I read the article below from the Bradenton Herald. You can find it here.

Nicknamed Florida’s “Cultural Coast,” Sarasota has become a haven for art lovers who prefer pristine white sand and mesmerizing sunsets to the cold, concrete sidewalks and towering skyscrapers of larger, metropolitan cities.

Probably the most talked about characteristic of Sarasota is the abundance of art organizations within a few short miles of one another. Downtown Sarasota is the heart of the city’s theater and arts district and home to a variety of groups and venues such as the Sarasota Opera House, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Asolo Theatre Company, the Sarasota Orchestra and the Players Theatre. But in the past few years, Sarasota has also become a city known for its food. Once described as a “Paradise for the Pampered,” the city’s revitalization efforts have attracted a variety of exciting new restaurants and clubs to historic Main Street. Past tourists who once stayed and dined in the only three hotels available in downtown Sarasota more than 75 years ago would be shocked by the extensive array of culinary foods now available along Main Street. Visitors and residents alike can drop by restaurants such as Selva Grill on Main Street and try a taste of octopus ceviche or Hawaiian swordfish. Or, if they prefer outdoor dining, Mattison’s City Grille offers escargot for a starter and truffle crusted Chilean sea bass as a main course. A recent addition to downtown is Ceviche Sarasota on First Street.

This Spanish tapas restaurant is in the historic Times building that was originally constructed in 1925. The four-floor restaurant features a roof-top bar with views of the water and a third floor Flamenco room with live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday. One cannot talk about Sarasota without mentioning its strong connection with the circus and John and Mable Ringling. Located on more than 65 acres along Sarasota Bay, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art was established in 1927 and offers about 20 galleries of European paintings as well as Cypriot antiquities, Asian Art, American paintings and contemporary art. Inside the circus museums, exhibits display the world’s largest miniature circus, costumes, wagons, performance equipment and other artifacts outlining the history of the circus. Another must-see location in Sarasota is the trendy St. Armands Circle with its high-end jewelry stores, designer clothing boutiques and international restaurants.

One of the most popular destinations at St. Armands Circle is The Columbia Restaurant, a 100-year-old family-owned business that first began in Ybor City. The Mediterranean-style dining room with outdoor seating is a perfect atmosphere to sip a refreshing glass of fruity sangria, enjoy a plate of devil crab croquettes and watch the world walk by. Just down the street from St. Armands Circle is one of Sarasota’s natural wonders. About 15 acres of some of the most beautiful crystal white sand and aqua blue waters that Sarasota County has to offer can be found at Lido Beach, located about half a mile southwest of the shopping district on Lido Key.