Eating Companion (EC) and I have been trying to figure out a cheap but romantic lunch spot to take our not-yet-significant others. Upon the recommendation of a certain lady, we found ourselves trying to find a parking space within walking distance of Jim’s Small Batch Bakery, on Gulf Gate Drive. We luck out and park right next door, in front of a business called Muscleintensity.com which apparently sells supplements and whatnot to very aggressive exercisers. Ladyfriend is waiting out front, more or less twiddling her thumbs.

Jim’s Small Batch Bakery just celebrated its one-year anniversary. The place has made quite a name for itself in that short time, earning a reputation for exquisite artisan breads, some tasty sandwiches made from the aforementioned loaves, as well as some seriously decadent desserts and pastries. It’s a tiny little place, hidden at the end of a strip mall riddled with the most bizarre variety of shops — everything from Asian and British gift boutiques to vacuum repair and jewelry stores.

Owner James Plocharsky was previously Michael’s on East’s pastry chef, and is the type of dude that greets you by saying, “Hello, is this your first time in my bakery,” without the faintest shred of affectation or tone, just flat and deadpan. The smell inside is downright ridiculous, a combination of heady warmth and sugary sweetness with an undertone of … wait for it … yep: bacon. There is only one table inside, which is kind of charming, honestly.

We resist the urge to go straight for the bakery case, which is chock-full of sinful sweets, and order some sandwiches. Jim’s menu is very small, but cleverly curated. All the sandwiches are a whopping $6 and served on various fresh-baked breads. We go for a chicken salad, a ham and brie baguette, and what sounds like the most delicious sandwich of all time: the candied bacon BLT, or (C)BLT.

Plocharsky fries the bacon, then bakes it with maple syrup, brown sugar and a dusting of red pepper. He makes all the sandwiches fresh, one by one, so we take a minute to pick out some desserts: the magic bars look pretty killer, as do pecan sticky buns and cheese crumble rolls. We also nab the very last candied bacon croissant, sweet heavens. We order all four, then notice something we had missed: sticky toffee pudding. Jim demands he warm it up while we eat our sandwiches, which are ready by this point. EC and Ladyfriend look ravenous.

The place has an almost unfair advantage in the sandwich department, using such majestic bread. The baguette with ham and brie is airy and dense, the meat thin and delicate, the brie thick and smoky. The chicken salad comes on a fresh artisan white bread, with slices of deep-red ripe Florida tomatoes, and romaine. The salad has walnuts and cranberries (take note: all chicken salads should involve fruits or nuts — cranberries, raisins, fresh grapes, apples; walnuts or almonds, maybe even cashews, though I’ve never tried it) and the mayo tastes fresh made, light and smooth. The bread is so airy, so light.

It is actually kind of romantic in here, EC is saying, talking about the one table and the warm, lovely smell of baking bread and sweet bacon, which gets us to the (C)BLT. Although bacon is one of those catch-all, put it on something and someone will swoon meats, BLTs have been seemingly forgotten about. Shameful.

Jim’s (C)BLT is a dream, the bacon sweet and spicy, rich and crisp, the snap-fresh romaine and juicy tomato balancing the whole thing out on sliced French bread. We’ve almost forgotten about the desserts, we’re so ensconced in the sammies.
Jim brings out what we have come to call our dessert sampler, as well as the warmed toffee sticky pudding, with a few fresh raspberries and some whipped cream. The candied bacon croissant is tiny, a tender pocket of flaky pastry with a dense stack of the aforementioned bacon, which I’m not kidding I would pretty much put on anything. The other rolls are tasty and warm, especially the pecan sticky bun, which would be perfect at 8 a.m. with some good coffee.

The sticky toffee pudding lives up to its name, a pool of warm toffee sauce oozing out all over the plate. We dig in, ooh-ing and ahh-ing. The thing is unreal, rich and smooth, set off with the tang of fresh raspberries and whipped cream. The toffee is thick and dense, salacious.

We are a mess. We are gluttons. If lunch could ever be romantic solely based on the food, this is it. We’re golden.

Justin Forgea of A Body of Art Tattoo in Gulf Gate applies ink to a massive tattoo on Josh Taylor of Palmetto. (Photo by Carla Varisco-Williams)

Inside A Body of Art, Gulf Gate’s well-loved tattoo shop, artist Rhada Pizzo is talking about how her beloved neighborhood has changed. Pizzo has worked, drunk, eaten and spent most of her time in Gulf Gate for the past decade. She’s inking a stunning art nouveau shoulder piece — a painting by Alphonse Mucha — on fellow artist Abby Swartz’s left bicep, while we rap about how her neighborhood has changed before her eyes.

“It’s definitely changed,” Pizzo says. “It seems like it’s become more of a destination spot.” In the last year, there has been a great deal of commercial turnover. Many a local’s haunt has closed up, but just as many new businesses have opened up.

“The people coming are coming for a specific reason,” she says. “They’re coming to eat breakfast at Word of Mouth, or to watch soccer at the King George Pub. They’re here for a beer at Mr. Beery’s, or a cupcake from Heavenly Cupcakes.”

This may seem a subtle change, but for those familiar with the history of the area, it has been nothing short of seismic. The bar scene has waned in importance, and in its place an incredibly varied business community has risen up. And there are always people willing to stake a claim when a spot opens up. In the past few years, Gulf Gate lost both the Irish Rover and the Paddy Wagon, two of the area’s celebrated pubs. Last year, The Angry Pickle opened where the Irish Rover was, while the Paddy Wagon has remained an Irish pub, now called Kevinnigan’s. Danny McMullen has worked in Gulf Gate off and on for the past decade, at the Paddy Wagon and now at Monk’s Steamer Bar. For him, it’s still the neighborhood he learned to love when he was a teen, coming to see bands play in the early 1990s, despite the changes.

