You know we take our happy hours seriously, especially when it comes before such an amazing and beneficial event like the Bal Masqué. This Saturday, October 4th, we are bringing the pre-party to the Bijou!

 

The Bal Masqué, starting at 8pm at the Sarasota Opera House, benefits local organizations that help children in our community. This fun event will raise money for organizations such as the Child Protection Center and Suncoast Charities for Children.

 

As the Official Wine Sponsor for the SRQ Bal Masqué event, we are transforming our Gossip Lounge into the perfect masquerade ball happy hour location. Directly across the street from the Sarasota Opera House, join us at 5pm to try our sparkling bubbly and tasty apps before hitting the main event!

 

Join us this Saturday to try “The Bijou Bal Masqué Bellini”, our specialty cocktail based off of the classic Italian Bellini concoction, then wander over to the opera house for the main event See you soon, and don’t forget your mask.

 

By JP Knaggs

Categories: Uncategorised Tags: restaurants near sarasota opera, Opera season Sarasota, downtown Sarasota restaurant, sarasota happy hour

Our Savor Sarasota menus were a huge success, thanks to those of you who joined us all summer long. A special thanks to our talented culinary wizards as well who kept coming up with great new menu ideas. 

Alas, it has gone for now, so we have another wonderful gustatory plan for you. For the first time ever, the Bijou Café is offering an Oktoberfest menu!

Starting October 6, in addition to our lunch and dinner menus, we will offer a weekly prix fixe menu that pairs perfectly with our new craft beer selections. Many of the first week's offerings are classics: beef and cabbage soup, a wurst platter, pork schnitzel, beef rouladen and so on!

For only $15 at lunch and $29 at dinner, this deal is the perfect way to celebrate fall! Prost!

 

OKTOBERFEST LUNCH MENU $15 (Tax and gratuity not included)

 

To Start

Choice of a cup of Beef & Cabbage Soup

or

Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)

or

Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)

or

Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad with fresh dill mustard vinaigrette

or

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

 

Entrées

GERMAN WURST PLATTER

With Geiers Knockwurst and Weisswurst, German potato salad

or

PORK SCHNITZEL

Pork cutlet, lightly breaded, sautéed and served with mushroom gravy, mashed potato and red cabbage

 

 

OKTOBERFEST DINNER MENU $29 (Tax and gratuity not included)

 

To Start

Beef & Cabbage Soup

or

Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)

or

Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)

or

Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad with fresh dill mustard vinaigrette

or

BIJOU CAESAR

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

 

Entrées

GERMAN WURST PLATTER

With Geiers Knockwurst, Bratwurst and Weisswurst, braised sauerkraut

or

PORK SCHNITZEL

Pork cutlet, lightly breaded, sautéed and served with mushroom gravy, mashed potato and red cabbage

or

BEEF ROULADEN

Braised Beef steak rolled and stuffed with bacon, onion and pickle, served with spaetzle

 

Dessert

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE with fresh whipped cream

 

By JP Knaggs

 

Categories: Uncategorised Tags: special price, downtown Sarasota restaurant, Sarasota Oktoberfest, lunch specials Sarasota, dinner specials Sarasota

The summer is coming to an end, which means this is our last Savor Sarasota menu! For the next two weeks we will be running our last discounted menu of the year. Don't miss out on some of our favorite dishes at these amazing prices.

 

In the kitchen, we are whipping up a delicious pan seared duck breast with a maple, cranberry gastrique and roasted yukon golds. This is not only one of our guests' favorite dishes, but our chef's as well! Pair the duck with a tasty red wine and you have the makings for a perfect evening with friends and family.

 

This final special menu runs for two weeks, with two courses for $15 at lunch (11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.) Monday through Friday, as well as three courses for $29 at dinner (beginning at 5 p.m.) Monday through Saturday. Even though Savor Sarasota ends soon, that doesn't mean our tasty creations do! Check us out on Facebook to see what new dishes we have cooking in the kitchen!

