the 941

I know that Florida, particularly the Suncoast, doesn’t really count as being part of the South, but that’s no reason to neglect a vibrant cuisine that our rural neighbors have been downing for centuries. Lately, there’s been a national trend towards upscaled versions of this downhome food — organic, free-range chickens fried up and served with elegant gravy alongside some ritzy Hoppin’ John. That’s fine, as long as there’s also a down and dirty joint around the corner to satisfy a low-end craving for greens and pig’s feet in potlikker.

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All the rage in bigger urban markets, gastropubs are the independent restaurateur’s answer to chain joints like Chili’s and Applebee’s. Start with a bar that serves good beer and wine, add an innovative and competent chef, and keep prices firmly in the mid-range. The result is exceptional food based on classic dishes that most folks can afford on a regular basis, with a couple of pints to wash it down.

(Photo from The Spotted Pig.)

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I’ve gone on record saying that Sarasota is a much better dining town than any of our neighbors, due in large part to the quality of our fine-dining chefs. Still, even accomplished modern American cuisine gets a tad boring after a while.

Here’s a prescription for how the Suncoast dining scene can up the ante. Some are new restaurant concepts; some are ingredients that could get more play in established joints. If we can cross even a few of these off the list before 2010, we’ll all be eating better.

1. Chinese

If you’ve lived your whole life in Sarasota, you probably never realized that Chinese food is more than greasy take-out and flash-fried frozen eggrolls. You’re missing out. Just up the road in Tampa are two traditional Chinese joints (Yummy House and China Yuan) that serve fare based on rich regional cuisines developed over millennia. Salt and pepper tofu, steamy hot pots loaded with seafood and fermented black bean sauce, racks of barbecued pork and duck, tender steamed dumplings filled with shrimp and pork, and so much more. Not a General Tsu to be found.

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Let’s face it: When most other major publications look back at the end of the year and try to wrap up all that happened, they settle, and only bring you the Top 10. But one news outlet has the adamantium sack to turn its year-end best-of list all the way up. To 11.

That’s right. Creative Loafing Sarasota, in a fit of Spinal Tap-inspired glory, will begin rolling out its 2008 year-capper today, and the rawk will not stop till 2009 is here. Check back like clockwork for daily updates in our ongoing lists: Events Editor/Staff Writer Tim Sukits tells us the 11 stories he wants to cover for CL in the New Year. Food Editor Brian Ries gives restaurant entrepreneurs 11 golden ideas on what the Suncoast dining scene needs. Ex-Events Editor/Arts Writer Amanda Schurr chimes in with her rundown of the best the arts scene served up in 2008, and Music Critic Wade Tatangelo let’s us know the 11 discs that rocked his socks off this year.

Let’s face it, people: Ten is for wimps and commies.

The pertinent Spinal Tap clip:

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We teased you about CL’s debauched evening at Canvas Café yesterday; now comes the harsh light of photographic evidence. All credit goes to Account Executive Petra Gurin, who snapped away all night long. Check out the CL staff celebrating another year in the game here on the Suncoast. Our first contestant…

Publisher Nadiene Raia: ”Let’s go around the table and everyone say why we love CL.”

Much more after the jump…

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We’re moving a bit slowly here at Creative Loafing this morning. Why? Last night, the office held its annual bacchanalia of a holiday party at Canvas Café. The normally elegant and subdued restaurant was raucous to say the least. (Some might use the term “eardrum-piercing.”)

We’ll have a full photo reckoning of the night up on the blog later in the day, but in the meantime, check out the menu we got treated to by Chef Stephen Phelps and Sous Chef Doug Vogel last night. That might go some ways toward explaining why this is only the second post of the morning here on The 941. Pay special attention to the “Beverages” section. (We sure did.)

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“Mom, did you order cigarette butts on the pizza again?”

I delivered food for a few years and all I can say about this video is — I feel for the driver. Yep, the driver. And damn, he had an epically speedy recovery. Watch it after the break: (more…)

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Sure, it’s likely a marketing ploy, but at least the fine people at Burger King actually produced some of the stuff for release. Burger King Flame — the King’s own body spray — is available for $3.99 from Ricky’s, a New York based Halloween and novelty retailer. It might be worth it, if you’re a fan of the Whopper: “Behold the scent of satisfaction, with a hint of flame-broiled meat.” Then again, you could just get a job at a BK and smell like greasy meat for free.

Just don’t wear it to the slaughterhouse, unless you’re cruel. Or my house, for that matter.

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By Katie Machol

The rice cooker was a lifesaver when making sushi in culinary school (and that’s about the only time we were allowed to use a household appliance). I found it to be useful because cooking rice perfectly on the stove is not as easy as one would think (and I’m not talking about the boil-in-bag kind). Outside of class, those cookers are convenient if you eat rice frequently, but never suited my personal cooking needs, or piqued my interest. Until I was shown the way, at least.

I was scrolling through my Google feed — packed with various food blog posts — and stumbled upon an article about rice cookers from the New York Times. What’s this?! Not only can it cook perfect rice, but it can steam, bake, saute, braise, simmer, poach and more? (more…)

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The numbers on diabetes in America are pretty astounding: More than 24 million citizens suffer from it, and nearly 57 million are at risk. It was those statistics that convinced Andy Mandell — that’s Mr. Diabetes® to you, stranger — to spend nearly a decade walking the entire perimeter of the U.S. raising awareness. Yep, the entire perimeter, all 10,000 miles of it. This Sunday, Mandell makes a stop at the first ever Florida Orange Festival, which benefits the Defeat Diabetes Foundation and features live music and health screenings. Don’t wait till the weekend to get involved, though. Visit the event’s website today and submit an entry in the orange recipe contest. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14, PAL Sailor Circus, 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, $3 per person or $10 for a family of five, 362-7632 or popsextras.org.

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