A Diva Touchdown

Sports, value and southern cooking attracted the Divas to Lee Roy Selmon’s – a sports restaurant with deep-rooted southern recipes, many from Lee Roy’s mother.
Lee Roy, youngest of 9, lived on a farm in Oklahoma appreciating home cooking and fresh ingredients they gathered directly from the land. Lee Roy, a #1 draft pick, spent his 10-year professional sports career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after which they retired his #63 jersey. (Note ‘63’ next to the family recipes – took Divas a while to figure that one out!). He was inducted into both the College and NFL Hall of Fames. The restaurant slogan, “Play hard. Eat Well. And don’t forget to share” reflects Lee Roy – the athlete, restaurateur, family man and community leader.
There was a wait for tables the night we were there, but the veranda seating was a great place to hang out and sample some ‘Play List’ drink specialties.
On the Divas lineup was:
#1: Smokin’ Tampa Tea (yeah, it really smokes!)
#2: Patron Lemonade – a smooth combination with Patron Silver Tequila, Citronge and fresh squeezed lemonade
#3: Passion Fruit Martini
#4: Classic Mojito
#5: Selmon’s Bloody Mary made with their secret infused vodka and served with a lazy susan of garnishes: horseradish, Worcestershire, celery salt and 3 different hot sauces. Almost a meal on its own.
#6: For Designated Driver Diva – fresh squeezed lemonade. And when they say fresh, they mean fresh!
Before we could finish the lineup, we were seated. Don’t be misled – this is NOT a sports bar. It feels more like a steakhouse but with most entrees under $15. The restaurant is split into two sections – restaurant seating and the lounge with high top tables. The lighting was complimentary and there were 19 non intrusive televisions. Sporty Divas could enjoy sporting events and Yakky Divas could converse. Sporty Divas thought this was definitely a great place for NCAA action.
After browsing the menu we were delightfully surprised to see that it fit into the Diva budgets quite well. Our wonderful server, Coach Graham, explained that Lee Roy & Company had cut prices, but not portions and quality, in consideration of today’s economy (many dinner entries are $9.99). We were really hungry, so…. get ready…. and don’t be shocked by our unDiva-like appetites.......We ordered: the Hall of Fame Ribs, (63)Fried Green Tomatoes kicked up with their garlic horseradish aioli sauce (divalicious!), Smokin’ Quesadillas with pulled pork drizzled with BBQ sauce and a side of BBQ sour cream and fresh salsa, Kickin’ Queso served with warm tortilla chips (OMG – chorizo sausage, sautéed with fresh bell peppers, jalapenos blended in a creamy cheese sauce, served with warm chips – very unDiva like), (63)Selmon Brothers Wings – marinated and slow cooked and grilled, not fried and served with their spicy Oklahoma Sauce, chips and guacamole, (63) Mama Selmon’s Cajun Gumbo, (63)Mama’s Meatloaf with decadent smashed potatoes and a mushroom herbed gravy, Idaho Rainbow Trout, (63)SweetHeat Fried Chicken Sandwich. All BBQ entrees come with Lee Roy’s 4 Signature Sauces – Tangy, Spicy, Zesty and Thick. On the sidelines we had cheese and bacon grits, greens medley, home style baked beans, and corn bread casserole. WOW.....This was southern soul satisfying comfort food at its best!
Coach Graham was awesome and when it came time to ordering dessert, he suggested one of each. And why not, we had gone this far. Let’s do it for the home team! …. Georgia Peach Cobbler with vanilla ice cream, (63)Selmon’s Bread Pudding, Melt in Ya’ Mouth Pecan Pie, and Chocolate Rush – 5 decadent layers of chocolate cake with mousse filling and fudge icing. OMG! If your favorite team is playing (and even if they’re not) and you’re looking for real value, this is the place to head!

The night was a Touchdown!

