Eat & Drink: Tasteful Tidings

By Rick Dakan

The holiday eating season is upon us! Family get togethers, office parties, celebrations, vacations, and gift giving are all improved by some delicious delicacies. Whether you’re throwing your own shindig, need to find something to bring to the party, or want to please the person who’s already got everything they want, food and wine make perfect gifts for all occasions. I’ve assembled a guide to some of the best local shops for unique and memorable treats.

Morton’s Market
1924 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239
941.955.9856

For one-stop shopping that can’t go wrong, I always turn first to Morton’s Market for gift baskets. This vital Sarasota institution has got the basket business down to an art, with the market’s vast array of gourmet foods and wines available for mixing and matching. There are over two dozen different pre-selected­—but made to order—gift arrangements, and with multiple sizes for most of them, there’s an option for every budget and occasion. The Sarasota Treasure Box is a great way to shop and give locally. The Craft Brewers Delight is a perfect option for the beer aficionado, and the big Hors d’Oeuvres basket will make you the favorite guest at any party. For those who love to cook, Morton’s also offers steak, filet, salmon, and tuna baskets with all the ingredients and perfect accompanying wines to make your own gourmet feast at home. Comes in two sizes: dinner for 2 and dinner for 4.

Noela Chocolate
1405 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
941.284.2671

The stunning candies from Noela Chocolate are almost too beautiful to eat. But you should definitely eat them, because they’re even more delicious than they look. Owned by Shane and Ande Grant, they use all-natural ingredients, with no corn syrup or artificial flavorings. Made in Cape Coral, we’re lucky enough to have the only other retail location. The elegant 1st Street shop offers a wide variety of gift boxes that make the perfect present or a glorious dessert display for your holiday party.

La Cave de Sylvie
2105 Reynolds Street, Sarasota, FL 34231
941.922.8583

I fell in love Sylvie Routier’s charming boutique wine shop when I wrote about it earlier this year. With a very select set of wines, all organic and single estate from Italy and France, there’s no other shop in Sarasota that offers the specialties Sylvie does. The wonderful, very affordable Domaine Rosier Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine is now my favorite, go-to for champagne-style wine. There’s no better choice for your New Year’s bash, and only Sylvie has it.  A great option for gift certificates too, when you want to spread the word about this hidden gem of a wine shop.

Artisan Cheese Company
550 Central Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
941.951.7860

One of the first shops I wrote about for this column, Louise Converse’s Artisan Cheese Company, with a unique selection of cheeses, remains a special treasure in Sarasota’s culinary scene. Now relocated into their fancy new Rosemary Square location, a subscription to their Cheese Club is a great gift for the dairy aficionados in your life. Club members receive three artisan cheeses each month, delivered to their home. Or let them prepare one of their expansive cheese boards for a holiday get together.

Paisano’s Italian Bakery
2732 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231
941.926.8422

Another Sarasota institution with a much-deserved reputation, Paisano’s does everything well, but I find their cakes to be just about perfect. Also, those lobster tails with the cream filling hit my sweet tooth every time. Whether you’re looking for a platter of Italian pastries and cookies for your holiday soiree or want a special cake for a special occasion, they’ve got you covered.

Find more of Rick’s recommendations here.