Are you ready to have the best epicurean experiences of the year?  We are talking about the 2023 Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival - of course.  If you love sinking your teeth into the best food the area has to offer and sipping the finest of wines you are not going to want to miss this year’s Forks & Corks.  These events we have lined up for you are sure to be a true treat for the taste buds.

Now Let’s Talk Details

2023 Forks & Corks Online Food and Wine Auction 

Opening for preview on Thursday, April 13, 2023, with real-time bidding starting on Monday, April 17 at 8:00 AM.  This auction will feature rare and exquisite wines, travel, and extraordinary dining and party experiences.  These special events are all made possible by the generosity of visiting wineries and the friends of Sarasota-Manatee Originals.

Bidding takes place exclusively online.  The funds raised by the Forks & Corks Online Auction are dedicated to promoting and sustaining over 60 local independent restaurants that are members of Sarasota-Manatee Originals.  Support these local restaurants by joining this online auction - ending on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at 3:00 PM.

Forks & Corks Wine Dinners And Events

Join us in raising a glass to the most legendary pairings from April 20 thru April 24, 2023.  The Suncoast’s most passionate culinary professionals and restaurateurs are showcasing their world-class wines and delectable dishes at Forks & Corks Wine Dinners and Events.  Stay tuned for more information on this event that highlights visiting winemakers and winery representatives from various member restaurants from Bradenton to Venice.

Forks & Corks University Master Classes

The Master Classes of Forks & Corks University are most definitely a highlight of the Festival each year!  You are not going to want to miss this experience led by a panel of world-renowned industry experts.  These engaging wine seminars are designed for those who want an educational experience accompanied by guided tastings. Be part of this rare opportunity to learn about wine with those that are instrumental in crafting them

Did you know that there is a day designated to celebrate crab meat?  March 9th is the day to celebrate all things crab meat and the tasty recipes that are created with it.  One of the many things local restaurants do best is seafood and that of course includes tasty crab dishes.  Take a look at what our members offer up on their menus of this delicious delicacy that is absolutely crabulous! 

Visit the Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant which serves up two must-have crab dishes.  Start your meal off with their Blue Crab Dip or try an order of their Tampa Bay Crab Cakes.  Your taste buds will thank you for it!

Pier 22’s menu does not disappoint with its crab offerings.  Try mouth-watering delights such as their Crab Cakes, Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Crab Artichoke Pesto, and Seafood Cobb Salad.  You can not go wrong with any of these tasty crab choices.

Do you consider yourself a morning person?  If so, perhaps you would like to know the best places to go to start your day.  Breakfast is after all the most important meal of the day, don’t you agree?  Here we share a list of our members that provide the best breakfast menus in the area so you can Eat Like A Local.

The Breakfast Company

Want a healthy start to your day?  Try their Fresh Avocado Toast or a Healthy Scramble with egg whites, baby spinach, diced tomato, and wild mushrooms.  Yum!  They also have ways to satisfy your sweet tooth with Boston Cream Pie Pancakes and Florida French Toast.  Visit their new location at The Landings in Sarasota. Check out The Breakfast Company’s full breakfast menu here.

Jack Dusty

Do you like your breakfast sweet or savory?  At Jack Dusty, they never disappoint with delicious breakfast choices like Brioche French Toast and Traditional Eggs Benedict.  Sounds irresistible, wouldn’t you agree?  Take a look at all their breakfast options here.

Did you know that every Wednesday is Wine Down Wednesday at ABC 7 Sarasota?!?!  Sarasota-Manatee Originals has a segment every Wednesday that features local restaurants so you can Eat Like A Local.  

What’s Cooking At ABC7 Sarasota

This cooking segment showcases amazing dishes and tasty drinks from our members here at Sarasota-Manatee Originals.  Watch as chefs give you an inside look at how they prepare some of their most flavor-filled menu items.  You will get to see how they craft and pair the most mouthwatering foods that they offer.  

Forks & Corks 2023 Grand Tasting is officially SOLD OUT!

We are once again OVERWHELMED at the enthusiasm for The Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival!

