Dining

RESTAURANT REVIEWS JUST FOR YOU

Restaurants in the Village of Siesta Key fit the bohemian reputation of Siesta Key. Although you will find that many of the unique restaurants serve up cuisine that would easily compete with the finest restaurants in the area the dress standard is always very casual. You will need something on your feet, but sandals are a standard, shorts and tops are the normal dress and why not, the beach is at the end of Ocean Blvd. Suits, sports coats, ties and dress up is just so out of place on Siesta Key and by the way, so it being up tight. You will find the locals take life as it comes and expect you will do the same. This is laid back and easy going island. Enjoy.

• This is the place to go for breakfast or lunch on Siesta Key. The food is great and the locals’ keep the staff hopping all year long. On many mornings you will see Dick Vitale having breakfast and signing autographs. Local art is for sale along with other items. The Broken Egg was forced to move to a new location in 2008, but you will still be pleased with the food and ambiance it is truly better than ever if that is possible. If you came all the way to Siesta Key, put your bare feet on that incredible powder white sugar sand, walked in the warm therapeutic Gulf of Mexico water along the shore and did not have breakfast or lunch at the Broken Egg while here, you blew it. Come back and try this again! In addition to this well known location on Siesta Key, Broken Egg has a successful second location at Lakewood Ranch, which has been open for a couple of years and just added a new location at Clark Road and Sawyer.

• Good food, relaxed atmosphere and liquor. Cindy is your hostess and will make sure you are completely satisfied. This is an island business that takes on the same Bohemian attitude as the Key. Food is wonderful and a dinner in the dining room for two with a bottle of wine is almost as good as the same on your balcony.

• Oyster Bar is a great sidewalk café and restaurant with day & evening entertainment to add to your tropical mood. This is a good place to watch and be watched. Very good casual food and raw oysters, of course. Entertainment most of the time. Can you spot the tourist from the locals?

• I guess this is the root of the phrase, “Laid back and easy going”. The drinks are large and the entertainment adds to your vacation merriment. They have 420,000 different daiquiri's....uh...make that 4,200 different types of.....sorry....make that 420 types of daiquir........whoops....I believe that should be 42 different daquuiris....I think, but maybe not. Word is they are the kitchens for another restaurant on this side of Ocean Blvd, but I have been told to "speakeasy" about this and right now I need to go sit down, I'm dizzy and maybe sampled too many of those daquiaroos.

• This very authentic English cafe is a real treat to find in the Village. The menu was recently updated with more taste treats from both sides of the pond. They have also added wines to your beverage selection along with a dinner menu on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. If you have not tried the Patisserie in the past you certainly have good reason to give them a try now. Dorata & Gerald Presland are long time customers of this cafe, but in the past year they have also taken on the owning of the Continental Cafe in a rather serendipitous fashion. The story of how they became the third English owners of this charming spot alone is worth the visit. You will also get a chance to enjoy some wonderful food and meet the Presland's who have made America and Siesta Key their home. Just brilliant!

• Boy meets girl, girl meets boy and both like to drink. Some bar food, but mostly, "Hi, don't I know you from some place?" Sure. Not a place to plan on eating. If you remember the Beach Club from the past, this is not your same old Beach Club.

• Had to include it. Has been here for years and many Siesta Key bohemians originally met here. Catered to the likes of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and more. Recently completely remodeled and lost some of the old worn out charm, but they still serve reasonably priced casual food including the deep fried "salty dog".

• Sure beats having to travel to New England. Lots of charm and again, you’re not leaving the Key. This is authentic New England without snow, ice, driving cold rain and the occasional nor'easter. They are closed during hurricanes, but remain open during a nor'easter.

• Food and service can be pretty inconsistent, but they do use a water fogger in their sidewalk café area and I did use them on the cover of the book so I felt I should include them. We don't do this very often, but we are going to leave this "bar" on our list for a number of reasons that are not very valid. We are adding to our lists of poor performances by this establishment, their website. It is not good and we did not bother linking. Wonder when someone will purchase this ideal location and open something novel like maybe another great grill & bar or even a great bar & grill. This really looks like an opportunity waiting to happen.

