Top 5 picks in Sarasota

[mmuch]

Going for a weekend and I'm looking for great eats anywhere in the area. I don't want a chain though, as I live in the land of Chains, Orlando. Anyone recommend some great eats down that way? Money not an issue....however not not particular to low or high end. Anything is fine.

[mmuch]

Sorry to start a riot. Maybe I"ll find another source. Thanks.

[Nick]

Rioting aside, Pho Cali on Main is a great option for casual, inexpensive Vietnamese food.

[Noice]

I had an excellent meal at Derek's earlier this year and have been meaning to go back there. I was pleasantly surprised. Everything I tasted at our ten-top was very, very good.

I've been to The Table and enjoyed it, although not as much as Derek's. Perhaps it would make the Top 5, but I don't have much experience down in Sarasota. If Derek's would not be in the Top 5, then I need to do much more of my eating in Sarasota.

Enjoy your trip.

Noice

[irwin]

Derek's is very noisy but decent food.
Bijou, The Table, DajaVu, Selva Grill, Cafe E'urope, The Cork are all excellent.
Stepping down from there you can try Euphemia Haye, Ezra's on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton, Divino on Main Street or Galilio in downtown are both excellent Italian restaurants. For breakfast or lunch try Yoder's on Bahia Vista for real good Amish food. Let us know how you made out... Irwin

[The Chowfather AKA sobe]

Irwin, you are still pimping for Bijou?? Didn't get your investment back yet?? that place BLOWS people. AVOID

[Longboat]

Agree, Bijou is overrated. In downtown Sarasota, try Zoria, cool spot. The Canvas Cafe is fun. The Beach Bistro on Anna Maria island is the best restaurant in the the area. And once again I would argue with Irwin on Derek's, Derek's is good and somewhat noisy. If you have trouble hearing, maybe you shouldn't go. If you hear normally, it's just fine.

[irwin]

Sorry, I totally disagree. Bijou is one of the best in Sarasota, and that's why its full on weekdays and not just on weekends. Its a very high quality restaurant, and I do not have an investment in Bijou, but if I needed to invest, it surely would not be Canvas or Derek's !

[Longboat]

Bijou is full because it's fashionable, not because foodies are clamoring to get in. In NYC, Cipriani is also always full but the food is universally acknowledged to be awful. If you want to define a restaurant's quality by its volume than Carrabba's is the best one in Sarasota.

[dawnfawn]

Michael's on East, Euphemia Hay,The Colony dining room

[irwin]

Sarasota Magazine claims that Olive Garden is the best Italian in Sarasota....

[irwin]

I have never been to Cipriani in NY, but if its full all the time, then these people go there because the food is awful...Ha Ha
It must be you !!