Sarasota foodies kick off Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week
Sarasota-Manatee Originals members and supporters gathered Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center for bites and brews celebrating the upcoming restaurant week.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 12:04 a.m. September 21, 2017
Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink
Share
The beer was flowing and the small plates were quickly replenished at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center.
Eventgoers sampled dishes from five restaurants and one bakery, all of which are members of Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a group of more than 50 locally owned independent restaurants bonded by their desire to maintain the community’s culinary identity.
Guests also sipped local brews provided by Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
Eat Like A Local Restaurant Week is a chance for local foodies to support local establishments and sample restaurants that might otherwise be outside of their budget. The event will take place Oct. 2-15 at several restaurants throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, all of which will offer price-fixed lunch and dinner menus ranging from $9-$49 a meal.
Sarasota-Manatee Originals Executive Director Sarah Firstenberger said the week is a way for the restaurants to not only help the community, but also for members of the community to help restaurateurs because October is a notoriously slow month for them.
She said she loves the collaborative aspect of the kickoff event.
“My favorite part is seeing all the businesses and restaurants together in one room,” she said. “It’s really representative of the community.”
Jill and Geno Pedigo with Sarasota-Manatee Originals Board President Beth Owen-Cipielewski
Oasis Bakery and Cafe served pumpkin spice cupcakes at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center.
Julie and Demetrios Kokolis
Mike and Gail Small with Pamela Kirscher
Outdoor tables were adorned with floral centerpieces at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center.
Carol Erickson with her granddaughter Ashley Erickson
Alicia Garcia and Donna Slawsky
Siesta Key Oyster Bar served southwest shrimp salad at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center.
Caryn Hodge and Nicole Coudal
Greg Campbell and Doug Sullivan
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill served lobster and crab cake pops at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center.
Dawn Bushman and Christina Fraser
Christine Greene, Nikki Logan Curran and Becky Souflis
Pier 22 served teriyaki brisket at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center.
Rich and Tricia Gould
Sofie Wachtmeister and Kelly Kane
Rows of goodie bags lined the table closest to the exit at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center.
Chris and Kirk Voelker
Nicole Carbon and Rae Ramos
Sarasota-Manatee Originals Executive Director Sarah Firstenberger laughs during her welcome speech at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keating Marine Education Center.
Erin and Patrick Duggan with City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Bartender Topher Nalefski makes the event’s signature cocktail, “The Gulfside,” with Tito’s passionfruit liqueur, orgeat, lemon juice and black tea bitters at the Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week Kickoff Event on Sept. 20 at Keati
