Awful on every level, believe the other one star reviews. I can't imagine the low standards of anyone who recommends this place. Head to The Blue Marlin (worthy of five stars) on Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island a few miles North and then reconsider your rating of this has-been.
(1)
Joy B.
This is my first time dining in this restaurant and it was simply delightful. The place was cozy and was had a dessert bar upstairs where you can have your after dinner coffee or cocktail and dessert. I had the catch of the day which was salmon with lump crab and a side of vegetables. This meal was prepared so well, that all the flavors blended so perfectly. The salmon was prepared with just enough spices and grilled well, that it was moist and tender. The combination with the crab was truly a seafood delight! I thoroughly enjoyed this meal. I had the chocolate mousse as a fitting finale for my meal, with cappuccino. I found the mousse to be too sweet for my taste, but the cappuccino was just perfect! I would definitely come back and try any of the delectable entrees on your menu.
(5)
Oliver O.
What a disappointment! We had a family dinner at the Restaurant last night and were excited to have dinner at this place. The moment we arrived in the Restaurant we were shocked about the interior and decor, welcome back to the Seventies! Everything is so outdated that it is almost ridiculous. The moment we were served a very sweet banana bread, we should have known what to expect. Seriously a sweet banana bread to begin a meal? Our server (a nice guy) was giving us some history about the Restaurant and their specialties. He seemed overly excited about their food, so we expected some nice surprises. He recommended the Cesar Salad, one of their classics. At this point I realized that certain meals were prepared within the Restaurant, so there was this constant smell of food that was prepared behind our table. The Cesar Salad was one of these meals prepared outside the kitchen. Oh boy, what a show to make a salad. If you perform a show like this you better serve a fine salad. Unfortunately the salad was not good, far too much garlic in the dressing and the salad leafs were watery. I'd like to mention that they brought a cold salad fork for the salad, how pretentious. I ordered the pasta with shrimp as an appetizer and ended up getting a soup with overcooked pasta and shrimp in it. For the main course I ordered the Duckling one of their signature dishes. I do not recall seeing such poor presentation of duck. They cut the duck in half and put the entire half on my plate. How can you do that? That lacks passion and professionalism. The dishes of my family members were poorly executed and presented. If the Duck would have been fantastic, so what but the taste of it was not good at all. The Chicken Florentine was way too salty and the Veal Moussaka was just blend. I also have to mention that every single meal had parsley on it. Really? This is what my father put on each plate as a chef in the Seventies. We were told that they have a wide selection of cakes upstairs so we wanted to check it out. What we experienced upstairs reminded me of a really bad movie from the past. A piano player playing old fashioned songs, an outdated bar and a smell that reminded me of an antique store but not in a good way... We decided to skip desert and leave. Overall a really disappointing experience, I honestly do not know how this place can still be in business. I do not mind old fashioned Restaurants as long as the food is good but in this case it was just bad. Sorry!
(1)
Andy K.
Loosen your wallet here. It will be empty when you leave but you will be in food heaven. Loved the duck simply outstanding. Shrimp pasta is fantastic. Fresh fish is well done too. The bread is worth it too. Go upstairs for dessert after
(5)
Jessica S.
This is one of my all time favorite places to eat. About twice a year we stay at the longboat key club and always book a reservation here. My go to is the Pepper steak. This might be too much for some because it's completed crusted in peppercorn, but it's my fav. The sauce is fantastic. I always get the creamed spinach and it never disappoints. Caesar is one of the best. The duck is always perfectly cooked. If you happen to be in the area and are lucky enough to to get a reservation. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Kathy M.
