On Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush was reading to a second grade class at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota. My dad was at a meeting in New Jersey that had originally been scheduled for the World Trade Center. My mom had an acupuncture appointment in Chelsea, but she turned around when the traffic told her something was terribly wrong.
I was a 12-year-old in an English class at Saxe Middle School in New Canaan, Connecticut, when our daily classroom rhythm was upended by shocking images coming from just 48 miles away.
After mom pulled me out of school, I went home, where I remained glued to the TV while my tween brain tried to make sense of how people, including two fathers of boys in my grade, were never coming home.
But there is another part of that day that I remember vividly: the togetherness. Things that divided us disappeared, strangers helped strangers, neighbors checked on neighbors.
Twenty-five years later, I hope we can somehow find that spirit again and remember that when things get hard, we’re meant to take care of one another, not tear each other down.
So this Eating with Emma is a love letter to that feeling of connection that started in New York City and traveled throughout the country on 9/11. It’s not represented by an “I ❤️ NY” T-shirt, but by the people who keep the city’s traditions, including food, alive. And now that Sarasota is home, I’m celebrating that indomitable spirit the way I know best, through food.
So get ready to “start spreading the news” about these Big Apple-inspired bites that you can find right here in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Palm Avenue Deli
1297 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; 941-263-3742; PalmAvenueDeli.com
Nosh on Palm Avenue Deli’s New York cheesecake ($8), among many other Big Apple-inspired items.
Empire State of Flavor: If there’s a way to bring a little New York nostalgia to Florida’s Gulf Coast, I’m perfectly happy for it to arrive in cheesecake form. The Palm Avenue Cheesecake ($8) pairs a buttery graham cracker crust with rich, creamy cheesecake and a house-made blueberry compote. Perfected through countless rounds of tweaking by Chef Dom, this taste of Staten Island affirms that when you make it here, you can make it anywhere.
Big Apple Mention: Be like Seinfeld and pick up the black-and-white cookie ($4) while you’re treating your sweet tooth.
Cappo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen
2053 Reynolds St.Sarasota; 941-487-8677; OrderCapoPazzo.com
Capo Pazzo’s authentic New York pizzas are delivered fresh from the oven.
Empire State of Flavor: This place makes me feel less homesick for the Big Apple and more hungry. A family-owned spot, Cappo Pazzo brings together Italian heritage and New York upbringing with handmade pizza, traditional cooking methods and seriously good ingredients. The 12-inch New York Classic pizza starts at $14 and the 18-inch at $22, which means there’s really no reason not to get the bigger one.
Big Apple Mention: Order the chicken parmigiana hero ($17) and get it with vodka sauce instead of marinara. You can thank me later.
Florida Provisions Co.
1561 Lakefront Drive, Ste 109, Sarasota; 941-274-0470; FloridaProvisionsCo.com
A weekend special, to be ordered at the bar of Florida Provisions Co., from 9-11:30 a.m. only.
Empire State of Flavor: If there’s one thing commuting to New York from Connecticut taught me, it’s that breakfast sandwiches are a personality trait. At Florida Provisions Co., the BEC is a build-your-own situation every weekend from 9-11:30 a.m. Start with an NYC bagel or sourdough toast and make your decision in a New York minute: bacon, egg and cheese ($12.50) or sausage, egg and cheese ($13.50). Just like that, you’ve got a breakfast that just might carry you through the day to dinner.
Big Apple Mention: And because it’s the weekend, pair that beauty with a rotating draft beer or a six- or nine-ounce glass of wine.
Pork Roll Pete’s
4657 Cortez Road W, Bradenton; 941-896-3333; PRPBagels.com
Pork Roll Pete’s is a true New York deli, with authentic kaiser rolls.
Empire State of Flavor: If there’s one area where Pork Roll Pete’s has truly cornered the market, it’s pastrami. With their extensive selection, including imported Carnegie Deli pastrami ($14 and up), there’s enough here to make any transplant feel like she’s right back in the heart of it. The Paddy ($12.50 and up) piles hot pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut and Russian dressing into one glorious, deli-counter-worthy indulgence.
Big Apple Mention: It’s hard to pick just one New York-inspired bite at this family-owned spot. But when they have specials like the chopped cheese, you know you’re, “right there in Old New York, you better believe it folks.” (Thanks, Frank for helping this column be “a number one, top of the list.)
