You asked and we are happy to serve them up: this week's prix fixe Summer in the City menus (Aug. 27-Sept. 1), featuring one of everyone's favorites, a Nicoise salad. Yum. Read on:

SUMMER IN THE CITY Dinner: $32.95 per person

Choice of Starter:

SALADE NICOISE Classic composed salad on leaf lettuce with olives, green beans, tomato, hardboiled egg and French dressing

SOUP DU JOURHot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree:

ALMOND CRUSTED CORVINA Roasted red pepper harissa, cous cous and veg

MOJO PORK TENDERLOIN Carrot and chayote salad with chipotle vinaigrette, mash

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST With mushroom ravioli, light lemon cream sauce with chevre

For Dessert:

HONEY LAVENDER BRULEE with fresh berries

 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Lunch: $16.95 per person

Choice of Starter: 

SALADE NICOISE Classic composed salad on leaf lettuce with olives, green beans, tomato, hardboiled egg and French dressing

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef 

Choice of Entree: 

ALMOND CRUSTED CORVINA Roasted red pepper harissa, cous cous and veg

MOJO PORK TENDERLOIN Carrot and chayote salad with chipotle vinaigrette, mash

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST Served over angel hair pasta with roasted Roma tomato sauce

  

Alll of the above will pair so nicely with our wine of the week, check it out for just $6 per glass and $24 per bottle.

Click here to make a reservation, or call us at 941.366.8111. And follow us on Facebook for more amazingly-delicious looking photos and news.

 

We're back with this week's prix fixe Summer in the City menus (Aug. 20-Aug. 25) — the watermelon and feta salad is a perfect cooling August dish, or try the flounder meunier, inspired by one of our favorite regulars, Lynn Robbins:

SUMMER IN THE CITY Dinner: $32.95 per person

Choice of Starter:

WATERMELON & FETA SALAD With red onion, grape tomatoes, and arugula; white balsamic vinaigrette

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree:

LYNN ROBBINS’ FLOUNDER MEUNIER Lemon caper beurre blanc, fresh veggies

MANDALAY DUCK BREAST Star anise dusted, pan roasted, served with Jasmine rice and Kaffir lime coconut cream

MUSHROOM RAVIOLI & SKIRT STEAK Tossed in a light demi-glace and Marsala wine sauce

For Dessert:

 WHITE CHOCOLATE PANNA COTTA With pomegranate coulis

 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Lunch: $16.95 per person

Choice of Starter: 

WATERMELON & FETA SALAD With red onion, grape tomatoes, and arugula; white balsamic vinaigrette

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef 

Choice of Entree: 

TURKEY PASTRAMI On marble rye with Swiss cheese, grain mustard plus coleslaw and waffle chips

LYNN ROBBINS’ FLOUNDER MEUNIER Lemon caper beurre blanc, fresh veggies

MUSHROOM RAVIOLI & SKIRT STEAK Tossed in a light demi-glace and Marsala wine sauce

  

Check out our wine of the week for just $6 per glass and $24 per bottle all summer as well as our regular dinner and lunch menus — a house-made ice cream is just what the doctor ordered to finish things off if you ask us! 

Click here to make a reservation, or call us at 941.366.8111. And follow us on Facebook for specials and sneak peeks inside the restaurant.

 

Since we started the Bijou Café in 1986, we have been great friends with our neighbors Florida Studio Theatre. We obviously have a symbiotic relationship as many people love to have dinner at the Bijou and then walk across the street to attend a theater performance.

On a more personal note, we really got to know the folks who run the theater when our little boy Jeffrey (now 26!) started going to summer camp for kids at FST. He loved it and of course we loved seeing him and the other kids perform.

Now in its 38th year, Florida Studio Theatre is just about to complete the largest expansion in its history to meet growing needs.

They have renovated the 6,000 square foot Gompertz Theatre and constructed an 18,000 square foot addition with two new theater spaces. It has been a $6 million project and it will allow for growth of the theater, the art, and the audience. Pictured at right is the nearly-complete new theatre! 

