Just East of route 41 and south of Clark Road or Stickney Point is a community called Gulf Gate. There are a few Gulf Gate residential neighborhoods on either side of Beneva Rd. Gulf Gate is a melting pot of a business district with some of my absolute favorite places. There’s a Scandinavian store that has the most beautiful greeting cards and a refrigerated section full of nordic delicacies including herring, butter, sausages and “kringle” from O&H Danish Bakery in Wisconsin. There’s an Oriental Market where you can get fresh produce and frozen sushi grade fish and canned goods, cookware and Asian gifts. There’s a German Bakery, a Polish Market with frozen pierogies, a deli counter and walls of canned goods, plus a Polish Travel Agency. A German Restaurant that reminds me of my grandmother’s house in Queens that smells and tastes just as good. My grandparents had a restaurant in Brooklyn from the 1940’s to the late 60’s. We love Mouthhole, probably the best burger place in Sarasota right now. Plus they have BBQ on the weekends. Gulf Gate Food + Beer for a better than fast food bite. My latest favorite is Kolucan, or more specifically, the Frida Lounge, an upscale Mexican Restaurant with a very cool cocktail bar. At least five pizza places, Rico’s and Solarzanos , Sal’s, Shaner’s. You should try all of them, then go to Capo Pazzo on 41. If you are from the NY area, you know what I mean. Munchies 420 that I haven’t tried yet, a late night spot and I am a daytime person. There are a few sushi restaurants and seafood places like Hoshi, Kyoshi, Monks Steamer bar and Brine. If you are looking for Dive Bars, Gulf Gate has quite the selection. Please have walk or have a designated driver when visiting for this purpose. You can find steakhouses, at least two of them, Chicago Hot Dogs, and a culinary incubator. Gulf Gate has fantastic breakfast places like, Lovely Square and The Original Word of Mouth . When we want Chinese that tastes like we expect it to taste go to Taste of Hong Kong. You will find an adult clothing store and a pet treat shop. A barber a shoemaker and some really worth knowing about antique shops. There are several great frame stores which you will need living here in Sarasota. There is a shop that sells upcycled furniture and many many drinking establishments including a craft beer place, and a Moose Lodge. There is more, but you will just have to go see for yourself. The residential neighborhood is vintage sixties early seventies. You can find fixer uppers at reasonable prices and some that have been totally renovated in the higher end. Most are single family homes 2000 square feet or under. Just over the bridge from Siesta Key this is a great way to live in Florida full time and not miss wherever you came from. And living in a neighborhood where you can stroll or bike to all of the above sounds great, right?