Restaurant News: Lido Island Grill to open at Sarasota's Lido Beach

After spending more than a year closed amid renovations to the surrounding pavilion, Lido Beach's concession stand will reopen, with the proprietor of a longtime Sarasota restaurant serving as the new operator.

Lido Island Grill is set to officially open on March 18 at the city of Sarasota-owned beach pavilion. The new business serving "restaurant-quality beach fare" such as sandwiches, seafood and frozen drinks will be operated by Laszlo Bevardi, the owner of downtown Sarasota Italian restaurant Bevardi's Salute!

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Bevardi, who moved with his wife and two daughters from Philadelphia to Sarasota and opened Salute! in 2010, said his family are avid Lido Beach visitors, especially his daughters. When the previous concession stand Lido Beach Restaurant's contract with the city expired and a bidding process opened, his bid was ultimately chosen.

"Salute! is in downtown, so we were frequently coming down to Lido Beach," Bevardi said. "They pretty much grew up on the beach."

The menu will feature handhelds such as a Black Angus burger, blackened mahi mahi Reuben, fish and chips, pressed paninis and a Cuban, a barbecue pork sandwich, fish tacos, hot dogs and chicken fingers. Lido Island Grill will also serve its own version of a lobster roll, a favorite at the previous concession stand, as well as offering healthy options such as salads, vegetarian items like a caprese panini, and gluten-free buns.

Lido Island Grill also has a liquor license and will offer drinks including frozen cocktails in flavors like strawberry or mango daiquiri, piña colada and margarita; six beers on tap with additional canned options; and chardonnay, pinot grigio and pinot noir on a temperature-controlled keg system. There will also be non-alcoholic options like soft drinks and juices.

There is seating available for about 150, including in the renovated pavilion area with upgrades including new shade covering, and at picnic tables outside the pavilion.  Takeout will also be available, with the restaurant planning to use environmentally conscious products such as biodegradable shell containers and cups.

Lido Island Grill is located at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota, and plans to be open daily starting at 11 a.m. For more information, call 941-444-7495 or visit lidoislandgrill.com.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.