Following a packed, invitation-only first-look soirée on Wednesday, Oct. 14, a cherished downtown Sarasota restaurant has announced an opening date for its new location, featuring an eye-catching exterior and a warm, richly detailed interior inspired by classic Italian cinema of the 1960s.
Caragiulos Italian American Restaurant is scheduled to open Oct. 27 at 1833 Ringling Blvd.
When the Caragiulo family sought a design for the new location, they turned to longtime family friend Luciano Botta, a Milan-based designer who envisioned the interior of the 150-seat, 4,300-square-foot space as a set for a classic Federico Fellini film.
“We’re very pleased,” Paul Caragiulo told the Herald-Tribune. “I think Luciano nailed it.”
“If we were shooting a period
piece, we could do it,” he added.
"We like to put on a show and make spaces that are memorable and it seemed appropriate," Caragiulo told the Herald-Tribune in June. “I’m excited to see people’s reaction and hope that they like what they see."
Returning patrons will likely see many familiar faces, since several longtime employees have been working at other restaurants owned by the family while the new space was being built.
How long has Caragiulos been in downtown Sarasota?
Best known for its pizzas, pastas and signature salad, Caragiulos' long, rich history dates back to 1989 and includes praise from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and anappearance on his Cooking Channel television show.
When patriarch Tony Caragiulo and his sons John, Mark, Rob, Anthony and Paul opened the restaurant in the historic Mira Mar building, it was one of the pioneers of a resurgence for downtown Sarasota.
Its vibrant decor reflected the Roaring ’20s setting of the Mira Mar.
Once Sarasota-based Seaward Development targeted the Mira Mar fordevelopment of 70 estate-style condominiums spread across a pair of 18-story towers, the iconic restaurant needed to relocate.
When the iconic restaurant closed, the Caragiulo family offered everyone who dined at the restaurant tickets for their Caragiulos Collectible Raffle, featuring artwork, tabletops, gift baskets, opening-weekend dining tickets and other goodies.
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com.
Wade Tatangelo is the executive editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida dining and entertainment editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Iconic downtown Sarasota restaurant set to reopen at new home
