Sarasota eateries report $1.2M in revenue from restaurant weeks

Early results from Savor Sarasota — the county’s summer dining initiative — indicate that business was strong for participating restaurants.

Through the program that took place this June, diners could select from $25 two-course lunches and $45 three-course dinners.

More than 60 restaurants participated in Savor Sarasota, and 26 of them — or 42% — reported back these results:

• They served 6,520 lunches, bringing in $163,000 in lunch sales.
• They served 24,101 dinners, bringing in $1,084,545 in dinner revenue.

“Sarasota County doesn’t just have great restaurants; we have a community that truly values and supports exceptional dining,” President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County Erin Duggan says in a statement.

Visit Sarasota County, which oversees local tourism, sponsored Savor Sarasota from June 1-20. This year’s 20-day celebration was designed to mark the 20-year anniversary of the program, which launched in 2005.

“Twenty years of Savor Sarasota proves that when you give people quality, they respond enthusiastically,” Duggan says.

Restaurant owners have also responded with praise for the program, which was originally designed to help drive traffic during a typically slow period for business. Some have even opted to continue their fixed-price menus for various lengths of time beyond June 20 to capitalize on the success.

“I think Savor Sarasota is a wonderful program for the community,” Marc Grimaud, president and owner of Cafe Gabbiano on Siesta Key, says in a statement.

“It’s a fantastic way to encourage people to get out and explore new restaurants during that time period," Grimaud says. "It’s a great chance for us to create memorable experiences — both for new guests and for returning diners who might be looking to try something different.” 

Cafe Gabbiano is among those extending its promotional menus, which will be in effect Sunday to Thursday through July.

“Savor Sarasota is a fantastic opportunity for our restaurant to show off some of our creative culinary treats but it’s an even better opportunity for the locals to enjoy what they may have been missing all season long,” Justin Pachota, president of Venice Pier Group, says in a statement. Venice Pier Group owns Fins at Sharky’s in Venice, which is continuing its fixed-price menus through June.

Says Pachota: “We are happy to see so many of our local fans returning for the summer.”