 

LUNCH $15.00 (Tax and gratuity not included)

To Start
Choice of a cup of Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)
or
Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)
or
Watermelon & Feta Cheese Salad
Arugula greens, onion, tomato drizzled with a white balsamic vinaigrette
or
Bijou Grilled Caesar
Romaine lettuce, herb croutons, parmesan crisps, creamy roasted garlic dressing, anchovy

Entrées

CHICKEN LOUISVILLE
Pecan crusted organic chicken breast, with Apple Brandy demi- glace swerved with vegetables
Or
WILD MUSHROOM AND GRUYÈRE GRILLED CHEESE
Shitakes and Creminis, creamy Gruyère, semolina bread, Petite Caesar salad or pommes frites
Or
SHRIMP & ARUGULA SALAD
Glazed Boursin Cheese, strawberries, hazelnuts, croutons tossed in a honey sherry Vinaigrette

 

DINNER $29.00 (Tax and gratuity not included)

To Start
Choice of a cup of Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)
or
Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)
or
Watermelon & Feta Cheese Salad
Arugula greens, onion, tomato drizzled with a white balsamic vinaigrette
or 
Bijou Grilled Caesar
Romaine lettuce, herb croutons, parmesan crisps, creamy roasted garlic dressing, anchovy

Entrées

BRAISED PORK SHANK
Apple-Brandy demi-glace, served with mash potato and vegetable
Or
PAN-SEARED BRANZINI
Topped with an Orange Ginger emulsion, and served with Almond Coconut rice and asparagus
Or
PAN SEARED DUCK BREAST
Maple Cranberry gastrique and roasted Yukon Golds

Dessert

Chocolate Mayan Cake served with dulce de leche and a coffee cloud
or
Bijou’s Assorted Authentic Italian Gelati and Sorbetti

 

By JP Knaggs

Categories: Savor Sarasota Tags: downtown sarasota, Savor Sarasota, savor sarasota menu, downtown Sarasota restaurant, dining discounts

One of the best parts about Sarasota is fresh seafood. When you join us at the Bijou Cafe, you know that the seafood you are served is the finest and freshest. Try our Gulf shrimp, sautéed in olive oil with roasted garlic and tomatoes, sautéed spinach, basil, and you can be the judge.

 

This Savor Sarasota discounted menu changes every two weeks with two courses for $15 at lunch, Monday through Friday, and three courses for $29 at dinner, Monday through Saturday. When you pair one of our special dishes with one of our smooth glasses of wine, you have the ingredients to a perfect evening.

 

Join us for a relaxing lunch or dinner in downtown Sarasota. Bring your friends to sit back and relax, soaking up the last few days of summer. And now, with the kids back at school, you deserve to celebrate. Make reservations online or just swing by! See you soon.

 

 

LUNCH $15.00 (Tax and gratuity not included)

  

To Start

Choice of a cup of Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)

or

Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)

or

Spinach and Raspberry Salad

With Maytag Blue cheese, bacon, tomato and raspberry vinaigrette

or

Bijou House Salad

Mixed greens, carrot, radish, red onion, cucumber, white balsamic vinaigrette

 

Entrées

NEUSKI’S BLT

With Semolina bread and avocado mayonnaise

or

RAINBOW TROUT

Cornmeal dusted and sautéed and served with ranch vegetable ragout and fresh chive aioli

or

BIJOU CAESAR AND CHICKEN

Grilled chicken breast with Romaine lettuce, herb croutons, parmesan crisps, creamy roasted garlic dressing, anchovy

 

 

DINNER $29.00 (Tax and gratuity not included)

 

To Start

Choice of a cup of Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)

or

Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)

or

Spinach and Raspberry Salad

With Maytag Blue cheese, bacon, tomato and raspberry vinaigrette

or

Bijou House Salad

Mixed greens, carrot, radish, red onion, cucumber, white balsamic vinaigrette

 

Entrées

SHRIMP AND TOMATO CAPELLINI

Fresh Gulf shrimp sautéed in olive oil with roasted garlic and tomatoes, sautéed spinach, basil, Grana Padano

or

RAINBOW TROUT

Cornmeal dusted and sautéed and served with ranch vegetable ragout and fresh chive aioli

or

BIJOU CRISP ROASTED DUCK

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

 

Dessert

Gelati Profiteroles

With chocolate and vanilla gelati and caramel and chocolate drizzle

or

Bijou’s Assorted Authentic Italian Gelati and Sorbetti

 

 

By JP Knaggs

Categories: Savor Sarasota Tags: Savor Sarasota, savor sarasota menu, downtown Sarasota restaurant, dining discounts, fine dining sarasota

One of the best things about the work day being over is cocktail hour beginning! We know you deserve a drink, which is why our mixologists revamped our cocktail menu just for you.

