It was the last perfect outside day of spring-and it was a Saturday. I couldn't stay inside-so off…read moreto Marie Shelby Gardens we went. It had been on my wish list since way before social media-and I'm so glad it got off the list and into my memories. Ariel W's review contains a wonderful history of the Selby. I'll direct you here way, for all that great info. I can confirm: it's right there, just south of downtown, on Sarasota Bay, with a gorgeous view and a large parking garage. There's an indoor plant area, full of orchids and other delicate blooms-and a building upfront that hosts exhibits. I was so in love with the weather that day, I had just had to get back outside. I promised myself I'll go back and spend more time inside. But this was one of those days where you feel like you're blinking sunshine-breathing flowers. It was just sublime. (Thanks, Ken) I couldn't get enough of it. We wandered the entire grounds, which include a rain forest area, a big treehouse for all ages, flowers, plants and trees of all kinds, a kids activity area, a huge open green area, to stroll or run out your angst or energy and benches in certain areas, to just sit and take it all in. It's the prettiest way to clear your head-escape the grind-find your zen. You could spend a couple hours or a whole morning/afternoon here. I believe there's a restaurant or two on the property or adjacent to it (check me on that). I cant wait to come back at Christmastime. We're so lucky to have these beautiful gardens nearby.

We parked for free in their large multi level parking garage and paid $28 pp admission. We were…read moregiven maps and information about the Calder exhibit. It was a beautiful day, just perfect to wander around outdoors.We were directed to start at the mansion which was filled with information and drawings from Alexander Calder. We then followed the path around the gardens. Every flower and every shrub had an identifying name. The gardens were spectacular with lots of places to sit, clean bathrooms, and a café along the way. Most of the visitors that we passed were over 80 & were eager to share what cold location they were visiting from. We wandered through the desert, tropical gardens, through the children's rainforest ... admiring statues and moving Calder mobiles on the way. The paths, flora, statues & mobiles were well marked. I understand that the vegetables, fruit and herbs serve served in the restaurant. Restaurant and Cafe are all grown on the rooftop garden.i took so many beautiful photographs here! Selby Gardens is a tropical, urban oasis of over 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries, connecting people with native flora and regional history. The gardens include the Downtown Campus on Sarasota Bay & the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads, and ferns. The Historic Spanish Point (HSP) Campus is located less than 10 miles south along Little Sarasota Bay, one of the largest preserves showcasing native Florida plants.

So, I come to Sarasota for 4 years after 20 years in Los Angeles and also living in northern Mexico…read moreduring the 90's. (Gringo, but definitely into Mexican Culture and food) Sarasota has more misses than hits, but Kolucan is so far (and by far) the best Mexican food in Sarasota. It's a little off the beaten path for the tourists. I kept on driving by after its grand opening because I thought it might be overpriced. I am so happy that we stopped. Came in at 2pm on a Saturday and caught the end of brunch. Service was great, restaurant was half empty, and the food was amazing. So we came back the next Monday for my birthday. Had the Mole short rib and the Cochinita pibil. Their chips are fresh, salsa is layered and complex. Guac has acid and salt. And the food was prepared with local flavor and fine dining quality. Amazing restaurant, and one not to get lost among all the average Mexican places in Sarasota

The food was great! Very authentic menu. The restaurant is clean and comfortable. We ordered the…read morechips and salsa appetizer, 2 tacos and the Chciken Tinga tostados. The tres leches dessert was amazing- WOW. Sitting in a pop of espresso. Can't say no to a tres leches cake and this did not disappoint! Glad they were open on July, 4th!

Very expensive. Costs about twice as much as other bowling alleys ,so keep that in mind. Unless you…read moresign up for some special or have some sort of coupon, it's gonna be expensive! I can understand if it's a new place with new equipment, but this place isn't. Oh, and the people working at the front desk are cold and not very friendly if customer service matters to you. Just Ok.

We had a Groupon to be used for 4 people and shoe rental for 2 hours. As we arrived at this Bowlero…read morelocation, we were informed that we could not use the Groupon because it was "holiday season" and they weren't accepting Groupons. It's currently Spring break and we are locals to Sarasota. After reading the fine print and terms of service, none of this was written and this Bowlero location should have honored the Groupon. We contacted another location of Bowlero, in Bradenton, and they weren't very receptive of us calling them and said they would "absolutely" honor the Groupon. Unfortunately, we now have to drive 52 minutes north to another location so we can utilize a Groupon. At this point, we will not recommend the Gulf Gate location nor will we ever visit this location again. Very unfortunate.