DON'T BE A SUCKER. We had such high hopes for this place. We are new to the area and looking for a new Christmas Eve tradition. All I can say is, this place has no understanding of what a fine dining experience is supposed to be. Let me say at the outset, I will forgive almost anything if the place is lovely with ambiance. Euphemia Haye is very pretty but by the time we got out of there we felt insulted, rushed out and have no intention of returning. The appetizer of fried green tomato was nice but it all went downhill from there. The pepper steak they are so proud of was barely edible. My husband gave me a bite and I could not chew it enough to swallow it. The pepper coating was so hard it was like tree bark, the steak itself was tasteless. They make a big deal of cooking this outside the kitchen on a lovely fire which makes it seem so festive that you don't mind taking part (for $50.00!). Skip it. We've had better steak at chain restaurants. I was in such a Christmas spirit I decided to have their Christmas goose dinner. It was a plate of oily glop. I realize duck and goose are very hard to get right but at these prices you really should be responsible enough to make it worth eating. It was hardly edible. After a mess of meal the server brought our check without being asked and told us that it was time to "go upstairs". We had no idea what this meant but he said it is what they do for dessert and "everyone does it." So we left our cozy table (the only great part of the dinner) and climbed steps to join the rest of the suckers at the Golden Corral. The upstairs dessert area feels like a cheap diner. We felt insulted that after we paid a fortune to patronize their establishment they thought no more of us than to banish us to the cheap seats where we had to work hard to find any place to sit. They had maybe 25 different cakes and pies to choose from. You only get a piece of one so what's the point of the buffet/feeding-trough lay out? I asked for French pressed coffee which tasted like dishwater and we had to send it back. A fine dining experience should offer a few nice desserts which should be no more than a few bites of something wonderful to wash down with good coffee to cap a wonderful meal. There is one reason and one reason only for this dessert tactic: They want to get you up and out of your table and out of the way so they can usher in more suckers. This place doesn't care about your experience. They only want to clear tables and get rid of you to get another check. Sarasota is so flush with wonderful restaurants really trying to do a good job. Give ANY SINGLE ONE OF THEM your business and forget this place.
(1)
Michael H.
The restaurant is a little over the hill. Entrees are over priced and over cooked. Service was mediocre with the check showing up with no requests for dessert even though it was a special birthday dinner. Plates were covered with curly parsley that the chef said that everyone " eats it here" Whatever the restaurant was years ago, those features have left it far behind.
(2)
Amy E.
We had an adult dinner date without the kids and this place was awesome. With awesome service. I had the pate for appetizer but would rather had it with their regular bread rather than the toast it came with. My cousin got the escargot, that was excellent. I had the roasted duck and that was the best duck dish I ever had. I highly recommend this dish. We then went upstairs for their dessert, which is a must!
(5)
Joyce C.
Went there last evening with another couple. Made reservations well in advance but was placed at a table in the bar area. Two couples were actually eating their dinners at the bar, and they were LOUD, really LOUD...at these prices I did not want to be in the bar... Waiter came to take our drink order, he was LOUD....when he was taking an order at an adjacent table he was LOUD and distracting. Two Ceasar salads were ordered, they were good. A pistachio grouper, chicken dish and two coconut shrimp dishes were ordered, all good....along with a cauliflower mash side, enough for 4 to share. My husband liked the fish but thought you could get the same quality at other restaurants in Sarasota for less $$$. Made the move upstairs to a table ready and waiting for us. I am a dessert person and the choices would please almost anyone...asked the waiter what was the best dessert, he mentioned a berry dessert that they were out of. We ordered the carrot cake, two apple crumb pies and a banana cream pie. All very good and generous portions. French press coffee hit the spot with choices from light to dark roast. We were never rushed, arrived a little after 7 and stayed til almost 10. Next time I will skip the dinner and go directly to the stairs and have a dessert and listen to live music...
(3)
Al S.
Nov. 21 - special occasion, 55th anniversary. Have heard mixed reports about this rest so we decided to give it a try. Disappointed! We were one of the first to arrive for a 6:15 sitting and unfort one of the last to leave from that time period. Several other tables were seated, mostly couples, and when we noticed they were getting served and not ourselves, we asked why? Answer given was that the chef prepared a wrong dinner for us and had to start from scratch. The food was good -not great; the service was poor (waiter intentionally avoided us due to the problem they were having); and it was just about 2 hours from the time we arrived 6:15 punctually - - to 8:10 finished check signing and departure. Would we return? Doubt it, but in fairness we should. However, this place is quite expensive and not a place we would go to on a regular basis, maybe once every 2 months or so and then only for special occasion.
(2)
Dawn H.
Never disappointed. Men, this is the PERFECT date place. The chef goes over and above. The layout is adorable. The meals are yummy. Be sure to save room for your trip upstairs for dessert. Also, music upstairs if you just want a night out for dessert and a few cocktails. My once a year favorite gem. :)
(4)
Mike B.
We were delighted with all our dishes. Started with snails Leslie and shared the Caesar salad. Mike had the veal de-jour and I had key west snapper. We ended with desert upstairs. We will be talking about this experience for a long time. Absolutely fabulous. Service was excellent and ambiance was romantic.
(4)
Desiree C.
