Divas Do Peruvian

The weather is extremely cold for Floridians, but you still have to eat. So the Divas pulled up their collars against the cold and set out for the evening. That is, everyone but Darling Diva who couldn’t be coaxed out from under the covers, even with the promise of a little chocolate or Jack Daniels. Wandering down Beneva Road just north of Clark in one of those non-descript little plazas, we found a very small restaurant. Tucked away and over powered by car repair places, a smoky bar and a tattoo parlor sits Peruvian Grill. The majority of the 7 tables were occupied by their local following… folks anxious to tell us what their favorite dishes are.
Sounded good to us.. we quickly took a seat at the only remaining table.
The walls are decorated with wonderful Peruvian tapestries which brought out reminising stories from Detail Diva about her adventures in South America.
Jessica and her husband/chef Jorge, wearing cheerful chili pepper chef pants, are the proud owners of this tiny establishment and deliver giant tastes. Their son was our server but Jorge would come out of the kitchen in between his chef duties to help explain some of their dishes. Firstly he recommended an Argentinian and Spanish chardonnay which we enjoyed as we sat back to peruse the menu munching on corn kernals with their secret jalapeno dipping sauce. Such delightful decisions to be made! Soon our tastebuds were feasting on hearty Coriander Chicken Soup, a huge house salad with a yummy homemade house dressing, a Peruvian Tamale, and Calamari like no other served with a “relish”… a mixture of red onions, cilantro served ceviche with a tang of lime. The crisp lightly breaded calamari and bits of yucca were one of our favorites. How could the main meals be any better? Oh, just you wait Divas! The Pollo Saltado { chicken } and The Lomo Saltado, { strips of beef } both with sauteed onions, tomatoes, and sides of rice and plantains made our mouths water. Visiting International Diva had an incredible dish of Mahi Mahi and shrimp served with plantains and potatoes. A feast for two, yet somehow she managed to finish it all, much to our surprise. Aren’t you envious of those people who are sooo thin yet they eat everything in sight? Anyway……We also were thrilled with the Churraaco a la Parrilla, grilled beef sirloin in chimichurri sauce oh my ! Needless to say we enjoyed everything…
The food is full of yummy flavor and well priced. The restaurant is intimate and friendly.
Divalicious!

Peruvian Grill, 5769 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 941-923-8902Open from 11:30 to 9:00

If you are 4 or more during the peak dinner hours we advise you to call ahead.

And their second location, El Warike, 4226 26th St, W Bradenton, FL 34205 941-755-4222

Read more...

Divas do Sushi

Last minute decisions led the Divas to make a quick choice. We were driving our
separate vehicles, having come from a hectic day of appointments, showings, and inspections. Ravished, thirsty and in need of delicious, healthy cuisine, Brilliant Diva's light bulb lit and we convened at.....KAZU'S SUSHI & ASIAN BISTRO.

A small intimate bistro it is, all of the tables were filled. We took this as a positive omen as we perused the menu. The prices fit our criteria, the choices were divine. Worlds collided again....all at this gem on Siesta Drive. 'Bistro' is not just defined as a French restaurant; 'tapas' can be served in an Asian fare, sushi by the names of Hemingway, Philly, Siesta, John Lennon, and Dynamite.
Well, dynOmite, yes it is. This is an Asian Restaurant with an edge.

The edge comes by way of the owners, husband and wife, Kazu and Akiko, chef, musician, world travelers, and parents to daughter Ellie. Kazu attended Berklee College of Music, studying jazz piano. This led him to performing at the Summerhouse Restaurant and the Gator Club to name a few. Akiko went into the travel agency business after graduating from college in Japan. A stint as the head sushi chef at Pacific Rim for Kazu and the foresightedness of Akiko led them to open Kazu's Bistro.

Our order to go was a wide assortment, you cannot go wrong. 'The Bento Box' is a vision and a treat for your palate. The sushi is the best in town. The Miso Soup will more than satisfy and keep you healthy at the same time. Read all about the power of shitake mushrooms, buckwheat soba noodles and tofu on Kazu's web site

We convened at Detail Diva's home. A wonderful oasis that has been the focus of previous Diva blogs. Wine was poured, toasts were given, divas divulged with each tasty morsel.

The Divas would love to have feedback on your experience at Kazu's.

Kazu's Sushi & Asian Bistro
2063 Siesta Dr., Sarasota, FL. 34239
Across from South Gate Mall, next to the post office in the Southgate Plaza
Call your order: 941.951.7778
Fax your order: 941.951.7783

Read more...

