Local Resources
Best After Hours Place
Bonefish Grill
8101 Cooper Creek Blvd., Sarasota
(941) 360-3171
Bonefish boasts a menu of great appetizers and mixed drinks along with a service staff that is both helpful and attentive.
Best Cheap Date
St. Armand's Circle
St. Armand's Key, off John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
The home to several one-of-a-kind shops, boutiques, and restaurants, this shopping destination is known throughout the country as a smaller Rodeo Drive.
Best Club
The Beach Club
5151 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota
(941) 349-1636
Shed your swimsuits and don your club duds before hobnobbing here where local bands regularly crank out live music that fills the cavernous, two-bar room.
Best Creative Date
Sara-Bay Sailing School and Charter
Located behind the New Pass Grill and Bait Shop, City Island, Sarasota
(941) 914-5132
Join a certified ASA instructor for a fun sail by way of a twenty-two food Catalina boat. This will be a dating experience to remember.
Best Place for a Laugh
McCurdy's Comedy Club
3333 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota
(941) 925-3969
Enjoy some huge laughs, as nationally known stand-ups, as well as some lesser-known but talented newcomers, entertain you.
Best Place for Coffee and Dessert
Morton's Gourmet Bakery
1924 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota
(941) 955-9856
This fantastic bakery and coffee shop specializing in a large selection of pastries, cakes, and confections. Great location too-it's adjacent to boutiques and art galleries.
Best Place To Buy a Gift
Edwin Watts Golf
4431 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota
(941) 377-3656
Edwin Watts is your one-stop shop for the golf lover with clubs, apparel, accessories, etc. You're sure to find just what you're looking for.
Best Restaurant for a Second Dinner Date
Don Pablos
5911 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
(941) 378-2262
Enjoy great Mexican food; they serve what you want, how you want it. We recommend the chicken fajitas, but bring your appetite because the portions are huge.
Best Restaurant for First Dinner Date
Philippi Creek Village Oyster Bar
5353 s. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota
(941) 925-4444
This place is located on the water, is boat accessible, and has an intimate atmosphere. It's a good place for conversation.
Best Restaurant for Lunch or Brunch First Date
Caragiulos
69 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota
(941) 9511-0866
Serving up the best Italian cuisine in a fun atmosphere-the walls and tables are literally covered with movie posters and articles featuring tons of good conversation fodder.
Best Special Occasion Restaurant
The Ritz-Carlton-Verona
1111 Ritz Carlton Dr., Sarasota
Chef David Serus uses only the freshest in-season ingredients. The Verona menu is constantly changing. There's a strong emphasis on local ingredients.
TOP FIVE DATES
A Day at the Spa
Spa Hollyood
5780 Swift Rd., Sarasota
(941) 927-2635
Spend the day relaxing like a Hollywood star. You can trust that Spa Hollywood will give you and your date a reason to strut your stuff.
Get Your Groove On
Karen Susalla's Hip-Hop Dance class at Sara Dance Center
5000 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
(941) 377-1751
Get ready to get your groove on. For the young at hear, learn a few new moves at a hip-hop dance class. They're offered on Wednesday nights and routines change about once a month. After the class, head over to the closest club and show off your new moves.
Just for Laughs
McCurdy's Comedy Club
3333 N. Tamiami Tr. #160, Sarasota
(941) 325-3869
Laughter is a natural aphrodisiac so why not warm up the mood and make a night of it? Visit McCurdy's and laugh yourselves silly.
Picnic on Siesta Key
Morton's Gourmet Market
1924 s. Osprey Ave., Sarasota
(941) 955-9856
Morton's offers a multitude of deli items, specialty sandwiches, fresh salads, and fresh baked desserts. Pack them up for a quick and affordable picnic date on Siesta Key. Get innovative and spice up the date with a Spanish theme-bring a bowl of paella and plenty of Sangria, and play festive music on your portable CD player. Ole!
Sittin' On Top of the World
Ritz Carlton, Bay View Bar and Grill
1111 Sarasota Dr., Sarasota
(941) 309-2000
Bringing your date to view the Sarasota Bay can be exhilarating for both of you. Some locales heave terraces for you to take the view. Make it a lasting memory by bringing a disposable camera. Then, agree to meet the following week to look at the pictures. If you stop by the Bay View, make sure your order The Big Top tropical cocktail!
