Blog

We’re all familiar with and aware of the usual, typical, and standard ways to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and even bachelorette parties—but now Sarasota has a new, original option for the festive set! Key Culinary Tours offers a unique way to gather with friends and family over the most universal of traditions: around the table, eating and toasting, in one of the most distinguished of travel destinations in the country. Take your wedding party to lunch, let loose and let go during happy hour, bring your colleagues out for teambuilding, or simply show your visitors why St. Armands is referred to as Sarasota’s Rodeo Drive. All while feasting on gourmet fare and savory morsels of local history, delivered by the most prominent of restaurants and led by the most engagingof tour guides. Make the most of your tour! Grab your gal…

The arts in Sarasota can ultimately be traced back to one man, who brought a few of his favorite things to town about 100 years ago.  John Ringling, circus magnate and connoisseur of fine art and sculpture, was primarily responsible for putting Sarasota on the map, fostering the cultural treasure it is today.  Without his…

Nothing says relaxation, vacation, or staycation like a few sips on sophisticated St. Armands Circle!  During this light and leisurely “Happy Place Tour,” guests will have the opportunity to taste a variety of specially selected spirits and sample a little of each venue’s most popular fare.  Our fun-loving and entertaining guides will share insights about…

Sarasota offers world-class shopping, arts and culture and cuisine. When you visit, make sure you leave room for these gems. 1. Siesta Key Beach Of course, the first thing to do when you step foot into Sarasota is to rush to our world-renowned beach. Siesta Key has been rated the nation’s top beach for many years….

The Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar was established in 1993 by its founders Troy Syprett, Russell Matthes, and Matthew Grover.  They are open daily from 11:00 am until 2:00 am, featuring their legendary Happy Hour from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, seven days a week!  They have a huge selection of tropical dishes, a full bar and, of course, their…

  Key Culinary Tours will be profiling our partner restaurants from time to time and this week, we highlight a St. Armands’ staple. Columbia began in Tampa’s Ybor City (pronounced EE-bore) as a small 60-seat corner cafe known for its Cuban coffee and authentic Cuban sandwiches, frequented by the local cigar workers.  Casimiro Sr. took over the restaurant…

By Jack Patterson I anxiously awaited the beginning of the start of Key Culinary Tour’s afternoon tour.  I was so anxious that I arrived 20 minutes early and took in the serenity of St. Armands Circle by sitting in the park in the center of town.  I scrolled through email and Facebook on my iPhone, willing…

Locals and tourists alike have loved shopping, dining and entertainment in St. Armands Circle for decades.  Yet, few know its storied past.  It all started with a typo.  Yes. That’s right, a typographical error. Frenchman Charles St. Amand bought roughly 132 acres for a whopping $27.71 in 1893.  He made the land habitable, enjoyed fishing in the bay and growing produce that he would bring to City Pier in Sarasota to sell.  When St. Amand registered the land deed, his name was misspelled.  And that’s why we call it St. Armands today. Enter circus magnate John Ringling.  In 1917, he purchased the property with grand plans to transform the key into a residential and shopping area.  He envisioned the shops ringing a circle in the area.  Back then, there were no causeways to bring people from the mainland to St….

Get ready!  Key Culinary Tours is ready to unveil the very first outing in historic St. Armands Circle.  Bring your walking shoes and your appetite.  Key Culinary Tours will launch the tour program in January.  This unique excursion will highlight four to six premier restaurants around the Circle that was designed and developed by circus magnate John Ringling in the 1920s. We’ve found the best local and qualified tour guides to explain the relevance of St. Armands… from its history to the fine cuisine that has been delighting locals and tourists for decades. One of our tour guides, Robert, has guided tourists through heavenly culinary walking tours in Italy.  He brings the same passion and excitement to St. Armands, which speaks to the area’s European influences. This locally designed and owned tour company offers a lunch tour that runs from 11am-2pm (Wednesday-Saturday) and…