Danny McMullen and Geoff Aldridge, bartenders at Monk's Steamer Bar in Gulf Gate, share a laugh and a bear hug. (Photo by Carla Varisco-Williams)

“Gulf Gate to me is still a working-class neighborhood,” McMullen says. “We have a lot of old-school regulars, and then there’s people just popping in for a shot, making their rounds. You can still bounce around.” McMullen attributes the success of new ventures in the neighborhood to a certain kind of atmosphere that people have come to expect in Gulf Gate.

“People come to Gulf Gate for service, and for quality,” he says. “It’s a small neighborhood, and there are a lot of places that I won’t step foot in. But the places most people love are places where service and quality are taken seriously.”

One of the things many agree about Gulf Gate is that the most successful new businesses have carved out a niche for themselves. Where once people came to Gulf Gate as a destination in itself — to bar hop, or cruise the restaurants — nowadays people have their individual haunts, and those places have become more and more specialized.

“The businesses that seem to be doing well now are the ones that do one thing and do it better than anyone,” Pizzo says.

Walk the neighborhood’s streets, and you’ll see this does seem to be the case. There’s Veg, a vegan and vegetarian haven; every soccer fan in the 941’s favorite English pub, The King George; the well-loved Oh Mamma Mia!, which many claim to be the best Italian place in the area; the gritty punk pub, Pastimes, which is the only bar in the area grandfathered into the area’s noise ordinance exemption, allowing it to host some of the best live music in Sarasota.

Mark Tuchman, owner of Mr. Beery's. (Photo by Carla Varisco-Williams)

No place seems to embody this do-one-thing-and-do-it-well ethos better than Mr. Beery’s, which celebrated its two-year anniversary last week. Owner Mark Tuchman was drawn to the neighborhood for its variety, and among that variety a certain quality and attention to craft.

“There are 150 unique businesses in two blocks, and almost all of them are mom-and-pop places,” Tuchman says. “And somehow all the businesses complement each other.”

Before opening in 2010, Tuchman was aware of the area’s previous reputation for being more or less a bar-hopping neighborhood. But he agrees that that’s changed in recent years, and for the better. “All of the businesses are doing their craft better than anyone in the area,” Tuchman says. “These businesses are bringing a different type of clientele that might not have had Gulf Gate on their radar. They’re drawing unique patrons. Now, there’s everything from Jim’s Small Batch Bakery, or the King George Pub, to Solorzano’s white tablecloth restaurant, and you could go on and on. Monk’s has the best shellfish in town. Ooh La La does incredible French pastries. There’s everything here now.”

While you can still cruise the bar scene at night, there is just as much to peruse during the day — from retail shops like children’s consignment boutique Snappy Turtle Trading Company, to the venerable Sarasota Trophy & Awards, to the aforementioned tattoo and piercing shop A Body of Art, which also curates an art gallery.

“It’s like an outside walking mall,” Tuchman says. “But there’s nothing more strange to me than when people come in and say, ‘I live in Gulf Gate and I never knew you were here!’”

Although he’s a relative newcomer, Tuchman knows that these days bar-crawlers can’t even begin to scratch Gulf Gate’s surface, and destination eaters likely won’t notice the breadth of what’s contained in the tidy few blocks.

“People should come and explore it,” Tuchman says. “It’s going to take a while; you can’t take it all in in one day. And maybe that’s the beauty of Gulf Gate.”

Angry Pickle

ANGRY PICKLE: Homemade pickles and bar food, plus a decent beer selection, make this new Gulf Gate pub a prime destination. 6518 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 487-8983. (Read our Bar Tab about Angry Pickle.)

BADDA BING: Sports bar atmosphere, and great place to shoot pool. 6528 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 921-5109; baddabingbar.com

CHOCOLATE, NUTS AND MORE: This chocolatier has been creating the sweetest goodies for several years. Great place for gifts for all celebrations. 2114 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 925-1111; chocolatebarkcompany.com

Dolce Italia

DOLCE ITALIA: Casual style and décor for salad, pasta, a handful of entrees, wine and beer. 6606 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 921-7007. (Read our review of Dolce Italia.)

EZ PIEZ: Decadent pastry stuffed with savory fillings like black pepper steak or chicken and mushroom, plus sweet treats as well. 6609 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 993-0780; ezpiez.com

FRENCH AFFAIR: A storefront bistro that has served the Francophiles for years. Classic French food in a cozy atmosphere. 2637 Mall Drive, Sarasota. 925-3414. (Read our review of French Affair.)

HAIR OF THE DOG SALOON: 6523 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 922-4066

HAM HEAVEN & DEVIL DOGS: Great sandwich and hot dog spot that serves the hungry from nearby bars without food service. Symbiosis at its best. 2647 Mall Drive, Sarasota. 923-2514; hamheavenanddevildogs.webs.com (Read our Cheap Eats review of ham Heaven and Devil Dogs.)

HEAVENLY CUPCAKES: Edible art — moist and yummy! 6538 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 922-0024; myheavenlycupcakes.com

HURRICANE MIKES: Billiards, trivia, happy hours and happy smokers in this neighborhood bar. 2639 Mall Drive, Sarasota. 923-9827; geckosgrill.com.

Il Panificio

IL PANIFICIO: The second location for this popular Italian deli and pizzeria. This location offers a wider array of foods for eating in or take-out with appetizers, pasta and its famous pizza. 6630 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 921-5570; panificiousa.com. (Read our review of Il Panificio.)

JC’S PIT STOP: Ice cream and plenty of it. 2301 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota. 922-3187

JIM’S SMALL BATCH BAKERY: This bakery uses natural ingredients and doesn’t stock up — when they sell out, it’s gone until the next day. 2336 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 922-2253

KING GEORGE PUB: The place to go to watch soccer, this is a sports pub for Anglophiles. Be prepared to down a pint and throw some darts. 6525C Superior Ave., Sarasota. 925-1966; thekinggeorgepub.com.

