Downtown Sarasota sanctuary
Sandwich and potato salad combo that makes waiting to eat lunch until 3:30 p.m. totally worth it.
Cold, strong beer full of hoppy flavor complementing each bite and helping with the decompressing process.
Covered, outdoor seating on a gorgeous autumn afternoon with just the sound of a familiar favorite, the Cowboy Junkies’ version of Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane,” playing in the background.
It’s a Friday at Cafe in the Park and I’m wondering why I haven’t visited this downtown Sarasota spot before, this sanctuary from the condo canyons, nestled just to the west of Washington Boulevard.
For the uninitiated, such as myself prior to Friday, Cafe in the Park is at Payne Park on the eastern edge of downtown Sarasota at 210 Adams Lane (open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 9:30 p.m. Fridays; 941-361-3032).
Payne Park has its own parking lot. I easily find a spot and take the short stroll past the colorful Circus Park playground and step inside the cafe.
I count 10 sandwiches and two salads on the menu and that’s just fine by me. The woman behind the counter tells me they’re best known for the chicken salad croissant ($8.50) but also suggests the roast beef ($9). She mentions the roast beef is made with their own freshly grated horseradish sauce and I’m sold.
From the solid beer selection I order a can of JDub’s Up Top! IPA, which is brewed nearby. It’s poured into a glass for me and I choose a table overlooking an adorable little man-made pond and the expanse of Payne Park.
My sandwich is a spot on mix of thinly sliced, slow-roasted sirloin layered with arugula and that house-made horseradish sauce that I could eat with a spoon.
Perhaps equally important is the fresh baguette from C’est La Vie, the bakery and restaurant on Main Street that has been serving authentic French cuisine for nearly 20 years. (I also learn that the croissants come from C’est La Vie).
In between bites of sandwich and sips from my second beer I enjoy the richly flavored (capers were a nice touch) house-made red dijonnaise potato salad.
I see that the music act Patchouli will be performing 7 p.m. at the cafe and I inquire about upcoming shows. It’s an impressive lineup of local, regional and national touring music acts: Geri X (Nov. 4), Renesito Avich (Nov. 11), Hot Club of SRQ (Nov. 18), and Hymn for Her (Nov. 25).
Yeah, there are plenty of reasons to visit Cafe in the Park.
One of my favorites is being able to take a post-meal stroll past children romping on the circus-themed playground, teenagers trying to land a perfect trick in the skate park, and disc golfers taking aim at baskets all while feeling completely removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Sarasota.
— Have a suggestion for a great place to eat, drink, play or stay in Southwest Florida? Email me at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter.