Although it may seem like last December’s Atomic Holiday Bazaar was a surprise guerilla smash, the groundwork was assiduously laid over the previous year by organizers Cemantha Crain and Adrien Lucas. The pair forged connections with alternative crafters around the nation, deciphered the city’s fine print on form after form and even passed out flyers while browsing the Dollar Tree. The effort paid off. While they originally shot for 40 vendors, Crain and Lucas landed more than 50, filling the Municipal Auditorium with stylish and often witty clothing, accessories and more. Missed it? Don’t sweat. Round two goes down Dec. 9.
atomicholidaybazaar.com or myspace.com/atomicholidaybazaar.
CEMANTHA AND ADRIEN’S PICKS:
BEST PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER
Alpine Steak House
4250 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 921-3798.
Cemantha: “Imagine that it’s 1968 and you’re going to go out — maybe with someone new — to see a live taping of The Lawrence Welk Show. So where are you going to go for dinner? Alpine Steak House.”
BEST PIZZA
Patellinis of Sarasota
1410 Main St., Sarasota, 957-6433.
Cemantha: “They deliver. Who knew that?”
BEST CHICKEN TACO
Burritos Fresh Mexican Food
2700 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, 922-3888.
Adrien: “Hands down, it’s the best frickin’ taco in town. You have to have a slice of lime with it. That’s important.”
BEST SPECIALS
Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant
875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria, 778-1885.
Cemantha: “It’s not a dive. It’s just a fishing shack. And people are fishing on the bottom and then there’s a second floor that’s a restaurant and they have really great specials … you always need to just order whatever the special is.”
Adrien: “Great sunset, too.”
Cemantha: “And you can see the Skyway in the distance. You get water almost on three sides.”
BEST BAR
Caragiulos
69 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, 951-0866.
Adrien: “I wish that younger people would go to the bar because it’s just such a great place to flop. I like the big, garish paintings on the wall. I like the Italian posters in the bathroom with the eyes scratched out by some psycho.”
BEST GROCERY STORE
Granary Natural Foods
1279 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota, 365-3700.
Cemantha: “They’re good people in there, and they can sit and talk about vitamins and stuff with you. They actually know what they’re talking about. And it’s local.”
BEST THRIFT SHOP
Goodwill 1701 N. Honore Ave., Sarasota, 487-3561.
Adrien: “I’ve scored every time I go there. Every single time.”
BEST BOUTIQUE
Charisma
407 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 362-3362.
Cemantha: “It’s the kind of place where there may be only two or three of one thing and not like a rack of the same stuff. So you can get really good stuff there. It’s not cheap, but it’s fair.”
BEST FAMILY DAY OUT
Circus Sarasota
355-9335 or circussarasota.org.
Cemantha: “In a way, it’s got a sense of being very down-home, but yet they’re doing it, so they’ve obviously trained and they know how to perform these amazing feats. It’s real. It’s legitimate stuff. And I was amazed that it was like $12. … Sometimes I feel like you need to get away from just going to all the cool spots and be with some real people, too, every now and then, who are working hard jobs and bringing their kids to the circus.”
BEST PERSONAL STYLE
Justin Moseley
Adrien: “We are big fans. He is about as retro as they come, although he’s had a very nice makeover. He’s come a long way.”
Cemantha: “He’s got a great makeup of professionalism and flair.”
Adrien: “That’s it! That’s really it.”
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