Page 44 - Summer 2022 Taste Magazine

tive, bold new flavors in signature dishes such as the Wasabi Caesar Salad,, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Shrimp and Pork Gyoza,Tuna Pizza and Nori Tacos as small plates. Entrees include and
Mushroom Rice Pot, Miso Black Cod, Grilled
Australian Lamb Chops and a variety of Wagyu Beef selections and of fabulous Sushi. Kojo at 1289 N
Palm
Corvina, Cod, Shrimp and Lobster, while the land section includes Strip Steak and Pork Chops to name a few. There are also bi-weekly chef spe- cials and special events, celebrating days like “National Pasta Week”
and “End of Prohibition” on December 5th with a signature annual party. Great lunches are served here as well and a
fantastic Happy Hour from 3 to 6pm is in effect with reduced beers, wines and cocktails, small plates and swell
time guaranteed! Also nice to know there are lots of healthy and gluten-free options.
On St. Armands Circle the atmosphere is cool with a large dining room, smart bar, private room and outdoor seat- ing as well. Their news-
paper style printed menu is very clever, very creative and informative. Nicely done! This two-story restaurant features a smart bar serving the “hooch” along with a lively dining area featuring the “Jail,” where guests can dine amongst the gangsters of yesteryear. Take a walk around and see the terrific eye-catching murals, all custom painted by Tampa Bay area artist Bask inside and out, along with the open upstairs kitchen, second dining room, bar, and outdoor terrace dining area. This is a great area for any special events or parties you might have in mind. It is beautifully designed, and the attention to detail is amazing! A welcom- ing management team along with a personable staff and friendly and caring owners has made this the ‘go to place’ in town. Well-deserved, and we could see why on a few very enjoyable recent visits with friends on St. Armands Circle! Same goes for their SR 70 restaurant.
Although he is not new in the restaurant business, Owner Vinny Esposito has had great success at his Italian Market and Gourmet Deli Vinny’s Italian Kitchen at 5537 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, (941-896-9754). A paisan from Newark, New Jersey, Vinny is an extremely personable fellow who really loves what he does, and what he does is create some delicious and authentic Italian cuisine right in “the heart of Anna Maria Island.”
Avenue,
Sarasota,
(941) 536-
9717, is
conve-
niently
located
below the
Palm
Avenue
city park-
ing garage,
so parking
and
inclement
weather
will never
be an
issue. Mark and Natalia are the owners of Hi Hospitality Group (hihospitalitygroup.com), which also owns the two locations of award-winning Speaks Clam Bar, and an upcoming food hall/restaurant called Central Park St Pete.
The popular Speaks Clam Bar is a casual
upscale authentic NYC “Little Italy” style Clam Bar
that has really been a great success, deservedly so. The food is made fresh and is moderately priced, all with excellent quality. The service is exemplary, friendly, and engaging and this concept is completely and totally guest focused and guest driven. With two area locations at 8764 East SR 70 in Lakewood Ranch (941-232-7646) and 29 North Blvd. of the Presidents on St. Armands Circle (941-232-7633). A recent Taste Dining & Travel Progressive Dinner was fantastic here as guests enjoyed the cool ambiance, Shooter Desserts, coffee and drinks. Speaks Clam Bar is unique, comfortable, and fun, with its upscale NYC “Chic “sensibility, and its exciting ‘Prohibition/Speakeasy’ feeling.
What makes an Italian Clam Bar? It is the sauce. An authen- tic Clam Bar asks how you like your tomato sauce, and they run on three speeds: sweet, medium, and hot. With the sauce comes the pasta, and they certainly have it here, every variety and style: Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Corfu Seafood Linguine, Lasagna Bolognese, you name it. Fresh pasta is the norm here, and diners can see it being made in front of them, bringing old world Italian pasta making techniques to Speaks Clam Bar. Did someone mention clams? They’ve got ‘em, Clams on the Half Shell, Ipswich Steamers, Oysters Rockefeller, Baked Clam Oregano, PEI Mussels and more. Fresh seafood features Grouper,
Very innovative in Downtown Sarasota is the new Kojo serving modern Asian cuisine and amazing cocktails
44 Celebrating 30 Years! Taste Dining & Travel • Summer More online at www.tasteweb.net
The amazing Speaks Clam Bar on
St. Armands combines a dramatic, fun atmosphere with creative and satisfying cuisine