MAK’S CHINESE AND THAI RESTAURANT: Mak’s has been a Gulf Gate takeout staple for more than 20 years. 2224 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 922-6765

Monk's Steamer Bar

MONK’S STEAMER BAR: Oysters, crab legs, shrimp, mussels and more – in a casual, comfortable place. 17 TVs for sports lovers. 6690 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 927-3388; monkssteamerbar.com

MR BEERY’S CRAFT BEER BAR: Center of the craft beer universe for the south side of Sarasota, Mr. Beery’s offers tastings and classes as well as a revolving list of newly-on-the-scene brews. 2645 Mall Drive, Sarasota. 343-2854; mrbeeryssrq.com

MUNCHIE’S 420 CAFÉ: Late night — they’re open until 4:20 a.m. — place for, well, munchies — and they deliver. Known worldwide thanks to a feature on“Man vs. Food”. 6639 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 929-9893; munchies420cafe.com. (Read Tom Becnel’s Overnight at Munchie’s 420.)

OH MAMMA MIA: Legions of fans will tell you this is the real deal, totally authentic Italian food bathed in a family atmosphere. Reservations are a must. 2324 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 706-2821; ohmammamiarestaurant.com

OOH LA LA FRENCH BAKERY: Incredible pastries, from eclairs to cakes, plus excellent brioche and some lunch-style snacks. 2705 Mall Dr., Sarasota. 922-0169

ORIENTAL FOOD & GIFTS: This busy thoroughfare of the Orient representing China, the Philippines, Korea, India, Vietnam and Japan offers everything from Korean sushi on Saturdays to the perfect tea set and wonderful cooking classes. The place to go for any Oriental ingredient for which your recipe calls. 2234 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 924-8066; orientalfoodandgifts.com

PASTIMES PUB: Pastimes is Gulf Gate’s live music hub, with acts that range from local standards to international celebrities. Great bar, too. 6540 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 924-7782

The wine cellar at Piatti

PIATTI: This Italian bistro and martini bar was opened by the people behind Il Panificio, featuring a cozy dining room and beautiful lounge area. 6630 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 923-5570; panificiousa.com. (Read our Bar Tab about Piatti.)

PICCOLO ITALIAN DELI: Dine in or take-out homemade Italian sausages and an array of baked goods and other foodstuffs. 2128 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 923-2202; piccolomarket.com

PIEROGI INN POLISH DELI: For the past decade, the center of Polish food in Sarasota. The enterprise has expanded to include an online store for pierogi lovers everywhere. 6611 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 929-0101; polishdelipierogiinn.com

POKI JOE’S CATERING AND CAFÉ: A Gulf Gate landmark; casual café with an extensive catering menu and some late night eats for the bar crowd. 6614 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 922-5915

PONTILLO’S PIZZERIA: Casual spot for pizza, wings and subs for lunch or dinner. 6592 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 921-0990

RICO’S PIZZERIA: New Jersey-style, thin-crust pizza. No relation to the rest of the Sarasota Rico’s pizza joints. 6547 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 922-9604

SAL’S PIZZERIA AND PASTA HOUSE New Jersey-style pizza, plus capable pastas, salads and other neighborhood Italian fare. 6582 Gateway Dr., Sarasota. 926-0022.

Sarasota Brewing Company

SARASOTA BREWING COMPANY: The area’s first microbrew pub, for 20 years or so this Gulf Gate icon has maintained its popularity as a great meeting spot and sports bar. 6607 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 925-2337; sarasotabrewing.com

SCANDINAVIAN SHOP: This spot has it all: textiles, gifts, clogs, carvings, rugs and delectable baked goods and groceries. 2166 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 923-4313; scandinavian-south.com

SOLORZANO’S: Classic NY/New Jersey Italian cuisine, from hearty pasta dishes to meat and fish. 6516 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 906-9444

SUPERIOR LIBATIONS: A small wine and beer bar that’s just getting started. 6616 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 923-6616

TASTEFULLY BRITISH: A tea room and shop and must stop for all Anglophiles. Tea is served from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with extended hours for the store, which offers a wide array of merchandise — from toys to British tea sets. 2236 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 927-2612; tastefullybritish.com

THAILAND SUSHI & STEAKHOUSE: The local Thai spot also sports a sushi bar, open for lunch and dinner. 2238 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 927-8424

THIRSTY TURTLE: Carries a reputation for an outstanding happy hour, along with a quiet, cozy vibe, pool tables and a great staff. Grab some chow at the “Ham” and drop by. 2615 Mall Drive, Sarasota. 927-3426

Tony's Chicago Beef Company

TONY’S CHICAGO BEEF COMPANY: Windy City dogs at their best, hand-cut fries and classic Italian beef sandwiches dunked in jus. 6569 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 922-7979; tonyschicagobeef.com. (Read our Cheap Eats review of Tony’s Chicago Beef.)

TOUCHÉ: This breakfast and lunch spot’s mantra is fresh and organic. 6540 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 297-2233

TRANSATLANTIC SAUSAGE & BAKERY: All the good things our European grandmothers baked are here, plus hand-crafted sausages and specialty meats. 6620 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 921-2253; transatlanticsausage.com

VEG: After two years, Veg has become the spot for organic, vegetarian, gluten-free and all-around healthful and taste-good food. Wine and beer, too. 2164 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. 312-6424; vegsrq.com. (Read about the culinary philosophy behind Veg.)

Vizen

VIZEN: One of the best (if not the best) sushi places in Sarasota, thanks to the careful craft and innovative ingredients of the chef. 6559 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 926-0830; vizen-sarasota.com. (Read our review of Vizen.)

WEST END PUB: 6500 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 554-8905.

WORD OF MOUTH: The breakfast and lunch spot that has birthed a small Sarasota chain, the Gulf Gate location still packs them in, especially during season. Don’t miss the cinnamon rolls. 6604 Gateway Ave., Sarasota. 925-2400; wordofmouthsrq.com. (Read about how Word of Mouth has served over two million eggs.)

