Click here to make your reservation today!

Celebrating 51 Years of Café: A Legacy of L’Europe

This season marks the 51st anniversary of the iconic Café L’Europe opening its doors to serve Sarasota diners.

To commemorate this milestone, the restaurant is launching a year-long celebration with a variety of special events, including this Legacy Chef Wine Dinner series, where acclaimed local chefs who got their start at Café return for a night of storytelling over fabulous wine and exquisite cuisine. Bookings are exclusively offered via OpenTable Experiences for $250 per person (pre-paid) inclusive of tax and gratuity.

View the menus from the first two Legacy Chef Wine Dinners with Chef J.P. Knaggs and Chef Ray Arpke.

 

Next Legacy Chef Wine Dinner

🧑‍🍳 Co-hosted with former Manager Michael Garey and former Chef Bob Fracalossy

🍷 Featuring the French wines of Château Vineyards

📆 Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 at 6:30 pm

 

From Past to Plate: A Legacy Chef Experience

Join us for an unforgettable evening at Café L’Europe’s Legacy Chef Wine Dinner on Tuesday, April 30th, at 6:30 PM, featuring culinary legends Michael Garey and Bob Fracalossy. Michael, the former General Manager of Café L’Europe and co-owner of the beloved Lazy Lobster, brings his passion for hospitality and a commitment to excellence passed down from his mentors. His journey from busboy to esteemed restaurateur highlights a life dedicated to culinary excellence and community engagement.

Bob Fracalossy, a distinguished former chef of Café L’Europe and business partner at The Lazy Lobster joins Michael, bringing his own rich history and culinary expertise to the table. Together, they weave a tapestry of stories and flavors, showcasing the legacy of Café L’Europe and their personal contributions to the culinary world.

This special event is not just about enjoying exquisite food and wine pairings; it’s a celebration of the culinary journey, mentorship, and the enduring impact of these two remarkable individuals on the dining scene. Reserve your place for an evening of fine dining, storytelling, and a tribute to the spirit of culinary excellence embodied by Michael and Bob.

Click here to make your reservation through OpenTable Experiences.

Please note: Reservations are NOT secured unless it is booked as an “Experience” through OpenTable and secured with a credit card.  Guests will be seated communally and sharing tables with other guests… a.k.a., new friends!  If there is another party with whom you wish to be seated, please let us know in the “Notes” section of your OpenTable Experience booking.

 

FOOD MENU WITH WINE PAIRINGS

Reception Hand Passed: Cucumber Slices with Creme Fraiche & Caviar, Mushroom Strudel | Champagne

Amuse: French Onion Soup Bite

Course 1: Strawberry Kiwi Salad | Champagne Collet

Course 2: Crab Bisque | Augustine 2022 Bordeaux Blanc

Course 3: Veal Francaise | Chateau Auguste 2022 Grand Bordeaux Rose

Course 4: Lobster Thermidor – “Lazy Lobster Style with a Cafe twist” | Chateau Gaby 2014 Silver Label, Canon-Fronsac

Course 5: Tournedos Rossini | Chateau Du Parc 2016 Saint-Emillion Grand Cru

Dessert: Chocolate Brownie Creme Brule – From Lazy Lobster archives | Chateau Moya 2015 Bordeaux