• This recently opened restaurant has arrived standing up and walking tall! The food is very good and the service, drinks and appetizers will taunt your taste buds and quench your thirst from their full bar. The calamari is one of the best we have ever experienced. Entertainment is provided on most nights and you can sit inside in air conditioned comfort or outside with a roof over your head. The construction in this area should soon cease and this will improve the outdoor experience. The lunch and dinners should easily satisfy culinary wishes. Obviously meat is the special and Blu Smoke has a sampler of sauces for you to try.

The south end of Siesta Key is less populated with commercial building, but you will find a number of very good restaurants along with other services for the vacationer. These locations appear in a few different areas from the Stickney Point and Old Stickney point area to the far south end near Turtle Beach. Just like in the village this is again a very laid back and easy going area. From time to time we will see a sport coat and maybe even a tie or high heals. Not everyone gets the dress code, but who cares?

• This is a Siesta Key legend and you will find that Captain Curt's truly has something for everyone, whether it is food, entertainment or ambiance. From breakfast at Mama's, to drinks at the tiki bar, lunch or dinner in the restaurant or entertainment and drinks in the bar while listening to the Fab Three and their Beetle repertoire, Bobby Salerno's Elvis show or a number of other very popular entertainers including some pretty good local talent taking their turn at Karaoke. The food in any one of the these locations is casual and exceptional old Florida cuisine with an accent on seafood with fried clams, Cheese Grouper-in-Paradise sandwich or their award winning world famous clam chowder, which walked away with first prize in the International Chowder Championships in Newport, Rhode Island.

• Southern Italian Restaurant with a Pizza specialty. Eat in, pick up or deliver. On either of the last two you could also pop a cork off a nice Chianti, sit on the balcony and watch the sun go down as you enjoy your Italian dinner.

• This is a nice location for a waterside meal on the bay. Food is good and they serve on most holidays. They do not typically take reservations, but will give special consideration for parties of six or more. They also do a very good menu for holidays.

• This location formerly known as Coasters opened in June of 2010.  The new owners originaly opened Gecko's in the landings on 41 and ownded three restaurants in Bradenton. Nann and I attended a pre-grand opening at the end of May, 2010. We sat in the rear dining room of this large restaurant with great views of Inter-coastal waterway. The staff was friendly and food offerings on the limited pre-opening menu were tasty. Nann and I returned a little over a week later and sat outside along the Inter-coastal. We arrived late on a Monday night and although we were serviced quickly, order taken and drinks delivered it appeared the kitchen did not get our easy order of four grouper sandwiches to prepare. Once the problem was brought to their attention we shortly received our food, apologies and free desert for all. Nann and I met here again with a group from work and sat in the front dining room. This time the bar food appetisers were fare at best. Understanding a good restaurant does not come together quickly we hope they are improving daily and you are able to visit and eperience great food and service at this great spot on the Intra-Coastal Waterway.

Miguel’s D

• Just when we were lamenting about all of the Siesta Key Restaurants being torn down to make way for a new condominium building we find that an old worn out bar has been resurrected to become a new Paul Mattison culinary experience with Clayton as the owner operator. Recently Clayton put his name on the building and removed Mattison's. They still need to work on a couple of items, but have mastered the parking when little is available and outdoor seating when none seemed to make sense at this location on Old Stickney Point Road. Now Clayton need to bring the temperature of red wines below the temperature of the kitchen. We are sure this will be worked out soon.

I am always amazed at the number of visitors who vacation on Siesta Key and never make it to downtown Sarasota which is one of the more interesting walking cities in Florida. Beside all of the shops, museums and events you will find unique restaurants from all over the world. It is claimed that Sarasota has more restaurants per capita then any other city in the United States. Downtown Sarasota contributes heavily to this count.

