Will MONGOLIAN BEEF help revive the North Trail? 
a commentary & restaurant review by LeslieSRQ




If you have been in Sarasota for any length of time, you know that the North Trail (N. Tamiami/41) has seen its share of challenges!!  

At one time, this part of Sarasota was what you would refer to as the 'main drag'.   North Tamiami Trail was virtually the 'Street of Tourism'!  As a visitor, you flew into the SRQ Airport, got in a car and embarked on your TOUR of Sarasota starting on the North Trail!  Sarasota ALWAYS makes an excellent '1st impression' to our visitors.  

Shortly after embarking South on the trail, visitors are treated to the 'grandeur' of the RINGLING Art Museum! Back in Sarasota's Hay

Ringling Museum of Art

Day", the RINGLING name was a significant draw for visitors!!  Other Florida cities had “BEACHES”, but Sarasota had the CIRCUS!!
Speaking of the Circus, you would also pass by the "Circus Hall of Fame" where a big CIRCUS Wagon was on display in a large glass building.

Circus Hall of Fame

If you were driving, you had barely gone a mile and already Sarasota was living up to its promise of "Stardust, Spangles & Dreams"!

Continuing south, you would more than likely be heading to one of the many little “Mom & Pop” motels that dotted the trail.  Many of these motels exist today and very few look any different than they did when they were first built!  One can only assume, these small, independent motels are ‘eeking’ out a living.

Allamanda Motel

Continuing south a short distance, Sarasota's Main Street is just a left turn.  There was a brief time when this area ALSO declined.   I  am happy to report that it currently has been lovingly and creatively restored to its former glory!  

Continue south and literally find yourself at Marina Jack which has just continued to get

Marina Jack (earlier days)

better and better over the years!  Marina Jack was and still is kind of the 'demarcation' point of where the N. Trail ends.

Make a right before you get to Marina Jack and you find yourself navigating bridges to Sarasota's holy grail "Lido Beach".

SO.......what happened to the North Trail?  It breaks my heart when I see the buildings in disrepair and the businesses that now are vacant and abandoned!  Furthermore, from a purely business marketing sense, why doesn't Sarasota recognize that the North Trail is STILL the 'gateway' to the riches of Sarasota?  It certainly does not bode well for our community when our visitors arrive and their 1st introduction to Sarasota is a street that is paved with "LOST DREAMS"! 

OK,  this article is not written to invite a debate about this (maybe another time), but rather about HOPE!!  

I was heading back from IBE Barter (a viable business on the North Trail) and realized that I had not eaten lunch yet!  I had heard about a new restaurant called “the YUMMY House” (3232 N. Tamiami Trail) and was pleased to find myself driving by it while heading back north on

YUMMY House

the trail.

It was relatively early (about 11:30 a.m.) but the restaurant was already filling up.  I was immediately greeted when I entered and promptly escorted to my table.  When I looked around at my surroundings, I had to immediately grab my camera and get up from my chair!  

The décor was tastefully & beautifully done!  The bar in the front side of the restaurant looked like something out of an ‘upscale nightclub’!

bar/kitchen @ YUMMY House

Hunger prevailing, I returned to my table to review the lunch menu.  The Yummy House is Chinese cuisine and the requisite ‘chop sticks’ had been placed on my table.  What I did NOT find was the usual little condiment ‘cart’ of plastic pouched sweet & sour and a bottle of Soy Sauce!!  The YUMMY House is proud to present themselves as an ‘Authentic Chinese Cuisine’ establishment, so this did not surprise me. 

There were some nice ‘surprises’ on the lunch menu but also some familiar selections such as ‘Sweet & Sour Chicken’.  When I saw the lunch ‘prices’………..I thought this has got to be one of the BEST deals in town!!  Prices ranged from $6.99 - $8.99 and INCLUDED Jasmine Rice and a beverage.  

 I’m not going to pretend to have much ‘expertise’ when it comes to Chinese cuisine (in fact, I confess I use a fork and have a tendency to order the ‘tried & true’).   However, I was intrigued when I glanced at their regular (and very extensive) menu!!  Two things in particular caught my attention:  “Clay Pot entrees” and

Mongolian Beef

“Salt & Pepper" prepared entrees.  While my vivid imagination conjured up images of these items, I refocused back on lunch and ordered the “Mongolian Beef” (beef w/Crown Broccoli in an Oyster Brown Sauce).

