Sarasota: Sophistication and Beauty
A question we are often
asked is, "With all the choices available, why did you settle in Sarasota,
Florida?"
Our answer is that everyone
has his or her own priorities, but for us, lifestyle is all-important.
We define lifestyle as an invigorating combination of people, events, places
and landscape. This is a combination which leaves one in daily contact
with beauty in all aspects of daily life. The Paris newspaper France-Soir,
captivated by the sophistication and beauty, called it "petit ville charmante."
Sarasota has managed
to acquire amenities of a big city without relinquishing its small town
atmosphere.
The natural beauty of
the place is the equal of any city we've ever visited. When the drawbridge
to St. Armands and Longboat Key opens and people are forced to sit still
for 5 minutes, we can all rejoice in our good fortune. Just roll the windows
down, breath deeply, gaze out at the sensuous beauty of Sarasota Bay and
wonder how lucky can one person get.
One is never far from
the sight of the azure blue water in Sarasota. The town spreads in graceful
arcs around serene Sarasota Bay, separated from the Gulf of Mexico by a
string of palm-fringed, sparkling barrier islands -- Anna Maria Island,
Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key and Casey Key. With 150 miles of waterfront
and 35 miles of sandy beaches as well as inlets, shallows and mangrove
swamps, Sarasota's wonderfully varied topography offers a multitude of
possibilities for boaters, swimmers, fisherman, snorklers, naturalists,
sandcastle builders, or those just desiring to relax in the sun.
Nothing beats a day
out fishing with great friends and the terrific abundance and challenge
of going after the big ones in the Gulf ( big is in the eye of the beholder,
or never trust a fisherman).
For the less adventurous,
the water offers great sailing and boating. The bay is very large and protected
water can be found all the way from Tampa to Captiva. A series of protected
anchorages allow for leisurely al fresco lunches on board, or for those
so inclined a visit to the scores of restaurants accessible by boat.
While discussing the
outdoors, and Sarasota is a community dedicated to outdoor living, sports
of all types are available. We like to participate, but for those who like
to watch, we have an array of choices. Choices range from the soon-to-be
NFL champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spring training with the Cincinnati
Reds, minor league baseball all summer, to polo and offshore speed boat
racing on the Fourth of July.
We love to stroll downtown.
Downtown is easily walkable and chocked full of a variety of interesting
sights and tastes. Many new art galleries have opened as part of downtown's
Renaissance. Most are sprinkled along a few blocks of Main Street and Palm
Avenue. In addition to its many excellent art galleries, Sarasota has an
enticing array of antique stores. The most beautifully appointed is Apple
and Carpenter Galleries on Palm Avenue.
Downtown is also the
repertory theatre district. Within walking distance of one another is the
Florida Studio Theatre, Golden Apple dinner theatre, Cabaret Club, and
Theatre works. We particularly enjoy the Florida Studio theatre which develops
original works. It occupies a restored house circa 1913 that is designated
a historical landmark.
The centerpiece of Sarasota's
arts district is the Opera House, with its Italian Renaissance design belonging
to the Ringling era.
The building began its
life here in Sarasota in 1926 as the A. B. Edwards Theatre. Will Rogers,
W. C. Fields, and the Ziegfeld Follies once played there, but eventually
the old vaudeville house went to seed. The Opera Association acquired it
and in 1982 embarked on a decade of restoration.
It is only a short walk
to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, know locally as the "purple palace"
(now under renovation). The seashell configured building fronts onto Sarasota
Bay. At the Van Wezel one might see Itzak Perlman, the Bolshoi Ballet,
or Dave Brubeck.
Sarasota is the center
of the performing arts. Every February and March, our opera company stages
four productions, with this year's programs featuring "May Night," an early,
little-known folkloric piece by Rimsky-Korsakov.
Astonishing for a city
of only 50,000 or so, we also support a 40-year-old Equity company at the
Asolo Theater. Its current eight-month season includes new plays by Jane
Martin and Richard Greenberg, as well as four one-act comedies by Shaw.
Each June, Sarasota
stages a well-regarded chamber music festival, and all year long the Van
Wezel presents an almost nightly parade of visiting musicians. Recent calls
have included the Boston Pops, the Berlin Radio Symphony and the Moscow
Philharmonic.
