Ok, it is very small. I'd say about 10 booths total. There were 2 food /bev trucks. Parking is free…read moreand i felt it was worth the trip to check it out. There was live music there that was nice. If you like kitschy retro stuff, you will enjoy this. They had damn good avocado toast for $4... boba horchata drink was $5 ( I'd say it was 32oz. Huge). Outside the booths were nicely priced. There is a bldg next door that sold cute retro old stuff ... pricy af. But the fair had a unite a friendly cheerful group of vendors. Someone selling cute art stationary, Honey booth , The Darling Market sold some attractive clothing (new/modern) . A gentleman there sold lovely wooden kitchen spoons. The retro booths had the best nicest retro clothes . Such colors and styles. Very cool. Also sold retro basket handbags, retro sugar/flower containers, precious little vases that made me giddy. (Pardon me!) generally speaking there wasn't much for guys here except some grub & bevs & music. 35 minutes well spent.

BLUF: Good ice cream in St. Armands circle and even better when it's not crowded…read more Yes, I like Kilwins ice cream and I love it when I don't have to find a parking spot or wait in line. This Kilwins is located in St. Armand's Circle. Given that, parking can be tricky and lines can be long. Conveniently, this Kilwins was in walking distance to my hotel on a recent stay in Lido Key so I was sure to stop by for a scoop. Also, I am glad to see Kilwins was able to renovate and recover after back-to-back Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton hit the area. I wouldn't drive to St. Armands Circle and fight parking just for Kilwins but if in the area and craving a sweet treat, Kilwins has visitors covered with ice cream, fudge and candy.

More than ice cream!…read more Yes, we bought ice cream here. Seating on benches in front of the store while seeking to complete a cone before meltdown has been a family tradition for years. So, this time, I though readers would like to learn of our experience with two non-traditional items for us: chocolates and peanut brittle. Bottom line is - both were excellent! We wanted to bring home treats for those who could not join us for ice cream. Chocolates and peanut brittle were practical and appreciated choices. The appended photos convey more information than these words would - so please see them. Notes: 1 ) There is no indoor seating. So, plan to sit outside on benches or stroll the circle with ice cream. 2) Afternoon street parking was surprisingly available. Perhaps a weekday afternoon in summer is not prime time. 3) Free samples - The staff will gladly offer a free sample of ice cream. Don't be shy about asking for advice. 4) Price - As a grandparent, I am surprised at how pricey everything is nowadays. However, my millennial kids say that Kilwin's offered a decent value. Kilwin's remains a much-anticipated highlight of family visits to the Circle.

Beautiful mural for a beautiful day. Love murals and we loved this city. Love seeing all the public…read moreart and recommend you check this one out

This month I had off on a Monday and deciding to take myself out on a date to The Ringling. It has…read morebeen months since the last time I was here and wanted to take advantage of the free art museum and grounds. It was a peaceful day exploring all the gorgeous art work.

Came to check it out on free Monday. The admission does not include the circus museum…read more Walking along, the grounds is very peaceful. The art collection inside the museum was very great. This place reminded me of walking through Italy. Love the replica of David in the courtyard. Also, the pianos mixed in as a part of the collection was a great touch. Only downside was there will be a line since the museum is free on Mondays so come early.

All things pineapple make me happy. I quick spotted this one time driving around Sarasota & and I…read morevowed to come back. Too bad I couldn't find it, and I couldn't find it listed on the internet anywhere. Finally found it again and it is as beautiful as I thought it would be. You will find the across from pineapple park which is now known as Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park. I made a listing for it too. This is located on the corner of Pineapple & Lemon. Check this beauty out!

It is funny how you can embrace a small, what many might call it an insignificant thing, and look…read moreforward to seeing it when visiting a city or town. It is these little pieces of local art that help define the personality of a city. The pineapple mural is directly across from the Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park and definitely something that will make you smile.

Absolutely love this beach! Powder white sand for miles, clear turquoise waters, so many shells and…read morewildlife in the preservation areas. Lots of free parking areas up and down the beach, which is rare these days. I think what I love the most about this place is the commercial development has been kept off the beach! When you're at the beach there's no loud, rowdy crowds or music. Just the crashing sound of the waves and laughter of children playing. Don't get me wrong I love a good beach restaurant but I think there's something magical about it being more natural. There are restaurants and bars one or two streets over so not a far walk, trolley or cart ride away. Such a wonderful family friend place. Lots of options for vacation rentals. Just a short drive from central Florida or even closer the Sarasota airport. We will definitely be back.