Please do not try to eat the peanut mouse pie alone !my mouth was soooo happy. Good thing my entree was the seafood bisque! Enjoy!
(3)
Erin B.
Way over priced and not worth it. I left full but very unsatisfied. Now we didn't eat downstairs but upstairs is old and dirty looking. The Caesar salad anchovy dressing was too fishy the house salad was all spinach leaves and the dressing was boring. The shrimp tasted frozen and the angel hair pasta had a clear broth over it basically like roman noodles. The chocolate ganache cake was bland, ice cold and nothing interesting. Don't bring children unless they like flatbread pizza. They did accommodate us with 2 chicken fingers for $22.00.
(1)
Matthew T.
Good but nothing remarkable. That pretty much sums it up. Never been here even after all these years living in the area, but friends invited us to join them and figured what the heck. Basically old school meats and fish. Seemed so "1980". Even the decor. I had the lamb shank, which was fine, but like I said unremarkable. The DC had duck , which was good but nothing I've not had 100 times. The wine selection is nice and some nice things at reasonable prices and crazy things at crazy prices. Got a gift certificate or live out on the key, fine, but not really worth the drive from the mainland.
(3)
Tory L.
I came here for Sarasota Restaurant Week - the dinner menu looked absolutely delicious with choices of New Zealand lamb Shank, Famous crisp Roasted Duck, and a seafood dish - choose a three course meal for only $29! I had the New Zealand Lamb Shank braised in red wine garlic sauce with rosemary and greek seasonings. You can absolutely taste the ingredients and feel how soft the lamb shank is with your fork. It was truly divine! My friends had the famous crispy roasted duck that was filled with bread stuffing and served with a tangy, sweet sauce. It was also an innovative dish of many flavors and definitely filling. Along with the three course meal, we also tried the chicken noodle soup and salad as appetizer and chocolate mousse cake and pecan pie as dessert. The service was also relaxed and courteous. Even though we had a large party, the food came promptly and the waiter we had was very nice and knowledgeable about the dishes and the wines! TIP: Ask the waiters for a wine pairing with your dish! You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Cary K.
Overpriced, pretentious, tired atmosphere. Don't go. The meal certainly won't sit well after you get the check - you'll wonder what the heck the hype is about. I have eaten in numerous fine restaurants globally and would never balk at paying premium prices for fine dining. This was a joke.
(1)
Samantha B.
Upstairs in the loft -- yummy and great prices. Excellent deserts if they are fresh :) cool vibe but very small -- go early or late to get a table quicker!
(4)
Andrew D.
Do read past my first paragraph! Arrived on a Sunday night at 630pm per our reservation and there were no cars in the parking lot and our group of 5 was concerned. We entered into the restaurant at the rear of the building and we were greeted by an odd smell (my brother thought mold, I thought it was like old butter left out (reisty). We were shown to a large round table in an adjoining room. We ordered apps and dinner and 2 desserts. The warm French bread was very nice. For apps we had: PUMPKIN GNOCCHI with gorgonzola sauce and pine nuts (10/10)!!! My mouth is still watering several days later; SNAILS LESLIE - escargot with mushrooms (x2) past around and enjoyed by all except one brother that cannot get past the fact that the slimily and slowly crawl across the ground before they are made into a delicious meal (9/10) and Caesar Salad (not sure why anyone would order this but the bland brother ordered it) and it was a normal everyday run of the mill Caesar Salad (5/10); FRIED GREEN TOMATO FUSION (8/10) which was different and enjoyable in a good way. For Meals: 1 - ROASTED DUCKLING - Crazy large portion, nicely cooked, nice flavor and fantastic stuffing. (9/10) 2 - EUPHEMIA'S PRIME PEPPERED STEAK (x2) - top 5 steak of my brother's life and he is not sheltered when it comes to food (10/10), I felt it was good but not that good. (7/10) 3 - GRECIAN LAMB SHANK - my brother who got it didn't think it had any flavor, but my sister and I both tasted it and agreed at a table of great things, this was the best thing. Some people shouldn't order lamb. (10/10) 4 - VEAL SPECIAL (can't recall the make up of the meal) - very tasty, my sister enjoyed it very much, but I had veal the night before at CasAntica in Sarasota the night before and I personally thought that veal dish was far superior, not to say this was bad by any means. (8/10) For Sides (Family Style): 1 - EGGPLANT PARMESAN - huge portion. If you like cheese, this is a dish you would love (8/10) 2 - POTATO DU JOUR (a mashed potato concoction) (9/10) 3 - GRANDMA MEYER'S POTATO PANCAKES - yes, please! (10/10) For Dessert: 1 - APPLE WALNUT CRUMBLE PIE - HUGE !!!!! the size of two fists (7/10) 2 - CHERRIES JUBILEE (x2 - 2 person minimum to order) - the crispy portion turned to caramel (7/10) If you can get this meal, this is the way to go: Pumpkin Gnocchi (1/2 portion), Lamb Shank with the stuffing from the Duck dish and Potato Pancakes ... all 10s IMO. Please note: all portions were huge. A party of five hearty eaters could not finish all of the food above ... but we tried. This was also by far the most expensive meal me had ... so please keep that it mind.