 

New and exciting cocktails include one we call White is the New Pink (Kettle One Vodka, Cointreau, fresh lime and white cranberry juice) as well as the Sarasota Limeade, simply Hangar One Lime Vodka and tonic.

 

Looking for something a bit more creative? Try a sip of a Daria's Siesta (pictured here, it's coconut rum, pineapple juice, a drizzle of grenadine and a splash of black rum) or a Basil Gin Smash (Hendrick’s Gin, Limoncello and muddled fresh basil and lemon). Whatever your poison may be, we will make it strong, and tasty!

 

These drinks are great by themselves, but if you get a bit hungry, our bar bites are a perfect compliment. We've also got happy hour pricing on well martinis or, if you're looking for something cold and smooth, try one of our craft beers for $1 off! Happy Hour at the Bijou is now every day from 5 to 7 p.m.!

 

Here's a link to the full cocktail menu to see the rest of our new creations: https://bijoucafe.net/menus/latest-gossip

 

Log off that computer, jump in the car and join us for a cocktail!

 

By JP Knaggs

Categories: Uncategorised Tags: drink specials, happy hour sarasota, downtown Sarasota restaurant, drinks in Sarasota

Ok let's admit it. It's just way too hot to do anything, right? Besides drink wine that is. Join us for our First Friday Wine Tasting from 5:00 to 7:00pm this Friday, August 1st. No reservations needed, just get here early. It's first come, first poured!

 

Our friendly wine merchants will be pouring excellent wines from their cellars for your enjoyment. And as an added treat, "Rob the Wine Guy" will be giving us all a taste of his hand made American vodka, "Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka" from Pennsylvania. Delicious and gluten free!

 

Our delightful and always dashing service staff will be passing trays of tasty hors d'oeuvres and there's a groaning cheese board to complement the wines! 

 

All this for only $18.00 per person! The tasting is always more fun with friends, so spread the word and make it a party!

 

Since the Bijou is located in the heart of Downtown Sarasota, stay for dinner and then stroll the area afterwards. After all, Friday's are meant to be celebrated.

 

Come thirsty. We'll have a chilled glass waiting for you! Cheers!

JP Knaggs

Categories: Uncategorised Tags: wine tasting Sarasota, downtown Sarasota restaurant, wine dinner sarasota, fine wines sarasota

The summer is a time to relax and enjoy family and friends. Here at the Bijou we have the perfect lunch and dinner menus to make that happen! Break out of your routine and come to downtown Sarasota to indulge in our unique Savor Sarasota menus for the next two weeks.

 

The perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day is to relax over a delicious black & bleu salad with blackened strip loin of beef, Maytag Bleu cheese, Neuske’s bacon, red onion, and drizzles with a light herbed EVOO. Call up your friends and meet us at the Bijou for a delectable dining experience out of the ordinary! And, don't forget about our happy hour, Monday-Saturday, 5-7pm.

 

LUNCH $15.00 (Tax and gratuity not included)

  

To Start

Choice of a cup of Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)

or

Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)

or

Gravlax with Mixed Greens Salad with cucumber, red onion, croutons, honey horseradish vinaigrette

or

Bijou Caesar Salad with romaine lettuce, herb croutons, parmesan crisps, creamy roasted garlic dressing, and anchovy

 

Entrées

PAN SAUTEED BRANZINI

A la Grenobloise, with saffron rice and carrots Vichy

or

BLACK & BLEU SALAD

Blackened strip loin of beef, Maytag Bleu cheese, Neuske’s bacon, red onion, arugula, herbed EVOO

or

CHICKEN SALAD CROISSANT

Pulled Roast chicken with grapes, apples, celery and cashews with arugula, on a croissant

 

DINNER $29.00 (Tax and gratuity not included)

