Best Restaurants with Dancing in Lakewood Ranch

SAGE is unique in Sarasota. The ambience is very sophisticated with an up beat vibe: wood, soft lights, bit dark in decor but not depressing, just like a really good bar in NYC. Wait staff is outstanding. Cassie was our server and she was top notch: fun, warm, interested, knowledgeable, helpful, went out of her way. Dining manager in sport coat and tie was charming and an unusual touch in our little town by the Bay. Food was truly outstanding: mezzaluna pasta appetizer, filet mignon, pork chop, all delicous. The apple crispy thing for dessert was not great: dry. But beautifully designed and presented. This is a small criticism for a great restaurant. Sage is VERY PRICEY but worth it for a special event or splurge. Put it on your special list.

Had a really wonderful dinner tonight at Tzeva Restaurant Tzeva Sarasota in the Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection downtown. The food is a blend of Mediterranean delights, everything was done perfectly from the starters of Hummous and Toasted Feta Cheese with Thyme Honey, Dukkha, and Castelvetrano Olives plus accompanying warm Pita Bread to delicious Falafel with Smoked Tomato Chutney, wonderful Grouper Shaslik Kebabs with Fennel Orange Salad was perfectly cooked and while spicy, it was excellent—the waitress correctly gave me a heads up before taking the order and perhaps my favorite among favorites were the succulent Wagyu Short Ribs with amazing Golden Saffron Mashed Potatoes and Apricot Chutney which had my mouth watering—and dessert, which I usually skip was worth saving room for! Black Sesame Crème Brûlée. Yum! Service was spot on, nice ambience, a well-appointed wine list, interesting cocktails, some happy hour specials and a belly dancer added to the authenticity and fun! The room is contemporary and comfortable, the high ceilings, shiny wooden floors, large live plants and floor to ceiling windows helped create a welcoming ambience. Chef Ken Shiro and Tzeva are a great addition to Sarasota, this is way more than a typical “hotel restaurant.” Service was warm, friendly, professional, and efficient, Mary the Manager made sure to stop at least once at every table to ensure everything was to our liking and make folks feel welcome. It’s little touches like being acknowledged and checked in on during the course of the meal, having your water glass refilled without asking, and my waitress, Bucru even brought a brighter table lamp over without my asking, as she saw I was photographing my food (which I always do) and thought it would be helpful. Little things like staff that go the extra mile separate a good meal from a great meal.

So happy with all the improvements at Scarpino's. Tom was our server and he was excellent. As usual, the food was delicious and good value for the money. Ambiance is lovely. Just perfect. Thank you to the Scarpino's team.

Lovely wait staff. Great music. Excellent food and plentiful. Creative menu. Very good ambience, though semi-lost in a shopping strip. Parking a great improvement over its prior location in downtown Sarasota. They did not rush us. Would go back.