Sarasota, FL – As the Sabbath was settling in we had to make a detour before arriving at our Shabbat dinner destination, D’Corato Ristorante on 322 S Washington Blvd. in Sarasota. While I cannot divulge the details to protect the family, let’s just it was b’sherit (a Yiddush word that refers to that unexplainable and unexpected moment that happens in life when you are in the right place at the right time to either help or witness a remarkable or not so remarkable moment) that we were driving west on Clark Road headed to Beneva Road. Let’s just say that the Sarasota County Fire and Paramedic Department is well-trained, calm, and available in a heartbeat. Let’s also just say that the iPhone and Facebook can connect people together in good times and in times of emergencies.

Once we rerouted ourselves, to D’Corato Ristorante, we were greeted by Vincenzo by first name and Billy Joel’s 1977 lyrics from his album, The Stranger, swirl in your mind: “Bottle of white… bottle of red… perhaps a bottle of rosé instead?”  I first dined here with Reagan Seyer’s family for her high school graduation celebration (see Shabbat Playlist #46), and promised myself I would bring my family for a Shabbat dinner. All of the props were natually in place: wine, Italian challah and the candle lit on the table. It was lovely and impressionable. So palatable in fact, that if I were a restaurant critic, D’Corato would be rated as a five-star! The service, appetizers, wine, main courses, dessert, and coffees deserve a standing ovation. We have lived here for 28 years and have passed this location numerous times, but never noticed. It’s a hidden treasure. Most of our conversation included expressions of “mmmm, wow, perfecto or can I taste that?” Dining with Steve and Jake is probably one of my favorite things to do in life. Listening to tales of the week, teasing each other, catching up on sports’ scores and political mishaps, and planning for the upcoming week made this Shabbat pause memorable.  As the dinner came to an end, Jake and Vincenzo struck up a conversation about knife sharpening. Jake has recently launched Weinberger Works Sharpening. The name came from the sign that Neil and Jamie Warren erected on the front side of Steve’s barn in 1998. It was fascinating to listen to the words exchanged between Jake and Vincenzoas they were specific and precise. Their exchange made me proud. Shabbat Shalom