- December 4, 2025
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Food is one of the best ways to celebrate life’s big and bite-sized moments, and I get to celebrate my birthday on the tastiest holiday of all: National Culinarians Day.
Every July 25, this delicious day honors the chefs, cooks, bakers and culinary creatives who turn simple ingredients into unforgettable experiences. It’s about more than just plating pretty meals, it’s the heart, hustle and flavor they bring to our tables and our communities.
So, in the spirit of celebration (and maybe a little personal indulgence), I'm shouting out some of the incredible dishes that have truly opened my eyes and tastebuds to what our local food scene is all about. From spicy to sweet, comforting to creative, here’s how I’d spend my ideal foodie birthday if stomach size wasn't an issue. Each of the five unforgettable restaurants on my list serves up a totally different cuisine, but they share one key ingredient: culinary excellence.
Forks up, friends. Let me eat cake — and a few other things.
1505 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota; 941-388-1618; NewPassGrill.com
Birthday Girl Breaky: I've been gatekeeping my favorite breakfast sandwich in town because, well, I don't want to give up my weekend spot. On boat days or lazy Sunday mornings when I want a bite of comfort, a bacon, egg and cheese ($8.99) on white bread hits the spot. Some of my friends argue the BEC is better on croissant with hash browns ($3.99), but I know what I like. Starting my special day with this greasy, toasty and delectable breakfast sandwich inches from the Gulf waters? Party in paradise.
Birthday Wish: That this eatery, originally founded in 1929, remains open until my 96th birthday. Between the breakfast, burgers and beautiful views, there's a bounty of boasts to give the grill. I hope to spend many more boat days by the Pass.
1561 Lakefront Drive, Unit 100, Sarasota; 941-413-5945; EataliaMarket.co
Birthday Lady Who Lunches: The first year we were dating, my future husband asked me what my favorite meal was — the answer is and always will be chicken parmesan. Being the great guy that he is, he made enough chicken parm to last until my next birthday. The mounds of chicken cutlets could have replaced sandbags during Hurricane Irma. This year, we're headed to the new Eatalia Market in Waterside so we can get my birthday fave made to order and not let anything go to waste. Follow my lead and order a chicken parm entree ($18.99) or make your own grinder with a juicy, crunchy chicken cutlet ($5.99) and toppings of your choice on one of seven types of bread (including a gluten-free wrap).
Birthday Wish: The inner tri-state (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, of course!) girlie in me wishes I had enough room left in my stomach to devour the pistachio cheesecake ($5.99) or nibble on the sausage and broccoli rabe arancini ($5.99).
1289 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; 941-536-9717; EatKojo.com
Happy (Birthday) Hour: Next, you'll find me sitting downtown at KOJO trying to not order the entire menu at this hot spot, which is as chic as its dishes are delicious. This birthday girl will be snacking on at least one order of the yellowtail with jalapeño ($19), accompanied with house ponzu and micro cilantro plus an order of the spicy tuna nori tacos ($20) with pickled Thai chile, shiso, scallion and sesame. I'll be sipping at least one Fujiyama Mama ($13), made with my absolute favorite Aperol, some St. Germain, sake and yuzu, a slice of cucumber and topped with sparkling rosé.
Birthday Wish: That my newly engaged sister joins me in finishing a plate of the cured salmon and caviar nigiri ($15) and perhaps a lychee martini ($15) made with vodka, grapefruit, lychee blend, Peychaud's bitters and rose water.
2157 Siesta Drive, Sarasota; 941-960-1765; BakerWife.com
Tini Bit Older: This delectable café holds a special place in my heart. It was the last restaurant we took my dad to as a family. It's also the scene of our first date night after my husband and I got married. (Did I mention the Birthday Girl can get just a little sentimental?) To choose just one appetizer is a nearly impossible task, but the burrata and fresh fennel ($18) transports me to the Mediterranean, so I'll start there. Next up, the jumbo black tiger shrimp and peanut noodle salad ($34) with broccoli slaw, spinach, crispy shallots, Thai basil and mint. Meanwhile, I'll beg my husband for a bite of his beef short rib fettuccine ($27).
Birthday Wish: The cucumber basil gimlet ($9) made with CROP organic cucumber vodka, fresh lime juice, muddled with basil and cucumbers and strained into a martini glass — becomes a staple at all my favorite bars.
1553 Main St., Sarasota; 941-906-9575; 9118 Town Center Parkway Unit 102, Lakewood Ranch; 941-961-0111; CestLaVieSarasota.com
Another Year, Another Treat: I was privileged to spend a week in Paris earlier this summer (yes, during the heat wave), and I was worried I wouldn't taste another decadent Parisian dessert when I got back home. But then I walked into C'est La Vie and my worries faded into the Sarasota heat. By all means, take a long look at their pastry case, but some of my favorites are: the opera (coffee mousse and dark chocolate ganache), the Tarte Madame ( raspberry jam and caramelized chiboust cream) and of course, macarons.
Birthday Wish: To wake up tomorrow hungry enough to come back and try the Croque Madame ($14.95). The toasted bread, ham, covered with melted Swiss and a sunny-side-up egg is chef's kiss.
