Sarasota, FL

I’m really excited that Britt from The Platinum Life is sharing all about Sarasota, FL! Sarasota is the next town north of where I’m from, Bradenton, (see my post all about it here), so I’m quite familiar with it, but I still learned about several new places from Britt! Here’s what she had to say about Sarasota.

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.
Hello! My name is Britt, I’m a personal stylist at Scout and Molly’s Lakewood Ranch and a major foodie. I love to find great deals on clothes (and most things in general), and I love to cook and try new restaurants locally. I started my blog and Instagram account to share all of the above, and I strive to add value to others with the content I create. Whether that’s sharing about a great sale, local events, a new restaurant opening, or just a recipe I concocted in my own kitchen! 

How long have you lived in Sarasota?
I’ve lived in Sarasota about 7 years; however, I grew up in the Lakewood Ranch area, so I’ve been in the general vicinity most of my life.

What do you like best about living there?
There are a lot of things I love about Sarasota — the food scene, the beaches (you’ve probably heard of Siesta Key!), the laid back lifestyle. Maybe I’m just getting old, but I like that our city is a bit slower paced than Tampa and St. Pete (although not too far away for a fun day trip). I don’t see myself ever moving.

What are your favorite restaurants in Sarasota?
That’s a hard one because we have so many awesome restaurants here! I always love Indigenous and Selva Grill downtown. Napule is a delicious authentic Italian restaurant in south Sarasota, and Shore Diner on St. Armands Circle has something delicious for everyone!

Where are your favorite outdoor spots in Sarasota?
The beaches are kind of a given right? Bayfront Park, which everyone knows because of the “sailor kissing” statue is a really nice area to stroll around. I’d recommend grabbing a banana daiquiri at O’Leary’s Tiki Bar that’s in the park and watching the sailboats come into the bay! 

How about if the weather is bad – what indoor places do you enjoy?
I absolutely love taking a guided tour of the Ca’ d’Zan located on the Ringling Museum grounds once a year! It’s like peeking into a piece of history. The house is so ornate with detailed architecture and it’s crazy to think about all the wild roaring 20’s parties they held there. It’s totally Gatsby-esque! 

What would your perfect day in Sarasota look like?
My perfect day in Sarasota would start with walking a few laps around the Celery Fields, a nature preserve by my house. Brunch is my favorite meal, so I would stop by Buttermilk Handcrafted Food and grab one of their homemade bacon, egg, and pimento cheese biscuit sandwiches (indulgent but worth it), and from there I’d probably head to the beach and relax for a few hours. Then, I’d go home to freshen up, and head downtown and grab a drink at the Art Ovation hotel rooftop bar. I really like it up there, and it’s one of the less “stuffy” rooftop bars in the area. From there, I’d grab dinner at one of the awesome restaurants downtown and end the night at Pangea Alchemy Lab for a nightcap. 

Let’s say you want to go out in the evening. Where are the best places to go?
I’m in my early 30’s, so I’m into more of a chill vibe as I get older. While I do love the rooftop bars downtown for a fancier evening, there are several local breweries like Jdubs, Calusa and Big Top that are casual and cool. Local food trucks are always popping up there, so you can have dinner and drinks all in one spot. Mandeville Beer Garden in a fun spot as well!

Any favorite shopping areas?
University Town Center and the shops in the surrounding area are usually my go-to! There are some cute little boutiques along University Parkway including Scout & Molly’s where I work! I really want to get to more of the local pop-ups, too, like the 73-Degree Flea, and the Night Market in Lakewood Ranch. It’s always great to support local!

What are your favorite local businesses?
Detwiler’s market is my go-to for fresh and affordable produce, and it’s five minutes from my house, so you can’t beat that. The Saturday farmer’s market downtown is a great place to check out all the local small business vendors from coffee and food to jewelry and clothes. I love to savor a breakfast empanada from “Empanada’s by Stef” and grab some sauerkrat from “Fermentalicious” to take home with me. There’s not enough time in the day to mention all the great businesses we have here locally. I’d suggest you come pay a visit to Sarasota and discover them for yourself! 

Thanks so much to Britt for showing us around her town! You could easily spend a few days in Sarasota and not run out of things to do. In the central west coast area of Florida, I really think Sarasota has the most well-rounded things to offer. You can even take in a show at the Van Wezel or visit Myakka State Park to see gators in the wild and maybe even some deer!