Fine Dining at Home The Sarasota Way

With the price of groceries being what they are, people are looking for an affordable way to combine fine dining with their budgets.  Necessity being the mother of invention, dining in has become quite hip.  Cookoffs and progressive dinners allow guests an opportunity to control the costs and also show off their personalities and their homes in food presentation and recipe choices.  The residual effects of COVID, including fears of transmitting respiratory infections and just the trajectory everyone took in realizing “home” can be pretty great, have made these private gatherings intensely popular.

Thankfully, we have a plethora of food stores in the area that allow shoppers to choose exquisite produce and high-quality herbs and spices that make specialty recipes spectacular.  We no longer have to rely on big box stores to service all of our food shopping needs, especially when we are looking for exotic ingredients.  The next time you want to step out of your comfort zone and try a new recipe that calls for things you have never even heard of…do not fear.  There is an international food store in your corner, waiting to help make you the chef you’ve always dreamt of being.. Go Asian-inspired, Creole-creative, or Greek-gathering for your next fine dining experience in the comfort and safety of your own home. There are so many international food stores in the area to make our creative cooking fun and accessible.  We are highlighting a few for you so you can grab a recipe, gather some friends, visit your local market, and let’s cook!

HL Asian Market 7113 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

With a couple of dozen aisles stocked full of delicious Asian products like spices, seasonings, rice, frozen foods, and fresh fish and seafood, preparing a perfect Asian meal must include a stop at this market.  Just opened in December, shoppers are raving at the volume of products available for purchase. 

International Market 4944 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

This popular international food store features over 1000 European grocery items along with a Mediterranean-inspired grill.  Sit a spell and enjoy a nice cup of tea with an order of babagannoush or Turkish tabouleh.  Then, peruse aisles of specialty products from all corners of the globe for an in-home sensational night of cooking. International Market & Mediterranean Grill in Sarasota

Suncoast European Market 8383 S. Tamiami Trail #104, Sarasota

Featuring a diverse collection of grocery items, produce, baked goods and a coffee shop with all of the European flare you could want, Suncoast European Market is a fan favorite when it comes to their baked goods and friendly atmosphere.  Visitors can experience a number of international dialects as people sit and enjoy their coffee.  Grab a prepared dish to go and make your dinner plans upscale and easy. Suncoast European Market

Geier’s Sausage Kitchen 7447 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

A Sarasota staple for not only great, homemade sausage, but also a nice variety of international grocery items.  Geier’s has been a mainstay in Sarasota since its opening in 1981 by founders Karl and Gisa Geier.  Their generations of butcher-mastery bring old world German technique and recipes to many of the sausages made in the store today.  Stop in for their meats and beef jerky and you will undoubtedly leave with a few other goodies too.  Geier’s Sausage Kitchen – Geier’s Sausage Kitchen

Photos courtesy of Geier’s Sausage Kitchen and International Market Facebook pages.