I really enjoyed my day at Siesta Key Village. It's close to the beaches and has plenty of shops…read moreranging from up-scale to kitschy. Restaurant options are plentiful. You can get a nice, expensive gourmet meal or some good ole bar food. There are several shops to get a sweet treat and plenty of bars to cool down after a day at the beach and relax. In other words, there's enough variety to keep everyone in your group occupied. Parking on the street is limited and goes very quickly but you can park in the municipal lot at the end of Avenida De Mayo. This mostly pedestrian village is a great area to come and shop, eat, listen to some live music, people watch, and relax!

What a find! We decided to have dinner here & due to the wind, we sat at the bar to have dinner…read more Discovered that they have a fantastic HH every day! My house vodka martini was great & only $6! We shared ate almost entirely off the HH menu - bruschetta, caesar salad, bolognese, & the pasta with mushroom sauce. Pasta is homemade & you can get it off the HH menu! We even got a bread basket served to us! We indulged in profiteroles for dessert. The bartender was wonderful. The interior looks very nice. Outside they have plenty of tables. Would definitely go back to this place.

I came back for an actual meal…read more They start the meal off with bread and a marinara-olive oil (see previous review for similar thoughts). For an appetizer, the gnocchi alla Bolognese was ordered for the table. It was homemade potato gnocchi with a Bolognese sauce and whipped ricotta. This was very good. The homemade gnocchi was light and flavorful while there was plenty of meat in the sauce. The ricotta just added to it. For an entrée, I split the Cernia in Crosta, and a pappardelle special. The Cernia was fresh herb-crusted Gulf grouper with lobster scampi sauce, grilled asparagus and potatoes. The grouper was a very generous size. The fish was cooked ideally, and the herb-crust really was flavorful. I thought the actual grouper could have been seasoned more, but not a huge deal. The scampi sauce was good too. The pasta special was homemade pappardelle in a brandy cream sauce with five scallops present. This was a simple dish done right. The pappardelle was perfectly cooked while the brandy cream sauce was light, but flavorful. The scallops had a nice char on them with enough flavor. I also tried a sausage link, that was too salty. I also tried the spinaci e caprine salad. It contained baby spinach, crispy prosciutto, truffle honey, multiple pieces of fruit, candied walnuts, and goat cheese. This was well put together and even the truffle honey was not too overpowerful like I thought it might.

So we searched this place out because we heard they truly make the best key lime pie in the area…read more.. you know, everybody says they have the best one... But, this pie is outstanding. Not only do they sell key lime, but other flavors, as well as cakes and candies... The English toffee is thick and oh so tasty. Cute shop, friendly staff- Find this place- hidden off of 41 south of Siesta Key.... You won't be disappointed!

It's so hard to find gluten-free and or gluten-free and dairy free offerings in any area, but I…read morefound the most delicious Keylime pie here at Flo's bakery. I ordered a piece on one trip along with a delicious scone and then returned for a whole pie to serve for my friends visit later on. Happily I wound enjoying most of the incredible pie for myself. I live 30 minutes away in Englewood but will return for sure.

excellent food , service . Parking is a bit sketchy but a very enjoyable experience…read more My mussels and clams appetizer was cooked perfectly and the wine/ garlic/ fresh tomatoes were a great addition to the dish.

This was our 3rd visit, Sardinia, everything so delicious, along with great service, making this…read moreanother Italian restaurant to add to our list of favorites. Still thinking about the wild mushroom appetzier in a crispy frico type parmesan basket. Had this for the first time and absolutely loved it. All four of us were very happy with our entrees, the features of the night: homemade gnocchi and the seafood pasta special, as well as the lasagna, and the homemade taglioni with sausage, spinach and olive oil. As a former restaurant owner, I can truly appreciate the labor of love that chef Dino puts forth each day, delivering freshly prepared, delicious food. Marcello's and Sardinia, our go to restaurants for a wonderful dining experience and delicious food that brings back memories!

We had a wonderful time in Sarasota Florida. I was not expecting to love the city like we did. It…read morewas so fun and this mural was a nice representation of the city