Mote Marine Vice President Dan Bebak said the Seasonal Tasting at Nathan Benderson Park on Wednesday night was a way to raise awareness of the future Mote Science Education Aquarium while also connecting with future neighbors in University Town Center and Lakewood Ranch.
However, judging by the comments of many of the people at the fundraiser, the connection already exists.
Vertical construction of the aquarium is underway and it is expected to open its doors late in 2024.
Alessi Keen, a manager at Selva Grill, said her 2-year-old son, Hayes, will love visiting the aquarium when it opens.
"He already has whale pajamas," she said.
Keen was serving tropical ceviche to the guests alongside fellow manager Racheal Ruiz Del Vizo, who said she grew up going to the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota.
Other UTC restaurants serving at the fundraiser were Seasons 52, PopStroke, Mademoiselle Paris, Rusty Bucket, JPan, Georgie's, The Capital Grille, Sodexo Live/Sophia's, and Five-o Donut Co.
Angelica Rossi of Lakewood Ranch was one of more than 250 people who attended the event.
"I am so excited (about the aquarium)," she said. "I have a 4-year-old and a 6-week-old and I love that Mote is going to be so close."
PopStroke Head Chef Chris Raineri and his fiance, Nicole Strang, were serving up Southwest chicken egg rolls. They think about Mote all the time.
"Our first date was at the other Mote (aquarium)," Strang said.
Danielle Craig, the managing partner and general manager of Capital Grille, and server Adam Pratt offered tenderloin sliders that were an absolute hit.
Photo by Jay Heater
Clarice and Daniel Dokko, the owners of JPan at UTC, were offering hand roll bars to the crowd that featured ingredients such as spicy tuna and salmon among others.
Photo by Jay Heater
The Bay Kings Band entertained the crowd at the event.
Photo by Jay Heater
PopStroke's Claire Chrzan, Nicole Strang, Chris Raineri and Ian Gardell served up Southwest chicken egg rolls. Raineri, the head chef, said the egg rolls have been a big hit at the restaurant.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sophie's at Sax Fifth Avenue's Mike Dillworth serves Lakewood Ranch's Angelica Rossi some bacon-wrapped scallops.
Photo by Jay Heater
The restaurants all had impressive spreads at Seasonal Tasting at Nathan Benderson Park to benefit Mote's Science Education Aquarium.
Photo by Jay Heater
Rusty Bucket General Manager Bill Dominy and Executive Chef Ronnie Marcelo say the new aquarium will bring the restaurant "a ton of business." They served tavern Baja fish tacos.
Photo by Jay Heater
More than 250 people attended Seasonal Tasting at Nathan Benderson Park to benefit Mote's Science Education Aquarium.
Photo by Jay Heater
Georgie's Executive Chef Peter Acco, owner George Wood, and Corporate Chef Ryan Milito serve up ceviche.
Photo by Jay Heater
Seasons 52 Sales Manager Erinn Lerett and Executive Chef Elvis Bravo present their Ahi tuna tartare.
Photo by Jay Heater
Racheal Ruiz-Del Vizo and Alessi Keen, managers at Selva Grill, had a line waiting for their tropical ceviche.
Photo by Jay Heater
Mote's Michael Moore and Dan Bebak were using a drone to show those who attended the event construction progress on the aquarium from high in the finish tower at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Jay Heater
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch's Anne Marie and Tom Trew came to support Mote as it builds its Science Education Aquarium.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
