Things to do on and around Siesta Key
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Where ButterBurgers rule and custard reigns A visit to Culver’s
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Margo Valenzuela, and her son Yair Ortega, are franchise owner/operators of the Culver’s restaurant in Gulf Gate as well as the Culver’s locations on University Boulevard and Cattleman Road.
By Jane Bartnett
hat friendly signature Culver’s sign and those blue and white awnings have beckoned loyal Midwest customers for many years. Now, a growing number of new fans from other parts of the country— and the world—have discovered Culver’s, too. They come for the delectable ButterBurgers, famous custard, and the new chicken sandwiches that made their nationwide debut last month. Culver’s in the Gulf Gate neighborhood, at 7207 South Tamiami Trail, has been a favorite destination for Gulf Gate, Siesta Key, and Palmer Ranch locals, as well as beachgoers visiting the area since 2014. A year ago, in July 2024, Margo Valenzuela—a former
IT professional who made the restaurant business, and Culver’s particularly, her second career—along with her son Yair Ortega, became franchise owner/ operators of the Culver’s Gulf Gate location. They are also franchise owners/operators of the two other Sarasota Culver’s restaurants: one at 2605 University Parkway and the other at 90 Cattlemen Road. Ortega manages the Gulf Gate location, while Valenzuela oversees the other two. The Gulf Gate Culver’s first opened in 2014. In the past year since the duo assumed control of the location, business has been booming. “It was a good season for us,” said Ortega. “We are growing, quite a lot,” added
Valenzuela. “He’s awesome,” she said of her son, who holds a business degree from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, outside of Chicago. Speaking of their success, Valenzuela said that as more people learn how delicious Culver’s popular ButterBurgers, fish fries, and frozen custard are—the items the brand is so famous for—they come back for more. She expects that the new Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and Grilled Chicken Sandwich, now on the menu, will be strong sellers. Florida, she explained, served as the test market as Culver’s prepared to introduce its revamped chicken sandwich Continued on page 9V
A Taste of Southern Europe in Gulf Gate
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here’s a distinct and delicious southern European vibe on Mall Drive in Gulf Gate. On May 14, the popular Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine restaurant moved into a newly refurbished location on Mall Drive after leaving their previous location on Gateway Avenue. One door away from Bruschetta is the new Degli Angeli Gelateria where owner and chef Anthony Vecsesi has opened a small gelato shop
By Jane Bartnett featuring his own hand-made, small batch gelatos. Sitting next to Degli Angeli is Taste of Spain, where Spanish chef Fatima Soriano offers Spanish paella to go, Spanish delicacies, wines and tapas classes. Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine A welcoming atmosphere makes the intimate restaurant that seats 36 feel roomy and inviting. Chef and owner Marco Delzetti designed and
built the restaurant’s interior himself. The blonde woods and Italian wines that are showcased along the walls, as well as clever artwork such as a Godfather movie poster, imply that this is a place to enjoy delectable Italian dishes and good friends. Each day, Delzetti offers a special dish that may feature his own lasagna, eggplant parmesan or another creation. Always on the menu are Continued on page 9V
Diners enjoying a night out and a visit from chef and owner Marco Delzetti at Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine in Gulf Gate. (Photo provided)
Happiness is…New Relationships July is brewing up something sweet at Abel’s Ice Cream — they’ve added a brand-new coffee roaster, BlackGold, to the mix! That means freshly roasted coffee is made to order alongside your favorite ice cream. Craving something cool and caffeinated? Try their new Espresso Ice Cream Float (a.k.a. affogato if you’re feeling fancy.) It’s a creamy scoop of your favorite ice cream drowned in rich, hot espresso. Yes, it’s as dreamy as it sounds. Want to bring the buzz home? Grab a 1-pound bag of their fresh-roasted beans to-go and keep the good vibes going. And don’t worry if you don’t have a grinder at home, they’ll grind it for you for free on the spot!
As a nod to their new friends, July’s featured flavors are all about coffee, Stellar Coffee (Our most popular flavor, rich and decadent coffee ice cream with delicious fudge and mini dark chocolate coffee cups) and Kahlua Almond Fudge (Kahlua ice cream swirled with chocolate fudge & whole roasted almonds.) So swing by this July for a cup or a cone, hot coffee or espresso ice-cold float — either way, it’s going to be brew-tiful. Abel's Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at www.abelsicecream.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.