New features include:

• Fully renovated Gompertz theatre auditorium featuring an increase in seating capacity to 230, increased accessible seating for handicapped patrons, larger stage space and wing space
• Expanded interior lobby space
• New large restrooms
• A full service café and bar
• Covered veranda seating and street-level seating
• A New Cabaret Theatre, seating 130 people on two levels
• A New Lab Theatre, seating 100 people
• A New Actors' Loft featuring new dressing rooms, restrooms, green room, and additional facilities

Little old neglected First Street has really been kicked up a notch with this beautiful new addition!

Click here to see more about the work on the new project.

Ticket revenue only covers about 65% of the operating costs associated with their programming. Like all non-profit institutions, they rely on the generous contributions of loyal patrons and corporations to bridge the gap. Donors are a critical part of FST's artistic team, ensuring that they can continue to make Sarasota a great place to raise children, and an even better place to raise adults.

So our very best wishes go out to Richard, Rebecca, Kate, Beth, Pam and the entire FST family on their amazing new achievement.

They would appreciate any help you could provide. For more information on supporting The New Gompertz Theatre campaign, please contact Jon Donk, Development Manager, at (941) 366-9017 x326 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hot town, Summer in the City! Inspired by another scortching week, here's our latest prix fixe menu (Aug. 13-Aug. 18) — try two courses at lunch for $16.95 or three at dinner for $32.95 and enjoy the tasty side of "Summer in the City."

SUMMER IN THE CITY Dinner: $32.95 per person

Choice of Starter:

SALADE MAISON Bibb and radicchio, crisp prosciutto, polenta croutons, creole vinaigrette

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree:

SHRIMP & MUSSELS Over pappardelle with housemade pancetta, white clam sauce

SALMON PAILLARD Loch Duart salmon sautéed in olive oil and garlic, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, spinach, finished with lemon and butter

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST Free range chicken, smoky tomato butter sauce, zucchini planks, lemon herb spaetzle (pictured at right)

For Dessert:

 CHOCOLATE POTS DE CRÈME With candied and brittled nuts, coffee cloud

 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Lunch: $16.95 per person

Choice of Starter: 

SALADE MAISON Bibb and radicchio, crisp prosciutto, polenta croutons, creole vinaigrette

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree: 

NEUSKE’S BACON BLT Semolina toast, arugula, avocado, Tasti-Lee tomato, mayo

BILL SABA’S LOCH DUART SALMON Loch Duart salmon sautéed in olive oil and garlic and served with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and sautéed spinach, finished with lemon and butter

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST Free range chicken, smoky tomato butter sauce, zucchini planks, lemon herb spaetzle

  

Also: we're offering a different wine of the week for just $6 per glass and $24 per bottle all summer as well as our regular dinner and lunch menus — including our famous Pommes Gratin Dauphinois.

Click here to make a reservation, or call us at 941.366.8111. And follow us on Facebook for specials and sneak peeks inside the restaurant.

 

Hello Bijou friends and followers! Here's our new prix-fixe "Summer in the City" for this week (Aug. 6-Aug. 11)! 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Dinner: $32.95 per person

Choice of Starter:

GRILLED PEAR & WATERCRESS Salad with arugula, walnuts, blue cheese, onion and lemon/shallot vinaigrette

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree:

BRAISED PORK SHANK With fresh pea risotto and wild mushroom sauce

HANRAHAN’S CHICKEN Fresh herb and mustard crusted boneless breast served with orzo primavera, tomato and compound butter

ASIAN-INSPIRED SALMON Balsamic glazed filet of salmon with glass noodles, ginger, garlic and scallion sauce

For Dessert:

PEACH & RHUBARB CRISP With vanilla bean ice cream

 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Lunch: $16.95 per person

Choice of Starter: 

GRILLED PEAR & WATERCRESS Salad with arugula, walnuts, blue cheese, onion and lemon/shallot vinaigrette

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree: 

BRAISED PORK SHANK With fresh pea risotto and wild mushroom sauce

HANRAHAN’S CHICKEN Fresh herb and mustard crusted boneless breast served with orzo primavera, tomato and compound butter 

ROCK SHRIMP PO’ BOY N’awlins style sandwich with Creole remoulade and chopped slaw

  

Come in and enjoy the "Summer in the City" dinner or lunch menu alongside our wine of the week for just $6 per glass, $24 per bottle. Of course our full dinner and lunch menus, including the amazing Bijou Pepper Steak, are available, too.

Click here to make a reservation, or call us at 941.366.8111. And follow us on Facebook for specials and sneak peeks inside the restaurant.

