Restaurant News: Taco Wars, Snook Haven, Dal Moro’s, 99 Bottles

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Here's the latest restaurant and bar news in the Suncoast area.

Venice Restaurant to Reopen with County Approval After Hurricane Ian

Snook Haven restaurant in Venice shared in a Facebook post that it will reopen soon, pending approval by the Sarasota County Commission, after closing because of damage from Hurricane Ian.

So far, the riverside eatery has shut its doors for 65 days following the powerful storm. The owners said they expect to reopen between the end of December and mid-January.

“We’ve worked hard with Sarasota County and are happy to come to an agreement that allows us to bring back the Ole’ Florida historic beauty to the restaurant,” the Facebook post read. “The restaurant won’t be exactly the same as before but you can still expect the iconic Snook staples that make the restaurant such a unique spot, such as delicious BBQ smoked in-house, craft beers, and live entertainment including the beloved Gulf Coast Banjo Society. All to be enjoyed while soaking in the majestic beauty under Spanish Oak trees along the banks of the Wild & Scenic Myakka River!”

New Del Taco Fires Back At Snarky Sign From Bradenton Taco Bell

Shots have been fired in Bradenton — in a good-natured way — as the Del Taco that recently opened and its nearby competitor, Taco Bell, launched a sign war, according to a Del Taco spokesperson.

The Del Taco at 5610 W. Manatee Ave., which held its grand opening less than two weeks ago, is the first to open in the Tampa Bay area.

Its neighbor didn’t waste time to jumpstart their friendly rivalry with a sign outside the Taco Bell restaurant that read, “She’s a 10, but eats Del Taco.”

The sign refers to an internet meme that launched on TikTok earlier this year and has made its way to other social media sites, according to KnowYourMeme.com. In the meme, social media users rank a hypothetical person who is attractive followed by a playfully negative attribute.

Del Taco didn’t waste time to respond to the snarky sign, putting up one of their own that read, “She must like better tacos.”

Dal Moro’s Opens in St. Armand’s Circle

The fast-casual pasta chain Dal Moro’s Fresh Pasta to Go expanded its U.S. presence with a new location recently opening in Sarasota’s St. Armands Circle, the company shared on its Facebook page..

The brand, which originated in Venice, Italy, opened its first U.S. location — and only its second ever — in downtown St. Petersburg in May. It also recently brought the pasta-to-go concept to Tampa’s Armature Works and locations are coming soon to West Palm Beach and Delray Beach, according to the Dal Moro’s website.

The 900-square-foot space at 309 John Ringling Blvd. in Sarasota has indoor and outdoor seating and will offer DalMoros’ signature menu of made-from-scratch pastas and homemade sauces ready within minutes and served in to-go boxes.

New Pizza Restaurant Comes to Bradenton

Vacci Pizza & Cucina recently opened in Bradenton’s Lockwood Commons shopping center at 4406 53rd Ave. E., the Bradenton Herald reported.

The restaurant is owned by Lakewood Ranch resident Michael Valentino, who owns two other restaurants — both called Valentino Pizzeria Trattoria — in Sarasota and southern Manatee County.

99 Bottles Lands on Best Beer Shop List

Sarasota’s 99 Bottles made Wine Enthusiast’s Best Beer Shops in the U.S. list.

“They’ve got a tap list curated by a great team that balances hype beers with classic style makers and rare releases from the hottest breweries that come to (and come from) Florida,” Mark DeNote, author of The Great Florida Craft Beer Guide, wrote about the shop for the magazine. “They have absolutely maximized their tiny space with an on-premises establishment that doubles as a growler bar, along with an eclectic bottle selection that doubles as wall art. Finish it all off with a locker club that rivals any wine club and you’ve got 99 Bottles.”

Another Florida beer shop, Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe in St. Petersburg, also made the list.