April 29, 2014
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Sarasota-Manatee Originals Restaurants Win 12 Sarasota Magazine’s “Best Of 2014” Awards
Nine Sarasota-Manatee Original member restaurants are selected as winners of 12 awards. An additional 10 restaurants were selected as finalists.
(Sarasota, FL) Sixteen members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals (SMO), a trade organization comprised of more than 50 locally owned, independent restaurants, were honored as winners and finalists in Sarasota Magazine’s “Best of 2014” Editors Pick and Readers Choice awards. In all, Originals’ members were recognized as winners or finalists in 18 categories.
Derek’s Rustic Coastal Cuisine (Best New Cuisine) and Soma Creek Side (Best New Reason to Love Chef Shiplett) were selected as “Editors Picks” winners.
Readers Choice winners included: Caragiulo’s, Best Italian Restaurant; mi Pueblo, Best Mexican Restaurant; Pacific Rim, Best Sushi Restaurant; Sharky’s On The Pier, Best Venice Restaurant; Pier 22 Restaurant, Best Manatee County Restaurant; Ophelia’s On The Bay, Best Romantic Restaurant and Best Waterfront Restaurant; and Michael’s On East, Best Restaurant for Steak (Non-Chain), Best Restaurant Wine List, and Best Caterer.
Finalists include: Pacific Rim, Best Japanese Restaurant; Café L’Europe, Best French Restaurant; Primo! Ristorante, Best Italian Restaurant; Crow’s Nest, Best Venice Restaurant; Ortygia, Best Manatee County Restaurant; Pacific Rim, Best Thai Restaurant; Euphemia Haye and Michael’s on East, Best Special Occasion Restaurants; Café L’Europe and Duval’s New World Café, Best Dessert; and The Bijou Café, Best Happy Hour Menu.
“Sarasota Magazine’s discriminating readers and editors selected their favorite restaurants and we’re thrilled that Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants won the lion’s share of the awards,” says Kate Atkin, SMO’s executive director. “Our region is filled with connoisseurs who support the art of fine cuisine and dining and they recognize the creativity that emerges from our locally owned restaurants. Our inventive chefs and restaurateurs are true originals in every sense. They help give our region its flavor, both literally and metaphorically.” For more information, call 365-2800 or visit www.dineoriginal.com.
About the Sarasota-Manatee Originals
The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a not-for-profit trade organization founded in 2003. Together, more than 50 locally-owned, independent restaurants throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties work collaboratively to celebrate and promote the creative cuisine of the region, from unique quick service eateries and waterfront family restaurants to award-winning fine dining establishments. Passionate member restaurateurs work together to produce community events, optimize cooperative marketing efforts and develop synergistic partnerships among members as they focus on preserving the culinary heritage of the region. With more Florida Trend and Zagat top-scoring restaurants within a 20-mile radius of downtown Sarasota than any other area in the Florida, the Sarasota-Manatee Originals is dedicated to sharing the area’s vibrant culinary scene with the world. For more information, call 365-2800 or visit www.dineoriginal.com.