(5)
Selmy B.
Close and intimate. Lighting, it would be nice to have some especially when reading the menu. VERY pricey for Luke warm cappuccino. And coffee in a glass with a straw is NEVER acceptable especially when you are paying $11.95 for it. The desert selection was ok but it seamed there were a lot of pies nothing overwhelming except the ridiculously huge portions served. The service is poor at best. I counted four hanging around and our server bring the lukewarm coffee and forgets to bring the cream. Twice reminded finally the cream arrives. Again, if it was $2 that might be okay, but not at $9.00 for fresh pressed! One scoop of Edy's Vanilla Bean was good but not worth the $4.95 for a four spoon scoop. Overall, great for an older couple's date who have money to toss out on 1980's dining.
(2)
Esther H.
I was taken there for my birthday while on vacation in Anna Maria Island. It was recommended by relatives who go at least twice while they stay in the area. This restaurant is located in a cottage near a beautiful neighborhood. You walk in to a very warm place with lots of greenery outside. Once inside you look out the windows to see only green foliage, it gives you a tropical feeling. This place is a classic, romantic, and elegant, you don't find many of those anymore. Excellent service and tasty food. Fine dining at it's best. I had a veal with wine sauce that's not on the regular menu. It was a delight to eat, I had so much on my plate that I had to share. I can't remember what the other three companions had, but I didn't hear any complaints. After dinner we headed upstairs to their loft, which is divided in two sections: A bar/lounge with live music, and the dessert room. This is a unique treat. The desserts are prepared on site. It's a great idea as you don't feel rushed to finish your dessert. This area is more casual with its own separate entrance so you just go in to enjoy a drink, coffee and dessert. I didn't give it 5 stars because I think it's a little overpriced. OK, I didn't pay the tab, but we're dining out every day for 10 days so you get to compare prices from all the surrounding restaurants and this one was the most expensive. Do go there for special occasions and celebrations!
(4)
Brenton C.
Fine dinning worth every penny. The peppered steak is out of this planet. Sexy ambience, professional staff, and a desert bar that may make you want to move in next door. We go to this spot every chance we get, it's such a treat.
(5)
Jim A.
We are visiting my elderly parents on LBK and had a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner here. I am truthfully outraged at their nerve for charging $36.50 for a turkey dinner that was inferior to the one served in the hospital cafeteria where I work. After a thimble full of pumpkin bisque (best part of meal), the saddest plate of dry turkey, prune stuffing , carrots and bland gravy arrived. We had to ask for cranberry dressing which was parsed out in tiny proportions. There were no green vegetables, no potatoes.......dessert was a choice of over spiced pumpkin pie, dreadful apple pie or pecan pie which no one chose. Additionally, the service was totally unpolished and unprofessional. My recommendation would be to avoid this restaurant at all costs.
(1)
Raymond W.
Get the fried green tomato appetizer---heavenly. The loft is wonderful and music is the right decibels
(4)
Dave C.
Was ok... won't go back again though. Went there for dinner over the weekend after reading good reviews. Nice place, and the waitstaff was courteous and very helpful. That said, the food was remarkably boring and bland. I don't mind paying a lot for a great dinner, but their steaks were a total letdown, and the sides were completely devoid of any sort of ingenuity. The brussel sprouts were absolutely no different than the frozen ones I've made dozens of times at home. The "dessert room" was also a bit of a letdown... they should just call it a pie room. Go to this place if you want to eat boring, expensive food. Otherwise, I'd seek out some place that at least puts a little thought and adventure into their menu.
(2)
Iris F.
