They’re at it again. Just when you think Downtown Sarasota is a very cool destination and people are enjoying its many charming shops and restaurants, the City starts tearing the streets up.

To be honest, the eventual outcome will be awesome. There will be new landscaping, lighting and wider sidewalks, so I'm not complaining. However, I am just reminding you that while most of the work is currently being done on Main Street, the Bijou Café is on First Street and we have not been affected and still have plenty of parking. 

Please don’t plan on avoiding Downtown while the construction is taking place. The crews are making every effort they can to keep all businesses and sidewalks accessible. The shops and restaurants are normally quite slow this time of year so avoiding them now will be an extreme burden on them and us.

Support your Downtown and its awesome collection of eclectic shops and eateries! Come on down and have fun. Remember the Bijou Café is open all summer (everyday except Sunday) and we have valet parking as well as easy access to the Palm Avenue parking garage, which is free!

Sunday, May 12th is the special day we set aside to honor our Mothers and thank them for all they've done for us. At the Bijou Cafe, we know just what moms want and deserve! All you have to do is make the reservation and we will do the rest!

Our special Mother's Day dinner starts at 4pm for the early diners and runs until 8pm. We are serving our usual award winning dinner menu, as well as the following heavenly Chef Specials just for our lucky mothers!

Call 366-8111 or visit us online to make your reservation today and treat your Mom to the best dinner in Sarasota! 

Please don't wait. Make your reservations now for Mother's Day, because she deserves it!

CALL 366-8111 or reserve your spot online here!

Chefs are always asked what their favorite foods are; their favorite wines, restaurants etc., but nobody ever asks if there is something they just can’t stand.

When I was very young and growing up in South Africa my parents sent me to boarding school for a better education. It was a great school and has become one of the best private schools in South Africa today. However, at the time (1957), food for the boarders was not a prime concern. As a matter of fact it was pretty damn awful. In the best British tradition, you had to finish everything on your plate or you were punished. I think subconsciously that’s when and where I decided to become a chef so I would never have to eat lousy food again! 

Which brings me back to favorite foods! I have cooked and eaten all over the world. I am not afraid to try anything once and I very seldom turn away anything without at least a bite. I don’t understand the crazy people out there who eat disgusting things just for the shock value or to entertain on TV. There are only two things I have never been able to enjoy. Cilantro and Brussels sprouts. There … I have confessed.

I have discovered I am not the only person in the world to feel this way. There is even a website called ihatecilantro.com. That’s how serious it is! There is some discussion that the aversion to cilantro might be hereditary.

The strange thing is, I love the aroma and taste of coriander which is the seed of the cilantro plant and is used extensively as a flavoring in South African cuisine. Cilantro smells and tastes like perfumey soap to me and has ruined so many great Mexican and Indian dishes for me. I am trying to like it but at my age I’m not betting on any changes in my taste buds soon.

Brussels sprouts I can handle if I cook them myself. I steam first (gag at the smell!) and then sauté in olive oil with shallots, garlic, bacon, and lemon. Like to get them a little brown on edges, then finish with a touch of balsamic vinegar and butter, salt and ground pepper! Actually, with all that, you could leave the Brussels sprouts out and it would taste pretty good!

So unless it’s my night off or the chefs have started a revolution you will very seldom see cilantro and Brussels on the menu at the Bijou Café. There is a whole world of other food out there so who is going to miss those two culinary varmints!

Photo above: Little JP at boarding school. No, just kidding, it was not quite that bad! 

One of the reasons the Bijou Café has been successful over the years is our location across the street from the Sarasota Opera. When we started the restaurant in 1986 there were several nay sayers who predicted a short life for the Bijou because this part of town was pretty rundown with only a few struggling businesses getting by.

The Opera House had recently been re-furbished and was on its way to becoming one of the top Opera companies in the country.

People loved the idea of having dinner at the Bijou before the performance and we have never had an empty seat prior to an opera performance ever since!

So thank you Sarasota Opera. We love having you as neighbors and we also love to hear the performers practicing their arias as they walk down First Street!

Tonight’s Opera is Bizet’s “Pearl Fishers”, a must see for true opera fans.

Set in legendary Sri Lanka, the story follows two men whose vow of eternal friendship is threatened when the object of their mutual desires, the priestess Léïla, suddenly returns igniting a dangerous triangle of forbidden love.

This proven Sarasota Opera favorite features the famous Act I duet for tenor and baritone, "Au fond du temple saint", which is sure to lift you out of your seat. For more info on Sarasota Opera click here. 

During the summer months the Bijou Café is closed on Sundays, but now that the busy season is upon us we will be open for Sunday dinner starting at 5 pm. Our little family at the Bijou Café is ready to invite you into our home and give you a Sunday dinner that will leave you feeling satisfied, happy and ready to tackle the week ahead of you.

In addition to our regular menu, we have a new introduction for Sunday nights: special homestlye meals.

Our chefs love the opportunity to whip one of their favorite creations, transporting you and your taste buds to their hometowns all over world. Just wait till you try Max's fried chicken!

Book your reservations now by clicking here or calling 941.366.8111. We'll see you Sunday!