 

It's the middle of summer and it's sweltering. As a matter of fact I'm writing this on my laptop, in my swimming trunks, poolside Chez Knaggs!

What better way to start the weekend off than "First Friday Wine Tasting" at the Bijou Cafe? Chilled whites, cool roses and scrumptious reds will be served alongside special hors d'oeuvres and cheeses.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Cheers,
Jean Pierre and Shay Knaggs,
Chef/Owners,
The Bijou Cafe

FIRST FRIDAY WINE TASTING

From 5:00 until 7:00pm in the Bird Room
Friday, August 3rd.

Knowledgeable wine merchants pouring wines from all around the world and this month a special extra treat, a tasting of some fine crafted beers we are now featuring on our list! Small dishes and passed hors d' oeuvres are included as well as a scrumptious artisanal cheese board.

Only $18.00 per Person

So gather some friends and make a night of it. First Friday also means many of the art galleries and shops are open late and invite you to stroll in.

FREE  VALET PARKING!

 

Click here for a dinner reservation following First Friday, or any night! And be sure to follow us on Facebook for more info.

Hello Bijou friends and followers! Here's our new prix-fixe "Summer in the City" for this week (July 30-Aug. 3)! 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Dinner: $32.95 per person

Choice of Starter:

GRILLED ROMAINE Served with roasted summer peppers, Queso Fresco and avocado/lime vinaigrette

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree:

LAVENDER DUCK BREAST Honey glazed and served with braised red cabbage and fresh berry gastrique

PAN SEARED PORK TENDERLOIN With adobo sauce and green rice

RAINBOW TROUT Cornmeal dusted, sautéed and served with ranch ragu, buttermilk chive aioli

For Dessert:

GINGER & PEACH ROULADE With orange mascarpone cream

 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Lunch: $16.95 per person

Choice of Starter: 

GRILLED ROMAINE Served with roasted summer peppers, Queso Fresco and avocado/lime vinaigrette

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree: 

FETTUCINI CARBONARA Tossed with housemade Pancetta, Parmesan and a touch of egg

RAINBOW TROUT Cornmeal dusted, sautéed and served with ranch ragu, buttermilk chive aioli

PAN SEARED PORK TENDERLOIN With adobo sauce and green rice

 

Come in and enjoy the "Summer in the City" dinner or lunch menu alongside our wine of the week for just $6 per glass, $24 per bottle. Of course our full dinner and lunch menus, including the amazing Bijou Pepper Steak, are available, too.

Click here to make a reservation, or call us at 941.366.8111. And follow us on Facebook for specials and sneak peeks inside the restaurant.

 

In 1980, I was working as a chef aboard a luxury yacht when the owner decided to send me to work in some of his favorite restaurants in Europe and learn their recipes.

One of them was L'Oustau de Baumanière in Les Baux de Provence.

In the heart of Les Alpilles mountains, just minutes from Arles, Avignon and Saint Rémy de Provence, this five-star hotel/restaurant is a unique destination where gastronomy and well-being are the key to an experience immersed in the Provencal art of living.

For over 60 years, dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth and celebrities including Jean Reno, Hugh Grant, Bono, Pierre Arditi and Johnny Depp have enjoyed the cuisine and ambience of this extraordinary place.

I learned how to make their famous Pommes Gratin Dauphinoise from the late Chef and owner Monsieur Raymond Thuilier and when we opened the Bijou Café in 1986 I adapted the recipe to American tastes and put in on the menu.

We have probably served tons of the creamy, cheese-covered potatoes over the years and have even sent them on a private jet to the owners of the Ritz-Carlton in Kansas!

In "How to eat out and feel good," an article by Kristine Nickel in Monday's health section of the Herald-Tribune, the Bijou Café's potatoes were mentioned as a "whoa" food: Not necessarily good for your diet, but a great dish to splurge on for a festive occasion. And people sure do: our guests bring their own casserole dishes on holidays and we fill them with the partially cooked Pommes, then they finish them at home and serve them piping hot and golden brown and crusty.

No visit to the Bijou is complete without a serving of the "Pommes"! Join us tonight to try them for yourself! Reservations are available now by clicking here. 

 

This week's Summer in the City lunch menu features a delicious BLT sandwich with Nueske’s bacon and Tasti-Lee tomatoes.