ZANTE GYROS Meat, sliced from a spit, served in pita with all the fixin’s. 6500 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 404-2099; zantegyros.com.

ZEST CATERING: While a catering company at heart, Zest keeps a few tables for café-styled innovative dining. 6584 Superior Ave., Sarasota. 685-6030; zestofsarasota.com

Sat. Feb. 4, 9 p.m., Pastimes Pub, 6540 Superior Ave., $3

This Saturday Pastimes will be showcasing newly formed SRQ trip-rock five-piece Pink Taco Talk, which features MeteorEyes drummer David Curran on guitar and vocals with Completely From Mountains drummer Matthew Rogers back on the skins. Also on hand will be long-running local punk trio Rational Anthem, now with Cassolette drummer Pete Stolp laying down the beats. As if this drummer hodgepodge wasn’t enough, Seattle female-fronted rock three-piece Big Eyes will make a stop off on their current tour to kick out a few jams. Help them out with some gas money if you can. It’s gonna be a long drive home.

Only open since Nov. 23, this 2,400-square-foot, 49-seater pub/restaurant serves its meatballs homemade and its icy cocktails in mason jars. You want a potent libation and a take-home bag for your lunch? Stop by.

“We want you to come in and enjoy the game, have a drink, play the jukebox and just have fun,” said owner Kimberly Kalantzis, who ran a sports bar called Celebrations Lounge about a decade ago in Manchester, N.H.

Strange Brew's signature drink

After 10 years as a stay-at-home mother to her now teenage children, Kalantzis decided to delve back into the service industry. She and her husband, Vlas, picked the locale on Gateway Avenue (previously a Cajun eatery) and remodeled the interior to include painted brick facades, game memorabilia and full liquor. The Kalantzis clan introduced their redone, smoke-free joint to the district during a grand opening on Jan. 21, as the band Under-8-Ed played and 200 people spilled into the parking lot.

While the pub’s moniker comes from the 1967 Cream song “Strange Brew,” the drink menu isn’t particularly bizarre. For $5.75, bartender Chris Griffore will mix you up a Strange Brew Signature Cocktail with Herradura silver tequila, Chambord black raspberry liqueur and a splash of Seagram’s Seven and soda. A Stormy Buccaneer comes with Kraken black spiced rum, ginger beer and lime juice.

Happy hour is from noon to 7 p.m. seven days a week with two-for-one well specials and draft beers. On regular tap are Guinness, Yuengling, Sam Adams (regular and winter ale), Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Shock Top, Stella Artois, Strongbow, Magic Hat and Southern Tier IPA.

Homemade meatballs

Select a melody on the TouchTunes jukebox while eyeing one of the 11 flat-screen TVs, then order three massive meatballs with red sauce, melted mozzarella cheese and garlic bread for $5.99. Try the wraps, salads, sliders, hot dogs, flatbreads, jalapeno poppers, fried macaroni and cheese, cheese fries and buffalo wings (in hurricane, earthquake or tsunami flavors).

And, of course, bring your crew to Super Bowl Sunday for the pre-game party at 3 p.m. There will be $5 domestic draft pitchers all day, $1 Jell-O shots, raffles and a free halftime buffet with finger sandwiches, wings, eggrolls, baked ziti with garlic bread and chips and salsa. No cover charge, either.

“This is a place where you can come in, hang out and make new friends,” Kimberly Kalantzis said. “It’s just a laid-back, neighborhood bar.”

Get down to Gulf Gate and prepare for kickoff.

“MR. BEERY’S | Sarasota, Fla.

Less than two years old, Mr. Beery’s is already getting some serious buzz. Not only is the 24-tap selection applause-worthy (and matched by a bottle selection peppered with seasonals, one-offs and rarities), but this place is genuinely dedicated to spreading the good word about craft beer. Attend Beer School and learn how to do your own beer pairings with everything from grilled cheese to sausage, or bring your best bottle and share it during Tuesday night’s Show and Tell.”

It was one of only three bars* listed for the whole state of Florida.

Mr. Beery's craft beer bar

The World of Beer chain, with one location near Lakewood Ranch, along with the Dunedin House of Beer got an honorable mention.

These lists are always controversial. Sites love to do them to stir up discussion and page views. But you can’t argue that Mr. Beery’s is a must-visit bar for beer geeks. I’m sure they are thrilled. Congratulations!

* Redlight, Redlight in Orlando and the Oldsmar Taphouse (since replaced by House of Brews) were the other two bars on the list.

If you weren’t among the Bud-carrying partiers at the four corners New Year’s Eve party in Gulf Gate who watched the ball drop from Chester’s roof, you might not know about this new oasis. Let me clue you in.

On Dec. 3, the full liquor bar with its Polynesia-meets-Southwest Florida décor introduced itself to Gateway Avenue. Sharing the same 10,000-square-foot space is the much smaller Hair of the Dog Saloon, which will hold its grand opening in February but is already stocked with regulars. In essence, Chester’s and Hair are two for the price of one (figuratively) and each has its own ambiance.

“We’ve undergone lots of changes since the old Boar’s Head,” said general manager Brad Deardorff, adding that Ken and Josh Chester own the place. “We’re not dimly lit any longer. No more fight nights, just a lot of friendly people having a good time drinking, laughing and talking. Our customers have said they’re impressed with what’s been done, not only to the building, but with the friendly staff.”

Mary Beth Woodward

Mary Beth Woodward, whose business card reads “professional intoxicologist,” is among the friendly folks slinging beverages.

“I’m super excited about all the changes here,” Woodward said. “It’s time.”

Big change: Chester’s is wide open, and that’s the first thing you’ll notice upon pulling into the locale. Garage door-like entrances that are rolled up to accommodate the fresh air lure passers-by to barstools.

Hair of the Dog is its own separate entity and “a little more rustic,” as Deardorff described it, but we won’t get into that now (wait a month). Chester’s is lively, with nautical rope wrapped around the pillars, bamboo wall coverings, colored string lights, gold tinsel and upside-down beer bucket hanging lamps.

