Sunset, Dinner & Drinks, Sarasota, Florida (D)

If you want to combine sunset with dinner this is your place. Located on the 8th floor of The Lido Beach Resort it has floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Sarasota Skyline. This restaurant has excellent food that focuses on Modern American Cuisine and Fresh Seafood. There is also a Sunset Lounge where you can relax in a tropical atmosphere, enjoy a cocktail, mixed drink, wine or beer while watching the sun set. They have nightly complimentary wine and hors d'oeuves tasting and on Sundays and Wednesdays you get 50% off of any wine on the menu with a dinner entree purchase. Wednesdays they also have live entertainment. If you are a seafood lover the Lump Crab Martini is a must try.

This is really a unique and fun place. It has a clothing store downstairs and a restaurant with live music upstairs. The menu consists of a variety of tropical drinks and an island flare on lunch and dinner entrees.There is a balcony where you can enjoy your meal overlooking St. Armands Circle, or you can sit inside and listen to live music. Walk ins are welcome but they recommend you make reservations.

Le Macaron is known for its french pastries macarons. These are a pastry made from ground almonds and merigue. They also have croissants, cakes, chocolates, and cookies. To drink they have tea, coffee, espresso and cappaccino's. They have sidewalk dining to sit and sip on your coffee while enjoying the scenery.

Le Colonne is an Italian family owned business with sidewalk dining that serves authentic Italain food. They make homemade pastas and sauces, with a variety of other homemade dishes. Don't forget the homemade Tiramisu for dessert. Their Happy Hour is from 3pm-6pm. The drink menu consists of eleven different martini's including the chocolatini. Their cocktails are a variety of unique originals and they also have 8 different coffee drinks to choose from.

At 15 South Ristorate and Straight Up Martini Bar you will not only find another superb authentic italian restaurant but excellent wine as well. There are over 80 wines offered. They have a pizza bar with a wood burning oven and authentic Italian pizzas, live entertainment nightly in the restaurant and dance music upstairs at the Straight Up Martini Bar. The dance music includes latin, rythm and blues, reggae and jazz and truly is a hot spot in Sarasota. So when you are finished eating walk upstairs to the martini bar for a fun night out.

Excellent sidewalk dining & seafood. They have the seafood delivered fresh daily. You can definetley tell that everything is made from scratch, including their pasta. I recommend Charley's Chowder. They also have plenty on the menu for landlovers too. Crab & Fin has a 33 year history with Sarasota and you will definetly see why.

This place is casual outdoor dining & people watching. Fish tacos, coconut shrimp, half pound burgers and jamaican "jerk" chicken are just a few items on this fun casual carribean menu. To drink they have tropical drinks and fruit smoothies, domestic, imported and draft beer and wine. Whether you want to eat seafood or have a burger and fries this is a great place to fill your belly, have a tropical drink and rest your feet.

The Columbia opened its first restaurant in 1905 in Ybor City, Tampa and it's second location here in St Armands Circle in 1959. This restaurant is famous for its authentic Spanish and Cuban food. In 2008 Columbia's original 1905 salad was named "One of America's top 10 best salads". With over 100 years experience this family owned business is sure to please. It has open lounge dining which is it large sliding glass doors that open up to the outside and sidewalk dining. They serve lunch and dinner. I recommend the cuban sandwich and the 1905 salad. Enjoy.

The Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse has grill top tables with performing chefs. It is a wonderful fun atmosphere to go with a group of friends or a chance to meet new people. The whole upstairs is devoted to their sushi bar, so If you are in the mood for some sushi go upstairs and watch the sushi bar master chefs turn out some beautiful dishes that are far from standard.

This isn't just a place to sit on the deck and drink daiquiri's but you could do that if you like. This is extremely close to N. Lido Beach. You can hang out on the deck or the balcony and enjoy great food including raw oysters, seafood sandwiches, burgers, salads and of course their marvelous daiquiri's. There is also live music and a whole lot of fun.

The Blue Dolphin Cafe only serves Breakfast and Lunch so if you want to grab a bite before the sunset this is your place. Or maybe you decide you want a good hearty breakfast before you go to the beach all day. The service is great and food is plentyful. This is a down home feel good casual and friendly place.

Cafe' L' Europe is celebrating 38 years here in Sarasota and resides in the oldest building on St. Armands Circle. It has a beautiful old-world atmosphere with indoor and outdoor dining and many of it's dishes are prepared tableside. Cafe' L' Europe has won many awards and is a must visit while you are in Sarasota.

Celebrating 25 years in business. Cork Cottage Pie, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Irish Stew. Want to have some real Irish food and flavor, just go to Lynches Pub & Grub. It's a great place to invite your friends and catch up or meet new ones. Nice pub atmosphere with great food and service. The kitchen is open until midnight M-Sat. and until 10pm Sundays. Happy hour is daily from 4-7 with $4.00 glasses of wine and $3.50 for a pint of beer (20 ounces).

This restaurant was originally derived from hot dog stands and beer. It's come a long way in 20 years and it is visited by people from around the world. It has two locations, this one is the City Island Location which is right on the water and shares it's parking lot with the famous Mote Aquarium. It was also featured on the Travel Channels Man vs. Food for its battered, fried, bacon topped hot dog. The menu is fun but some of the popular items are the Fish & Chips and the Fish Sandwiches. It's also been dubbed Sarasota's first official Doggie dining restaurant.

This truly is saving the best for last. The chart house is celebrating it's 50th anniversary and it's win of The Open Tables Most Scenic Views. It is on the Gulf of Mexico and truly breathtaking. They have happy hour and private event dining with a menu that will please everyone, but don't go home without trying their famouse Hot Chocolate Lava Cake.