Lee Roy Selmon’s Restaurant, 8253 Cooper Creek Blvd, Sarasota 941-360-3287And also located at 6510 Cortez Road, Bradenton 941- 798-3287

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Divas Do Raw

We must start off by saying that, Rebel Divas that we are, the idea of Raw food did not appeal to us. Doubting Diva had been trying to avoid visiting our dear friend Jenna Norwood’s restaurant Vibe Cuisine (formerly Veggie Magic) since it opened a year ago. As well as a restaureaur Jenna’s known as Sarasota’s passionate raw food guru and documentary video producer Supercharge Me– 30 Days Raw.
Finally, the day had come. We were locked in. Off to the southeast corner of Bee Ridge and McIntosh, located deep in the corner of the plaza is Vibe Cuisine (Veggie Magic). It’s ironic that when explaining how to find her place, Jenna says, “we’re just behind Firehouse Subs”. Now, you know where it is – but you won’t find any heat in her kitchen!
Raw, by definition is: natural, uncultivated, uncooked, or unrefined state: not having undergone a process of manufacturing ....No problem..it was lunch.....
Vibe was hopping with regulars knowing exactly what to order the day we were there. It is a destination for them… The space is fresh and airy with citron green curtains that close you off from the outside world… leaving your senses open for what’s to come. There are cozy couches, regular seating, lots of informative materials to read on the walls….but the most impressive feature is the open kitchen where the food magicians are busy at work.
Vibe Cuisine is certified green. The water they serve is reverse osmosis, they compost….of course, their take out containers are bamboo and the utensils are potato starch all biodegradable. And did we mention kosher? This is the only Rabbi certified Kosher Kitchen within 60 miles.
We started our adventure with a Chocolate Goji Love Smoothie. A mix of young Thai coconut meat and water, raw cacao powder, dates, hemp seeds and goji berries. Full of antioxidants, protein and electrolytes. As we were warming up to the idea of eating raw (gulp!), we noticed the menu teased us with the names of some of our favorite dishes like pizza, pasta, cheeseburgers, fried rice, brownies, apple pie????? Say what ??? However, this is deceptive. No glutens here and all foods will lower your cholesterol. So get that greasy cheeseburger out of your head. Their version of the all American double cheeseburger stack with all the condiments you’d expect was surprisingly delicious. No meat. No cheese. No bread. Veggie patties, thinly sliced, with all the raw burger toppings. You must eat it to believe it. Even Doubting Diva enjoyed it. There was no stopping us! We also enjoyed the Mama Mia Pasta. Wheat free! Raw zucchini pasta dressed with a warming garlic and herb creamy sauce with sun dried tomatoes, red onions sprinkled with pine nut ‘parmesan’. And… Pizza! Did someone say pizza?!! Not what you would expect, but fabulous just the same. And oh! Those sun dried tomatoes! Delicous. As a side we had the Chinese ‘Fried Rice’ that is actually cauliflower, celery, red onions, carrots, ginger, garlic, tamari and sesame oil. Looked and tasted a lot like CFR.
We finished off our meal with three sweet treats – Apple Pie, Black and White Brownies and White Chocolate Blueberry Bars. Delightfully scrumpdilicious.
There are so many ingredients that go into all of these flavorful dishes we just simply can’t do them justice. You must experience then for yourself. Tell them Doubting Diva sent you!
Speaking of, just guess who purchased the Delicious Dish Meal Program? Doubting Diva herself! After speaking to Mike, the in house manager, and discovering that he had lost 140 pounds in less than a year, she was encouraged (surely I can lose that 10!) 6 meals – 6 days – for $105. (Other programs available) All meals include a side and a salad. They’re available for delivery or pick up. She’s hoping to reach her ultimate health and wellness in the purest and most delicious way. Yikes! We won’t recognize her!
Eat in, Take out, call for delivery, mini market, Check it out!

Vibe cuisine {previously known as Veggie Magic} 4428 Bee Ridge Rd. 377-6209
Also at the downtown farmer’s market every Saturday
www.vibecuisine.com

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