Dining and drinking info for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

One of downtown Sarasota's most iconic restaurants has been sold and the new owners have exciting changes planned, as well as a new name.

Edward Zaki and partner Alexandre Gosselin, executive chef, have purchased El Greco Cafe and are keeping the restaurant open while making alterations to the "Mediterranean cafe" concept. Zaki estimates he owned more than 25 restaurants in Canada and still owns Chez Victorie in Montreal, while Gosselin, who studied in France with Paul Bocuse, has won accolades as an executive chef in Canada.

"We will be keeping many of the traditional Greek dishes and the lunch menu but changing the interior into a Greek tavern with playful food that’s fun to look at,” said Zaki. “We’ll be adding a central bar, obtaining a full liquor license and adding meze small plates to share like meatballs and shrimp balls to the dinner menu. We will be using locally sourced ingredients when possible and offering gluten-free and vegan selections.”

The restaurant, located at the bustling intersection of Main St. and Orange Ave., will be renamed Avli, which is Greek for courtyard. It will have a blue and white color scheme and seating for 150 diners. The food will be mainly Greek with a few Mediterranean options with such entrees as moussaka, lamb chops, chicken, pork and seafood. For dessert, the proprietors will offer house-made rice pudding, orange cake and baklava, plus others.

El Greco Cafe, founded by George Soublis, opened as a family-owned business in 1989, according to the restaurant's website.

Before the recent transaction, Robert Marini was listed as the chef/owner, along with his wife Gena.

The new owners are planning a grand opening in October but in the meantime will be serving lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant at 1592 Main St. may be reached at 941-365-2234.

Skinny Dip relocating

The Skinny Dip yogurt bar, formerly located in Palmer Ranch Plaza, has new owners, who are moving the popular shop to Gulf Gate with plans to open in early fall. The franchise originated in Virginia in 2008.

“Skinny Dip offers the tastiest ice cream with very low calories — only eight calories per ounce,” said owner Alex Beltran, who recently moved to the Sarasota area from California along with wife and co-owner Sorelly.

They purchased a former photography studio on Gateway Avenue and are in the process of renovating the space into a colorful, comfortable setting with a beach vibe where 25 customers may eat in or take out the nutritious treats.

Skinny Dip flavors change with the seasons according to availability of fresh fruits, and myriad toppings revolve regularly. Customers may choose their own combinations, but some favorites range from traditional milk chocolate, strawberry and peanut butter, to more creative mom’s oatmeal cookies, sea salt caramel pretzel or carrot cake, to name a few. There are also non-dairy options.

The Skinny Dip, at 6616 Gateway Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit facebook.com/sarasotaskinnydip.

Element now open for lunch

Element: Modern Mediterranean Grill, the popular steak and seafood restaurant in downtown Sarasota, is now open for lunch on weekdays.

Sandwiches at the upscale dining destination include a delicious smoked salmon with capers, heirloom tomato, green salad and horseradish mustard sauce on multigrain bread for $16, as well as the impressive-sounding "chopped spice-rubbed steak" ($20) and "BBQ glazed pork belly tips” ($16) options.

Pan-roasted salmon ($22), scallops ($25), a four-ounce filet ($29) and seared pork ($19) are among the entrees being offered at lunch.

There are also several salad options including the avocado Caesar and chopped ($12 each) plus chilled as well as hot tapas dishes and the soup du jour ($8).

Element: Modern Mediterranean Grill, at 1413 Main St., Sarasota, is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is served daily starting at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 941-724-8585 or visit elementsrq.com

Bastille Day wine dinner at Mattison’s Forty-One

Paul Mattison, executive chef and proprietor of Mattison’s Restaurants and Catering, will host a wine dinner in celebration of Bastille Day. The dinner will feature wines from six distinct regions of France: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire and Rhone Valleys, Alsace and Champagne. The dinner will be held in the galleria at Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota at 6:30 p.m. on July 11.

The six-course menu includes Niman Ranch lamb cassoulet, chicken chasseur, escargot, poached salmon and caviar, and peach melba. The dishes will be paired with French wines from 2015-17 such as a Louis Jadot pinot noir and Helfrich pinot gris.

The dinner costs $95 per person. For reservations call 941-921-3400 or visit mattisons.com/french-wine-pairing-dinner/.

Harry’s Summer French Wine Dinner

After summer’s official kick-off last week, Harry’s Continental Kitchens at 525 St. Judes Drive on Longboat Key will commemorate the season with a summer French wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. July 11. It’s hosted by Harry’s sommeliers/owners Harry and Hal Christensen, along with Ryan Stotz from JP Bourgeois Imports.

The four-course menu includes seared local American red snapper, tuna and octopus marseille, butternut squash gnocchi and grilled lamb T-bone. Those dishes will be paired with 2017 and 2018 French wines such as a Bellula pinot noir and Domaine Beausejour Les Grenettes sauvignon blanc.

The dinner costs $89 per person, gratuity and tax not included. To make a reservation, call 941-383-0777 or email info@harryskitchen.com.

Yuniku Sushi changes

Yin Z. Huang has taken over Yuniku Endless Sushi & Hibachi and transformed the restaurant into the new Yuniku Sushi & Seafood Buffet. She has added hot and cold seafood, sushi and dessert bars, among others, and brightened the sophisticated interior with dramatic lighting, a picturesque pond and stone accents.

According to assistant Mike Dong, Yuniku offers a vast array of Asian specialties featuring Japanese and Chinese favorites, with lunch from $9.99 and dinner from $11.99. Among popular options are the seafood bar with snow crab legs, raw oysters or clams, cocktail shrimp, New Zealand mussels, crawfish, salmon and more.

In addition, there are numerous variations of sushi rolls, sashimi, poke bowls, teriyaki, salads and fruits, rounding off with an ample dessert bar. The restaurant, which seats 220 diners, offers beer, wines and sake to accompany the Asian fusion buffet.

Located at 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 9:30 p.m. weekdays; until 10 p.m. for dinner Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 941-993-1112 or visit yunikufl.com.

Reyna’s Taqueria July 4 weekend picnic package

If you’re planning a picnic over Fourth of July weekend and looking for some help with the food, local Mexican restaurant Reyna’s Taqueria has you covered with its holiday weekend picnic package.

The $40 special includes 12 tacos plus house-made chips and salsa, which feeds four to six people. The deal is available from July 4 through 11 a.m. July 7, and is available for either pick-up or while dining in the restaurant.

Reyna’s Taqueria is at 935 N. Beneva Road, Suite 701 and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 941-260-8343.

Lakewood Ranch wine walk

Fine Wine & Tastings On Main is hosting a wine walk on Main Street Lakewood Ranch from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on July 10. Attendees can sample more than 20 wines from around the world at eight locations. Wine walk specials will be offered at participating restaurants. Tickets are $30 per person. Purchase tickets online at finewineandtastings.com/wine-tastings. For more information, call 941-355-4718.

Kids eat free July 4 at Applebee's

Families who dine-in July 4 at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and mention this offer will receive a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entree. Children 12 years and under can choose from a variety of entrées from the Applebee’s Kids’ Menu, including cheesy quesadillas and crunchy chicken tenders.

Children can also select either milk, chocolate milk, lemonade, orange juice, apple juice, or soda to drink. Each kids’ meal will also be accompanied by their choice of a side dish.

The 4th of July Kids Eat Free promotion is available at Applebee’s in Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Punta Gorda and other Florida locations. For more information, visit applebees.com.

Email restaurant news to ticket@heraldtribune.com.