There is something bittersweet about these final days of August on the Gulf Coast. The evenings are still long and warm, but there is a subtle shift in the air. The sun sets a few minutes earlier each night. The cicadas hum a little differently. And I find myself wanting to savor every late-summer dinner, every evening walk, every last moment of this season's rhythm.
Here is what I have been enjoying lately, from new restaurant discoveries to cultural highlights at Selby Gardens and my go-to spots for a memorable end-of-summer meal.
Five Nine Grill & Tavern: A New Spot in Osprey
A new addition to the dining scene that has me excited: Five Nine Grill & Tavern opened in Osprey in August, bringing a second location of the popular Bradenton restaurant to the South Sarasota corridor. It is located on US-41 near the intersection with Blackburn Road, which puts it just minutes from the Palmer Ranch neighborhoods down the Tamiami Trail.
The menu leans into American tavern classics with a coastal twist — think fresh Gulf seafood, hand-cut steaks, craft burgers, and a solid bourbon selection. The space has a warm, rustic-modern feel with a spacious patio that is shaded and dog-friendly. I stopped in for dinner last week and ordered the grouper sandwich, which was perfectly grilled and served with house-made chips. The service was warm and attentive, and the patio crowd was a nice mix of locals and snowbirds who have already returned for the season.
Osprey is one of those areas that I think more people should have on their radar — it offers beautiful bayfront homes, gated communities, and a quieter pace while still being 15 minutes from downtown Sarasota. Having a restaurant like Five Nine Grill in the neighborhood only adds to its appeal.
Selby Gardens: Two Exhibitions to Catch Before They Close
If you have not visited Selby Gardens lately, now is the time. Two exhibitions are wrapping up at the two campuses, and both are worth the trip.
At the Downtown Sarasota campus (1534 Mound Street), "Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith" runs through September 13. The exhibition combines stunning floral photography with intimate portraits of Patti Smith, displayed throughout the Museum of Botany & the Arts and across the 15-acre gardens. The images are displayed both indoors and outdoors, so you can wander through the banyans and orchids while taking in Goldsmith's work. It is one of those rare exhibitions that feels at home in every setting.
At the Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey (across from the Five Nine Grill, conveniently enough), "Robert Louis Stevenson: A Child's Garden of Verses" closes on August 30 — this Sunday. This exhibition celebrates childhood and imagination through vintage book pages, interactive elements, and audio readings by Patti Smith. It is a charming, nostalgic experience, and the Spanish Point grounds themselves are stunning — bayfront views, ancient shell middens, and walking trails through coastal uplands.
I recommend the Spanish Point campus for a morning visit, followed by lunch at one of the Osprey restaurants, and then the downtown campus for an afternoon stroll. It makes for a perfect end-of-summer day.
My Favorite Late-Summer Dining Rituals
Every August, I make a point of visiting a handful of spots that capture the season perfectly:
Marina Jacks (2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota) — The Blue Sunshine Patio has been hosting live music every evening this summer, and the bayfront setting at sunset is unbeatable. I like to sit at a table by the railing, order the fried calamari and a glass of sauvignon blanc, and let the music carry the evening.
Freckled Fin at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch — I have made no secret of my affection for this spot. Their late summer menu features fresh catches, craft cocktails, and a view of the lake that is especially lovely as the sun goes down. It is about 15 minutes from Palmer Ranch up University Parkway, and the Waterside Place development continues to add new dining options.
St. Armands Circle — A loop around the Circle for an early dinner is one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday evening. Columbia Restaurant has a lovely patio, Cafe L'Europe offers a more refined experience, and the people-watching is always excellent. With the Exotic Cars on the Circle event coming September 5, it is going to be a lively Labor Day weekend there.
Downtown Venice — The historic avenue is at its most charming in the late summer, when the crowds have thinned and the sidewalk cafes feel pleasantly relaxed. I have been craving the burrata at Cassariano Italian Restaurant, and the gelato at Dolce Vita is the perfect end-of-meal treat.
As this August winds down, I find myself more grateful than ever for the life I have built here on the Gulf Coast. Whether you are celebrating Labor Day weekend with the Pioneer Days parade or the Wellen Park fireworks, or just enjoying a quiet evening on a patio somewhere, I hope you take a moment to appreciate where you are. I know I will.