Nearly $1.02M in sales generated during Sarasota restaurant weeks

More than 25,000 meals were served during Savor Sarasota, a two-week event in June coordinated by Visit Sarasota County to encourage dining out during the summer. Participating restaurants offered two-course lunches for $25 and/or three-course dinners for $45. Tourism officials say 68 eateries took part in the promotion, which has been going on since 2005.

“Savor Sarasota started as a smart solution for the summer slowdown, and 21 years later, it has become one of our community's most exciting culinary events,” President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County Erin Duggan says in a statement. 

This year’s Savor Sarasota campaign generated $1.05 million in combined revenue, Visit Sarasota says, with nearly 87% of participating restaurants reporting. During the event, which ran from June 1 to June 14, the 59 restaurants that reported results served 6,532 lunches and 18,934 dinners, totaling 25,466 meals. VSC says. 

Eateries from University Town Center to Longboat Key to Englewood took part in Savor Sarasota. New this year was Chophouse285, a steakhouse and seafood restaurant in Englewood that opened in January from veteran restaurateur Laurie Farlow, who also owns Farlow’s on the Water. 

“As a longtime participant of Savor Sarasota with our restaurant Farlow's on the Water, we were excited to join for our newest venture, Chophouse285,” Farlow says in the statement. “It exceeded our expectations with so many new customers coming to try us for their first time. The buzz generated by Savor Sarasota and the many media opportunities were amazing for Chophouse285.”

Through the end of June and beyond, 55 restaurants have extended their prix-fixe menus.

Last year, Savor Sarasota lasted 20 days for the event's 20-year anniversary and resulted in $1.2 million in revenue with 42% of restaurants reporting.

This article originally appeared on sister site BusinessObserverFL.com.