After reading some reviews here at Yelp we pinned this restaurant as an must visit. We started off with a dry martini that was was perfectly made exactly as asked! Taylor A wrote in her review "You must order the Pepper Steak!" and I say the same: "You just have to order the Pepper Steak!". It is really pricy ($50) but definitely worth every single penny!!! Everything else on the menu pales in comparison. Everyone at the table will regret they ordered something else. I love the fact that it is actually served with sauce! We were lucky to get seated close to the live chef. We could smell the orange sauce served with the steak from where we sat. Lovely! The waiter was friendly, attentive and gave excellent service. We couldn't ask for more! Afterwards, we did like recommended on Yelp - We went upstairs for dessert. We had read so much but was actually disappointed. :( First of all, it was almost empty, still we got the worst seats available. At the door way by the wall. Secondly, they have a girl whose specific task is to present the desserts. She did this rapidly and bored to death. No feeling. Thirdly, yes there are like 15 different pies, but many chains even, have as good choices that tastes as good and even better. The peanutbutter pie is HUGE and enough for 3 (three)! It is too much. Prepare for a box to go. The southern style pecan pie was delicious though. We closed the night in the bar which is really really nice!! Live piano music and soft, cozy atmosphere. So, over all - I am more than satisfied but I suggest you take the dessert downstairs (same choices) and go upstairs to the bar after wards. Skip the dessert room.
(5)
Susan L.
Mediocre at best. We ate upstairs at loft. Brussels sprouts were well cooked, but just boring, under seasoned with no dipping sauce or any distinctive preparation. The sweet & spicey shrimp were over salted to the point of being inedible. Pear and walnut salad was fine but not memorable. We intended to have desserts, but after lacklustre apps decided to go elsewhere. We were in area during peak season and, not surprisingly, this restaurant was only one at which we dined that had numerous tables available.
(2)
Frank A.
Beautiful dining experience. Was it the best food I have ever had? Not even close, but the whole experience was wonderful. We had a set menu to pick from, so I can't fault the restaurant for that . Here is what we had and descriptions: Caesar Salad- top shelf, as good as I have had Medallions of Beef w peppercorn sauce and mashed potato- solid, not amazing, I would not order it again Brussel Sprouts- wonderful, carmelized and tender, yum! Steamed veggies- ok, they were just plain Dessert- apple Pie, solid, not the best I have had Coffee- amazing, top shelf, French pressed at the table If you can, I would try to go to the Haye Loft on the second floor, it is a much cooler place. The first floor is the main restaurant and is very quaint, but we wished we had spent time upstairs. They offer more dessert choices upstairs and live music. Overall, this place is cool. Location on Long Boat Key and the simple unique beauty and elegance of the building and atmosphere make it really special. I read the good and bad reviews and can see all the comments being valid to an extent. The head Chef comes by and checks to see if everything is as expected. We would definitely go back.
(5)
Seth F.
On the opposite side of the spectrum as my shock at Hollywood Grill's 3 star review is this turd in Longboat Key, FL. It was among the most expensive restaurants I'd ever been to, and I dine out a lot. To give you an idea, it was easy to tell that the prices were significantly higher than your average steak house. Not one thing we ordered was what I would call good and many of our items were simply not good. The Brussel Sprouts were steamed, still raw and, as best as I could tell, did not contain the slightest about of seasoning. The same could be said for all the the different main entrees (not the raw part). At one point the chef actually came to our table to thank us for dining with us. I was about to say something along the lines of what a rip off it was when I saw the sheer shame on his face. He didn't say it with his mouth, but his eyes said, "I know, but if I try to make the food taste good, the old people get mad". Upstairs was better. Where they had a small "bar" menu and a "pie and cake counter". The coffee they serve up there was actually good and the slices of pie and cake were enormous but the quality was still mediocre.
(1)
Bill T.
