Will be in Sarasota for a week. Does anyone
recommend any really great restaurants?
Will not be on a budget

I love Michael's on East, often considered the best in Sarasota. I have not been so impressed with the other restaurants that Michael's runs.
I really like the Bijou Cafe downtown, but must admit it is sometimes a hit and miss affair.

Cafe Europe at St. Armand's Circle is excellent, with very polished and friendly service.

There is a relatively newer place called Fred's that is more of a lively, trendy brasserie, but I find it to be excellent.
Haven't eaten at the newer Ritz Carlton downtown, but I would suspect that it is excellent. I love having pre-theatre drinks there in the big lounge.

I am not a big lover of buffets, but the Sunday brunch at the Colony on Longboat is a "don't miss" whenever I'm in Sarasota for the weekend. In addition to outstanding cold buffet tables including great oysters, shrimp, and salads, the entrees are put out in small, limited quantities and refreshed often -- many of them much more "gourmet" than the usual brunch selections.

If weather is nice, have a delightful lunch in the funky garden at Alley Cat Cafe -- really good food, especially salads.

I love Michael's on East and have often recommended the brunch at the Colony on Longboat Key. I'll also mention having dessert at Euphemia Hay and driving up to Anna Maria Island to go to the Beach Bistro. Ambiance and great food.

We had Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago at Michael's on East. While the food was great it was very interesting as a statement on the population of Sarasota.

More than a few tables for two. each with anelderly woman or man and his or her nurse including one highly entertaining Anna Nicole Smith type combination (she had to keep propping him up so he wouldn't go face down in the mashed potatoes) and her top was so tight it would pop with each lean over. This afternoon always pops into my mind with Michaels.

Just a note, the owner of Michael's is from the restaurant family that owns the Colony on Longboat.

Patrick, thanks for your reply. My husband and I visit parents there twice a year, so we are familiar with some of your recommendations.

We have eaten at Michael's on East, but not for several years; will try to find a website to check menus. I agreee with you that the Bijou is a hit and miss and plan to "miss" it this trip.
I am not familiar with Fred's or the Alley Cat - where are they located?
I was planning on booking Sunday dinner
at the Colony to enjoy the sunset, but your post for the Sunday brunch looks like an interesting possibility.

Alley Cat Cafe is a little hard to find. It is right along Fruitville Road and just off Lemon Avenue, I think. (Sorry, can't find my Sarasota map at the moment). It is in the middle of a block and easy to miss, a small compound of several very old cottages with a garden in the middle and a chain link parking lot. The little cottages are filled with antiques for sale. You'd be smart to call them and get exact directions for getting there and entering their parking lot -- we always end up circling about two blocks before figuring it out -- but it is right near downtown.

Fred's is south of the center, sort of back behind the hospital (just West of it). That little area has quite a number of interesting smaller trendy newer restaurants. Sorry, I can't be more exact.

Funny story about Michaels, LilMsFoodie. I agree about the average age in Sarasota. Living in Naples, everyone here talks about the ancient population, but when I visit Sarasota, I think it almost makes Naples look like a nursery school!

Oh and yes, I'd agree that it is worth a drive up to Beach Bistro on Anna Marie -- that's where you should do your sunset dinner! Wonderful food!!

Damn these people know Sarasota! I lived there for several years and agree with everything said here.

BUT when I go back to visit I make a point of eating at Siam Orchid (on Tamiami Trail). Great Thai food! I've been to many excellent Thai restaurants in South Florida,NY, etc. but few approach Saim Orchid.

http://www.siamorchidrestaurant.com/

Just spent two days this week seeing three shows at the Asolo. Dining was limited to a great lunch at Fred's, a really horrible after theatre dinner at Cucco Matto (one of the few places open after 10:00), and a lunch in the cafe at the Ringling museum. Don't miss a visit to the Ringling. The house has been reopened after a 6 year long restoration and it is magnificent. There is also a Rodin exhibit at the museum -- a one price admission along with the circus museum.