Mattison’s City Grill B(Sat), L, D

• Serving good drinks and casual food in downtown Sarasota for a number of years along with a good view of your favortite sports game from somewhere inside the restaurant. Good drinks and bar fare along with a pretty eclectic crowd as well as owners. Great place to watch your favorite game. Try the fish reuben. Package beer and wine can be purchased here as the restaurant includes a retail store.

• Continental Cuisine that is served and prepared to your liking. What’s even better are their good drinks and fast gourmet pizzas that you can enjoy before crossing the street to the Hollywood 20 to see your favorite movie. This is a well run restaurant where the staff is always keeping a watchful eye on the dining guest. You will not need to look for your waitstaff who are well informed on the menu and will cater to your desires. Same owners operate Cafe Epicure at the other end of Main Street.

• Probably not our favorite restaurant, but many of our guests rave about the food, location and they have a dinner cruise. This restaurant actually sits out in the bay in front of the downtown area. You will have no problem parking, can arrive by boat and will have a view that shows off Sarasota;s waterfront. If ;you decide not to eat here you will find this to a good place for a drink on sunny day. This is a large deep water marina with berths for 200' and transient slips for short or extended stays. Full service fuel dock

Café Epicure L, D

• A really authentic French café with sidewalk seating and a great breakfast. This in another good location for breakfast on Saturday morning after you walk the farmers’ market a block away. In addition to their large selection of crepes & quiches, their french bakery will make you long for your days in Paris. This location is charming and don't be surprised to hear the table next to you speaking French to order their selections and in their conversation.

Hillview Avenue & Osprey(The Street)

area of restaurants and bars is upscale in food and clientel. In the middle of the area is Morton's Market where fine food, wine and prepared meals to go add understanding to the spawning of many of the restaurants. During the day the hospital staff frequents this area for other than hospital food and at the end of the work day the Five O'clock Club and the new Geckos attract those not ready to go home. About the same time happy hour kicks in with some pizzaz at Libby's. The dinner crowd starts to arrive after six and most restaurants fill up quickly. Good idea to call ahead for reservations.

The Serving Spoon B, L
• Great breakfast with homemade muffins to die for. This breakfast and lunch restaurant has now opened a second location in the Shopping center at the corner of Beneva and Clark Rd.

Morton’s Market
• Not a restaurant, but a gourmet market that has all your cooking needs. I kneaded (sic) some cake flour and none of the markets carry it locally. I drove here to see if they carried it and they didn’t, but they did not hesitate in going into their kitchen to give me the amount I required. No charge. They also carry everything you need to avoid cooking. They make all their own pastries plus many, many prepared meals to take home and, your catching on, eat on the balcony while you watch the sun set. Might spend some time in their wine shop to loosen up your wallet. Morton’s will also cater your party, but please take it easy on the condo!!


Up & Down Tamiami Trail

(This is the only area of Sarasota where I allowed myself to list chain restaurants. Even then, they have to be worth it to get mentioned.)

Phillippi Creek Village Oyster Bar L, D
• I am not aware of anyone who comes to Siesta Key and does not eat here at least once during his or her stay. Great seafood cooked any way you can imagine at very reasonable prices on community seating with paper towels on each picnic table. Draft beer and liquor. This is truly where you want to be when they talk about being “Up the Creek”.

Bonefish Grill
• Like fish? You’ll love Bonefish. This is a chain but worthy of mention because the manager is a part owner along with Outback, Roy’s and Carrabba’s. Not a bad group to have as a partner.

Mattison's Forty-One L, D

• Paul Mattison is a Sarasota Chef and restaurateur of local renown. Mattison's City Grille in Downtown Sarasota allowed Paul to show how to turn a hamburger grill into a favorite dining and dancing location for locals and vacationers. At Mattison's Forty-One Paul has done it again. This time he took an old worn out franchise steak restaurant and brought Sarasota a great dining restaurant with an all night happy hour at the bar on Friday's and dancing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. "The ultimate dance club for those who enjoy watching Dancing with the Stars style dancers and anyone who loves to get out and dance." All of this and really good food with excellent service. On the other hand, would Paul have it any other way? We don't think so.