General Admission tickets went on sale Thursday evening and hundreds more people were on the site than we had tickets available for purchase. Despite our 4 tickets per buyer limit, tickets sold out instantly! 

Early Access and VIP Tickets are SOLD OUT as well.

You may JOIN OUR WAITLIST to be notified in the event that tickets become available.

We have a variety of other ways you can participate in Forks & Corks this year, including Winemaker Dinners and Forks & Corks University classes! These details will become available as we come closer to the event.

Don’t Miss out on Early Access and VIP Tickets for

2023 Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival!

We are so excited to announce that the 16th Annual Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival presented by Audi Sarasota and Suncoast Porsche will take place from Thursday, April 20 through Sunday, April 23, 2023.

This sale is your chance to skip the ticket queue and avoid FOMO with Early Access and VIP tickets. Both tiers have incredible offers and it will be up to you to decide which fits your desires.

Please note that only a limited quantity of Early Access and VIP tickets will be available from January 12th at 7:00pm through January 16th at 11:59pm or until they are sold out!*

Our Premium Ticket Packages Include: 

Early Access ($350 plus tax and fees):

Admission to the Champagne Reception – 11:00am

Early Entry to the Grand Tasting – 11:30am

$50 Wine Shop Voucher – redeemable at Grand Tasting Retail Tent

 Christmas Dining, New Year's Eve Events & More on The Suncoast!

Restaurants listed below offer a variety of Christmas Day dining, Christmas Eve Dining, New Year's Dining, Holiday events, and to-go menus to enjoy during this busy time of year!

Anna Maria Bake House is a division of Chiles Hospitality. Head Baker, Teddy Louloudes, curates breads, desserts, and other baked goods for Sandbar, Beach House, and Mar Vista restaurants. Order your holiday baked goods here!

The Grove LWR will be open on Christmas Day from 11 am - 8 pm, serving their chef-created Holiday Menu all day! Find out more on their website.

New Year 2023 Soirée at GROVE - Starts at 7:00 pm.

Spend $100 and get a bonus $25!

This year it's more important than ever to support our local businesses!

Spread the holiday cheer and send a Sarasota Originals eGift card to your family & friends!

From 12/12 through 12/24 we're giving a $25 bonus card FREE for every $100 you purchase in eGift cards.

Sarasota-Manatee Originals eGift Cards are redeemable at 33 member restaurants. They are delivered via email immediately and do not expire. 

Purchase gift cards HERE

If you are looking for insight on all of the holiday events, buffets, and catering, look no further. What's a more special way to support small businesses this year than by catering food or hosting an event at your favorite locally-owned and operated restaurants. 

All of our trusted eateries will help you enjoy this holiday season! View our entire member restaurant list HERE.

Restaurants listed below may offer holiday catering, event spaces on site, buffet's, or to-go menus to enjoy in the comfort of your home! 

All Holiday hours, events, and offerings vary! Call ahead for updates on menus, pricing and catering pick-up/delivery instructions. It would also be in your best interest to order/reserve your spots in advance!

Café Gabbiano can host any size event. Onsite private dining, offsite, or drop off catering. Click HERE to view their Thanksgiving Menu.

Venice

Café Venice Restaurant & Bar | 941.484.1855 | cafevenicerestaurantandbar.com

2023 Forks & Corks Tickets Go On Sale January 19, 2023!

Grand Tasting, Forks & Corks University Tickets Are Expected to Sell Out Fast!

On Thursday, January 19 at 7:00PM, tickets will go on sale for the popular Grand Tasting event of the highly anticipated 2023 Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival (April 20-24, 2023), presented by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals. 

Tickets will also be available for the Festival’s Forks & Corks University Master Classes, a series of fun and educational seminars led by wine experts from around the world.

Set The Bar Cocktail Competition is a wrap!

This year's annual Set The Bar event, hosted by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, was a huge success. We gathered at Ed Smith Stadium for an incredible time. First, we want to express our gratitude to every person who took part and showed up at this year's event. Thank you to every single one of our member restaurants and their staff who participated! Thank you to the bartenders, the judges, our sponsors, and each person who made this day possible.

