​That's Entertainment!

When you make the decision to go out to eat it usually falls into one of two categories; you are famished and just need to find a quick bite, or you are going out for a dining experience.The latter of these two is what I want to talk about. The dining experience is more than just filling up, there is an expectation of great food and service coupled with time away from the ordinary rigors of daily life.The dining experience itself should have an entertainment value that comes from every end of your time dining.It includes the interaction with the staff, intimate time with the person or people you are dining with, the presentation of your food and beverage, and sometimes even interaction with other guests. A dining experience should never only be about the food. A great restaurant will make it about enhancing the dining experience for their guests.

There are also "added entertainment concepts". Some of the added entertainment concepts that we are doing include bringing in musicians that range from acoustical guitarist to classical violinist, Murder Mystery Theatre nights where the customer is actually interactive with the ongoing mystery during the dining experience (Our first performance in May will be "Murder by Malbec"), Wine dinners that showcase a specific winery or vintner, and over the Summer we will begin "Painting Happy Hours" with the first class painting their own personal wine glass. There is a multitude of different added entertainment concepts that restaurants will offer from trivia/ game nights, all forms of live music, events that revolve around the food and/ or drink, etc… The best way to find them is usually through checking out a restaurant's website or social media feed.

There is also something to be said for just a great night out with food and friends! It really depends on the type of experience you want for the night and it is great that there are so many different and creative options.

Pesto Bistro and Wine Bar is a quaint Italian, French, and Mediterranean influenced restaurant located 2.5miles East of Anna Maria Island on Cortez Road.

Joe Rimer, Chef/ Owner
Alumni- Culinary Institute of America