To Start

Choice of a cup of Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)

or

Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)

or

Gravlax with Mixed Greens Salad with cucumber, red onion, croutons, honey horseradish vinaigrette

or

Bijou Caesar Salad with romaine lettuce, herb croutons, parmesan crisps, creamy roasted garlic dressing, and anchovy

 

Entrées

PAN SAUTEED BRANZINI

A la Grenobloise, with saffron rice and carrots Vichy

or

MUSTARD & FENNEL RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN

With rhubarb and saltana compote

or

ROASTED HALF FREE RANGE CHICKEN 

With herbes de Provence, white bean and smoked vegetable salsa

 

Dessert

House made New York Style Cheesecake

with fresh berry compote or, more wickedly, with nuts, chocolate and caramel drizzle

or

Bijou’s Assorted Authentic Italian Gelati and Sorbettos

JP Knaggs

Categories: Savor Sarasota Tags: Savor Sarasota, savor sarasota menu, downtown Sarasota restaurant, dining discounts, fine dining sarasota

We have been Zagat rated for years, and this year we were very honored to find that the Bijou has the highest Zagat score in Sarasota County! We are so proud to receive a score of 26 out of 30 in all three categories: food, decor and service.

 

We hold the Zagat Survey in highest regard because its integrity cannot be compromised by purchasing advertising. The ratings of real customers who have not been influenced in any way is the ultimate in honesty. With thousands of people sharing their opinions through featured surveys, Zagat uses the results to create ratings and reviews which are published online and in Zagat guides.

 

Among choice quotes such as "more elegant than most" and "traditional Continental" cuisine with "modern style," Zagat noted we are a favorite for those attending the Sarasota Opera and other downtown arts events.

 

SNN 6 news even came out to cover this story! See JP's interview here:

 

  

Thank you all for your support throughout the years, we couldn't have done it without you. Don't forget, we have extended our discount priced Savor Sarasota menus for lunch and dinner all summer! And of course, our happy hour from 5-7pm, Monday through Saturday. See you at the Bijou soon!

JP Knaggs

Categories: Uncategorised Tags: downtown Sarasota restaurant, arts and dining sarasota, fine dining sarasota, Zagat rated Sarasota restaurant, highest Zagat rating Sarasota

Our new Savor Sarasota menu is officially in! For the next two weeks we will be whipping up delicious new dishes for you to sink your teeth into. Join us for a fork tender, moist pork shank, braised in its own juices until mouth wateringly tender, served with brandied apple demi-glace and mashed potato.

 

Nothing pairs better with this delicious pork shank than a large glass of smooth red wine. Share a bottle with friends and turn your evening in downtown Sarasota into a party. Don't forget, this menu is only around for two weeks, so you better hurry!

 

 

LUNCH $15.00 (Tax and gratuity not included)

  

To Start

 

Choice of a cup of Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)

or

Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)

or

Shaved Fennel & Arugula Salad with polenta croutons and honey lime vinaigrette

or

Moroccan Salad with fresh Florida citrus, dates, almonds and apples, balsamic vinaigrette

 

Entrées

GRILLED SOCKEYE SALMON

Curried peach relish, coconut rice and julienned vegetable

or

SEARED DUCK BREAST SALAD

Tossed with fresh strawberries and baby spinach in a poppy seed dressing

or

BRAISED PORK SHANK SLIDERS

Served with house-made apple slaw and waffle chips

 

 

DINNER $29.00 (Tax and gratuity not included)

 

To Start

Choice of a cup of Soup du Jour (Hot or chilled specialty)

or

Shrimp & Crab Bisque (additional 2.00)

or

Shaved Fennel & Arugula Salad with polenta croutons and honey lime vinaigrette

or

Moroccan Salad with fresh Florida citrus, dates, almonds and apples, balsamic vinaigrette

 

Entrées

GRILLED SOCKEYE SALMON

Curried peach relish, coconut rice and julienned vegetable

or

SEARED DUCK BREAST

Served with fresh strawberry and baby spinach salad tossed with poppy seed dressing

or

BRAISED PORK SHANK 

Fork tender and served with brandied apple demi-glace and mashed potato

 

Dessert

CHOCOLATE TERRINE

With coffee cloud and almond brittle

or

Bijou’s Assorted Authentic Italian Gelati and Sorbettos

 

JP Knaggs

Categories: Savor Sarasota Tags: Savor Sarasota, savor sarasota menu, downtown Sarasota restaurant, dining discounts, fine dining sarasota

Savor Sarasota is so popular that we've decided to run it all summer! As a special thank you to our year-round guests, and an invitation to summer visitors, we're continuing a prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner.

