Jeff Houck

The Tampa Tribune’s food writer since 2005, Jeff Houck covers the way people live through their food. He also hosts the Table Conversations food podcast and believes that everything crunchy is good.

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Bill Clinton Touts Civility & Global Initiative, Gets Grub On In Sarasota [Look Who Came For Dinner]

Posted Oct 1, 2009 by Jeff Houck

Updated Oct 1, 2009 at 05:12 PM

So I guess former president Bill Clinton was in the area last night giving a speech in Sarasota at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Turns out he spent the day golfing and hanging out at the house of a former administration supporter.

During the appearance, which kicked off the hall’s speaker’s series, Clinton said being a good citizen means more than paying taxes and following laws.

“There’s something else you ought to do,” Clinton said, urging the audience to work together outside of government.

What has always made Americans different from other people is that they do not wait for government to solve problems.

Clinton also used his speech to deplore a growing lack of civility in politics. He said even though he had epic battles with Republicans such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, he always kept a cordial personal relationship with his greatest rivals, including former presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.

“Because we had an honest relationship, we could have straightforward disagreements,” Clinton said.

Clinton’s speech at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was a culmination of a daylong visit to the area—his first to Sarasota.

“I’ve always wanted to come here,” Clinton said. “You’re lucky you live in a beautiful place. Most people don’t get to see a sunset like I did tonight.”

After the speech, he dropped in for a meal at about 10 p.m. at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse on Siesta Drive in Sarasota.

There was a buffet set up for him and his group in the private dining room. Clinton reportedly specifically requested that fish be on the menu, so he most likely ate either BBQ Scottish Salmon
or the Seared Ahi Tuna.

Other offerings included:

The Wedge Salad
Fleming’s Salad
Tomato Mozzarella Salad

Sliced Tenderloin of Beef
Sliced NY Strip Steak

Fleming’s Potatoes
Grilled Asparagus
Sautéed Mushrooms

Shoestring Potatoes
Onion Rings

Crème Brulee
Walnut Turtle Pie

He also took time to pose with the staff at the restaurant, which included Dan Schefer, Fleming’s operating partner and Charlie Flint, Fleming’s chef partner. (Photo supplied by Fleming’s.)

I’m sorry, but I can’t think of Bill Clinton and food without thinking of this “Saturday Night Live” skit: