Sarasota-Manatee Originals

06/22/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS 🎉

Forks & Corks is officially nominated for USA TODAY’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Wine Festival! 🍷✨

After a #9 national finish last year, we’re back and aiming even higher—once again putting Sarasota-Manatee’s culinary scene in the national spotlight.

Vote now through July 20: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-wine-festival/

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day!

Today, we're raising a glass to the dads who show up, work hard, tell the best stories, and always know where to find a great meal.

Celebrate Dad by supporting local and sharing a meal at one of our Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants. Find your next favorite at eatlikealocal.com

06/19/2026

Still figuring out Father’s Day plans?

We’ve rounded up Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants by dad type—from barbecue lovers and brunch fans to seafood enthusiasts, steak aficionados, and everything in between.

Swipe through to find Dad’s perfect table, then make those reservations. 🍽️

06/16/2026

Great food, great company, and a trolley full of local flavor. 🍷✨

Last week’s Bradenton Culinary Tour stopped at Mean Deans Local Kitchen, Cottonmouth southern soul kitchen, Taverna Toscana, and Mattison's Riverwalk for an evening of delicious bites, drinks, and stories from some of our local favorites.

Ready for the next adventure? Join us July 2 as we head to Venice and Nokomis for another unforgettable Culinary Tour. Tickets are limited: squadup.com/events/originals-culinary-tour---nokomisvenice?legacy=0

06/14/2026

For many Sarasota food and wine lovers, Forks & Corks is the event they look forward to all year.

If that's true for you too, we'd be honored to have your nomination for Best Festival!

https://bestof2026.sarasotamagazine.com/

06/13/2026

Another Original’s Culinary Tour in the books! 🍷✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Bradenton Culinary Tour, featuring stops at Mean Deans Local Kitchen, Taverna Toscana, Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, and Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen.

If you missed out, don’t worry—our next Culinary Tour is coming to Venice & Nokomis on July 2. Grab your tickets at the link in bio and join us for the next delicious adventure.

06/12/2026

Calling all food and wine lovers. 🍷✨

Join us Thursday, July 2 for the Sarasota-Manatee Originals Culinary Trolley Tour through Nokomis and Venice.

Hop aboard for an evening of chef-crafted tasting dishes, perfectly paired wines from Torii Mor Wines, and behind-the-scenes stories from the chefs and wine experts who bring each pairing to life.

Stops include:
📍 Cassariano Italian Eatery Venice
📍 Cafe Venice Restaurant & Bar
📍 Fins At Sharky's
📍 Pop's Sunset Grill
📍 Paradise Grill

Your ticket includes five tasting dishes, wine pairings at every stop, trolley transportation, gratuities, and a $20 wine credit to use toward featured wines at the end of the tour.

🎟️ $155 per person
🗓️ Thursday, July 2 | 5:00–8:30 PM

Tickets available at the link: squadup.com/events/originals-culinary-tour---nokomisvenice?legacy=0

The Originals Culinary Trolley Tour Nokomis/Venice Area Featuring Torii Mor Wines Thursday, July 2| 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM Tickets: $155 per person A curated trolley crawl for true food lovers, spotlighting the coolest kitchens and perfectly paired wines across the Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurant...

06/11/2026

🚨 Dining Certificates are on sale now! 🚨

Save 30% while supplies last and enjoy your favorite local restaurants for less:

🍽️ $50.00 → $35.00
🍽️ $25.00 → $17.50
🍽️ $20.00 → $14.00
🍽️ $15.00 → $10.50

These certificates sell quickly, so don't wait to grab yours and support local dining at the same time.

Visit the link to purchase before they're gone!: https://eatlikealocal.com/dining-certificates/

06/10/2026

This morning on Wine Down Wednesday, Executive Chef Marcos Vasquez and General Manager Stephanie Brown from joined the team to share a taste of their Savor Sarasota menu.

Experience Pop’s special Savor Sarasota offerings through June 14 and discover why this waterfront favorite continues to be a local go-to.

🌅 View the menu and plan your visit today at popssunsetgrill.com.

📍 Pop’s Sunset Grill
112 Circuit Rd.
Nokomis, FL 34275

06/06/2026

Big congratulations to Lucky8srq on earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Michelin Guide! 👏

This recognition celebrates restaurants serving exceptional food at a great value, and it's well deserved. From po' boys and gumbo to crawfish bread pudding and étouffée, Lucky 8 has brought a taste of New Orleans to Sarasota and continues to raise the bar for our local dining scene.

We're proud to have Lucky 8 as part of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals family. Congratulations to the entire team on this incredible achievement!