My dish was placed in front of me and I immediately liked the way it was presented!  Two (2) mounds of fluffy Jasmine Rice were placed to one side.  So often Chinese food is presented in such a way that all the components are on top of each other!  The beef portion had its own ‘place on the plate’ and I found that pleasing!!!  Not too spicy but definitely NOT bland, the dish was perfectly seasoned.  The broccoli ‘crowns’ were cooked perfectly, the beef was tender and the portion was generous!


SO………will the “YUMMY House” help revive the North Trail?  We certainly hope so!!

NOTE:  There are, indeed, some viable & thriving businesses on the N. Trail.  Notably among them is McCurdy's Comedy.

June 29th

PUB
STREET  PARTY

Old Main Street (12th)

Bradenton

Join us on Saturday, June 29th

starting at 6:00 p.m.

for our very own

PUB STREET PARTY

(this is a casual & intimate

gathering among friends)

We will be focusing on Two (2) different venues BOTH located

on Old Main Street (12th street) 

and right ACROSS the street from each other!

EACH Location has an OUTDOOR Patio in front with Seating!

These patios will provide a great place 

to gather & get to know each other better!

Our "Headquarters" will be

PUB 88

"the sophistication of a Manhattan Night Spot with the laid back charm of historic downtown Bradenton"

 Georgia & Mike will be

performing from 6 until 10:00 p.m.

Food & Wine/Beer available

(Pub stays open until 2 a.m.)

Then DIRECTLY Across the Street is 

O'BRICK'S

FULL Bar

(Happy Hour from 2 - 7)

"Specialty" MARTINIS

Extensive MENU

(Pub stays open until 2 a.m.)

While PUB 88 will serve as kind of our HOME BASE......

the concept is to also visit the other PUBS of your choice

on Old Main Street!

Here are some other 'suggestions'

The Distillery

Cork's Cigar Bar

Old Main Pub

the Lost Kangaroo Pub

SO let's MEETUP 1st at Pub 88

436 12th Street S.W. (Old Main Street)

Bradenton, FL  ........

then you can visit the PUBS of your Choice!

NOTE: 

We do request, out of courtesy to to the individual Pub Owners, that if you take up 'anchor' on their patio,

please ALSO give them your patronage.

PARKING

There is on-street parking as well as a Public Parking Garage............ALL Free!

 Party posted on Facebook in the Group SRQ APPLAUSE .

Join us to receive UPDATES and to make comments!

Brought to you by LeslieSRQ
with LeslieSRQProductions

Please visit our Site to learn about how we can help PROMOTE you through Social Media, Graphics & Videos!

Wine/Piano Bar - PUB 88

436 12^th Street SW, Bradenton  941-896-8877

Move over Elton John and your Red Piano!  The “Blue Piano” at Pub 88 has come to B-Town!

Matt Coates, owner, has just recently opened his new establishment in Bradenton on ‘Old Main Street”. 

Upon entering the establishment, the 1^st thing you notice is the colorful blue ‘baby grand’ piano!

In all candor, I probably SHOULD mention that the piano is my favorite instrument!  So often in my musical travels, there is usually a ‘keyboard’ player…………but a “Pianist’ is a rare treat!!!

While the piano itself is a ‘showoff’, Matt (who is also the pianist) is NOT!  With absolutely no fanfare or bravado, he sat down and proceeded to play!  I was INSTANTLY transported to a place of musical tranquility!!  We’ve all heard that phrase ‘tinkling the keys’, and for the 1^st time I experienced what this means!   Matt smoothly & effortlessly moved from song to song without even pausing for applause or recognition.   His 1^st selection was Summer Time followed by Blue Moon and wrapping up with a little Van Morrison!   Sipping on my chilled wine, I was slipping into a euphoric state of almost ‘romantic’ bliss!

Melanie Massell; Leslie Hinsz & Karen Klarich

I was in this state of pure contentment, when my ‘girl’s night out’ companions joined me:  Melanie Massell (singer/entertainer); Karen Klarich (singer/entertainer); and Wendy Joffee (drummer/entertainer). ALL three of these ladies are talented musicians in their own right, so who better to share this experience

with!

Wendy Joffe & Tanya McCormic

Immediately embarking on our enthusiastic ‘girl talk’, we all looked up when we heard this ‘stirring & soulful’ voice start to sing!!  

In a very smooth transition,

Tanya McCormic had joined Matt on stage to lend her vocal stylings to the evening. Like Matt, no fanfare just an effortless and

unassuming enhancement (kind of like the icing on

Tanya McCormic

the cake).  Or, as Melanie Massell said “where melted caramel meets the candied apple’!!    