I will discuss Nueske products another blog-day as I want to speak a little about Tasti-Lee tomatoes: A decade in the making, this more flavorful breed has emerged to help Florida growers shed their reputation for rock-hard, tasteless tomatoes.

The Tasti-Lee, a tomato cooked up in a University of Florida research lab, is a crossbreed designed to give Florida growers, who sell three-quarters of their crop to fast-food restaurants or to be chopped into products like salsa or sauce, a way to get in the premium tomato business they ceded long ago.

"Too many premium tomatoes today have a sour, acidic taste, so I balanced Tasti-Lee with a sweetness that tested very well," said Jay Scott, the 62-year-old horticulturist who wed two strains of tomatoes never sold commercially to create the new hybrid. "Plus it's naturally crimson."

It took him five years to select and refine the breed pair, two more years to assemble and test enough seeds and almost three more years to rustle up enough growers and retailers to launch the new tomato.

Publix put them in all 1,100 of its stores in fives states.

"We're selling a lot of them," said Shannon Patten, spokeswoman for Lakeland-based Publix, which signed a three-year exclusive deal to sell Tasti-Lees in Florida.

Except for some pricey Ugly Ripe heirloom tomatoes and a few vine-ripe varieties, Florida growers — who create virtually all the nation's winter tomato crop — stick almost exclusively with varieties bred for long shelf life. They're picked green and as hard as Grannie Smith apples to endure the rough handling of long distance trucking. They are gassed to ripen to pink, while vine ripened tomatoes spend more time in the field.

Tasti-Lee gives up a week of shelf life in the swap for better taste and denser flesh.

Come in to the Bijou this week and try a Tasti-Lee BLT, you’ll love it! Click here for reservations now.

Hello Bijou friends and followers! Here's our new prix-fixe "Summer in the City" for this week (July 23-28)! 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Dinner: $32.95 per person

Choice of Starter:

SALADE MELANGE: Chopped and formed mix of radicchio and spinach, sweet onion, mushroom, bacon, hard-cooked eggs, hearts of palm and Point Reyes Blue cheese, in a creamy herb dressing

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree:

GRILLED CHICKEN With grilled veggies, pappardelle pasta, garlic oil and fresh herbs

LOCH DUART SALMON Herb crusted, oven roasted, served with wilted spinach and Creole tomato-mustard

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK With mushroom ravioli and Marsala wine sauce

For Dessert:

BANANAS FOSTER with vanilla ice cream

 

SUMMER IN THE CITY Lunch: $16.95 per person

Choice of Starter: 

SALADE MELANGE: Chopped and formed mix of radicchio and spinach, sweet onion, mushroom, bacon, hard-cooked eggs, hearts of palm and Point Reyes Blue cheese, in a creamy herb dressing

SOUP DU JOUR Hot and chilled specialties of the Chef

Choice of Entree:

GRILLED CHICKEN With grilled veggies, pappardelle pasta, garlic oil and fresh herbs

NEUSKI’S BACON BLT Semolina toast, arugula, avocado, Tasti-Lee tomato, mayo

LOCH DUART SALMON Herb crusted, oven roasted, served with wilted spinach and Creole tomato-mustard

 

Come in and enjoy a dinner or lunch alongside our wine of the week for just $6 per glass, $24 per bottle. Of course our full dinner and lunch menus, including specialties like the amazing roast duckling, are available, too. Great prices and a great menu at the Bijou for our summer guests and residents, because we love you! Click here to make a reservation, or call us at 941.366.8111. And while you're at it be sure to follow us on Facebook for specials and sneak peeks inside the restaurant.

 

Starting June 18^th is our very popular program known as “Summer in the City” named appropriately after the Lovin’ Spoonful’s hit!

We offer a 2 course lunch special for 16.95 which changes weekly. For dinner we offer a 3 course meal for 32.95 which also changes weekly.