All the Florida feels: colorful building, lush setting, gorgeous view of the innercoastal,…read morewhimsical and carefree vibes, just steps from the beach. Yes, Turtles has all of that-and I'm so glad I found it by accident. I was restless one Friday and pointed the car south. I didn't plan to go to Siesta Key that day, but when I was in that area-and realized how long it had been since my last visit, I had to go. I tooled around a bit on the northern end that I'm more familiar with, then headed way south on the Key. That's where I found Turtles. With its beautiful setting-and a big ol' parking lot, I was immediately sold. There was lots of seating inside-with its happy, coastal vibe, but I chose the outdoor patio-which has two tiers-one covered, one not. It was late spring and I knew the days of comfy patio dining were coming to and end for awhile, so this was the time. Besides-it was even closer to the water. I ordered fish, which was fine... and a rumrunner, which wasn't. I will definitely switch up my order next time. The service was kind-but maybe a little slow. That's ok. You're so enchanted by the ambiance and so chill, it doesn't matter. This was instant vacation, less than two hours from home. Every glance in every direction was postcard pretty. I basked in it-and look forward to doing so again.

I had the fish tacos and it was okay. The chipotle sauce gave its flavor, otherwise the fish was…read moresomewhat bland tasting. The boss had the grilled chicken sandwich. I thought the chicken was overcooked, but the sauce on the sandwich saved the day for it. Service was good. View was very nice. It's convenient after kayaking at turtle but I'll drive up the road next time.

This is the best place in Florida. I have been in n Tea Rooms in both the states and Europe…read more The enchanting experience begins as you past through the wooden gateway into the garden. You are surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants creating a wonderful world away from the busyness of everyday life. The cottage is in the middle the secret garden. The interior creates a whimsical mood that will enchant you and take you back in time. Each course is carefully crafted to your liking and can be adapted to meet the needs of food allergies. The service is spot on and the 1:1 attention to detail will leave you wanting to return with more friends. The owner is simply enchanting and will make you feel like royalty. I certainly plan on returning for more adventures. Thank you for making my mother's birthday just perfect!

Just... wow! Bear with me through this long review, but it deserves every single praise it's given!…read more Once you step through the door of this magical hideaway, you'll find yourself transported to a realm where time slows, and every sip of tea feels like a gentle whisper from an old, beloved storybook. The moment you enter, you are embraced by a cascade of twinkling fairy lights that shimmer like stardust against a twilight sky. Fresh flowers bloom in every corner, their sweet fragrance mingling with the comforting aroma of steeping tea and freshly baked cakes. The menu is a delightful symphony of flavors, with each dish crafted as if by fairy hands. The tea sandwiches are dainty yet satisfying, their ingredients so fresh they seem to have been gathered from a mystical garden just moments before. The salads are vibrant and bursting with life, each leaf and garnish adding to the overall tapestry of flavors. And, of course, the cakes! The cakes are tiny works of art, each bite a burst of sweetness that leaves you floating on clouds of pure bliss. Even the soups, served in charming little teacups, are more than just a meal--they are comfort and warmth, a gentle embrace on a slow afternoon. Each spoonful is like a chapter in a story you never want to end. In this enchanting restaurant, you don't just dine--you dream. Every moment here feels like a stolen piece of a fairy tale, and you'll find yourself lingering, not wanting to break the spell. Whether you come alone to sip tea and read by the soft glow of the fairy lights or with friends to share laughter over a tray of delicate sandwiches, you'll leave with your heart a little lighter and your spirit a little brighter. To say that the owner of this enchanting establishment is just as magical as the place she's created would be an understatement. Kathryn is the heart and soul of this fairy-tale haven, a living embodiment of the kindness and beauty that fills every corner of her restaurant. Her presence is like a gentle breeze, warm and soothing, making everyone who walks through the door feel instantly at home. Her generosity is evident not just in the thoughtful touches that make each visit special--like the fresh flowers that greet you at every table or the extra care taken to ensure each dish is perfect--but in the way she treats each guest like an old friend. There's a sweetness in her smile that makes you feel as though you've known her for years, and a gentle warmth in her words that wraps around you like a comforting blanket. She moves with a quiet grace, always attentive, yet never intrusive. Whether she's offering a kind word, making sure your tea is just right, or sharing a delightful story, she does so with a lightness that leaves you feeling cherished and cared for. It's clear that this restaurant is more than just a business to her--it's a labor of love, a place where she pours her heart into every detail. In a world that often feels rushed and impersonal, the owner's presence is a reminder of the beauty of kindness and the power of a generous spirit. She has created not just a restaurant, but a sanctuary--a place where time slows down, and you can savor not just the food, but the warmth of human connection. To dine here is to be touched by her sweetness, and to leave with your heart a little fuller, your day a little brighter. Thank you, Kathryn, for creating such a beautiful safe haven for all who enter. As long as this establishment is standing, I will be there in attendance.

