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We are putting together a beginner‘s guide to Sarasota to try and help Brits visting or moving to Florida to get off to a flying start by helping them find their British favorites such as cornish pasties, their favorite pint or their favorite sport. We welcome all relevant contributions from any Ex-pats living in the Sarasota, Bradenton or Venice area with useful or local knowledge that could help. This page is not sponsored by any local businesses and is just aimed as helpful advice for the British newcomer to Sarasota. The Sarasota British Club does not directly endorse this advice or these businesses.
Please email all contributions or suggestions to James Croshaw.
Food and Beverages
Ok to kick us off we are going to list some suggested favorites and where to find them:
- Cornish Pasties - For all things pastie-related you can visit the 4 and 20 Pastie Company on the corner of Swift Rd and Clarke Road. Tastefully British on Gulf Gate Drive also sell a very tasty, home made, traditional style pastie. Scott‘s Corner on 17th Street also sell Cornish pasties aswell.
- Sausage Rolls - Again 4 and 20 Pastie Company do cocktail-size and long freshly baked sausage rolls. Scott‘s Corner on 17th Street also sell sausage rolls frozen and ready packaged.
- Traditional Beers - for a good selection of British and European Beers such as Boddingtons, Tetleys, Stella Artois, Tennants and Belhaven, check out the Coach and Horses Pub on Lockwood Ridge and MacAllister‘s Grill and Tavern on Lakewood Ranch Main St. For a truly huge selection of British and other tasty beers to take home and enjoy, check out Total Wine on University Parkway and Norman‘s Liquors on Clarke Rd and State Rd 70.
- Marmite, Branston Pickle, Walker‘s Crisps, Bisto and other favorites - check out Tastefully British on Gulf Gate Drive, Scott‘s Corner on 17th Street and also 4 and 20 Pastie Company on Swift Rd.
- Afternoon Teas - For teas, scones and traditional British catering, check out Your Cup of Tea. The Ritz Carlton in downtown Sarasota also does afternoon teas in traditional British style.
Basic Services
If you’re new to Florida, State law requires that, within 30 days of establishing permanent residence or enrolling a child in school, you must apply for a Florida Driver’s License. (The fine for not doing so is quite steep, by the way).
Information on the process may be found at http://www.dmvflorida.org/drivers-license-identification.shtml. Walk in offices in Sarasota are at 601 S. Pompano Avenue and at 101 S. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota, or at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice. In Manatee County, go to 3611 First Street East in Bradenton. In most cases, advance appointments can be arranged.
Electricity
Our area’s electric provider is Florida Power and Light (FPL). Their web site is http://www.fpl.com, and they may be reached at (941) 917-0708. A deposit may be required.
Cable TV
In addition to satellite TV and other systems, the two primary cable providers in the area are Comcast in Sarasota and Brighthouse in Manatee. Both will require deposits. Comcast may be reached at (941) 371-6700, and Brighthouse at (941) 748-1822.
Banking and Finance
Banking and Credit
Courtesy of Andy Reeves (B. B. & T - Branch Banking & Trust Co.)
Banking is basically the same in the United States but you have a lot more choices, be prepared for a lot of paperwork and a question, having a Social security number helps a lot. Big Banks are on every street corner and all over the country but can be impersonal, small banks are more friendly but do not have the convenience. Ask friends and professionals for referrals, finding a good contact at a bank who understands and gets to know you, is important and makes life easier.
You will need to establish a credit history as quickly as possible and a bank can advise you on the best steps to take, mortgages are available but be prepared to make a reasonable down payment. Internet banking and bill pay is available from every bank and just remember to spell cheque, check!!
Sports and Recreation
Cricket - The start of cricket in Sarasota was a challenge among friendly Brits and Americans to play one another at cricket and baseball to test the merits of the two games. Nobody remembers the outcome but the contest led to the formation of the Sarasota International Cricket Club in 1952.
The club owns its attractive ground and clubhouse on University Parkway, east of Lorraine Road in Lakewood Ranch.
In 1993 Australian cricketing legend Richie Benaud honored the club with his patronage and opened their clubhouse. Shiv Chanderpaul, the West Indies captain is an honorary member of the club and visits and plays with Sarasota whenever his schedule allows. The current playing members were born in a dozen countries, including the United States.
In addition to a full schedule of matches the club hosts the International Six-a-Side Festival every Thanksgiving Day weekend. Anywhere from twelve to fifteen teams from Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the United Kingdom and Sarasota compete in a hard-hitting and fast paced tournament.
Visit the club’s excellent website at sarasotacricket.com.
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