Here are the lunch and dinner menus for next week:

2012…

“SUMMER IN THE CITY” DINNER

To Start

BIJOU CAESAR

Romaine lettuce, herb croutons, parmesan crisps, creamy roasted garlic dressing, anchovy

or

Hot or chilled soup of the day

Entrées

BIJOU CRISP ROASTED DUCK

Savory bread pudding stuffing, sour cherry Merlot sauce or Orange Grand Marnier sauce

or

SHRIMP PIRI PIRI

American-harvest shrimp, cayenne, garlic, lemon, served

with creamy South-African style grits

or

VEAL CARCIOFI

With artichoke hearts, white wine and lemon butter and Capellini

 

Dessert

Dark Chocolate and Banana Croissant Bread Pudding

Callebaut chocolate sauce

 

$32.95 per person

Exclusive of Tax and Gratuity…Please no substitutions

 

 

2012…

“SUMMER IN THE CITY”

LUNCH

To Start

BIJOU CAESAR

Romaine lettuce, herb croutons, parmesan crisps, creamy roasted garlic dressing, anchovy

Entrées

CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD

Served over mixed greens

or

SHRIMP PIRI PIRI

American-harvest shrimp, cayenne, garlic, lemon, served

with creamy South-African style grits

or

SKIRT STEAK SANDWICH

With caramelized onions, Humboldt Fog cheese and waffle chips

$16.95 a Person   Exclusive of Tax and Gratuity

 

So don't wait another minute. Call 941 366-8111 to make a reservation or click here OpenTable  to make one online

Summer never tasted so good!

We're known for having the #1 beach in the USA but we also have the highest concentrations of Zagat®-rated restaurants in Florida. You knew that already? Well, did you know you can plan a culinary adventure around our award-winning eateries without breaking the bank? That's right, during Savor Sarasota—you can enjoy 3-course meals from our famed eateries for just $15 per person for lunch and $25 per person for dinner. And with a spread from Peruvian to French and every flavor in between, you'll taste your way around the world in no time. From the Visit Sarasota County’s website.

The Savor Sarasota Week officially ends on Thursday June 14^th, but at the Bijou Café we want to give you one more weekend to enjoy this incredible deal! We are extending the Savor menu through Friday and Saturday, June 16. Please give us a call or make a reservation on line and join us for a memorable meal.

Starting June 18^th is our very popular program known as “Summer in the City” named appropriately after the Lovin’ Spoonful’s hit!

We offer a 2 course lunch special for 16.95 which changes weekly. For dinner we offer a 3 course meal for 32.95 which also changes weekly. So remember the words

But at night it's a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it'll be alright

In the Summer, in the City,

In the Summer, in the City!

At the Bijou Café of course!

Discover the Flavors of Sarasota During the 7th Annual "Savor Sarasota" Restaurant Week,

June 1-14, 2012

This 14-day dining event featuring $25 multi-course dinners and $15 lunches will showcase the region's chefs and the eateries which have helped the area earn the distinction of having one of the highest concentrations of Zagat-rated restaurants in Florida. Click here to see the Bijou Cafe's menus  Savor Sarasota Then call 366-8111 for reservations and join us for a memorable meal!  

We are also offering Special selected red and white wines or Proseco for only $6.00 a glass with the Savor menu.

What better way to enjoy the Bijou Cafe's cuisine than a special prix fixe menu at considerable savings!

 

 

 

As this holiday weekend approaches I prepared to write a blog about what’s going on at the Bijou this summer. Traditionally Memorial Day weekend signals the start of summer. It’s time for hot dogs and beer and the beach.

But I realized it is time to pause and consider the true meaning of this holiday. Unfortunately, like many other holidays Memorial Day has become another consumer driven occasion to go out and spend money. Whether it’s at the Indy 500 or buying furniture or a new barbeque grill it’s sad that we so easily forget this special day’s true meaning.

Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness and reverence, honoring those American men and women who died defending our Nation and its values.

We should really honor these heroes every day for the ultimate contribution they have made to defending our Nation's freedom but we should honor them especially on Memorial Day.

So this Memorial Day please stop and pay respect to those who died protecting and preserving the freedoms we enjoy, for we owe those honored dead more than we can ever repay.

 

  1287 First Street, home of the Bijou Cafe

Well, well! The City of Sarasota on Monday afternoon at 2:30 will hopefully decide to go ahead with plans to give a face lift to parts of Downtown. While Main Street has seen many improvements over the years, little old First Street has been ignored and allowed to become somewhat the worse for wear. This is quite astonishing as First Street is the gateway from the Ritz Carlton to the heart of Downtown.

The rusty old lamp posts that date from the 50’s will be replaced with ornamental lighting, matching the rest of the lamp posts in town. The cracked and heaving concrete sidewalks will be replaced with new brick accented walk ways making it less likely that a Ritz Carlton guest heading for downtown will suffer a broken ankle.

