SARASOTA — The owners of a restaurant and bar with a rich history on Siesta Key Village will soon be opening a new location in Southside Village, the upscale neighborhood boasting numerous dining destinations in the shadow of Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
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Blasé Bistro & Martini Bar, at 1920 Hillview St., plans to open Thursday. It will offer a fresh French-Mediterranean dining experience in a romantic, artsy setting recalling sister restaurant Blasé Café & Martini Bar.
Blasé Cafe has been operating on Siesta Key since being opened in 1997 by Cindy Breslin, who’s been joined by business partner Kevin Skiest in recent years. Adding to the aesthetic appeal of Blasé Bistro on Hillview is the original, marble curved bar from The Don CeSar hotel on St. Pete Beach, a longtime fixture at Blasé Café.
“It’s exciting now because of the security that comes with having a long-term lease and that we can now put money into the building and invest in it,” Skiest said. "Also, it’s less seasonal than being on Siesta Key, and we don’t have to deal with the extreme ups and downs.“
Capitalizing on Breslin’s experience as the owner of Blasé Café and her slogan, “We know how to throw a party,” she and Skiest collaborated with their culinary team to create a menu filled with the flavors of the Mediterranean. The experience begins when guests walk in the door and then carries through the entire meal including dishes that showcase the iconic French touches along with chef-driven influences.
Menu highlights and signature dishes include the vegetarian Pasta Cynthia, Crispy Whole Red Snapper and Day Boat Scallops with Roasted Savoy Cabbage and Caviar Crème Fraiche. In keeping with the Euro-Bistro style, a number of Bistro Steaks and Blasé Angus Burger are offered with a fried egg topper. There will also be daily specials such as homemade pastas, cioppino (fish stew) and a roasted chicken bowl, to name a few.
Appetizer options include Cauliflower Bisque, Ratatouille Tartine and Butternut Squash Agnolotti as well as the Charcuterie & Fromage plate. There are seafood options, too, like Oysters with Cucumber Mignonette, Yellowfin Tuna Ceviche with Coconut Broth and Crispy Wild Rice, Shrimp Kadalfi and Red Curry Mussels with Lime Gremolata and Laffa Bread, a housemade garlic flat bread.
For dessert, selections include Clafouti with Grand Marnier Marinated Fruit, Chocolate Pot de Crème and Ricotta Beignets. A selection of gelatos will also be offered.
For libations, there will be craft cocktail and martini menus along with a wine list including 12 wines by the glass and champagne splits are also available.
Located at 1920 Hillview Street in Sarasota’s Southside Village, Blasé Bistro & Martini Bar will be open Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight, with Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday Brunch and lunch service are also planned to be added in the near future. For more information, call 941-312-6850 or visit blasebistro.com.