First Stop: Central & South America
It doesn't get any more authentic than sitting down to a meal of ropa vieja (stewed beef) with yellow rice and a side of manduros (fried, sweet plantains) at El Habanero, a bona fide Cuban restaurant in Burns Court. Locals call their Cuban sandwich the best in town.

El Adobe Mexican Restaurant has everything you need to go south of the border: Mexican tile floors; overflowing baskets of chips and salsa; and waiters who actually speak the language. Further south, eat inside or out at Mi Pueblo

Seafood factors in to ethnic cuisine

in Venice. Their special chocolaty sauce, mole, is definitely worth a try.

Explore the Far East
It's not fancy, as the folding metal chairs and paper tablecloths (crayons provided) will attest, but the Indian cuisine at Chutneys, Etc. in Southside Village sure is tasty. Flavors range from mild to too-hot-to-handle (so hot that waitresses provide standard consume-at-your-own-risk disclaimers); you can choose two dishes from their dinner list for a mere $14.95.

For a taste of the orient, head across the street to Pacific Rim. Serving up Asian cuisine in a modern atmosphere, you can watch your meal being prepared from a seat at the large sushi bar or by peeking into the open kitchen. This place is popular with those in the know, so expect to wait a few minutes for a table.

Ask a local where to go for Thai and they'll tell you Bangkok (the restaurant, not the city). Though it's in a strip mall, the décor inside will make you feel as though you're dining in a palace, replete with silken pillows on which to sit around ornately carved wooden tables.

What Miss Saigon lacks in atmosphere, it more than makes up with flavor. The extensive Vietnamese menu seems larger than their tiny dining room can accommodate. If it's your first time, you can't go wrong with one of the many bún dishes or pho soups. (bún are made with mung bean vermicelli and pho are rice-noodle soups)

…Then the East
Dining at Maximo Restaurant & Wine Bar on Siesta Key is

Vernona Restaurant serves American cuisine with a Continental flair The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota

like taking an African safari without the hassle of malaria shots. Dine inside surrounded by African masks or outside under white fairy lights reminiscent of a starry night in the veldt. The South African cuisine has an Italian twist, courtesy of the South African-born Italian chef, Max Lazzari.

Big Kitchen serves up authentic Jewish deli-style food in what can only be called "unique" surroundings (one of the dining rooms boasts complete table settings jutting out from the walls while another is adorned with colorful refrigerator doors). This is the place to go for all of your comfort-food cravings.

Then on to Europe
The famous Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle is a must-stop for any visitor. Serving fine Spanish cuisine in Florida since 1905 (in Sarasota since 1959), it would be sacrilege not to sample their signature 1905 Salad and black bean soup.

Irish eyes are smiling at Lynches Pub & Grub, also on St. Armands Circle. You can dine on your favorite food from the Emerald Isle: cottage pie, corned beef and cabbage, corned beef hash and more. Or, just order up a pint of Guinness - it's a meal in itself. You can get more luck of the Irish on Venice Avenue in Downtown Venice at TJ Carney's. On the menu is Irish and American fare, along with live, Irish entertainment every night during season and three nights a week in summer and fall. Specialties of the house include Shepherd's Pie and fish and chips.

Just around the circle is upscale Café L'Europe. Dine on fine continental cuisine inside or al fresco. It's known throughout Sarasota for its good taste, both in food and décor, and is the perfect place for a special occasion or even just because.

Opa! You can't miss the huge blue awnings at El Greco Café, downtown Sarasota's Big Fat Greek Restaurant. The portions are huge and the price is right; they serve up all your Greek favorites, including kebabs, spanakopita and gyros.

There just might be more Italian restaurants in Sarasota than in Italy itself. One restaurant that does al dente just like mama made it is Café Baci on Tamiami Trail. If you don't mind eating before sunset, try the early bird special - it's renowned in snowbird circles.

You might be the only person there that's not a member of the Elks Lodge, but even so, if you're looking for large portions of delicious, home-style German food, North Port's Olde World Restaurant is where you want to be.

Hungry for more? Try:

Peruvian
Javier's
Selva Grille

Thai
Tropical Thai
Siam Orchid

Japanese
Taste of Tokyo
Saga
Jo-To
Da-Ru-Ma

Middle Eastern
Fandango International Café
Sahara Café

Continental/French
Bijou Café
C'est La Vie
Le Parigot
Vernona Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Italian/Mediterranean
Café Epicure
Luna Ristorante in Venice
Mediterraneo

Originally posted 5/24/04