Visit our Cultural Guide
by clicking HERE.
Man does not live by
arts alone, so never fear -- some of Sarasota's (and perhaps immodestly
America's) finest restaurants can be found while strolling downtown. One
of our personal favorites is the Bijou Café on First Street, a stylish
little bistro across from the Opera House.
The owner-chef, Jean-Pierre
Knaggs, is always on hand. Do save room for the desserts.
Another favorite is
just across the street, Monroe's. Rick and Susann Monroe have brought a
fresh approach to town. The restaurant reminds us of a small Greenwich
Village pub or small London bistro. Upstairs at Rick's is open for late
evening entertainment and after theatre snacks.
Downtown does not have
an exclusive on fine dining. One of the great restaurants in this area
or any other is Café L'Europe. The restaurant attractively decorated
and romantic, is one of the towns' favorites.
L'Europe has stood the
test of time and has now been open under the same inspired management for
25 years. L'Europe is located on St. Armands Circle, Sarasota's premier
shopping area. John Ringling built St. Armands in 1925 so that his wife
Mable would not have to go to Palm Beach.
Many of the shops are
open late so during a late night stroll one meets many friends, shops or
stops in at L'Europe for a late night snack.
As Realtors, we are
often asked for advice on where to stay and thankfully we have two of the
finest hotels available anywhere right here on Longboat Key -- The Resort
at the Longboat Key Club and the Colony Beach and Tennis Resort.
The Resort at the Longboat
Key Club ( known locally as the Inn) is located directly on the Gulf. The
resort is a four-star/four diamond hotel offering world class amenities.
We can personally attest to the quality of its fine restaurants, to the
courtesy and consideration of their highly professional staff, the challenge
of 45 holes of championship golf, 40 Har-Tru tennis courts and, if your
not worn out by now, a fully equipped spa to whip you into shape. We love
the Longboat Key Club and its wonderful membership.
The Colony Beach and
Tennis Resort is set amid clusters of oleander, hibiscus and sea grapes.
This is a resort that features world class tennis and so much more. The
restaurant overlooks the Gulf, the waves lapping right under the windows.
The cuisine is outstanding and the sunsets amazing. This is a great place
for couples and families with kids. The Colony has a complete program for
children that let mom and dad relax and enjoy some quiet moments together.
Try the bar late at night and meet with many locals at the Colony's cozy
bar.
On any trip to Sarasota
there is a lot to do and see, but three attractions are on my must see
list, the Ringling Museum, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Mote Marine
Aquarium and Laboratory.
At the Ringling Museum
the visitor is confronted with a wide variety of delights and one visit
is not sufficient. The Art Museum is an Italian-style fantasy commissioned
by Ringling to hold his collection of Baroque masterpieces. The Asolo Theatre
for the Performing Arts is just across from the museum. The Asolo stages
a lively and sophisticated mix of classic and new plays throughout the
year. A little distance from the theatre is the Circus Galleries, where
one can delight to the sights and sounds of the circus. Directly on Sarasota
Bay is Ca' d'Zan, the mansion of John and Mable Ringling. The architecture
that emerges is full of references to different styles, and periods, graced
with touches of playfulness, wit and irony.
Try a stroll through
the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The garden walks meander along Sarasota
Bay, where through trees you can follow white sails of yachts coming into
dock at the marina. Selby is a tropical paradise featuring epiphytic plants
such as bromeliads and orchids.
No visit to Sarasota
will be complete without a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory. Mote is located
on City Island, between St. Armands Circle and Longboat Key. For the visitor
the most visual aspect of the lab is the aquarium, featuring many of our
local sea creatures. Children can handle many of these tiny animals and
stand in awe (adults will also be awed) before the large tank, featuring
sharks, grouper and my favorite, the barracuda. Mote is conducting important
biomedical research work with sharks and their resistance to cancer. Mote
is a center for mammal rehabilitation, so ill and injured whales and dolphin
are treated at Mote.
We urge visitors and
locals alike to support the important work of these institutions.
These are just some
of Our Favorites. Stay tuned for many more!
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