Bar manager Phil Pender pours me his signature libation — a “Tic Tac” with Three Olives Rang-Tang Vodka, triple sec and some energy drink mix that tastes just like the tiny orange candy.

I glimpse the eight pool tables, dartboards, 15 flat-screen TVs and DJ stage as Deardorff tells me about his big event in January. Starting at 9 p.m. Jan. 13, the Chippendales will do Chester’s. There’s a $12 cover plus $22 for single seats, right in the action.

Phil Pender

If you can’t make it for that one, I send you my condolences. But stop by any eve of the week for a packed Chester’s calendar.

Happy hour is from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday through Saturday, with reduced prices on wells, wines and drafts. Monday has all-night happy hour and Tuesday is “happy hour karaoke.” Wednesday is ladies’ night with two-for-one deals and an 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. free-drink block. Thursday offers specials for service industry professionals, DJs spin on Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday is all about football.

On regular draft is: Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Drifter Pale Ale, Stella Artois, Coors Light, Newcastle, Blue Moon, AmberBock, Strongbow, Michelob Ultra, Yuengling and Miller Lite, and prices vary. Check the Facebook page for hours.

“We’re always looking for feedback, so come by and tell us what you think,” Deardorff said. “We think you’ll have a good time.”

I know I’ll be back on Jan. 13. Good times? Check.

Frank Presti and Allison Sgambelluri

On Black Friday, in the former home of the Irish Rover, the Angry Pickle opened its doors to Gulf Gate, hoping to hook bar-goers on spicy spears and pickle juice martinis.

The pub and grill, run by Frank Presti and Allison Sgambelluri, has its gimmick locked down. I’m still daydreaming about the dills.

“We make all our pickles right here, which makes us unique,” said Sgambelluri, who moved with Presti to Sarasota from Rocky Hill, Conn. only six months ago. “The pickles sit for three days in a five-gallon bucket, and for the ‘angry spicy’ ones, we use arbol chili and jalapenos.”

With a Heineken draft and some ranch dipping sauce, a fried (or naked) green slice at the pub is as refreshing as it is unusually hip. Pickle culture, welcome to Sarasota.

Of course, that’s not the only reason to frequent this newly revamped Gateway Avenue haunt. Grab a stool at the wooden bar under the red tulip hanging lights between 2 and 7 p.m. for daily happy hour, and pick one of 12 bottled beers and 14 drafts, including Magners Irish cider and Tampa’s own Cigar City Jai Alai IPA. There are 150 total seats in the 2,800-square-foot joint, including booths and tables in the restaurant section, and you can eat outside.

I sampled the homemade crab cakes and remoulade sauce with a side of fresh corn and black bean salsa for $10. Sgambelluri whipped me up a complementing margarita with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, sour mix and a splash of melon liqueur. Ellie Goulding and Kings of Leon played on the piped music sound system as Presti and I chatted about food – his favorite topic.

“About 99 percent of the recipes here are mine,” said Presti, who was psyched to leave the snow in his 18,000-person hometown and open his first venture in Sarasota. “I love food. I’ve been around it since I was 13, when I worked in a neighbor’s pizza place.”

Chef Tony Sanchez helps Presti pump out Philly cheese steaks, buffalo and teriyaki wings, chili, coney dogs, and hand-pattied burgers (from mushroom Swiss to jalapeno) for $7 to $9. Sandwiches like “The Italian Job” with marinated chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, tomato and pesto mayo are $10, and the rest of the menu items hover around that price point. Come in between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a single hamburger and 10-ounce domestic draft for $5.

Watch the game on the projection screen or flat-screen TV, bring your laptop for free Wi-Fi surfing while you sip, and pack up a bite to take home after work. The pub even delivers to Gulf Gate residents.

The entertainment calendar is evolving, but Mind Zion (an acoustic act with a sitar and banjo sound) is currently playing from 8 p.m. to close every Wednesday eve. Amateur comedy nights are future possibilities.

Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

“We want this to be a nice, cool, easygoing place to hang out, relax and chill,” Sgambelluri said. “I’m also hoping Stephen King will come in sometime. I’m his biggest fan.”

Take note, Mr. King. Everyone else, drop in for a champagne toast on New Year’s, and before then for a brined cuke that’ll tickle your chops.

Bloody Mary

Aesthetically, I’m jolted as I round the corner onto Gateway Avenue. In the lot once occupied by a gas station now sits a posh Euro hotspot, complete with a marble facade, sky-high windows and stainless steel beams.

It’s Piatti, the Italian bistro and bar that opened about a month ago by owner Nick Melone and the Il Panificio Family Group. Not what I expected to find in the Gulf Gate Village, where I literally was the weekend prior — at a smoky pub on a parallel street — watching a metal concert.

The district proves its full-spectrum diversity with additions like Piatti, which boasts a rich Mediterranean menu, DJs and VIP bottle service on Friday nights, and the best spicy Bloody Mary martini I’ve ever sipped.

“Our martinis are awesome, I have to say,” said mixologist Rob Skene. “None of my recipes are off a computer; they’re from my head, which, I think, makes them stand out.”

Everything about Piatti stands out, from the ultra-mod décor to the grinning servers in their all-black attire. Billed as “an upscale experience without the upcharge,” the 65-seater eatery (whose name means “plates” in Italian) is so much more than pretty.

Arugula pizza

Christian Cornell pours a bottle of Aqua Panna as I sample the Bistro Truffle Fries and a slice of the Piatti al Fresco (an $11 pizza with arugula, roasted red peppers and goat cheese). An Il Panificio pizza and sandwich shop with for-purchase deli goods is right next door, beckoning me to buy a cart of that fresh goat cheese I just scarfed.

Most of executive chef Steven Whipple’s entrées — from saltimbocca to the linguine and clams — hover around $16. Behind the glass-top bar with its stainless steel chairs, Skene crafts libations with as much inventiveness as Whipple puts into his cuisine.