ALL of a sudden, Melanie’s reference to ‘apple’ put us in mind of ‘Sex in the City’!!  Here we were, four girls out on the town enjoying girl talk in a sophisticated setting but without the expensive wardrobe (you gotta LOVE Florida)!!!

Tanya McCormic has one of those voices that truly does ‘soothe the soul’ and touch ‘the heart’!!  With song selections like:  Dreams; Sentimental Reasons & Midnight on the Oasis, she added an understated ‘sultriness’ to the mood.

If you find that wine contributes to your ‘mood’, you won’t be disappointed!  Pub 88 promotes itself as a ‘wine bar’ and they have an extensive selection.  They did something on their menu that I personally really appreciated!!  When you order a glass of wine, you have two choices:  a 6 or a 9 ounce version!!  I just thought that was such a fabulous idea!!! 

Pressed Reuben

Pub 88 also offers food!  While they do not have their own kitchen, they have formed a relationship with their neighbor "The B'Towne Coffee Co" and you can place an order for anything from a salad to a sandwich. The order is placed and in a timely fashion your server walks next door to retrieve your order and delivers it to your table!  I ordered their pressed Reuben and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Speaking of food, Tanya McCormic told me that they will be offering a small ‘nibble & snack’ menu soon.

While Matt & Tanya are what I consider to be the ‘headliners’, PUB 88 also presents other musical guests & entertainers!   Make sure you check out their FACEBOOK page to find out who is coming up next!!!   

I’ve heard from MORE than one musician friend, that they are just itching to sit behind that BLUE Piano!!!  To date, the Funkmen, Sidney James Wingfield, & Pat Walsh have performed there.  I’ve already made plans to go back on June 29^th to hear two of my

Georgia & Mike

favorite performers “Georgia & Mike”!

With this kind of musical variety, Pub 88 will appeal to a lot of people and evoke many moods!  This charming Pub possesses the sophistication of a Manhattan Night Spot with the laid back charm of historic downtown Bradenton. 

Pub 88 opens their doors at 4 (with happy hour from 4-6) and stays open until 2:00 a.m.  

The entertainment thus far, has been scheduled from 6 until 10 p.m..  In addition to their indoor seating, they also have an outdoor patio where you can still see the “Blue Piano”!!!  Speaking of outdoors, there is parking on 12^th Street/Old Main but most of the parking is limited to 2 hours.  There is a large parking lot within walking distance just North of Pub 88 that is only 25 cents per hour.

A little 'surprise'!!

Sketch by Melanie Massell

LOOK what Melanie Massell sketched

while we were there!!!  She also graciously got up and graced us with a 'song'!

A Note from LeslieSRQ:

Join your fellow SRQ ‘friends’ on Facebook in the Group SRQ APPLAUSE to learn more about living in this city we call “Paradise”!!!
We are close to 4,000 Members who ALL share their recommendations of What to Do; Where to GO: MUSIC to hear; etc.  We INVITE you to make your OWN recommendations!

Brought to you by LeslieSRQ
with LeslieSRQProductions

Please visit our Site to learn about how we can help PROMOTE you through Social Media, Graphics & Videos!

On the Road to SRQ #2

“On the Road to SRQ” – No. 2

How did YOU get here?

In a city where VERY few people are ‘native Sarasotans’, I have always found it fascinating to know HOW and WHY people found their way to SRQ!  This is the 2nd of a series of articles featuring some of your Favorite People telling their OWN Stories!

Carolyn Heath
Owner, The Broadway Bar

 "I was actively working as a Graphic Designer in the Greater Washington, DC area in 1991, when I learned of my uncle’s passing in Sarasota.  My uncle, Anthony Armento, owned the Broadway Bar.  Much to my complete surprise, I learned that he had left the Bar to me!  So I found myself in a new city charged with ‘saving the oldest bar in Sarasota’!  I operated the existing Bar on N. Tamiami Trail until 2004 then re-opened in a new building and location in 2009.” Carolyn Heath

Joey Panek
Actor, "HuBster"

“I first came to Sarasota in 1998 on a national tour. We stayed at one of the (then) dumpy hotels across from the airport. And that was my perception of Sarasota. A year later, I came down to work at the Golden Apple Dinner Theater. They used to bring in a lot of actors from New York.

