LAKEWOOD RANCH — The internationally themed restaurants along Lakewood Ranch Main Street are going to try their hands at barbecue, a venerable American culinary art form.
As you might expect, there will be some quirkiness to go along with the good eats starting at about 3 p.m. Saturday.
Ed’s Tavern will roast two whole pigs over an open fire, and cooking brisket, barbecue-style.
Rob Chiossi, general manager of Ed’s Tavern, said the barbecue will be prepared with a special rub and a secret barbecue sauce.
Chiossi will also be playing bass with the Rum Runners Band, set to perform from 5 to 9 p.m.
At Astoria Fine Russian Cuisine, chef Michael Golubchik will barbecue osetra sturgeon, shish kebab-style. The sturgeon is locally grown at Mote Marine Laboratory.
The delicate, tender sturgeon will be served on a skewer, without any strong, fishy taste, notes chef Golubchik, a native of Ukraine. The white flesh of the sturgeon, seared at the edges, is firm without being chewy.
The Scots at MacAllisters Grill and Tavern will barbecue with a Polynesian flair.
When asked if they really barbecued back in Scotland, co-owner Karen Ronney said, “We have sunny days in Scotland, too. Not that many, but when we do, we barbecue.”
Tommy Klauber, owner of Polo Grill and Bar, said his restaurant will barbecue big-bone beef ribs.
The ribs will be smoked for about 2 1/2 hours and then cooked over low heat for about five hours.
“It allows it to break down and go from being very tough to super tender, Klauber said.
“It’s not like throwing a steak on the grill on high heat.”
The public is invited to take a stroll down Main Street to sample the barbecue and cast a vote for their favorites in this kickoff to summer. Proceeds from beer and food sales will benefit the Braden River Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12055.
The Braden River VFW Post is the newest in Manatee and supports a unit serving in Afghanistan.
“This is the first one we’ve done,” Ronney said of the barbecue competition. “We want it to be the first of many.”
A trophy will be awarded for the best barbecue, to be displayed in the winning restaurant.
“We are hoping for big crowds to enjoy this family fun event,” said John Breiner, of Ed’s Tavern. “It will be a great venue for the Main Street establishments to showcase their ‘chops,’ so to speak.”
All activities and the competitors will be set up in front of the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas. Samples of the barbecue will be free. If visitors want a plate, prices will vary according to the restaurant.
Other activities will include pony rides and face painting.
Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and dogs on a leash, but coolers should be left at home.
Overflow parking will be available at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
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