| By Jane Bartnett |
I don’t know about you but it’s beginning to feel a bit like New Year’s Eve all over again, as the good news from the CDC keeps on coming. Hey, it’s time to give hope a chance again as the never-ending loop of the movie Groundhog Day is finally coming to a close.
With that in mind, think positive and get motivated. Make plans for getting off the couch. It’s time to put away those comforting cookies and head to the gym. But we’re not talking about any old gym.
EOS Fitness, a brand-new 38,000-square-foot fitness facility located in the center of The Landings Shopping Plaza at 4940 S. Tamiami Tr., is expecting to open its doors in mid-summer. The registration center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 5101 S. Tamiami Tr., right across the street from the shopping center. If you can’t get there in person, visit eosfitness.com/location/sarasota-tamiami-trail-gym/ and complete the inquiry form. A staff member will contact you.
The new Sarasota EOS Fitness is one of 75 locations in Florida, Arizona and Utah.
The good news for families is that membership at the new EOS is open to anyone over 13 years of age. There’s a Kids Club option for members along with a Kids Fun House.
For fans of group classes (cycling, yoga or Zumba anyone?), each week there will be more than 60 of them from which to choose. Members will have access to top-of-the-line cardio equipment, certified personal training, strength equipment, a 20-minute full-body workout zone, free weights, as well as saunas, hot tubs, and an indoor lap pool.
While we’re visiting The Landings, there’s more good news to report. Early June will see the opening of the much-anticipated upscale breakfast and lunch spot called The Lily Cafe at the Landings, next door to Publix.
Featuring seasonal and local fare sourced from local farmers markets, The Lily Cafe will be able to seat approximately 150 diners and offer such tempting items as eggs benedict and stuffed French toast.
George Woods, a restaurateur who has won acclaim for his Jane’s Cafe on 3rd in South Naples, is the owner. Read more at tlcatthelandings.com.
Meanwhile, the past few months have seen a good amount of new restaurant activity in Gulf Gate. If you’re not in the mood to cook, add the new Bootsy’s Pot Pies and Other Good Stuff, at 6529 Superior Ave. inside the YCP Market Place, to your go-to/order-out list.
Place your order on Grubhub.com, call (941) 330-6355, or drop in Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for delights that include half-baked pot pies. Bootsy’s is closed Thursday through Sunday.
The creation of chef, owner and cookbook author Frank Imbarlina, Bootsy’s Pot Pies offerings include roasted chicken ($10), beef burgundy ($11), vegetable ($10), gulf shrimp ($12), and authentic shepherd’s pie ($13).
Try the fresh whole-dessert pies (all are $18) and select from Old School Key Lime Pie, Real Deal Coconut Cream Pie, and Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie.
Each pie is filled and baked when the order is placed. Visit Bootsy’s Pot Pies online at bootsyspotpies.com
And then, there’s another new Gulf Gate must-try dining spot called RomanSQ, at 6670 Superior Ave.
Devoted to Roman-style pizza, which is not to be confused with New York- or Naples-style pizza, the shop’s adherence to its heritage dating back to the eternal city makes it stand apart.
Owned by an adventurous husband-and-wife team who trained “with the world’s masters,” the couple studied and learned how to create their own light and airy pizza made with their “signature” 96-hour dough.
Topped with fresh cheeses, sausage, fish, and vegetables, their pies are works of art. Their goal is to change the conversation about pizza and Roman food.
RomanSQ also offers eight different 96-hour dough breads (order in advance six hours before pick up), antipasti, and salads that can be purchased separately or with pizzas. Slices can also be purchased from their pre-made pies.
Full-tray pizzas that serve eight people range in price from $44 for Margherita to $64 for their Prosciutto Crudowith Prosciutto di Parma, aged 24 months. Half-tray pizzas for four begin at $20 for Cacio Pepe, with mozzarella, pecorino and fresh cracked pepper. The Prosciutto Crudo is $32.
An appealing selection of antipasti offerings rounds out the menu.
Visit online romansq.com or call (941) 237-8742.
Author: John Morton