I came down on and off for the next six or seven years to work at various theaters in the area. I've been here steadily since 2006. I love this city.

I did however almost run away to St. Pete about four years ago before I found my opportunity at the HuB. That cemented it for me. Being able to live in this beautiful city and thrive in a creative work environment, contributing to the arts community, is awesome.” Joey Panek

“My Grandfather always wanted to retire in

Susan Nilon
Sarasota Talk Radio

Florida. In 1971, he died before he could see that dream come true. My Father was determined not to let the same thing happen to him. Shortly after the funeral he announced he was moving us all to Florida; Winter Haven to be exact. My Father drove down first to secure a place for us to live and my Mother stayed behind to wait for the movers. Just days before we were to leave Philadelphia, the phone rang. All I heard was my mother exclaim, “Where in the world is Sarasota? And “Why do we want to live there? Your job is in Winter Haven.” My Father, in his travels, had been told of this sleepy little town that was surrounded by Paradise. One quick weekend drive across the state and he never looked back. I grew up on Siesta Key running barefoot in this sand. We built forts among the mangroves; we snacked on the abundance citrus fruits; and we played with the wild monkeys and beautiful parrots who were our friends. Four decades later, I can still call this Paradise. Lucky, lucky me.” Susan Nilon

“I moved to Sarasota Florida from Cherry Hill

Larry Rifkin
The Amazing Universe
Broadcasting Company

NJ in June of 2003, so its been over 10 years that I live here. Growing up and living most of my life in Cherry Hill NJ and the Philadelphia area, we all say .... I wanna go to Florida. As a child, we vacationed in Florida most years, I always Loved it. Most of the time we spent on the east coast of Florida, as I grew and was in business, I had some accounts in and around Sarasota and Tampa. I found that I liked the culture and relaxed attitude here even more. Back in 2003 I had 3 young boys and had been president of my home owners association for 6 years. I was tired of the snow, and knew that at that point, we could move anywhere we wanted, but this would be our only real chance as the boys were starting school. So we sold the house, packed the kids and moved to Sarasota. I Still feel like I live in Paradise. The spiritual community here was one that I embraced and grew in and found to be my passion. I am lucky to be involved with and exploring what I Love and where I live. Have a Great Day and ... KEEP SMILING. "  
Larry Rifkin

Sheri Nadelman
Musician

“Living in Hawaii in the 80’s served as a precursor to living this lifestyle. This native New Yorker had no desire to face the cold winters any longer. My ex husband was offered a career opportunity here in a local hospital. Not familiar with this area at all, the huge potential and a leap of faith were all it took to establish roots in East Manatee County. Since moving here in the early 90’s life has changed for me as dramatically as the landscape. Raising a daughter, the demise of that marriage, a new husband and being part of the ever- expanding music scene has been a joy and a bit of a challenge. Achieving my goal to be a working musician has been a source of pride for me. Once again I see huge potential in not only this ever growing area, but in myself as well. I’m truly blessed to be part of it all.” Sheri Nadelman

Cliff Roles
Photographer

“About eight years ago, I was going through one of those “male-menopause-midlife-crisis” phases, where nothing and no one seemed to be right for me. My marriage had gone pear-shaped; I was burnt out from 16 years in the rock ‘n roll business, and my people skills desperately needed honing. I decided to change pace, job, surroundings and attitude. I became a translator and started traveling the world. Greece, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland … I eventually landed on Florida’s East Coast. In keeping with my mood, I bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle (I mean, who wouldn’t?) and went from the east coast to the gulf coast. On February 17, 2001, my birthday, I rode into Sarasota and parked my bike outside the Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands. I bought myself an ice cream at Scoop Daddy’s, walked slowly around the Circle, and knew instantly that I was home. I met my wife Maria that evening, and within 18 months I had moved out of my flat in Hamburg, Germany and had become a resident of Sarasota.I have fallen in love with Sarasota, and Sarasota has warmly opened to my embrace. “ Cliff Roles

A Note from LeslieSRQ:

Join your fellow SRQ ‘friends’ on Facebook in the Group SRQ APPLAUSE to learn more about living in this city we call “Paradise”!!!
We are close to 4,000 Members who ALL share their recommendations of What to Do; Where to GO: MUSIC to hear; etc.  We INVITE you to make your OWN recommendations!

Brought to you by LeslieSRQ
with LeslieSRQProductions

Please visit our Site to learn about how we can help PROMOTE you through Social Media, Graphics & Videos!