Curbs and crosswalks will be enhanced and landscaping will be freshened up. All these improvements are intended to lure people downtown convincing them to park their cars and stroll about shopping, dining, and just having fun. Ironically this is exactly the opposite point of view the City seemed to have when the parking meters went in. The now defunct meter system said in no uncertain words: “Don’t you dare come downtown! We will make your life difficult, charge you money and punish you”! Good riddance you mean old meters!

So thank you Sarasota. We have waited patiently for this moment to arrive. Now we will be able to offer the Bijou Café guests a more pleasant, friendly and safer route to the restaurant. We look forward to working with the City and our wonderful neighbors, Florida Studio Theatre, enhancing our neighborhood.

Please come to City Hall on Monday May 21^st at 2:30 and help us convince the City Commissioners to go ahead with these most appropriate plans. Read more about this here.

Here at the Bijou Café things are crazy hectic during the season and particularly during the Opera season. After we bid the snowbirds adieu we take a deep breath and make our game plans for the long and sultry summer.

Appetites tend to wane as the temperatures climb so we offer a menu with small plates and light fare

Called “J.P.’s Bar Bites”, the menu features a selection of small plates to enjoy at the bar or outside, share with friends or as a simple meal. Some of the most popular “Bites” include:

Trilogy of Soups- 3 mini cups of today’s soups, hot, chilled and bisque, Pepper Steak “Frikadelles”- mini beef meatballs in spicy sauce, Crabcake Sliders- with fresh arugula and remoulade sauce and Boerewors “Stukkies”- house made South African sausage grilled and served with mango chutney.

         

The Bombay Sapphire Girls sample Bijou Cafe's Boerewors!

Summertime is perfect for quaffing a crafted brew so we offer a selection of tasty beers from small artisanal brewers. Innis & Gunn “Rum Cask” from Scotland, Coronado “Orange Avenue Wit”, from San Diego, Highland “Gaelic Ale” from Asheville North Carolina, and Erie Brewing “Railbender Ale” from Erie, Pennsylvania ,are just a few of them.

We like to see people shift to lighter wines in the summer and love the look on their faces when they try a dry rosé for the first time. A far cry from the cloying sweetness of a white Zinfandel, rosé wine is produced with the skin contact method. Black-skinned grapes are crushed and the skins are allowed to remain in contact with the juice for a short period, typically one to three days. The must is then pressed, and the skins are discarded rather than left in contact throughout fermentation (as with red wine making). The skins contain much of the astringent tannin and other compounds, thereby leaving the structure more similar to a white wine. The longer that the skins are left in contact with the juice, the more intense the color of the final wine. Toad Hollow from Sonoma makes a Pinot Noir rosé called “Eye of the Toad” which is absolutely delicious.W e offer it by the glass as well as the bottle.

So make plans to join us at the Bijou Café soon for some summer fare!

 

A balmy Sunday afternoon and wife Shay, and I prepare to head for Selby Gardens where we will spend a few delightful hours in the shade of the Banyan trees listening to music. Joining friends, we set up our natty folding chairs and tables and lay out a mini buffet of fresh guacamole, bean and corn salsa, mini tea sandwiches and cookies. A delightfully chilled bottle of sauvignon blanc from the Bijou Café appears out of nowhere and sets the mood for the cool jazz and blues of the Venturas. In support of the Selby Gardens we also purchase a few beers and glasses of Chardonnay from the catering booth while eyeing the fat and juicy grilled sausage sandwiches. (Next time!)

The constant pleasing breeze from Sarasota Bay keeps us comfortable as the afternoon heats up. A few folks kick up their heels and dance in the grass, while giggling kids chase after each other clambering over the octopus roots of the Moreton Bay Fig tree. At the Koi pond a courageous trio of ten year old boys are dipping their toes in the water luring the giant goldfish to check them out! Back at our chair spot a large Barred Owl has perched directly above us high in the banyan. It seems to be enjoying the music, but our immediate concern has turned to how soon the owl will be letting us know what it had for lunch!

The music ends, we bid our friends adieu until next Sunday and we pack up our belongings just as a gentle rain starts. How sweet of Mother Nature to wait on us!

Another perfect day in Paradise!