Today, Sarasota’s Ritz-Carlton will begin serving Black Angus burgers on the waterfront patio. Casual waterfront dinning will be available Fridays and weekends from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Affordable fare will include the Big Bufford burger with cheddar, bacon, and onion ring and BBQ sauce. Casual dinners will also enjoy checkin sandwiches, hot dogs, cocktails and milkshakes. Dinning at the Ritz for less than $10.00… We’ll see you there.
Archive for the ‘Sarasota Lifestyle’ Category
Urban Reef Sarasota
November 6, 2009Grand opening ceremonies for one of Sarasota’s newest restaurants will be November 12th. The new restaurant, Urban Reef is located at 1888 Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
Ten Million Dollar Home in Sarasota
October 26, 2009Wondering what kind of home you can buy in Sarasota for $10,000,000? If so, you can click here to view a virtual tour a home that was just listed by another Sarasota broker. This waterfront home is located Lido Key’s prestigious Westway Drive.
Broadway Promenade
October 15, 2009
There are so many great deals on vacation homes in Sarasota right now. You can buy a one bedroom in one of downtown’s newest condominiums, Broadway Promenade for only $129,000. This condo just came on the market and has stainless appliances, granite counter tops and all the conveinence of downtown living. Amenities at Broadway Promenade include concierge, pool, fitness center, secured parking and much more. Broadway Promenade has a commercial component with many boutiques and a Publix Grocery Store. This property, listed with another firm is the lowest priced condo at Broadway Promenade. It wont last long so give us a call at 941-650-4626. Click here to view details.
Today Show, Sarasota is Best Place to Buy Real Estate
October 6, 2009The Today Show just aired a segment on Real Estate naming Sarasota as the number one place in the country to buy real estate. Our beautiful beaches were mentioned and Sarasota was described as “a sophisticated city, an urban city with all the things that sophisticated people like to find.” They also stated that the median home price in Sarasota is $175,800 which is own 34% from last year and that there has been a 13% increase in property values since last quarter indicating that the market has bottomed and is increasing again. If you are a sophisticated person, Sarasota is the place for you and now is the time to buy! The market has turned around. Visit www.todayshowsarasota.com to see the video.
Lido Key Restaurant
September 28, 2009
This weekend we enjoyed a very nice dinner atop the Holliday Inn on Lido Key. My lovely wife Opal, our two daughters and a friend all were taken back by the amazing view. I took the picture seen above with my iPhone. The sunset was spectacular. The views are 180 degrees panoramic from north to south. When you go try the macadamia nut encrusted grouper.
Flemmings Restaurant Sarasota
September 23, 2009The other day my wife Opal and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Flemmings Steakhouse. We wanted to thank our client that sent us the gift certificate. I am blessed to have a wife like Opal and also to live,work and play in a town with so many excellent restaurants and things to do. The Sarasota life style is great.
Bill Clinton in Sarasota
September 8, 2009Bill clinton is scheduled to be here in Sarasota on September 30th to speak at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall as part of the Ringling College Library Association Town Hall lecture series. For more information visit, www.rclassociation.org
Regents Place
August 14, 2009
Regents Place is one of the most prestigious locations on Longboat Key if not Sarasota. This section of Longboat Club Road is home to the some of Longboat Keys finest Gulf front estate homes. Longboat Club Road also features some of the areas best beachfront condominiums that boast views of the beaches and the private golf course. Sarasota’s downtown bayfront is also visible from some of the higher floors in these luxury condominiums. These beautiful condominiums located behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club include:
- Sands Point
- The Inn on the Beach
- The Pierre
- L’Ambiance
- Longboat Key Towers
- The Sanctuary
- Regent Place
- Beaches
Sarasota Baseball
July 18, 2009Major League Base Ball Spring Training has been a Sarasota tradition since 1924. Our town has hosted many of base balls best teams. With the Cincinnati Reds heading further south, Sarasota has been in talks with the Baltimore Orioles. Sarasota has been seeking to rebuild Ed Smith Stadium lure the Orioles. The state of Florida has recently agreed to provide a $7.5 million grant to be used to help pay to rebuild Ed Smith Stadium. The new stadium which is expected to cost $31 million. The following is a brief history of Base Ball in Sarasota.