Set The Bar Cocktail Competition 2022 WINNERS

The community is encouraged to #DrinkLocal during the region’s most “spirited week” from October 23 – October 30, 2022. SMO Cocktail Week is designed to showcase the creative beverage talents behind our area’s independent restaurants.

During SMO Cocktail Week, participating Originals Member Restaurants throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties will feature special offerings, that may include featured cocktails from Set The Bar, limited-time discounts, food and cocktail pairings, mixology classes, unique tasting events, and more!

Let's celebrate our Suncoast’s vibrant and unique cocktail community and support our locally-owned, independent establishments!

Now in it’s sixth year, the 2022 Set The Bar Cocktail Competition will highlight 25 accomplished mixologists representing establishments from the northern tip of Anna Maria Island to the southern shores of Venice Beach. 

The Set The Bar Cocktail Competition will be held on Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St, Sarasota, FL 34237. SMO has partnered with Children First to host the 2022 Set the Bar and tickets are now on sale.

The twenty-five contenders will present innovative concoctions in five spirit categories featuring Papa’s Pilar Rum, Cathead Vodka, Dark Door Spirits Spirit of Oak Bourbon Whiskey, Big Storm Distillery London Dry Gin and Cuervo Tradicional Tequila Cristalino. The field of competitors is fierce, with last year’s top winners ALL returning and determined to defend their coveted designation.

“The Best” libations will be decided by an expert panel as well as event attendees who will be tasked with sampling and savoring the contenders' creations before judging the competitors on Flavor, Appearance, Bartender Presentation and Imagination.

If you’ve been wondering what Sarasota-Manatee Originals Members you will see competing at Set The Bar 2022, look no further!

Don’t get us wrong, chilling out and grilling out is one of our favorite activities…but sometimes going out and being treated to delicious BBQ is what it’s all about! After an incredible Labor Day weekend we couldn’t get our minds off two things…BEER and BBQ. Here are some of our favorite places to indulge in just that!

BRICK’S SMOKED MEATS

Where there's smoke, there's fire! Authentic, Central Texas-style barbecue cooked “low and slow” in an offset, wood-fired J&R Manufacturing Oyler Smoker – lovingly known as “Big Red” – one of the most sought-after smokers worldwide. Their pride and joy is their 18-hour USDA Prime Brisket, made the old school way with just wood and time. They have a full bar featuring whiskeys and tequilas, with easy, comfortable spaces for relaxing with family, friends and neighbors. Brick’s is a Florida-influenced, modern day interpretation of the classic Central Texas traditions of barbecue and cuisine. Texas Barbecue Culture is all about craftsmanship, devotion to time-honored methods, family, neighborliness and the fun of gathering round the table. Their aim is to bring that to our Sarasota community in a special way and to offer up a “double portion” of the best smoked meats available paired with heartfelt hospitality.

One of the best meals is brunch. The late-morning (ok, early afternoon) tradition of brunching has reached a peak in popularity which means lots of choices: So we've done the research for you: Here’s some of our favorite spots around town! Each location offers an incredible mimosa selection PLUS incredible cuisine from their various menus. Bottoms up! 

Mean Dean’s Local Kitchen

Sunday Brunch is offered every Sunday 11am to 3pm (excluding major holidays). Mimosas include: Classic, Elderflower, Hibiscus & Lavender, and Blackberry! Here are some of our fav dishes:

First, the Bananas Foster French Toast—French toast topped with flamed-to-order bananas foster!

Where are the pulled pork lovers? Try the Pulled Pork Benedict—Espresso rubbed, rum soaked pork served on an English muffin topped with a poached egg and homemade hollandaise…need we say more?

We can not recommend the Arctic Timber Bagel enough. Enjoy a chilled cedar plank salmon, topped with basil-dijon aioli, diced red onions, and capers. Served with cream cheese and an everything bagel!

Of course we have to mention the Chicken & Waffles. Delicious fried ranch seasoned chicken breast served over a candied bacon waffle. Then, topped with diced green onions with a side of spicy maple syrup.

