People want vegan options, gluten free options, small bites and full dinners.'
'Being downtown there are so many new things. When he started showing his portfolio it was like 'dang,' his food is incredibly diverse,' Tackett said. We heard he was coming and that we should look at him. The Oasis Restaurant & Bar snagged veteran chef Carlos Alonso, whom Tackett said overwhelmed her and her staff with his creations. To meet her inclusivity goal, Tackett is focusing on the food. 'The best word to describe our restaurant is eclectic. We want everyone to feel involved – not dedicated to one specific thing,' Tackett said. We want to make sure residents can go somewhere and not feel judged. 'Downtown is different than Gulf Gate – a different clientele. They wanted to keep it the way it was, but we want to include everyone.
We don't want to cater to one specific group. Everyone is welcome in our space, which is comfy and safe. 'The whole vibe – we are still LGBTQ, still fighting for them, but we also want to support anyone. 'I want to say the focus is the same, but it's not the same,' Tackett said. Now, at the new Oasis, Vance is Tackett's general manager, but more has shifted than just the leadership of the business. The new Oasis Restaurant & Bar, which can seat 152, has loftier inclusivity goals than the old Oasis, which was an LGBTQ bar and nightclub in Sarasota's Gulf Gate neighborhood that closed several months ago.