 

The Savor Sarasota special includes two courses for $15 at lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday as well as three courses for $29 at dinner, beginning at 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

The menu will change every two weeks, and will include both Bijou favorites and one-time special creations. These will be posted here as soon as they are available. Reservations are always recommended but not required, and though substitutions are not available on the special menu, our kitchen will accommodate dietary restrictions as needed.

 

The Savor Sarasota menu extension marks another recent change of ours includes the addition of a new "bar bites" menu and the introduction of our first ever happy hour in the Gossips Lounge, including our signature Bijou martinis for $5, from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

See you all soon!

JP Knaggs

Categories: Savor Sarasota Tags: Savor Sarasota, savor sarasota menu, downtown Sarasota restaurant, fine dining sarasota

As sad as we are to see many of our friends leave Sarasota for cooler climates, we're happy to have our town back for a while (less traffic at least)! For us, summer means First Fridays and pouring some of the best "juice" for our guests!

We are officially announcing the return of our First Friday Wine Tastings, from 5 to 7 p.m. the first Friday of each month during the summer, beginning Fri., May 2.

Wine merchants from around the area will be pouring wines and sharing knowledge with you. Passed hors d'oeuvres and an enormous cheese board to complement the wines are all included for just $18.

Grab your friends, enjoy the wine tasting, then join us for dinner! After dinner take a stroll around downtown. Most of the art galleries and shops are open late on First Fridays and there is even free entertainment on some of the street corners! No reservations are needed for the wine tasking, just get here early, it's first come, first served!

Guests will also be able to purchase discounted wines to take home or enjoy in the restaurant as part of the our semi-annual "Bin End Sale". We are clearing out our cellar to make room for new wines, so stock up! Take a bottle or a case, it's the best deal we're going to have all year!

See you May 2! Come hungry, bring your friends and plan to stay all night.

JP Knaggs

Categories: Uncategorised Tags: happy hour sarasota, wine tasting Sarasota, downtown Sarasota restaurant, fine wine sarasota

One of the most amazing things about living in Sarasota is the art, history, and culture around every corner! There's no lack of shows and performances to attend and those between the ages of 21 and 40 can enjoy all of Sarasota's arts at an incredibly discounted rate!

Check out the Sarasota Culture Collective — for one annual membership fee you can attend all of Sarasota's arts attractions, such as the Sarasota Ballet, Opera, Ringling, Asolo, and so much more for the whole year.

In an effort to help support this awesome program, the Bijou is offering members of the Culture Collective a 15% discount on all dining. We are located right across the street from the Opera House, so we're the perfect place to stop before or after a show.

Take a look at our dinner menu and let us help you have the perfect evening of fine dining and arts in Sarasota. See you alll soon!

For more information about the Sarasota Culture Collective, click here.

JP Knaggs

Categories: Uncategorised Tags: sarasota restaurants, downtown Sarasota restaurant, arts and dining sarasota, young professionals sarasota, dining discounts

Ever have that burning desired to dive into an amazing chocolate mousse? Or crack through the crispy top of a creme brulee with a spoon?

We've got you covered with our recently revamped dessert menu, including some of the best sweets and treats in town. Whether you are looking for something zesty, like our Key Lime Panna Cotta, or something a bit light and sweet, like the Seasonal Fresh Fruit Crisp, we've got the just what you'd like!

You can indulge in these all by yourself, or you can share with others! After finishing a wonderful meal at the Bijou, there is no need to rush out and keep tackling the world's problems and your to do list. Take 10 more minutes to sit and relax with one of our new desserts. We promise it's worth every bite!

Our complete new dessert menu is online now, including some customer favorites, as well as a few new twists on traditional good stuff.

See you at the Bijou soon!

JP Knaggs

Categories: Uncategorised Tags: fine dining in sarasota, sarasota restaurants, specials, sarasota, dessert, new menu, dessert menu, downtown Sarasota restaurant, yummy, best