While there are 1,300 wine bottles in a climate-controlled cellar at Piatti, there’s also a full bar with top-shelf liquor that allows Skene to shake and pour in style. LED lights rotate in lime green, violet and turquoise below the bar’s countertop as Skene stands under a sculptural chandelier, talking about spirits.

On draft are: Bud Light, Shock Top, AmberBock, Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Magic Hat #9, Negra Modelo and Southern Tier IPA, all for about $5.

Piatti's extensive wine cellar

I’m sticking with Skene’s martinis (12 grace the menu, and he conceived eight of them). There’s the aforementioned $10 Bloody Mary with Belvedere vodka, a splash of dirty martini juice, some secret spices and lemon-lime juice. What makes this gastronomic cocktail so special is its pickled green olive and string bean on a toothpick and its celery salt rim — practically an appetizer.

“I’m really into trying new drinks,” Skene said. “I’ve been doing this for about 10 years, and to me, it’s an art form.”

If you’re feeling a tad more old-fashioned, try the Gentlemen’s for $12 with Crown Royal Black whiskey, Hennessy cognac, honey water and squeezes of fresh orange and lemon. Drool-inducing dessert martinis come in espresso, blueberry cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, raspberry chocolate cake and banana cream pie.

Whether you want your sweet finish in a glass or on a plate, you’re covered. Cornell leaves me with a white box full of cream-filled cannoli at the night’s end, and as I walk toward my ride, I’m already fantasizing about my next Piatti playdate.

Gulf Gate, you never cease to surprise me. I’ll take another Bloody Mary, please.

Maggie and Marty Glucklich, owners of Veg restaurant in Sarasota. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune photo by Dan Wagner)

A while back, I accidentally implied that Veg (2164 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota, 312-6424, vegsrq.com) in Gulf Gate served meat.

Complete mistake, of course, since the restaurant is well known as a haven for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free eaters and non-mainstream dietary choices. The only thing is, the restaurant does serve fish, which seemed at least a philosophical contradiction to me.

“One reason was because I learned that a lot of vegetarians still eat seafood,” explains Marty Glucklich, chef and co-owner of Veg with his wife Maggie. “The other was that I couldn’t find reasonably priced line-caught seafood in town.” But there’s more to it than that, it turns out.

But first, how did a life-long omnivore get involved in meat-less cuisine?

The Glucklich’s daughter and son went vegetarian in their teens, and Marty — as primary home cook — had to come up with ways to cook dinner for everyone. “My philosophy was to only make one meal for the family so we all got a chance to eat what they ate,” says Marty. “I experimented and liked what I was seeing.”

Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and dried fruit is served at Veg restaurant in Sarasota. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune photo by Dan Wagner)

He had seen local vegetarian restaurants struggle, some eventually bringing in meat to widen their appeal, and “it always piqued my interest,” says Marty. “This is such a good way to eat and pretty much the way we eat at home, why weren’t they succeeding?”

He refined the concept, then spent some time convincing Maggie, who has been involved in the restaurant business with her South African-born husband in the past.

And the fish? That goes back to the idea of finding a way to make everyone happy, whether at the Glucklich’s home table or when they create a destination restaurant.

“From the economic side to make this a viable concern, seafood helps,” says Marty. “The families that come in that have a vegetarian, a pescetarian and a vegan are so happy to have one place to find all of that.”

But if seafood, why not chicken, pork or beef? One reason is the quality available — in South Africa, Marty grew up on grass-fed and pastured beef that had a heck of a lot more flavor than what the beef that is economically viable here in the United States, especially since Veg’s entrees stick to an under-$20 price point. Another is the animals’ quality of life and the environmental impacts of farming.

Veg's dining room. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune staff photo by Thomas Bender)

“At Veg it’s primarily wild-caught fish, and I do use better quality farmed fish,” says Marty. “I’ve taken fish off the menu when they are no longer sustainable.”

When I’ve eaten at Veg, the menu isn’t strictly segregated between different dietary restrictions, although people looking for a particular style of food can easily find it. The Glucklichs expect people to mix and match within their particular sub-group, pescatarians eating gluten-free and vegan food because it looks tasty, not because it fits a profile.

The menu includes homemade soups, appetizers like truffled French fries and mussels in marinara, and classic — but updated — entrees like chicken picatta and saltimbocca, all created by executive chef and operating partner Steven Whipple in the kitchen. There’s also the pizza that Il Panificio is famous for.

The look of the place is as modern as the pizzeria next door, with LED lighting that cycles through different warm colors throughout the night, a back-lit glass bar, chrome chairs and a glass wine room.

On Friday’s, after 10 p.m., Piatti switches to a nightclub setting – a little more upscale than anything else available in Gulf Gate’s thriving late-night scene – with DJs providing live entertainment.

Munchies 420 Cafe, the oversized burger place in Gulf Gate in Sarasota, is a hot spot for the after-midnight crowd. Saturday, October 29, 2011. (Photo by Craig Litten)

On the Saturday night before Halloween, a colorful costumed crowd moved in and out of Munchies 4:20 Cafe.

Freddy Krueger dropped by with a black cat. The Joker and Batman grabbed a booth. The Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood shared an order of cheese fries.

Non-costumed customers included the usual 2 a.m. mix of night owls, late-shift workers and young partiers completing a night out in Sarasota. Kelly Bolger and Sasha Jimenez, a pair of 21-year-olds in little black dresses, ordered corn dog bites and fried pickles — two of the lighter items on a menu heavy with overstuffed sandwiches.

“This is the kind of food that soaks up all the alcohol,” Bolger said, laughing. “So you can drive home a little safer.”
They have tried most of the food at Munchies, except for the fried Twinkies. They wish they could invent a signature dish to land on the Gulf Gate restaurant’s menu.

“That’s my goal in life,” Jimenez joked. “To get on that menu.”

