My sister and I (both 40 something)are staying at the Limetree beach resort on Lido Key in May. We will have a car.
We would love help from you Sarasota experts regarding nice casual non-chain inexpensive restaurants that are local favorites. I have done a little research and we are not interested in the most popular touristy places like those on St. Armands circle or Marina Jacks. Lunches will be at the Salty Dog. What are the little dinner gems like that? We love all kinds of food.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Did you miss Tommy Bahamas on St. Armand's Cir? Very creative, Flroda/Caribbean cooking.

There's a Tommy Bahamas on ST. Armand's Circle? Since when?

I think Tommy Bahama's has been on St. Armand's for a couple of years at least. As I recall it is on the side of the circle heading to the beach at Lido.

We always hit Osteria (non chain) on the Circle for Italian. If you're willing to drive a bit, Beach Bistro on Anna Maria Island is great. Not casual or inexpensive as you requested, but great food in a non chain environment and directly on the beach. In Sarasota is Philipi Creek, your basic old style seafood restaurant. Some like it. Some don't. My kids, husband, and inlaws all like it so we go every year.

Tommy Bahamas is on the straight part of the street towards the beach from the actual circle, on the left if you are facing towards the beach. You'd hardly know there is a restaurant there, but it is above the clothing store.

Just had lunch the other day at Lavanda, a sort of funky place where you can sit on the porch of an old house in Towles Court, an artist colony near downtown. Great food, very limited menu, for both lunch and dinner.

Technically Tommy Bahamas is a chain - very casual on the circle is Lynches Landing - they used to be on Longboat Key - sold that spot and have moved to the circle - great Irish owners - place that those of us who are locals like to go. It is also an easy drive over the bridge to downtown Sarasota - fantastic selection of restaurants along Main Street - Selva Grill - terrific Peruvian food on lower Main along with the every popular and always great Epicure, very casual Italian cafe - with a wonderful Gelato store next door - also enjoy the outdoors Mattison's Grill at Main and Lemon - new restaurant that is a lot of fun is Sangria - dumb name but a fun tapas restaurant - I could go on - Zoria on upper Main

Katura and amwosu know what they're talking about! All terrific places. Phillippi Creek---casual atmosphere---great seafood, on S. Tamiami Trail (hwy 41); my father insists on dining there with each visit to visit us. Main street is awesome: quite a variety of great little bistro-type restaurants; try C'est la Vie for some light French cuisine and wonderful pastries. If you're unfamiliar with downtown Sarasota, just look for the huge Hollywood 20 movie theatre sign.

You might enjoy the several (well, 2-3+) Amish/Mennonite restaurants scattered around Sarasota. The food is, of course, hearty "comfort" type food, but home-made and good. There are two, I think, on Bahia Vista (one is Yoder's), and one out on Cattlemen near I-75 and Bee Ridge -- Sugar and Spice. Be prepared to wait for breakfast, it's esp. good.

Maximo's on Sirsta Key, a very nice, casual and locally owned. Mid-priced.

Cafe Blase on Siesta Key, another very nice, casual and locally owned place. Mid-priced.

Both places have indoor/outdoor dining, nice selection of wines and full service bars.

Can't go wrong with either one, and they are both exactly what you are asking for. Great for after sunset dinners.

Eupemia Haye on Longboat Key is just a few miles up the road from Lido.

http://www.euphemiahaye.com/profile/default.aspx

Terrific food. Very nice garden setting. Further up on Longboat is a funky little place on the bay side of the island. It's called Mar Vista Dockside. It has a beautiful garden setting looking out on the bay and some bay islands, and the food's pretty good too. It's casual and usually attracts a lot of locals. Great fun.

I second all the great Main Street restaurants - we've enjoyed so many of them. You could also add Two Senoritas and Cafe Amici on Main. Both great and fairly inexpensive.

If you'd like to go more upscale on Longboat Key try Harry's and Cafe on the Bay - they're very good but a bit pricey.

Again on St Armands Circle - try the Cafe L'Europa, Hemingways, and the Columbia (a pretty good Cuban restaurant).

If you'd like a good breakfast place then try "Blue Dolphin" on St Armands - they will feed you well and fairly inexpensive.

We like Hemingway's, but have only been there for lunch. Also, in Bradenton Beach on the corner of Bridge Street (Anna Maria Island) we like the Sun House -- 3rd floor - nice sunset view; also Island Creperie -- a small French crepe restaurant (midway down on Bridge Street).

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I'll definately give them a try. I also heard about a small middele eastern place near the hospital that has some creative daily specials...I think its called Chutneys.
Any favorites for Italian??

THANKS AGAIN

For Italian, we like Gio Portofino, on Cortez Road.

We enjoy Chutney's. There are several little restuarants in the area around the hospital, and Morton's Market (same area) has a great selection of cheeses, etc. if you're interested in picnicing. Portofino's is in Bradenton on Cortez Road - which would be a bit of a hike.

For inexpensive-Sugar and Spice (Amish)is great. Philippi Creek Oyster Bar is fun (seafood) and not too expensive. I know it's a chain, but we LOVE the Sonny's BBQ in Sarasota! It's the best Sonny's we've ever been to.