- 1912 The Sarasota Baseball Team was organized to “furnish amusement during the summer months and also to advertise the town by having a good baseball team.” The team’s colors were blue-grey trimmed with red.
- 1923 Payne Park, the original stadium for the city of Sarasota, was built on a portion of 60 acres of land donated by Calvin Payne and his wife, Martha.
- 1924 – 1927 The New York Giants held spring training in Sarasota. John Ringling is credited with scoring the Giants for Sarasota.
- 1933 – 1958 The Boston Red Sox called Payne Park their spring training home (with a four-year hiatus during World War II).
- 1959 The Los Angeles Dodgers used Sarasota’s spring training facilities for one year.
- 1960 – 1997 The Chicago White Sox called Sarasota their spring training home.
- 1989 Ed Smith Stadium was built and named to honor the hard-working, multi-year president of the Sarasota Sports Committee – Ed Smith.
- 1990 Payne Park was demolished in November 1990, after standing for 65 years. History of Sarasota’s Baseball Tradition
- 1998 – Present In 1998, the Cincinnati Reds began their spring training and minor league operations at Ed Smith Stadium.
- 2007 Payne Park reopens on Oct. 6, 2007.
Sarasota Boating
July 15, 2009
Sarasota is a fantastic place to enjoy boating. Sarasota has 36 miles of beaches and numerous inlets and islands to explore. While there are many boat ramps and launch sites throughout the county, serious boaters will want a more permanent home for their vessel. Of course owning a home or condominium directly on the water is the most obvious choice but their are many alternatives including numerous marinas with dry storage, yacht clubs, leased or owned boat slips, dockuminiums or rackuminiums.
The most visible of these is Marina Jack’s which is located at the center of Sarasota’s downtown bay front. This marina offers many amenities and a great location. Prices for boat slips start at $14.50 per foot per month. If you have a boat of at least 35 feet and are looking for resort amenities in addition to a boat slip you should consider the Longboat Key Club Moorings. Boat slips are individually owned a the Moorings but leased slips are available for $20 per foot per month. Their is an additional charge of $100 per months that provide for full use of the amenities of the Longboat Key Club Resort. Yacht Clubs such as the Bird Key Yacth Club and the Sarasota Yacht Club are another alternative which also feature resort amenities. New additions to the boating scene in Sarasota are facilities like the Phillipi Harbor Club which offer dry storage in an enclosed building. These rack spaces are called rackuminiums. Prices start at $50,000.
Here are just a few of the boating facilities here in Sarasota:
- Marina Jack’s 941-955-9488
- Siesta Key Marina 941-349-1970
- Sarabay Marina 941-349-1970
- Bird Key Yacht Club 941-955-2406
- Phillipi Harbor Club 941-925-3214
- Cannons Marina 941-383-1311
- Longboat Key Club Moorings 941-383-8383
- Midnight Pass Marina 941-349-9449
- Sarasota Yacht Club 941-952-9451
Fourth of July
July 4, 2009
This weekend our family celebrated the fourth of July Holidays in the mountains of nort Georgia. Those that celbrated the holiday here in Sarasota had many things to do and enjoy including the Suncoast Off Shore power boat races which are always a major part of the weekend festivities. If you did not see the races you may want to check out the video highlights at: http://www.suncoastoffshore.org/video.php
Tortuga Siesta Key
June 3, 2009
Recently I had the pleasure of spending some time with past clients, Mr. & Mrs. Dabagian. They purchased their beautiful penthouse at Tortuga condominiums on Siesta Key about 11 years ago. They had much to say about their satisfaction with their island home and the Sarasota lifestyle.
