Paris Bistro 8131 Lakewood Main Street Lakewood Ranch

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There is no place like Paris when it comes to food. Even a good old American hamburger tastes better in Paris with the Eiffel Tower looming in the background. But of course, it might be more than you want to spend for that meal what with airfare, hotels, etc. So, let me give you the next best thing - The Paris Bistro on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. The Chef and owner, Christopher and his wife will do everything possible to make you feel like you are in Paris. So, sit back and enjoy your meal. I don't think you will have a better experience west of Paris!

How can you have a French meal without getting escargot as an appetizer? I will warn you, if you don't like garlic, don't order this delicacy. Fortunately, the only way to eat snails is with as much garlic and parsley butter as possible. You wont be disappointed. And don't forget to dip their warm, incredible baguette bread in the drippings left behind!

 

When your stomach cries out for the next round, you can't go wrong with the Pork Parmesan or the Chicken Normande (yes, its not a typo here. That's how they spell Normandy at this restaurant, and who am I to point that out to them?! It was America that saved France at the beaches of Normandy, after all.)

 

The pork was prepared of tenderloin medallions served in a puff pastry with a cream of parmesan cheese and shredded prosciutto. The chicken Normande is made of diced chicken breast and mushrooms flambee Cognac in a cream sauce. My mouth waters just thinking of them.

 

 

Did I mention that they make crepes for dessert? Okay, they make crepes for dessert! I think I counted 24 concoctions that will make it almost impossible to choose just one. Unfortunately for me, when I was there last, I filled up on their incredible fresh bread with imported European butter to leave any room for dessert! But that gives me another reason to come back.

Speaking of bread.... stop by there for lunch and order a sandwich and salad. Ridiculously reasonable in price and excellent!

Pascones Ristorante' 5239 University Parkway Sarasota, FL

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A Bar Harbor restaurateur brings her ambiance and recipes to a location close to Lakewood Ranch. Located in the University Town Center shopping district adjacent to Fresh Market. If you are looking for a more formal Italian restaurant with a great variety of goodies on its menu, look no further than Pascones.

When I try out a new Italian restaurant for the first time, I always order chicken parm. To me, getting the right balance of coating and chicken shows me where the chef's priorities lie! I found the panko crusted coating to be just enough to add spice while not choking off the flavor of the meat itself. No need for the knife in my place setting! The fork passed through my chicken with the greatest of ease!

However, I will report that the first time we went there, the marinara sauce was a bit too thin and tasteless. So, based on the sauce alone, I was unsure if I wanted to return. Sarasota has a plethora of great Italian restaurants, so why go back to any place that isn't perfecto?  But my wife convinced me that was the way true Italian chefs prepared their marinara and I needed to go back (primarily because she loved her meal). I come from a long line of Italians and she is from Eastern European descent, so what do I know, right?! When we did go back (you see who the restaurant bully in the family is), it was like the chef had read my mind. His marinara was perfect!! And his meat sauce was incredible. The only bad part of the meal was that the dinner was so picture perfect, I almost didn't want to ruin it. I said almost!!

Here is the spaghetti and meat balls that brought my wife and I back. The meat was very, very tasty. Note the thicker meat sauce!

Our friend ordered the salmon. Another picture perfect plate. And from what she reported, it was scrumptious. The only bad thing, she was so into her meal, she hardly said a word. But considering we have very different political views, her silence turned out to be a good thing!

Its well worth the visit. And for you local Lakewood Ranch foodies, it sure beats driving downtown. Add this venue to Il Conte's in the Market Street area of Lakewood Ranch and we have two great choices for Italian fare!

Boneyard BBQ 6581 E State Rd 70, Bradenton, Fl

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Looking for some great BBQ without cleaning your grill afterwards?  Don't want to wait the 4-5 hours it takes at home to make ribs that literally fall off the bone? Then you should try the recently opened Boneyard BBQ!  Its a short drive west of Interstate 75 on State Route 70.

 

My wife doesn't like to get her fingernails dirty, so she selected the pulled pork. All meats come dry but they provide a decent selection of sauces on your table. Mix and match as you please. The corn is roasted and off the cob for maximum enjoyment with minimum mess. The macaroni and cheese could be a meal in itself, unless you are into a low carb diet, then stay away from this concoction of pasta and cheese. Did I say it has cheese??

 

 

 

I myself actually prefer to get my fingers and nails and hands dirty when I eat BBQ. (But make sure you don't wear a good shirt here. It won't be good afterwards!) I ordered the one pound serving size and when it arrived I thought "doesn't seem like much". But when I was half way through, I realized just how much meat are on dem bones! I don't know how they do their baked beans but they were tantalizingly good. I love creamy coleslaw made just like they way KFC did them when I was a kid. One bite and I thought I was back in time. If I had any complaints, it would be that the corn bread was just okay. But then again, I didn't go there for the cornbread. 

 

While the ribs aren't the best I have ever eaten, they are pretty darn good. But the atmosphere is fun, colorful and alive with southern charm. And don't forget to bring your dental floss!