Rosemary & Thyme: Modern American Cuisine

 

Located in the Rosemary District of downtown Sarasota, Rosemary & Thyme features an eclectic menu inspired by the travels of owners George and Jessica Armstrong. Born in Bermuda, Armstrong moved every two years growing up, collecting local recipes like seashells in places such as Hawaii, Philadelphia, Charleston and Virginia, but Armstrong credits Bermuda, Texas and North Carolina as having the most influence on his palate. Rosemary & Thyme's menu rides the wave from North Carolina-style barbecue to Austin-inspired Tex-Mex to pan-seared island-style fish and seafood, however his Bermudan roots shine with the tomato-based Bermuda fish chowder with black rum and a sherry pepper sauce, to the Bermuda Fish Cake Benedict, where flaky white fish and potato replace the English muffin, topped with a poached or fried egg and coated in a Key lime Hollandaise sauce. "My family was always focused on food and we would talk about cities based on the foods we remember eating there", says George. "My vision was to open a restaurant that reminded me of all the different places I’ve lived, and wanted to create that environment for other people, too."

Arriving for dinner with good friends on a warm Sarasota evening, we sat in Rosemary & Thyme's beautiful outdoor courtyard serenaded by a local musician playing light jazz framed by the warm light of the setting sun. Beginning with cocktails and some lovely French Rosé, we shared some appetizers and followed with entrées such as Black Grouper served with creamy vegetable risotto and grilled asparagus, Pan-Seared Halibut with risotto and grilled green asparagus topped with a mélange of watermelon radishes, arugula, roasted pineapple and shallots, Grilled Ribeye Steak served with Pinot Noir demiglace, Bearnaise sauce and frites, and their signature Grilled Swordfish served with Key Lime Beurre Blanc and creamy vegetable risotto made with roasted peppers, Bermuda red onions, Parmesan cheese and fragrant white truffle oil. Spending quality time with special friends over a lovely dinner is simply the best. 

Guitarist playing light jazz in the Rosemary & Thyme courtyard

Bread and butter 

Flower Drop Martini with St Germaine, Grey Goose Vodka, Simple Syrup, lemon

and garnished with an orchid

Grey Goose Vodka Martini

Our server opening the Domaine de Nizas Rosé from Langedoc

Lush and lively, the Rosé was delicious on a lovely warm Sarasota evening

Rosemary Classic Iceberg Wedge Salad with blue cheese, feta, roasted walnuts, 

cherry tomatoes, smoked bacon, and red onion with balsamic glaze and creamy blue cheese dressing

Calamari Fritti with marinara sauce

Ancient Peaks Californian Cabernet Sauvignon

Ripe and rich Cabernet from Margarita Vineyard

14 oz Grilled Ribeye Steak served with Pinot Noir demiglace and 

Bearnaise sauce and frites

Blackened Black Grouper with creamy vegetable risotto and grilled asparagus

Pan-seared halibut filet with risotto, grilled green asparagus, topped with a mélange of watermelon radishes, arugula, roasted pineapple & shallots

www.therosemarysarasota.com

Pistachio-Crusted Salmon

Serves 4

Recipe courtesy of chef Sebastian Salazar

 

Salmon:

4 serving-size pieces of salmon

1/2 cup pistachios

Summer Salsa:

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp honey

Pinch salt and pepper

2 tbsp roasted peppers

2 tbsp diced pears

2 tbsp diced peaches

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp chopped cilantro

Roast the pistachios in oven with a pinch of salt and pepper, then chop and set aside. To make summer salsa, combine all of the ingredients in bowl, and set aside. Grill the salmon to your preferred temperature. Spoon the pistachios on top of salmon and top with the summer salsa.

Lamb Rogan Josh with Madhur Jaffrey

 

Introduced to Kashmir by the Mughals whose cuisine was influenced by Persian cuisine, Rogan Josh consists of lamb or goat that has been slow-cooked in oil, yogurt and a mix of many different spices until it is fall apart tender. Dehli born cookbook author Madhur Jaffrey is regarded by many as a world authority on Indian food. Famed both for her bestselling Indian cookbooks and respected acting career, Madhur Jaffrey's recipes have inspired me for years — many of them so familiar to me that they've become a part of my standard culinary repertoire, like her sensational Rogan Josh. 

Lamb Rogan Josh

Serves 4

Recipe courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey

2 1″ chunks fresh ginger, peeled, coarsley chopped

8 cloves garlic, peeled

2 cups water

10 tbsp vegetable oil

2 lb boned lamb shoulder or leg, cut into 1″ cubes

10 whole cardamom pods

2 whole bay leaves

6 whole cloves

10 whole black peppercorns

1 stick cinnamon

2 medium onions, peeled, finely chopped

1 tsp ground coriander seed

2 tsp ground cumin seeds

4 tsp red paprika

1 tsp cayenne pepper, ground or adjust to taste

1 tsp salt, to taste

6 tbs plain yogurt

1/4 tsp garam masala

1 dash fresh ground pepper to taste

 

Put the ginger, garlic and 4 tablespoons of water into the container of an electric blender. Blend well into a smooth paste. Heat oil in a wide, heavy pot over a medium-high flame. Brown meat cubes in several batches and set aside in a bowl. Put the cardamom, bay leaves, cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon into the same hot oil. Stir once and wait until the cloves swell and the bay leaves begin to take on colour. This just takes a few seconds. Put in the onions and stir and fry for 5 minutes or until the onions turn a medium-brown colour. 