Suncoast Off Shore Grand Prix
May 29, 2009This year the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival will celebrates its 25th anniversary. The races held in Sarasota’s one of the longest running race venues in the country. During the last the races and related events have raised over 14 million dollars for the benefit of the mentally and physically handicapped. Proceeds this year will benefit the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped. This year’s festival events will begin June 27 and run thru July 5th. For more information visit www.suncoastoffshore.org
Siesta Beach Ranked 2nd Best in the Nation.
May 26, 2009
Stephen P. Leatherman of the Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research has recently released his annual report of the best beaches. Siesta Key’s Crescent Beach was ranked second only to Hanalei Beach on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. If you prefer your beaches without volcanic activity you might want to check out Siesta Key. A quick Google search of the term “Hanalei Hawaii shark attacks” may also help you choose which beach is your personal favorite.
- Hanalei, Hawaii
- Siesta Beach, Sarasota
- Coopers Beach, Southhampton
- Coronado Beach, San Diego
- Hamoa Beach, Maui
- Main Beach, East Hampton
- Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks
- Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne
- Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod
- Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island
Sarasota Yacht Club
April 30, 2009
The Sarasota Yacht Club is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The original club which opened in 1951 has recently been demolished to make way for a new 27,000 sq foot state of the art facility which is expected to be complete by the end of this year. Amenities will include a new resort style pool with an infinity edge overlooking the bay and shallow lounge areas and cabanas. The new dinning area will seat 550. Plans include upgraded boater amenities and a fitness center. Although larger than the original building the new club will incorporate 15 % more green space and will incorporate the latest green building techniques. The Sarasota Yacht club, founded n 1926 is one of the original 13 members of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs. Membership types include, seasonal summer, seasonal winter, social and full marina.
For more information visit the club’s website at www.sarasotayachtclub.org.
Florida Winefest, Sarasota
April 22, 2009If you are looking for something to do this weekend you might consider taking part in the 19th Annual Florida Winefest & Auction. Activities will include food and wine sampling, an auction dinner and dance, seminars and a brunch on Sunday. Events are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most of the activities will be taking place at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota.
For more information visit:
New Park on Myakka River
April 22, 2009Sarasota County has just purchased land along the Myakka River at Tamiami Trail just above North Port. The new Park will provide boat launches to access the river. The 7.1 acres of land for the park were purchased for $2,000,000. The site was previously slated for condominium development.
Click here to visit the Myakka State Park and learn more about this Sarasota attraction.
Sarasota Pet Friendly Places
April 3, 2009If you love spending time with your dog like we do with our Pug, Zoe you will enjoy some of these places in Sarasota. In the Lakewood Ranch area, you can enjoy outdoor dinning at McAllisters on Main Street. You dog can find that they are the center of attention at Woof Gang Bakery. This bakery located in the Publix shopping center on Market Street in Lakewood Ranch has gone totally to the dogs. If you are visiting the Sarasota area, your dog is welcome at the new Sarasota Airport Holiday Inn. The Sea Star Cafe is another fine restaurant that will cater to your “best friend”. You will find many restaurants along Main Street in Downtown Sarasota and St. Armand’s Circle on Lido Key that offer outside dinning for patrons with dogs. Sarasota also has a dog park on 17th Street. Paw Park in the Greenbrook neighborhood of Lakewood Ranch is a local favorite.
Annual Beachfront Rental on Longboat Key
March 26, 2009
A few weeks ago this condo was the best deal available for purchase on Longboat Key. One of my clients just purchased and closed on this fantastic beachfront condo and now intends to rent it out on an annual basis. This wonderful one bedroom condominium is directly on the beach on Longboat Key at Longboat Harbour Tower. It has amazing views of the beach and the Gulf of Mexico. The view can be seen in the video above. This unfurnished rental has a newly updated kitchen, new carpet and fresh paint. Longboat Harbour Tower has many amenities including a pool. Available April 1st at $1,400 per month. Call 941-650-4626 for more information.