Gulf Gate Flowers has Very kind & helpful people. They're shop is filled with Beautiful products.read more

Gulf Gate Flowers really came through for me last week! I forgot a special family member's birthday…read moreuntil the morning of. So I called Gulf Gate to see if they could get an arrangement delivered that same day. They were glad to! Herb, the customer service person who answered the phone, worked within my budget & promised they would take great care of it. They even took a photo of the arrangement & texted it prior to delivery! I would confidently & happily order from Gulf Gate Flowers again!

The coolest balloon decorations you will ever see in your life! The set up with all the beautiful…read moreballoons was a pure masterpiece. The customer service is superb. Highly recommend the party pond to make any of your occasions be memorable.

From the owner: Graduation season is upon us, coming in May! Don't hesitate to inquire about our services. We offer…read morefree consultations! Plus, we have 4ft jumbo letters that can spell out "grad" or "class of 2024" in any color to match your school's colors with our balloons. Get on our books now!

I don't even know where to begin because Jennifer and her team are truly beyond words. We decided…read morewe wanted to do a destination wedding and had no idea where to start. I found JMEP on Instagram and reached out to see how it works. From that day forward Jennifer was there for me 24/7! She knows EVERYTHING there is to know about planning a perfect wedding. The most important and impressive part to me is her constant communication and responsiveness. She literally made it impossible for me to feel stressed! I would text or call her and immediately she was on it. When it comes to her design skills, they're unmatched! I would give as much creative freedom to her because she puts together a stunning wedding! She puts in endless hours of communicating, planning, meeting us last minute when we were in town and listening to our every concern. I couldn't have asked for anyone more perfect to help us during this special year. (Also it was 2020 so the whole covid thing .. won't even get into it but she helped us navigate it all!) To top it off, the day of she's there and she is WORKING IT!!! Kept me confident, on schedule, and had every detail of the event running perfectly. There truly is nobody better than JMEP! Shoutout to Bridgette too, we love you guys!

we attended a wedding at the beautiful Jubilee Estates but…read more venues event planner - Jennifer was very unprofessional, intrusive and thinks she is the hostess drinking and dancing on the job - wearing flashy clothing to attract attention, and rude to guests she made a conscious effort to be visible to wedding owners blocking the view of guests and monitoring continuously by being in the middle of a everything like gestapo at rehearsal and wedding day She was inviting guests to dance floor I have never seen a wedding planner like her oblivious to problems happening - sound system problems , one table that wasn't cleared up until waiters realized for about 30 minutes as she was too busy having fun herself - Best wedding planners are invisible and monitor and manage behind the scenes they make a conscious effort not to standout but yet here she was on bright red clothes on rehearsal day and flashy outfit with a hat dancing around during wedding - the wedding was shutdown at 10 pm due to noise ordinance ( law enforcement came) - planner should have known and dısclosed this as website stated 11 .she was not meticulous which is what wedding planning is about ! Despite being asked questions on timeline during rehearsal dinner wedding planner was not able to answer what time guest should arrive and was dismissive to all questions stating her assistant was there not herself When asked about potential tree nut allergy she responded ( so they probably should not eat it - rather than coming up with alternate plan) planner was blatantly rude to younger members of the family as well sometimes trying to physically snatch an object from their hands. I would not recommend her to anyone maybe his team members are better at doing wedding planning .