Divas visit Walts

Seafood seemed to be on everyone’s mind as we headed down Tamiami Trail when a huge fish caught our eye. Why not! We’ve passed it so often and never stopped in to explore. That was definitely our loss! Walt’s Fish Market has been around for over 60 years, starting as a little market on Whitaker Bayou for the Wallin family to sell what they had caught that day. Customers began asking for fried fish sandwiches and a restaurant was in the making! Their current location is a down home place divided into two sections – the store and the restaurant – and their slogan “The fish we sell today, slept in the bay last night” prominently hanging overhead. We liked the friendliness of the place immediately. It’s extremely casual, well lit (much to the dismay of Detail Diva) and a very knowledgeable staff. We perused around the store checking out interesting spices and sauces and the wonderful deli counter with fresh fish. This is definitely a place to consider when you’re looking for the freshest fish around!

They serve beer and wine, thank goodness, so the Divas set about trying to make up their mind. Fortunately the selection is not large so we weren’t overwhelmed by too many choices. A variety of white wines for everyone and we were ready to review the menu. What choices! Twenty different appetizers, a few delicious sounding soups, green salads and seafood salads, sandwiches and dinners. Our mouths were watering as we scanned the menu. We decided on Broiled Amberjack with new potatoes and corn on the cob, Seafood Scampi – shrimp, flounder and scallops broiled in garlic and white wine, and Red Snapper filet. While we waited for dinner we sampled a wonderful clam chowder soup, crab cake, smoked mullet and shrimp cocktail. So many fishy delights! The dinners were served promptly and we dug in. All dinners had generous portions but we did our best to follow our mothers’ orders and eat everything on our plates. The food was simple, tasty, very good, and the cost was under $20 apiece! Stop by and check out this Sarasota institution! Divas appreciate your comments!

Walt’s Fish Market
4144 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34242 941-921-4605

Read more...

Indian Cuisine to Go-Go

Tandoor, advertised as “Fine Indian Cuisine”, was fine with us. The Divas consulted and a 'to go' order was got. Adventure Diva, always the one to delve into the unknown with far reaching cuisine in keeping with her exploratory lifestyle, did us the honor of choosing our menu for the evening. We knew we were in good hands with her, intrepid, saucy girl that she is, which brings to mind those flavorful sauces!

Detail Diva volunteered her home for the evening. We knew another treat was in for us! Our Detail Diva is much more than mere details with her history of being in the film and rock & roll business, this is a home that rocks. A compound in the Payne Park neighborhood, very edgy, What lies within and behind these Florida houses of hers? Our senses were piqued! The aroma of the food, the art on the walls, the 50's booth with it's very own table top juke box. The Divas were in for an orgasmic evening, the unscrewing of corks, the sounds of Styrofoam parting, the great tunes enveloping. Is there anything better than mouth watering cuisine and great real estate? I'll have to consult our Darling Diva on that, she with a history of breaking hearts and healing souls (stories to be told at a later time).

'Tandoor', the definition: an igloo-shaped clay oven which originated in Afghanistan and was brought to India by Mughai rulers. The food is impaled on long skewers and is gently, slowly lowered into the tandoor after marinating in juicy roseate spice mixtures. A very savory method of cooking for our pleasure. The Divas thank the Mughai rulers.

Things were heating up and the delectables were served. Papadom, wonderful thin bean wafers made in India, a taste like no other. Sighs of delight were heard. The Tandoor Special Appetizer consisting
of vegetable and meat somosa and mix pakora, loved by all. The Chicken Tikka Masals, white meaty chunks of chicken, slowly roasted in the hard clay oven and then tenderly folded in a ripe tomato sauce with finely chopped green peppers and onions. The Lamb Saag, lamb cooked with the freshest spinach, spices and the loved curry sauce. Veggie Diva especially enjoyed the Navratan Shahi Korma, mixed veggies cooked with almonds, cashew paste and raisons in a creamy korma sauce. All of this
enjoyed with their Garlic Naan, a very light bread made with fresh garlic and coriander.
The Divas were satiated for the time but knew they would be back for more.

The evening carried on in the moonlit night with exotic plants surrounding us as we made our way through the winding paths to an opening, an oasis. We gathered at the thatched roofed tiki bar, thoughts of Mughai rulers filled our heads as the Indians had provided us with shelter.
Multiple worlds can collide is such wonderful ways.

Tandoor Indian Restaurant 3400 Clark Rd. 926-3077

Read more...