A cook adds cheese to a "Fat Daddy" sandwhich in the kitchen of Munchies 420 Cafe on Saturday, October 29, 2011. (Photo by Craig Litten)

4:20 to 4:20
Munchies Cafe, true to its counter-culture nickname, is open from 4:20 p.m. to 4:20 a.m. It sits as the late-night hub on a grungy corner of Superior Avenue in a neighborhood thick with bars and restaurants.

Next door is an ice cream shop and a tattoo parlor, both closed by midnight. Across the street is a coin laundry that is open all night.

Munchies is dark, tiny and cramped, with three wooden booths that seat about 18 people. Customers spill out onto picnic tables in the parking lot.

Some of them look like Justin Bieber. Some of them look like Justin Bieber’s dad. And some of them look like Justin Bieber’s worst nightmare.

Folks hang out outside of Munchies 420 Cafe, well after midnight on Saturday, October 29, 2011. (Photo by Craig Litten)

There’s a range of people who happen to be awake — and hungry — in the middle of the night.

Chad Sellick manages a Sarasota bowling alley restaurant. He often swings by Munchies on the way home.

“Whether you’re a stoner or not, it’s good stuff,” Sellick said. “They have the best Philly cheesesteak in town, I think.”
For many regulars, the Munchies scene is as important as the food. It’s a unique alternative to traditional diners and drive-through fast food. A late-night meal becomes a ritual or even a rite of passage.

When Don Brown’s brother-in-law turned 21, he joined a group of North Part partiers at a string of Sarasota bars and nightclubs. The night ended in Gulf Gate.

“We had to come to Munchies,” Brown said. “It’s what we do.”

Sandy Bird, who invented the sandwhich "Fat Sandy" on the Munchies 420 Cafe menu, rings up an order on Saturday, October 29, 2011. (Photo by Craig Litten)

Sandy’s sandwich
Over the last decade, Munchies has become a late-night institution in Sarasota. A Gainesville cafe opened this year, but Munchies doesn’t feel much like a corporate restaurant or franchise business. The “4:20” part of its name comes from a cultural reference that refers to 4:20 as a frequent time for users of marijuana to light up, and is a way for people to talk about pot without mentioning it by name.

A handwritten sign on the door says, “Sorry, no children inside after 10 p.m.” A TV over the bar shows “Harold and Kumar” movies.

Sandy Bird, a 26-year-old behind the bar, created the most popular item on the Munchies menu.

It’s called the Fat Sandy Sandwich, and sells for $9.79. On a footlong bun, it carries a picnic — two burger patties, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, potato wedges and onion rings, all covered in mac and cheese.

This is inspired, or insane, or a little bit of both.

“I got lucky,” said Sandy, who sports a lip ring and sleeve of tattoos. “It was on that ‘Man v. Food’ show, so I got my 15 minutes of fame, but it was more like five seconds.”

The after-midnight crowd inside Munchies 420 Cafe on Saturday, October 29, 2011. (Photo by Craig Litten)

Munchies also offers diners a “Fire in Your Hole” challenge of eating an order of super-spicy chicken wings. That special ends at 10 p.m., to discourage poor decision-making late at night.

A Wall of Fame features photos of people who completed the challenge. Some of them are smiling and giving a thumbs-up.

A Wall of Shame has snapshots of those who failed. Some of them are doubled over, barfing.

Fans and critics
Munchies has its critics, especially online. People complain about the decor and the food and the service, which does tend to back up after midnight, when things are busiest.

At Yelp.com, respondents said the cafe reminded them of high school — which could be a compliment, or not.
Young people are the most devoted fans. The cafe is known to high school and college kids up and down the Gulf Coast. It’s like a teenaged fantasy of staying up late, going out, and then eating unholy amounts of unhealthy food.

“You can come out, 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning, and that’s cool,” said Jimenez, who hails from Venice. “Anywhere you go, people know about Munchies.”

Word of Mouth's downtown Sarasota location.

If you’ve been to Word of Mouth lately, you may have noticed a banner proudly claiming that the restaurants have sold over two million eggs. Even for a popular breakfast destination, that seems like a very high number, especially considering the restaurant didn’t get its start until the new millennium. The original restaurant opened in Gulf Gate in 2000. Under Jeremy Adams’ ownership, it expanded to Cattlemen Road in 2006 and downtown Sarasota in 2008.

When we saw Word of Mouth’s boast, we did some quick math. If you add up each location’s time in business, they’ve collectively been serving the community for about 16 years. To get to two million eggs, each location must have sold no less than 342 a day, every single day. That’s basically 116 omelets per store, in just one day’s business hours. Seems like a lot, right?

We asked Adams to explain the math.

What we forgot to account for was the muffins, scones, and quiches and other goods baked from scratch daily. Each Word of Mouth serves 400 people on a good day, and it’s easy to imagine how they could average well over one egg sold per customer. Turns out the actual number of eggs the restaurant goes through is closer to 514 eggs a day.

Adams arrived at this number after Simon Kirby, owner of Simon’s Coffee House and a good friend, proposed that the two restaurateurs combine forces and raise their own chickens. They started to look into it and quickly figured out that the savings couldn’t justify the hassle.

Nonetheless, Word of Mouth did get a pretty impressive claim to fame out of it.

Five Guys’ second Sarasota location opens today, in the Gulf Gate Pavilion Center (that’s the Gulf Gate Mall, for anyone who’s been in Sarasota for a while) at 6593 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, fiveguys.com. That means hand-cut, fresh fries cooked to order and delicious greasy, crisp, diner-style burgers on soft buns with free toppings at fairly reasonable prices.

That also puts some pressure on some of Ticket’s other favorite Gulf Gate restaurants — like Tony’s Chicago Beef or Ham Heaven and Devil Dogs — but we trust that people will still spread around the wealth after the first rush of fried meat and potato wears off.

Let’s start with the hours. Even considering Gulf Gate’s generous standards, Ham Heaven must be commended for staying open till three a.m., selflessly serving Sarasota’s few night owls. If you’re young, or used to a more urban environment, you know that there are times when Taco Bell does not do the trick for late-night munchies.

