plenty of great choices for clothing perfect for travel and leisure. With great tops and pants, this is an excellent place for the woman that's not model-thin. It's found at 1480 Main Street.

Home Resource

The store isn't new, but their outdoor furniture is new. Brown Jordan, which is one of the best names...

A Few Tips for First-Time Canadian Snowbirds Coming to Florida

This is the time of year when the Snowbirds start to think about moving to Florida for the winter, especially those in Canada. The weather is excellent and will stay that way for many months. If you're considering moving to Sarasota for the winter months, and you're coming from Canada, you need a few tips to help you along the way.

Moving to Florida Full Time

If you've been living in Florida for the winter for a few years, you may be considering moving to the state full time. When you make this decision, you need to sell your property in Canada before you move. Discuss the transaction with your realtor and financial advisor before making the final decision.

Opening a U.S. Bank Account

You will need a bank account to help you pay your bills in Florida. It's necessary to find a local bank that can handle your everyday transactions, while you make the move from Canada to the United States. However, many experts believe the best decision is to open a U.S. Account at a Canadian bank because it makes it easier to move funds from one account to another, when necessary.

Get a Canadian Credit Card with a U.S. Dollar Balance

Paying for things in the United States with a Canadian credit card can lead to large fees. You can avoid these by finding one of the Canadian banks willing to issue you a credit card with a balance in U.S. dollars. This will help to save you money on the exchange rate, as well.

Make Sure You Pay Your Canadian Bills

...

Finding the Best Restaurants in Sarasota

Whether you're searching for the best newly renovated restaurant or the best place to get something late at night, Sarasota has some great offerings. The city is full of excellent eateries ranging from mom-and-pop cafes to fine dining restaurants. Here are some of the top choices throughout the city.

Best New Restaurant in Siesta Key

A small-plate restaurant recently opened in Siesta Key and it's one of the hottest places in town. Eat Here was created by Sean Murphy and provides one of the best places to eat in the area. It's perfect for those looking for an excellent menu. You can find the restaurant at 240 Avenida Madera.

Best Sandwiches in the City

Mozzarella Fella is one of the top choices for a sandwich in Sarasota. This New York-Italian style deli provides sandwiches made with the best meats, sauces and vegetables. They often sell out of the top choices, so you want to get there before the lunch rush. Mozzarella Fella is found at 1668 Main Street.

Best Urban Restaurant

If you're looking for a place decorated in chic, State Street Eating House + Cocktails is the right choice. This place provides an excellent atmosphere with plenty of craft cocktails and bar snacks. If you prefer to sit at a table and enjoy a meal, Chef Christian...

The Best of the Fashion World in Sarasota

Clothing is a very si-highlight--primary part of our lives and Sarasota is packed with great fashion choices. Whether you're searching for the best new boutique design or you want to find the best in fashions for your bed, you can find it here.

The Best New Bed Fashions

If you're searching for something chic to dress up your bed, Mélange is the right place for top brands. Square in the Circle used to be the place, but it's gone and now you can find brands, such as Ann Gish, Wildcat Territory, Peacock Alley and more at Mélange, located at 60 Palm Avenue.

Best New Boutique Design

Reasons had redone the inside to attract a new younger crowd. They chose a fashion-forward design with plenty of elegance, glamorous seating and beautiful artwork. This is the best new design and the store provides all the hippest clothing. It's located at 20 N. Lemon Avenue.

Best New Preppy-Chic Fashion

A store perfect for the preppy woman looking for a chic touch is J. McLaughlin. This store provides only the best offerings with excellent fabrics perfect for comfort and style. Classic styling with fun prints is what you'll find at 1503 Main Street.

Best New Local Clothing Line

If you love to support local businesses and you want an excellent choice for your wardrobe, Camilyn Beth provides designs perfect for you. This line is sold at ...

Top Haunted Houses in Sarasota for Halloween

Halloween is the perfect time to get scared and enjoy haunted houses. With many great choices throughout Sarasota, it's tough to choose the right ones. Here are some of the top haunted houses in the city.

Frightmares Haunted House

Known as one of the scariest and best haunted houses in the area, Frightmares Haunted House is the biggest one you will find. It will be found at the Sarasota Fairgrounds this year and will features the largest attractions in all of Southwest Florida. A mix of fun, horror, ghastly sights, horrifying sounds and many of your worst fears brought to life will make this an experience you won’t soon forget.

It will open for 12 nights of fun on October 17th at 3000 Ringling Blvd in Sarasota. Come out Thursday through Saturday starting at 7:30pm on October 17th through 20th and 24th through 27th. The haunted house will also be open on October 28th through 31st and November 1st. Tickets are just $16 at the door and you can get a fast pass for $30.

Haunted Woods of LadyLake

A top choice a little bit outside of Sarasota, this option provides a 10-minute hayride to the entrance of the woods and about a quarter mile of haunted woods. They will be open from September 27th to October 26th and from October 31st to November 2nd from 8pm to 11:30pm. Cost is $15 per person and this is known as an intense experience, not...