Siesta Key

Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau

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Dining Out – An Important Part of Sarasota's Art Scene Sarasota is sometimes identified as the Culture Coast. That, of... course, refers to the arts scene that is as much of who Sarasota is as our world famous Siesta Key Beach. The third leg on that stool is the food scene. I'm told its always been that way. Old timers (really old timers) remember Smacks, the drive-in restaurant at Orange Avenue and Main Street that reportedly had to die-for fried chicken, and Zinn's, a restaurant on the north side of town by the airport. Longboat Key in the 60s had several great restaurants like Far Horizons and the Buccaneer. Travelers to Sarasota could dine out very well after spending a morning in the museum and the afternoon at the beach. The same is true today. As we count down to Savor Sarasota, the American Society of Travel Writers is convening its annual meeting here. They're topping off their days of visiting art galleries, historic sites and natural wonders with dine-arounds that make my mouth water. Their readers will travel here to sample what's available at super savings during Savor Sarasota when the Culture Coast becomes the Culinary Coast. - Kristine Nickel www.savorsarasota.com

May 24, 2012