Thursday, October 4, 2018

Chianti Ristorante Italiano 3900 Clark Road Sarasota

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Probably the best overall Italian restaurant when it comes to menu, friendly atmosphere and price, bar none! Located at 3900 Clark Road in an obscure professional business center, Chianti's is an Italian lover's favorite. The food is excellent, the wait staff is un-paralleled and prices are very reasonable.


The menu is quite extensive and includes daily specials. Tuesday is Lobster Night that includes a whole Maine lobster, soup or salad, veggies, potatoes and warm Chianti bread. At $19.95 it's a great deal. If you are able to get there early enough to be seated between 4PM and 530PM any night, they have a three course early bird special that includes many of our favorite dishes, again for only $19.95.

Check out some of the favorite meals we have had there off the regular menu:

Chicken Marsala is always a fan favorite. The marsala sauce is thick and incredibly rich in flavor. So rich in fact, that you think you are drinking marsala wine by the glass!

 
If you prefer piccata sauce, try it with chicken or the veal shown below. You can hear the chef tenderizing the veal before you even walk in the door!
 
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Can you see how big these meatballs are? Well, you wont believe how big they are in taste too! Your choice in pasta. When someone talks about a "meat lovers special", this is what they are referring to.

The rack of lamb is my favorite. Skip the sharp knife! You wont need one. And while Mary had a little lamb, you won't have a little lamb portion at Chianti's.

 Try the minestrone soup. You wont find any better.
 
Make sure you leave room (if possible ) for dessert. Sarasota Magazine raves about the bread pudding made from fresh croissants topped with rich vanilla ice cream. You will rave too!ο»Ώ
 
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Overall, a great place to dine!

Popi's Place on the Ranch 5820 Ranch Lake Blvd. Bradenton

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If you have lived around here for more than a few months, you have no doubt heard of a local "chain" of eight family restaurants called Popi's Place. Our local venue is called Popi's Place on the Ranch. Its located in the Walmart shopping center at the State Road 70 exit off Interstate 75.


Popi's Place calls themselves a Greek American comfort food family style restaurant. I don't understand the Greek influence except for the Greek salad or the hero sandwich on their menu. Frankly, people don't go there for Greek food. If you want real Greek food drive north to Tarpon Springs. We go to Popi's because it serves great food at a great price. The menu is extensive and their daily specials contain surprisingly great food at a ridiculously low price. If you have kids and don't want to break the bank, this is the place to go to.

If you are lucky enough to be there when they have their chicken pot pie special, you have to try it to believe it. But you better be hungry!  If you are really lucky they will be serving veal shank (or osso bucco as they call it at pooh pooh restaurants!). Its quite good and even better since they only charge around $10 for what I have paid $25 elsewhere for the same portion and quality. Your plate may not look as pretty as at fancy restaurants, but you will overlook that the second the first piece of meat crosses your lips!

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I would say that they are probably best know for their breakfast menu, which is available all day long. Their pancakes are the best and their combo specials provide you with an abundant breakfast meal. You probably don't want to eat this right before you have your cholesterol check! But then again, you only live once.



Sunny Wok 8756 E State Rd 70 Bradenton

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Sometimes you just want inexpensive but good Chinese food for lunch or dinner. There are literally dozens of little Chinese restaurants in our area. While many are very inexpensive, very very few serve good tasting food.

Having moved here from the DC area where great Chinese restaurants could be found at almost every street corner, we were shocked to find the quality of the Chinese food here was severely lacking. So, after having been to at least a dozen contenders, we found this little restaurant hidden off State Road 70 in that shopping center that houses a big Goodwill store. The owner says he has been at this location for 12 years. How did we not see this place in the 5 years we have been here? I guess it would have helped if his main sign wasn't obscured by the faΓ§ade of the shopping center. If you don't look straight on, you'll never see it.

When you walk in the door, you'll note that there aren't many places to sit down. I count 3 booths and three small tables. You'll stop looking at the floor space when that whiff of sensational aromas come swirling out of the kitchen located just a few feet behind the counter. Frankly, its more of a take out place than a sit down diner. However, if you choose to eat there, the owner will provide you with metal silverware rather than the plasticware provided for take out customers.

Its a typical Chinese restaurant with pictures of meals they serve. But what will surprise you is that lunch specials include white or fried rice, your choice of soup, and a selection of two dozen or more entrees at the low price of $5.95! Seriously?! A larger dinner portioned size includes an egg roll for $7.95 .

I love General Tsos chicken. I don't know what battle he fought in to earn the right to have his name enshrined forever in this tasty dish, but I am glad someone came up with this recipe. For me, I can never decide between egg drop or wonton soup, but the owner humors me by throwing in a few wontons in his egg drop soup. And as you can see here, that's a lot of food for $5.95.


My wife is a traditionalist and loves the chicken and broccoli dish. The chicken is always tasty and tender. Never been bland or dry in all the times we have been there. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture for you now. While I was arranging to take pics from my order, my wife already dug into her meal!

Besides the great food, which I will proclaim as the best around despite what the paid "best of the best" advertisements say, you will love the friendly atmosphere. After only my second time there, the owner and chef knew my order before I even opened my mouth.

Give it a try. You won't go wrong!

Monday, October 1, 2018

Mi Pueblo El Restaurante 8405 Tuttle Ave and University Bradenton

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Its not surprising that this area has so many Mexican restaurants, but it is surprising that there are only a few decent ones and, in my opinion, only one very good one!


Mi Pueblo has two locations. The other one is on Bee Ridge. I have not eaten at the Bee Ridge location, but I can't imagine its any different from the one off University.

From the minute you enter the front door, you can smell the savory sauces and hear the sizzle of fajitas brought to a table nearby. I have been there many times and its funny, but I have barely been able to get my butt in my seat before someone drops off a huge bowl of warm tortilla chips with your choice of salsa! I love the yellow, red and green chips. Nice touch since that's the colors of the Mexican flag. So, from the start, you know its authentic!

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I am a big fajita fan! Steak is my favorite. Don't get me wrong, the chicken is very good, but there is something about the seasonings on the steak version that make it a standout. The onions and peppers are cooked to perfection. And in all the times we have eaten here, they have never been overcooked or under done by any stretch of the imagination. I am not a big fan of the yellow rice, but the refried beans are yummy.

 
On our last visit, my wife switched it up and ordered the Tacos El Carbon Pueblo. When I hear the word "taco", I immediately envision the hard shell that cracks and drops all its goodies on your plate (if your lucky its on your plate and not your shirt or lap!). But this menu item uses two soft tortillas filled with strips of chicken, topped with cheese, onions and peppers. Sounds like a fajita, doesn't it?! But they saved you the effort of building your own fajita.
 
I am not a fan of hot and spicy foods, but I was there once when the guy at the table next to me cried "OMG!! This is hot!...…... I love it!"
 
You will love Mi Pueblo too.
 
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