Partner in crime bottle of wine = guaranteed good time!

We love a good date night! One where the food is incredible, the vibes are romantic, and the drinks are delicious. The Suncoast is made up of locally owned and operated restaurants that know how to make every date night one to remember. We’ve put together a list of some of the best spots in town and some of their upcoming events!

Harry’s Continental Kitchens 

Harry’s Continental Kitchens restaurant on Longboat Key is fine dining at its best! Stop in any night for an incredibly relaxed atmosphere and enjoy their award winning menu. This month they are hosting TWO wine dinners that would make the perfect DATE NIGHT!

The first is Harry’s French Feast Wine Dinner. Taking place Wednesday, August 10th 2022, at 6:30pm.

View the menu here 

$109.00 per person.

The second wine dinner is Harry’s Going Down Under Wine Dinner. Taking place on Thursday August 18th, 2022, at 6:30pm! Harry’s Continental Kitchens’ sommeliers Harry Christensen and Hal Christensen along with Nicole Hollister, from Winebow Pioneer Division, invite you to a wonderful night of wine, food, and fun!

View the menu here

Best Tequila Drinks on the Suncoast with the Sarasota-Manatee Originals

National Tequila Day is almost here and we want you to be prepared to celebrate! Everyone deserves to participate in this celebration with a proper cocktail - or two! We’ve put a list together sharing some of our favorites PLUS food pairings that make the perfect sidekick!

Reyna’s Taqueria

Reyna’s Taqueria is a locally-owned and operated, traditional Mexican restaurant located in Sarasota at The Sarasota Commons. Their delicious recipes have been passed down from generation to generation and the people of Sarasota are hooked! The housemade Lemon-Lime Margarita will have you going back for more! It pairs perfectly with their Barbacoa Sopes…thank us later! Also grab the churros with the housemade caramel sauce, do we need to say more?

If it were up to us, every hour would be happy hour! Thankfully this summer our Member Restaurants feel the same way! We have incredible summer promotions happening on our Suncoast that we can’t wait to share!

Summer Sippin' on The Suncoast!

Michael’s On East

​​Located at 1212 S. East Avenue in Midtown Plaza, the iconic fine dining restaurant is currently taking dinner reservations from 5:00pm to 8:30 pm Tuesday –Thursday and Friday & Saturday 5:00–9:00 pm.

There is nothing quite like spending the Fourth of July here on the Suncoast! You can find so many things to do from food, fireworks, and tons of fun. We’ve put a list together of some of our must-dos! This is how you can spend Independence Day just like an ORIGINAL!

Fourth of July on the Suncoast

Manatee County Celebrations

The Sandbar Seafood and Spirits on Anna Maria Island will kick off the Independence Day Weekend early on Saturday, July 2 at 9PM with the largest fireworks display they have ever had!

The fireworks will be visible all along the Anna Maria beach and watching them is free! The Sanbar restaurant will be open normal hours, 11AM to 10PM and remember – they don’t take reservations so be sure to stop by and put your name in early. 

For those wanting an elevated experience, Sandbar is hosting a Sparkling Good Time, a ticketed VIP event, July 2nd from 6-10PM in the Grand Pavilion, adjacent to the restaurant. This event includes reserved dinner seating with a delectable selection of fresh food, an open bar, a champagne toast, special beach seating for the fireworks, a gift bag and valet parking. 

Father's Day 2022 is right around the corner and we want to make sure this year is one to remember. There is no better way to celebrate than supporting locally owned and operated restaurants right here on the Suncoast.

Father's Day Dining on the Suncoast

From Anna Maria Island to Venice Pier, the member restaurants of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals are offering dining, take-out, all-you-can-eat, and delivery options to celebrate all of the amazing Dads out there. No matter what he’s craving, we’ve got you covered!

Did someone say BBQ?

The Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival is a wrap!

This year's annually hosted event by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals was a success. Normally taking place in the Ringling Museum courtyard, words can not express our gratitude to every person who took part and showed up at this year's wine dinners, food and wine pairings, special menus, bottle discounts, and cooking classes! This year was one to remember.