Second, it’s immediately clear that owner Rocky Rocchio is not cut from the same cloth as your typical Sarasota restaurateur. Rather than table service, family-friendly seating and fine art, Ham Heaven opts for bare bones seating, an extensive collection of Jimmy Hoffa memorabilia (including signed photos, specifically made out to Rocky!), and a serious (though perfectly helpful) attitude. Like the folks down the street at Tony’s Chicago Beef, Rocky migrated from an urban environment (New York City) to the Sunshine State in an attempt to settle down, while bringing a piece of his hometown to the good folks of sleepy Sarasota.

If Rocky’s food is any indication, the Gulf Coast is seriously deprived of the gritty cheap eats that’s the norm for New Yorkers. Ham Heaven proudly proclaims to offer the best Reuben in town, and there’s little denying it. There’s something Gestaltian about that combination of homemade corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and rye bread – it’s more than the sum of its parts. The stuff is transcendent, a kind of experience you normally only see at fine dining establishments.

Of course, we tried the heavenly ham and devilish dogs as well. The ham — roasted in-house — is indeed stellar, available in every imaginable incarnation. The hot dog selection is unrivaled as well; the Cincinnati (mustard, chili, cheese and onions) is a particularly appealing option, but anything from a Chicago to a Sarasota dog (mustard, onions and coleslaw) is fair game here.

We tried the Chicago Philly Full House (sautéed mushrooms and peppers, in addition to the usuals) and the potato and ham soup, and the quality was consistent. None of it is mind-blowing — aside from the Reuben — and most entrees run about $10, meaning it’s not exactly the cheapest dinner in Sarasota. Still, the quality and variety are undeniable. Between the pasta, potato salad, bread pudding, BBQ ribs, Italian heroes, oxtail soups and the filet mignon sandwich, there’s enough here to satisfy anyone, no matter the budget.

HH&DD simply doesn’t disappoint. This is the kind of food you want before, during or after drinking. Making matters all the better is their cozy relationship with Mr. Beery’s, the similarly excellent beer bar next door, where they’ll hand-deliver food whenever you want.

You don’t often find HH&DD’s combination of quality, nonchalance, and grittiness in this area. Readers willing to spend $10 on some tasty, heavy, satisfying grub would do well to make the drive down to Gulf Gate immediately.

Ham Heaven & Devil Dogs
2647 Mall Dr., Sarasota
923-2514, hamheavenanddevildogs.webs.com

A lemon tree at Mixon Fruit Farms. (Herald-Tribune archive / 2010 / Thomas Bender)

He brewed Limoncello Italian Pale Ale, according to Mr. Beery’s owner Mark Tuchman. I don’t know if the beer was actually made with the Italian lemon liqueur, but it certainly sounds interesting.

And you can drink this beer starting at 6 p.m. tonight at Mr. Beery’s, 2645 Mall Drive in Gulf Gate.

Learn more at the event’s Facebook page.

The Irish Rover (HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE PHOTO)

Just as many of Sarasota’s best local bands are preparing for the Closet benefit show Saturday, hoping to raise money so the founders can navigate the city’s legal obstacle course and hopefully open their own venue downtown, we are reminded that musicians are having just as much trouble finding places to play outside city limits.

One of the most notorious neighborhoods for these problems is Gulf Gate, an area with a high concentration of bars often falling prey to Sarasota County’s infamous “entertainment ordinance,” which states that all live entertainment in the county must cease at 10 p.m. every night of the week.

The latest victim to throw in the towel is Irish Rover owner Paul Duffy, who has announced he will be closing his popular Irish pub in August. Although Duffy’s biggest motivating factor is to spend more time with his family, he doesn’t discount the laws as having a major effect on his decision.

“It’s hard to quantify how much was lost for not being able to play music after 10, because we always had to start at 7 or 8,” Duffy says. “It certainly would have made a big difference to get younger people in there. We were never looking for 2 or 3 in the morning. We just wanted to have a decent night for music. Being a musician, that’s what I knew, so that was going to be the cornerstone of the business. Ten o’clock is just ridiculous.”

Pastimes Pub owner Luca Rizzi, whose bar holds the only grandfather clause in Gulf Gate allowing live music until 2 a.m., was a bit more succinct: “They are just trying to play Irish music that you can’t hear from the sidewalk. I’d say they got screwed. They are good people and did a good job. I hope they reopen.”

Many people don’t realize that outside of Pastimes, Boar’s Head Lounge is the only venue in Gulf Gate that’s been granted a special exception allowing live entertainment past the 10 p.m. shutdown time. The cost to apply for an exception can run venues well over $10,000 after county, consulting and legal fees, and then they can still be denied. It’s a gamble most venues can’t afford to take.

“It’s supposed to be a town that claims to be entertainment-friendly,” says Boar’s Head owner Ken Chester. “But those that don’t have the money can’t have entertainment. We were fortunate. We might have been the last of the Mohicans. I don’t see any others (in Gulf Gate) getting it.”

One Gulf Gate venue owner that understands Duffy’s plight all too well is Mr. Beery’s Mark Tuchman, who only recently ventured into the world of live music and has been impressed with the quality of the local bands he’s had perform. “I’ll tell you that because of the entertainment ordinance, I am currently dramatically changing my participation in the local music scene,” Tuchman says. “It’s difficult to have something if the crowds are going to come out later when I have to shut the music down. It’s unfortunate, but instead of once or twice a week, I may do it once or twice a month. My experience under the limitations of the entertainment ordinance has led me to the realization that in order for my business to succeed I’m going to have to back off.”

Just to give readers a personal frame of reference, I was booked to play every Sunday in June at Mr. Beery’s, which totaled to about $500 in income for the month. Those gigs paid my rent.

Unfortunately, that’s a paycheck I don’t expect to be receiving again anytime soon.