Sarasota RC has had service problems from the beggining. RC brought in a very succesful manager from their Montreal property so it was assumed that within a year or maybe just few months after opening the doors the hotel would be up to the normal RC standards. For some reason it still hasn't happen and it's been few years now. I'm not even sure if the same manager is still there or if she has left. The property is beautiful, but the service is still problematic.

Here is a list of some seafood places, although I'm not a seafood eater so I can't really make any personal recommendations. According to my friends you can't go wrong with any one of these places:

More upscale -
The Chart House on Long Boat Key
Summerhouse on Siesta Key
Bonefish Grill on Route 41 just south of Bee Ridge
Michael's on East - Route 41
Opehelia's on Siesta Key

Casual -
Blase Cafe on Siesta Key
Coaster's on Siesta Key
Phillipi Creek Oyster Bar on Route 41
Lobster Pot on Siesta Key
Madfish Grill on Cattleman Road

Hope this helps a little.

Have a great trip!

AAFF: Thanks for the list; I'm sure we'll be able to find something that will meet our tastes.

Thanks everyone for the help!

I'll let you know the the RC turns out.

"Solid service"? Definitely. Very, very solid service.

I have stayed at over 35 Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, and Manadarin Oriental hotels over the past 3 years and have a good idea when I think I am getting good service. At RC SRQ, I got good service. Everyone knew my name, I practically got followed throughout the <1 year old spa where every need was quietly anticipated, the Club went out of its way to help me with some business setups, etc. It just never stopped. After writing this, I have a second thought...Let me revise this and say that it was not solid service, but great service.

As far as the price, I guess it depends on your perspective. For $260 I had Club Level access (5 food presentations a day, free booze etc.), a $100 spa credit, $50 incidental credit, a free breakfast (in addition to the 5 food presentations in the Club Lounge), and 4PM late check-out. I could have subtracted the Club access and paid only $198.

How on Earth can you call that a bad deal?

I don't think anyone is calling that a "bad deal" or even questioning it. But it seems clear if you've read the other posts, you may have been lucky in getting good service. Others of us have not been so lucky -- although admittedly we're only talking about service in the bar or restaurant. Not being able to flag down a waitress to order a second drink, not having a private room set up at the appointed hour, having to provide a credit card BEFORE they will bring you a drink. . . These are not examples of GREAT service or worthy of the Ritz Carlton tradition. They have had service problems, I don't think anyone can deny that.

Fair enough. :) I have heard first hand examples of resturant service problems too. Perhaps they are starting to turn the corner...

Okay, we're getting ready to leave soon. Any last minute suggestions for places to see or fabulous restuarants that we shouldn't miss?

Well you can try Two Senoritas down on Main Street in sarasota - it's pretty good (IMHO) and not really pricey. Another good one is Cafe Amici, also on Main Street (good Italian) and Patricks right up the same street (good burgers)

Out on Longboat Key there's the steakhouse "Mattisons" and the two favorites "Euphemia Haye" and "Harrys" both pricey and good. As well as Cafe on the Bay.

Service at the Ritz is still kind of "iffy" and no one can say why. It's a lovely place but there's no beach and not too many people really like to get taken out to the beach in a van.

Enjoy youself. There's lots of great shows at the Van Wesel, good art shows around the town. Sarasota's got a lot going on for itself. Check out Sarasota.com.

Thanks LN! I can't wait to check things out for myself!

ttt

ttt