Marina Jack's Deep Six

Deep Six Dinner Lounge - you may wonder where that is, and you may already have been there and decided that you have done that, but it bears going again. The Deep Six is the Marina Jack piano bar and restaurant where the famous Rock has entertained Sarasotans for decades, or perhaps a decade? By way of the grapevine we heard it was his birthday. Diva’s love birthdays, especially when it is someone else’s.

That evening Daring Diva (you can always count on her), Sketchy Diva and our Vivacious Diva better known as Detail Diva, were joined by none other than Radio SRQ Maddy, Political Patricia and “Right Arm” Mr Frey! As always, please blog us with any questions you may have, we would love to fill in the blanks.

Our menu choices of the evening were several flatbreads which are served on an individual wooden board. These are great for shared appetizers or a single entree. We tried the Spinach Portobella, which we would definitely order again and the Spicy South of the Border Flatbread. An order of Asian Potstickers were served and quickly disappeared. Divas stayed under budget and a tad hungry by design. Daring Diva was off the next day on a whitewater rafting trip and I had a wedding to attend. Excess calories did not weigh us down that night.

The cunundrum, how can one incorporate live piano music, the outdoor waterfront view and the indoor menu? You can’t. Divas want it all.

Visit Marina Jack, one of Sarasota’s few Waterfront Restaurants on the Bay at 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236

941.365.4232 www.marinajacks.com

Read more...

Divas do Dylan's Fondue

We decided on Dylan’s Fondue Fusion, a new spot on The Trail hidden in the plaza behind Chili’s.

Deep red walls, mood lighting…
A hot plate for one fondue pot on every table for four, doubles for tables of 8 or more.
We were a little overwhelmed with all of the decisions to be made. There were so many different choices and combinations on the menu. It seems Fondue is more complicated than cheese, bread, oil, veggies and meat. After all this is “fondue fusion” so pay attention.
Ok, so this is how it works…..
Each dinner comes with a Cheese fondue to start as appetizers{ there are 4 cheese choices }, a salad { there are five }, the choices of 8 different entrees, six extremely different broths or oils which they call cooking styles and too many to count dipping sauces.. Whew…
We were at a one pot table so we really could only choose one cooking style, which, of course, brought forth a diva dilemma…..
How do we cook the vegetables in our pot along with the seafood or meat without insulting our Vegetarian Diva…. Well we figured that one out for ourselves…. we ordered the seafood assortment and cooked the veggies first, then the seafood.
There are also Entrees for two that offer wonderful combinations like a surf and turf or their Pacific Platter that includes duck, pork, shrimp, chicken sirloin and potstickers for example. A wonderful and fun dining experience. You are guaranteed not to go home hungry!


Dylan’s Fondue Fusion, 4141 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
941-926-1289

Read more...

What’s Cooking at Megaera’s

“What’s Cooking at Megaera’s?”, a private dinner club, that you too can have the pleasure of enjoying! Megaera is the chef premier and the dining experience is intimate, mood enhancing and filled with tantalizing vegetarian tastes. All divas were present and the seating allows for seven. We opened the invitations to a few of our friends: the one and only Matt; renown foodie and great person to dine with, Ms. Judi; and our scoundrel/poet/intellectual, Andrew. We do love a party.
Our menu for the evening was Middle Eastern Cuisine. We entered this private, centrally located home to the sounds of music from Istanbul, via internet radio, a stroke of genius Megaera. The focal point as you walk into this spacious, open home is the large, dark, wooden rectangular table overlooking a wall of glass, which separates the dining area from the plant filled patio. We nibbled on appetizers of olives, feta and pita, while pouring the wine and espousing the virtues and vices of diets, our defeats and our triumphs. Analogies were made and books were quoted. The conversation was quieted, the dishes passed. Red Lentil soup flavored with Baharat (an Arabic spice mix from Oman) was ladled in our bowls, and dinner was served. Our plates filled with Eggplant Pilaf, a Turkish rice dish with eggplant, tomatoes, mint and parsley. Our vegetable was Green Beans, sautéed with fresh tomatoes and mint. A simple and tantalizing salad of Romaine and Watercress was lightly dressed with a Persian sweet & sour mint syrup. The Red Lentil mixed so well with our rice, add to that a bit of yogurt with the infusion of spices, as our Daring Diva said, “It’s textual”. Desert was served, an Orange/Rosewater Sherbet, Megaera’s recipe of Turkish Water Ice. It smelled so good that I was tempted to use it as a perfume. Better yet the ending to our meal was aromatic, and sweet The perfect finish to a meal that touched all of our senses!
Another whiff of the Black Cardamom please…….
Thank you Megaera!

Megaera can be reached at 941.953.5296

Read more...