From a fine-dining favorite calling it quits to a downtown sushi spot preparing for a big move, there’s been no shortage of restaurant news around Sarasota and Manatee counties this past month.
August brought several openings, including a steakhouse and seafood spot in a former Applebee’s in Bradenton, a new gastropub in Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place, and a Spanish tapas restaurant in Sarasota’s Southside Village.
Meanwhile, a cheesesteak favorite served its last Amoroso roll — for now — as a new restaurant is already set to take its place on South Tamiami Trail, serving beloved Philly comfort food.
Continue reading for details on all of these August dining developments.
Peppercorns Steak and Seafood opens in former Applebees in Bradenton
A former Applebee’s Grill + Bar at 7175 State Road 70 E., Bradenton recently got a new — and non-chain —replacement when Peppercorns Steak and Seafood opened there. Owner Justin Boudreau, who previously worked as a chef in Boston, said he had a hard time finding a restaurant in his neighborhood where the food was made from scratch but still affordable, where he and his wife could have a dinner without spending a hundred dollars.
Peppercorns’ menu offers “steaks and specialties” such as steak tips, New York sirloin and Kansas City prime rib; seafood such as baked stuffed shrimp, North Atlantic salmon and jumbo lump crab cakes; and surf and turf combos. The menu also includes Black Angus burgers and sandwiches, salads, appetizers, desserts and sides. — Jimmy Geurts
Allswell opens in Lakewood Ranch, Delany’s Public House coming soon
The new gastropub Allswell is now open at 7500 Island Cove Terrace, Unit 102 in Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place. The menu features appetizers such as Buffalo chicken egg rolls, carne asada steak tartare or brisket poutine; tavern favorites including a double-patty smash burger or a beef and mushroom pie; salads, which can be served on their own or with additions such as a smash burger patty; and a variety of entrees including a braised bone-in beef shank that feeds multiple people.
Co-owner Tory Delany told the Herald-Tribune they already have plans for another Lakewood Ranch establishment, too, turning the former McGrath’s space into a traditional Irish restaurant and bar called Delany’s Public House. The new concept, which will also include a general store as some old-world pubs used to have, plans to open in 2026. — JG
Alma de España opens in former Ka Papa Cuisine space in Sarasota
Alma de España, which translates to Soul of Spain and serves Spanish tapas and grill dishes, has opened in Sarasota’s Southside Village at 1830 S. Osprey Ave., Suite 104, in the former space of vegan restaurant Ka Papa Cuisine. Chef/owner Elier Rodriguez is a Cuban native whose resume includes graduating from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta and working at La Côte at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the Michelin-starred Picasso and Le Cirque in Las Vegas, Del Mar and Dolce Vita in Washington, D.C., and Petrossian West Hollywood and Loquita in California.
Current menu offerings include tapas such as gambas al ajillo (prawns with garlic sauce and grilled ciabatta), atun en escabeche (marinated tuna with passion fruit escabeche and ajada chili oil) and pulpo a la gallega (Spanish-style octopus with confit potatoes, aioli, sweet paprika and olive tapenade.) The menu also offers multiple paellas and main courses such as lomo bajo de vaca (New York strip steak with bone marrow, confit potatoes and chimichurri) and branzino a la Donostiarra (pan-seared, Basque-style branzino), as well as charcuterie and desserts. — JG
Acclaimed Sarasota restaurant Adeline closing, to be replaced by more casual spot Mimi
Adeline, the acclaimed fine-dining restaurant in Sarasota’s Southside Village, will close its doors Oct. 4 after telling the Herald-Tribune it endured a “tough summer.” Co-owner/chef Drew Adams, whose inventive New American cuisine drew praise from the Tampa Bay Times, the New York Times, and myself, rebranded the space from Meliora to Adeline in late 2024. But extreme heat, lingering hurricane impacts, fewer international visitors, and the challenges of operating an upscale, special-occasion destination in a seasonal market all contributed to the decision, according to co-owner Edward Zaki.
The good news for diners is the location at 1920 Hillview St. won’t sit empty for long. Zaki — who also owns downtown favorite 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails and the newer Lucky 8 in Southside Village — plans to transform the space into Mimi, a more casual and affordable restaurant and cocktail lounge, opening in November. Expect a speakeasy-style back lounge with couches and chandeliers, plus a front room offering charcuterie, oysters, and shareable comfort-driven dishes. Zaki said Mimi promises will bring an approachable, neighborhood feel while still serving elevated cuisine and cocktails. As for Adams, he has multiple offers but has yet to reveal what he’ll do next. — Wade Tatangelo
Sarasota Philly cheesesteak restaurant Gentile’s closed — Johnny Longhots taking over
Gentile’s Cheesesteaks, one of Sarasota’s top sandwich shops since opening in 2012, has served its last ribeye-stuffed Amoroso roll — at least for now. The family-run spot at 7523 S. Tamiami Trail was started by Philadelphians who brought authentic cheesesteaks south, complete with Philly sports memorabilia on the walls. Co-owner Sam Long and his wife, Erica, took over from his uncle in 2019, keeping the menu nearly identical and pleasing both homesick Philadelphians and local fans. Their cheesesteaks — whether ordered with provolone, peppers and onions or the gooier Cheez Whiz version Sam swore by — became a go-to in Sarasota. Recently, though, the family announced they had “decided to move on from the business,” thanking customers for more than a decade of loyalty.
The good news is the space won’t sit empty for long. The Gentile/Long family also announced that Johnny Longhots and Steaks, a well-known brand with locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, will take over the shop. The incoming owners are tied to a Philly steak meat supplier and promise to keep using the same high-quality ribeye and Amoroso rolls, while adding new items to the menu. Johnny Longhots plans to open Oct. 1, just in time for Eagles season — because a proper cheesesteak tastes even better when the Birds are winning on the big screen. — WT
Tsunami’s downtown Sarasota location moving to Rosemary District, reopening as Hanami
After more than a decade, Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill will move from its current downtown Sarasota location, at 100 Central Ave. Suite 1022, about a quarter-mile away to Sarasota’s Rosemary District at 1525 Fourth St. It will open under the new name Hanami, named after the traditional Japanese celebration of cherry trees. Tsunami’s current location will remain in business during construction but close after Hanami’s opening, which is looking to be around October, said Samuel Ray, who operates the restaurant with Jeffrey Karasawa and Jason Klamson.
The 1525 Fourth St. building has housed several restaurants over the years, including Nancy’s Bar-B-Q, Oasis Restaurant & Bar, Catrinas Tacos & Tequila Bar, Salsas & Boogaloo, Servandos, and Darwin’s on 4th. Tsunami also has a second location in Lakewood Ranch that opened last year. — JG
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 5 Sarasota restaurants opening, 2 closing — plus a popular downtown spot relocating
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo and Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
