UPDATED 11/6: Highly anticipated restaurant opening this week in downtown Sarasota
UPDATED 11/6: Wolfie's has closed temporarily. Please read our latest coverage.
--
One of the most highly anticipated downtown Sarasota restaurant openings of the year should take place this week.
The Original Wolfie’s & Rascal House, a delicatessen overseen by local chef Sol Shenker, known for his beloved brand of "Jewish soul food," is set to open Thursday, Nov. 2, according to a press release issued by Wolfie's on Monday, Oct. 30.
The restaurant is at 1420 Boulevard of the Arts in downtown Sarasota's Rosemary District. Earlier in October, its sister business, a grab-and-go concept located at 1454 Boulevard of the Arts called Wolfie's "Box Office," opened. Wolfie's excellent pastrami and corned beef sandwiches earned it a place on my list of the best sandwiches, which was published online Oct. 27.
10 best downtown Sarasota restaurants: from fancy to casual, these are my favorites
Best waterfront restaurants with outdoor seating in Sarasota and what to eat, drink there!
Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday
Original Wolfie’s & Rascal House opening this week in downtown Sarasota's Rosemary District
The press releases notes that Wolfie's aims to "combine the best of Broadway style with traditional deli charm to create a dining experience like no other — every customer will feel like a star." Shenker will oversee a kitchen that will offer customers favorites from many the country’s most famous delis including South Florida's Wolfie’s, Pumpernik’s and the Rascal House (where Shenker worked years ago), Miami’s Epicure Market and Southern California’s Jerry’s Famous Deli.
“Our goal is to create a warm, welcoming, lively atmosphere, just like the traditional delis,” said Shenker, who is particularly known for his cheesecake, in a statement. “We do this for the love of the food — the highest quality pastrami, brisket, bagels and lox — and now we have the privilege of doing it for the love of our community, because it makes people happy. And if it’s done right, we’ll be reminded of our parents and grandparents.”
For opening weekend, singer and comedian Dani Luv, a regular on the stage of the legendary Sammy's Roumanian in New York that closed in 2021, will be performing from Thursday, Nov. 2 to Saturday, Nov. 4 in the evenings and during Saturday and Sunday brunch. Luv will perform favorites including his rendition of “Casablanca,” crooning “a bris is just a bris,” along with beloved songs made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Neil Diamond, and Billy Joel.
The Original Wolfie's Deli and the Rascal House will be open daily offering full-table service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, with The Original Wolfie’s and Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House up and running, take-out orders and grab-and-go items will be available at the restaurant, while The "Box Office" down the street will serve as the establishments’ catering hub.
The Original Wolfie’s & Rascal House is at 1420 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-312-4072 or visit originalwolfies.com.
Who lives here? Most famous celebrities with homes in Sarasota and Bradenton area
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Highly anticipated Sarasota restaurant Wolfie's opening this week
