• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Winefest continues with Banquet on the Block

Banquet on the Block was hosted April 6 on Lemon Ave.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 9:23 p.m. April 6, 2018
  • Black Tie
  • Share

Lemon Avenue closed on April 6 between 1st Avenue and Main Street for the annual Banquet on the Block dinner party. 

As part of the Florida Winefest & Auction, a cocktail hour with wine samples started off the evening on the street before guests sat down to enjoy dinner at the long table. 

The dinner was a combined effort from six chefs. The participating chefs were Ysacc Sanchez (Selva Grill), Sam Ray (Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill), Laszlo Bevardi (Salute Ristorante), Nils Tarantik (element Modern Mediterranean Grill), Brian Harmon (Mattison's City Grill) and Mara Cristiani (Laurel Oak Country Club). 

The table stretched from 1st Avenue to Main Street.
The table stretched from 1st Avenue to Main Street.
The table is known to organizers as the
The table is known to organizers as the "longest table in Sarasota."
Floral arrangements decorated the table.
Floral arrangements decorated the table.
Each chef made a different course for the dinner.
Each chef made a different course for the dinner.
Florida Winefest & Auction started April 5 and will end April 8.
Florida Winefest & Auction started April 5 and will end April 8.
Dick and Leslie Rivera
Dick and Leslie Rivera
Britta Katz, Marti Nelson, Gary Lane and Ann Andrews
Britta Katz, Marti Nelson, Gary Lane and Ann Andrews
Victor Kashner and Tony Bevilacqua
Victor Kashner and Tony Bevilacqua
Rhonda and Dan Deems
Rhonda and Dan Deems
Florida Winefest Board President Sandy Loevner, Greg Jung, Chef Laszlo Bevardi, Chef Mara Cristiani and Chef Samuel Ray
Florida Winefest Board President Sandy Loevner, Greg Jung, Chef Laszlo Bevardi, Chef Mara Cristiani and Chef Samuel Ray
Chefs Brian Harmon, Laszlo Bevardi, Samuel Ray, Ysacc Sanchez, Mara Cristiani and Paul Mattison
Chefs Brian Harmon, Laszlo Bevardi, Samuel Ray, Ysacc Sanchez, Mara Cristiani and Paul Mattison
Appetizers were served during the cocktail hour.
Appetizers were served during the cocktail hour.

 

Latest News

John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
  • April 6, 2026
Longboat infrastructure tax spending plan comes up $6 million short
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Sheila Weiss, Michael Goldman, Dr. Helene Lotman, Ellen Goldner, Marion Levine and Sasha Rosin make up the Hope in Bloom committee.
  • April 3, 2026
JFCS celebrates 40 years of service at Hope in Bloom
The co-chairs are Darci Jacob (ninth year), Vickie Smith (fourth year) and Carolyn Castro (first year).
  • March 28, 2026
SPARCC Runway 2026 reassembles a kaleidoscope of lives and fashion
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley with panelists Dr. Kelly Hamel, Dr. Sarah Kimball and Dr. Angela Boldo
  • March 28, 2026
Women & Medicine educates guests on women's health
Drayton Saunders acceps a Champion For Children award for MSC Foundation and President and CEO of Safe Children Coalition Brena Slater
  • March 27, 2026
Safe Children Coalition names 2026 Champions for Children
Terri King, Rocky and Liza Pappas
  • March 23, 2026
USF enjoys picture-perfect day for Brunch on the Bay
Lauren Athas, event Chair Lauren Christensen, Nati Shabat and Katie Biter
  • March 23, 2026
ODA supporters take Banyan Ball to Club Paraiso

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now