Add the ginger-garlic paste and stir for 30 seconds. Then add the coriander, cumin, paprika, cayenne, and the salt, and stir fry for another 30 seconds. Add the browned meat cubes and the meat juices. Put in 1 tablespoon of the yogurt and stir and fry for about 30 seconds until yogurt is well blended. Add the remaining yogurt, a tablespoon at a time in the same way. Stir and fry for another 3-4 minutes. Now add 1 1/4 cups water and bring the contents of the pot to a boil, scraping in all the browned spices on the sides and bottom of the pot. 

Cover, turn heat to low and simmer for about an hour or until the meat is tender. Every 10 minutes give the pot a good stir to prevent burning. When the meat is tender, take off the lid, turn the heat to medium high and boil off some of the liquid, stirring all the time, until the sauce is thickened. Sprinkle the garam masala and black pepper over the dish and mix them in just before being served with Basmati rice.

Aroy-D Thai & Sushi: Best Thai Food in Bradenton

A delightful family owned Thai and Sushi restaurant in Bradenton, Aroy-D serves absolutely delicious Thai and Japanese cuisine. Nestled in Pinebrook Square Mall, just minutes from Pinebrook Ironwood Golf Course, we often treat ourselves to Aroy-D's Thai cuisine after a round of golf.

Tucked away in Pinebrook Square Mall, Aroy-D is a wonderful family owned 

Thai and Sushi restaurant in Bradenton

Comfortable wooden booths

The napkins are folded like a chrysanthemum topped with a little bowl

for soy or hot sauce

A fresh fragrant rose on our table

Delicious Thai noodles and curries are highlights of the Aroy-D menu

Sapporo beer

Cold Sake

Chive Dumplings

Pad See Ew served with fresh wide rice noodles with shrimp, egg, Thai green leaf broccoli

stir fried together with a special dark sweet brown sauce

Thai Spicy Coconut Milk Red Chicken Curry with bamboo, bell peppers and basil 

Co-owner of Aroy-D along with her mother who is the chef

www.facebook.com/SeaSeaSushi

Los Chiludos Fresh Mexican Grill on Anna Maria

 

Los Chiludos Fresh Mexican Grill on Anna Maria Island is a family-run restaurant serving some of the tastiest California-style Mexican cuisine on the key. In 2022, Tera and Jose Lemus relocated to Anna Maria Island, having moved from Pittsburgh with their children, Anthony and Alonzo, who work in the restaurant each day.  Having visited Anna Maria Island for the first time ten years ago, they fell in love with the area and the people, and continue their culinary journey as restaurant owners. Born in Mexico City but trained in California, Chef Jose incorporates traditional Mexican flavours with a fresh, healthier Southern California twist with in true Los Chiludos flair.  

Handpainted mural inside Los Chiludos

Mix & Match Tacos with Tinga Chicken, Steak and Pork Carnitas, 

all topped with onion, cilantro and salsa

Chicken Burrito

Tapatío Hot Sauce

Shrimp Quesadillia with shredded cheese and pico de Gallo with salsa and sour cream

loschiludos.com

Mazzaro's Italian Gourmet Market in St. Petersburg

 

Located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Mazzaro's is more than a one-of-a-kind Italian gourmet market, it’s one of Tampa Bay’s favourite culinary destinations. Known for its handmade pastas, pre-made dishes, cheeses, olives, popular deli sandwiches, and decadent bakery items, Mazzaro's is food lovers paradise. Founded by the Cuccaro family in 1993 when they moved from Pennsylvania, they missed the old Italian neighbourhood they left behind. The smell and taste of great coffee, and the aroma of crusty fresh-baked Italian bread baked to perfection. So they set up in an old sausage factory, starting as a coffee roasting company. Due to the success of that, they decided to expand the business and added a deli, bakery, meat counter, coffee bar, wine and cheese room and fresh produce. Marrazo's also hosts wine tastings, book signings and next door, Cassa di Mazzaro is a wonderfully complete kitchenware shop. Magnifico!

Colourful murals on the exterior wall of Mazzaro's

The entrance to Mazzaro's, which was originally a sausage factory

Lovey fresh vegetables

Customers gather around Mazzaro's Gourmet Coffee Bar for a cappuccino and a fresh pastry

Morning cappuccino at Mazzaro's after bidding adieu to our friend Paul at Tampa Airport

Trays of freshly baked desserts waiting to be displayed in the bakery

Teresa hand making large Tortelloni filled with truffled oxtail ragu

Resistance was futile — so we purchased 8 of Teresa's little bundles for dinner tonight

Handmade Ravioli including Portobello & Cheese, Gorgonzola, Spinach & Ricotta and more

Dry cured sausages hanging at the Deli counter 

Mazzaro's meat and seafood counter with crazy paper maché shark bursting out of the wall

Stuffed pork chops

Wonderful selection of fresh fish and seafood

Mazzaro's cheese room

Italian, French, Danish and American cheeses plus there was a barrel of 

warm hand pulled mozzarella which was very impressive 

Row and rows of Italian wine

Beautifully handprinted ceramic jars of olive oil from the Amalfi Coast

'Meet Me At Mazzaro’s' is the story of the Italian Market built by The Cuccaro Family 

in the heart of St. Petersburg

mazzarosmarket.com