Hungry? Maybe after this post you will be. Following are a few snapshots from some tasty restaurants I’ve visited in the past month. Each restaurant deserves their own post with elaboration and in due time, they will. For now, enjoy these culinary snapshots from some of my recent journeys. If planning a culinary vacation in Florida, my article on what Florida foods you should enjoy may be of interest.
Closer to the Vine, Wine Bar & Coffee House in Punta Gorda, Fla.
www.closertothevine.com
This tasty little place opened in February 2011 and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. One recent Saturday I enjoyed a lovely turkey, brie and raspberry sauce sandwich with a rockin’ coleslaw and mimosa. I sat outside and enjoyed the lovely Florida breeze. Oh yeah, life is good.
Donut Hole Bakery Cafe in Destin, Fla.
www.yelp.com/biz/donut-hole-bakery-cafe-destin
Red velvet donut with cream cheese frosting. Do I really need to say more? Yeah, I do but you’ll need to be patient. But if visiting Florida’s Panhandle, make the Donut Hole Bakery Cafe a stop. You’ll probably wait in line but it’s worth it. Pictured is an apple fritter, glazed chocolate, glazed blueberry and red velvet.
Michael’s On East in Sarasota, Fla.
www.www.michaelsoneast.com
I typically wouldn’t dine at Michael’s On East because it’s above my budget but I had a gift certificate from Sarasota-Manatee Originals given as a gift for Christmas (thanks Mom!) so it eased the budget. A friend and I dropped by following a Sarasota Film Festival screening. In addition to simply delicious meals, a “hello” from THE Michael (he put the Michael in Michael’s on East) makes dining here extra nice.