• This Ringling Museum restaurant is located in the welcome center of the Ringling Museum which is at the end of University Drive at highway 41, Tamiami Trail. We were enticed to have dinner at Treviso because of a summer off season offer of 2 entrees, 2 salads a dessert sampler plate along with a bottle of wine for $50.00. Along with this special we also received incredible service by our waitress in along with dining room support from other workers who leave nothing to address. The restaurant interior design allows dinner enjoyment in a very clean and fresh atmosphere with no distractions because of other sounds or noises from the dining area. You will look out at an outside dining area with views of the grounds of the Ringling. If this is not enough to intrigue you into trying Treviso than let me tell you about the food, which was outstanding. All four dinner participants chose a different entree and each of kept commenting on how perfect the kitchen had prepared our food and delivered it to our table with a great presentation and taste. I can't imagine spending a day at the Ringling and not treating yourself to dinner or lunch at Treviso. The Ringling is operated by Florida State University and I was curious about the restaurant management and even more surprised to find that the food vendor is Guest Services. I learned that they allow their chef's to prepare their own menus with regional approval and based on our experience, kudos to Guest Services who have impressed us by taking our expectations of hospitality management to a surprisingly higher level.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill
• Not exactly on 41 but so close I had to include it because they’re parking lot is always full and it is so close to the condo. They are a chain that consistently serves good food and are worth a try.


Stonewood
• This is another recent addition to the Siesta Key area and another chain restaurant, but just like Carrabba’s they do a very good job of delivering a cuisine that provides a good dining experience.

Mama Leone’s
• This just has to be the best pizza in the entire area. Little bit of drive, but if you are going to or coming from Venice and want to taste some really good pizza, you won’t be disappointed. The rest of the menu is also very good and very Italian. In 2004 this restaurant was torn down and replaced with a much larger location directly behind the old location. New location is in an office building.

Rosebuds
• As you drive up the place looks pretty nondescript, but once you see the menu and taste your meal, you’ll understand why the parking lot fills up every night for happy hour and the early bird special. Higher-level clientele than the Oyster Bar of Sarasota, but the same drill when they get in their cars and head home.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
• If you have never eaten at one and you love steak, try it. Steaks are wonderful and prices are expensive. This is a chain restaurant. If expensive is not what you are looking for, go across the street to the next restaurant.

Sam Seltzer’s
• If you have never eaten at one and you love steak, try it. Steaks are good and prices are cheap. If you want to know how much better a steak might taste, go across the street to the previous restaurant.

Sahara Café & Mediterranean Food
• Mideastern Lebanese food served simply and cheaply, but very tasty.

Tijuana Flats
• This is a fast food Mexican restaurant that has the most diversified array of hot sauces that you will ever find in any restaurant. If you are one who has never found a hot sauce that was hot enough for you, you’re about to meet your match. This restaurant is also a chain recently created in Florida.

• This is a fairly new restaurant with good seafood at very good prices. This is just outside of Venice. Leftcoast has proven to be a popular location, with affordable lunch and dinners.

Sarasota off the Beaten Track

Café Campestre L, D
• A very good Mexican restaurant that caters to the locals. You will not be disappointed in the menu, service or ambiance. May now have a different name, but still Mexican cuisine. We will revisit soon.

• Mexican cuisine from New Mexico. How fortunate Sarasota is to have Reuben open his restaurant on Clark Rd. on the back side of Gulf Gate. The fresh made food and salsa is a real treat and the Chile Rellenos don't get any better. Reuben is usually walking around the restaurant when not in the kitchen and loves to ask you how much you really like his food. The answer will come easy and even in season Reuben attempts to always find room for regulars.

Miss Saigon L, D
• Now were talking Vietnamese food the way it tasted in Nam. The spring rolls are a must and the wait staff will explain the menu in detail.