3 minute read
More Than A Meal.
providing a nutritious meal to our homebound neighbors unable to prepare one for themselves. Every day, dedicated volunteers deliver a warm greeting, a hearthealthy meal, and a safety check to hundreds of people; from seniors and veterans to children with disabilities.
We Need Your Help. Each month we provide 11,000 meals a month with a donation of $132.
OF CHARGE to residents that cannot afford to pay for our program. For us to continue to provide meals to our most vulnerable residents, it takes the support of the community.
Ever Onward Season 27
MICHELLE CANN, piano
Bar
March 7, 7:30 pm • Historic Asolo Theater
Winner of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence and recipient of the 2022 Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award, Michelle Cann’s program includes repertoire by Florence Price, whose music she champions. Michelle Cann appears by arrangement with the Curtis Institute of Music.
SAMANTHA BENNETT, violin
March 23 11:00 am performance followed by lunch
Sarasota Yacht Club
In this program of music that has inspired her career, Samantha Bennett will lead a journey through the centuries, performing works by Prokofiev and Berio, as well as perhaps the most famous unaccompanied violin piece of all, the Chaconne of JS Bach.
Fresh Kitchen
FOOD + BEER
4804 14th Street W., Bradenton, 941-751-2675, 5446 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 941-444-7823, 6529 Superior Ave., Sarasota, 941952-3361, 1525 Fourth St. Unit B, Sarasota, 941-444-1101 and 301 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, 941-8673780, EatFoodDrinkBeer.com
Rice, rice baby: Like the feeling that floods our local veins once spring breakers retreat from the sands of Siesta, Lido and Longboat Key, Food + Beer gives food lovers the unexplainable feeling of home sweet home. But unlike Gen-Z spring breakers fleeing to the Gulf Coast in their string bikinis and 4-inch seam swim trunks, I plan on wearing flowy mu-mu or staple sweatpants when indulging in the calories-don’t-exist-here-and-itsworth-it menu at this five-location food haven.
Eye of the Be-Bowler: Flip to the “Bowls Etc.” part of the menu to find what we’re talking about. From the Cali hot cobb ($13.99) with Buffalo stewed chicken, cheddar, guacamole, bacon, pico de Gallo, black bean and corn salsa, tobacco friend onions on sticky rice to the vegan bun cha ($14.99) with Impossible peanut glazed meatballs, pickled veggies, cucumber, cilantro, peanuts, onion, sesame on sticky rice to the burrito bowl 2.0 ($13.49) with tomatillo stewed chicken, Monterey jack, black bean and corn salsa, cherry tomato, lie crema, honey lime vinaigrette, cotija cheese, lime and sticky rice, the be-bowler wins with every single bite.
Time to Impro-Rice: Comfort food has been taken to a new level here and this hungry gal is excited for the elevation of exciting eats. While the burger selection is ungrill-lievable, I’m a basic babe and crave their classic Caesar ($13.49) with chicken and a side of truffle Parmesan fries ($7.49). However, if I were to write about Food + Beer and not mention my husband’s guilty pleasure, I couldn’t continue this column. So PJ, this weekend I’ll treat you to your dream dish — the Buffalo Mac ’N Cheese ($14.99) with scratch fried chicken, blue cheese crumbles and Cheez-itz.
FRESH KITCHEN
8491 Cooper Creek Blvd. #101, Bradenton, 941-208-3900, EatFreshKitchen.com
Rice, rice baby: The Floridian fast-growing (with 12 locations) build-it-yourself bistro offers an abundance of 100% gluten-free variations that you can construct to your tastebuds delight. From kids’ bowls ($10.29), to family meals that feed four to a feast meal serving up to eight people, this spot is perfect for all occasions.
Eye of the Be-Bowler: At Fresh Kitchen, you are the head chef. Curate a four bowl ($12.19+) with two bases, one veggie, one protein and one sauce or a six bowl ($15.59+) with two bases, two veggies, two proteins and one sauce. Although there are other bases besides rice, this is the Rice Bowl 2023, so we’ll stick to the big three themselves: brown rice, coconut ginger rice and cauliflower avocado “rice.” Did I mention that not only are all these options’ gluten-free but some of them are also nondairy friendly, no processed sugar added and vegan friendly? Rack up your bowl with roasted veggies from lemon garlic broccoli, sesame green beans, my personal pick, golden spice chickpeas and more.
Place a protein in the mix like chilled caprese tofu, roasted salmon (for a bit extra), the almond baked chicken and others. Slather on sauce from the creamy white ginger, to herb balsamic vinaigrette or the one that my mouth craves, coconut siracha — and the list goes on. While your bowl may be billowing over the sides of its container, you still have an option to add-on items such as Parmesan or feta cheese, kale pesto tomatoes or avocado.
Time to Impro-Rice: Did you think I really wouldn’t share the non-rice options for you? I know we just met but, I would never leave out food facts. Not ready to rice? Build your bowl off the other base foundations such as kale slaw, crunchy kale Caesar, spinach salad, sweet potato noodles or the cloud-like cauliflower potato mash. Bowl appetite, besties.