Based on reviews and the menu selections I had high hopes for this venue. We have eaten at many fine dining establishments so I knew what to expect as far as the higher prices and I also knew enough to not have overly high expectations. I still somewhat expected this to be a hidden gem with some old style charm and good food. Well, the interior decor does have some old style charm, I'll give them that. The food was mediocre at best. We started with the smoked salmon and buckwheat crepes. The salmon was okay and presented nicely with the thin slices shaped into a rose bud. I think buckwheat is probably a bad idea for a base for crepes to begin with and their execution bore this out. Crepes should have a tender and delicate texture which the buckwheat just couldn't achieve so they were slightly dry and coarse, not a good crepe and not a good accompaniment to the delicate salmon. The garnish of caviar, capers, finely chopped red onion and creme fraiche was nice but there weren't enough of any of those elements to go with the salmon and dry crepe. On to the entrees, well my wife got the lamb shank with Mediterranean spices and I got the crispy duck (one of their signature dishes). The lamb was cooked okay, but any "Mediterranean" spice pallet was lost in an overpowering red wine sauce. The duck was cooked okay also, although it could have been done a good deal lower and slower to really render out as much of the fat as possible and for the meat to be extra juicy and tender. The skin was nice and crispy though so points for that. Where the duck really fell down was in the accompaniments and presentation. The portion was huge and it was on a bed of very mediocre bread dressing that was quite lackluster basic sage dressing 101. Then, on the top of the ducks sat a handful of walnut halves and dried apricots, I mean like straight out of the bag from the grocer. Had they at least attempted to roast and poach the walnuts and apricots in some brandy or with a touch of some spice I could maybe buy into this idea as a garnish, but just plain old walnuts and dried apricots really? They didn't even taste good. If I wanted trail mix I would just go buy a bag, but keep it off my duck, please! The best thing was they had a decent pinot noir that we like in their wine selection. The Morgan Twelve Clones is a nice pinot and paired well with most of our food selections across the board, although not perfect it was a good overall choice and the markup was actually not horrific. We would have preferred a 2009 or 2010, but for the money the 2011 was decent. Just to round out the experience we went upstairs to the Haye Loft for desert and coffee. Well, this is where things got even worse. The loft upstairs had a horrific lounge singer putting her old school twist on eighties classics, not sure who thinks this is a good idea. Plus their deserts were lousy. I had their signature apple pie, which was essentially badly spiced raw apples sitting on raw pie dough. For a ten dollar slice of pie, I at least expect it to be cooked, seriously. My wife's chocolate cake wasn't any better, very dry and not sweet, and not in a dark chocolaty bitter way, just in a not enough sugar way. The press pot of coffee was tasty though and the only thing that made it worth the trouble of going up their. Also, service was spotty at best. The server downstairs offered little to no guidance and seemed to mostly rush us through our selections and meal, in fact, I just realized I drastically over tipped him. The servers upstairs all but forgot about us once we had our deserts and coffee and we eventually had to flag them down to pay. This was all on a Thursday night so the place wasn't packed. Clearly we should have made some other choice for dinner. Oh well, it sounded good. I guess we should have paid closer attention to the many negative reviews.
(2)
Anna C.
The service was okay, nothing extraordinary or anything. The food was mediocre. The cheese plate could have been from Publix for all I knew. I have had much better on cruises. The medallion steak was strange. I thought it would be filet medallions, but smashed up meat to resemble pancakes that could have been ground beef for all I knew. And I should have known when I read they use truffle oil. That is what they add to dishes to make them seem nicer, but it is just some chemical. Some of our table had one of the pasta dishes and felt it was not up to par and that the shrimp were boiled. The best things were the bread they brought out at the start and the price and quality of the wine. Lastly, there were ants all over our table. And to add to it all it was very expensive and not even worth the fraction of the cost. Maybe I would have given it 2 stars if the food was equal to the price I paid. Not sure about the dessert and upstairs area, but I heard that is what they are known for, yet I would doubt I would trouble to find out.
(1)
Chris S.
This place is awesome. I eat here every year when we spent a week in Anna Maria Island. The food is a little overpriced in my opinion and you can get a better steak at Ruth Chris. I always try a different meal when I go and I have not been disappointed. To say the desert room isn't good is insane to me. They have a pastry who creates some of the best deserts that I have ever had. My wife always orders banana's fosters and it is great. You will drop some coin here but it is a good place to eat on occasion.
(4)
Ellie M.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and it is perfect for a special night out. It is sophisticated in an old Florida way which means not stuffy or fancy. The ambiance is classy but comfortable. Start your evening with a drink upstairs at the Haye Loft. The pianist is talented and friendly. You will be pleased with the amazing dishes when you retreat to your table - the best starter is the Caesar made at your table, the sides are always delicious, and I have loved the steak, fish, duck. The dessert room (if you have room, that is!) has many decadent options, but honestly it's worth stopping in just for the superior coffee. Yes it is pricey, but for an experience that you won't forget it is well worth it.
This place used to be pricey but good. Now it's just pricey. On a recent visit we experienced mediocre to OK food and abysmal service. Our waiter's best trick seemed to be making himself invisible for extended intervals. The chef came by the table and we gave him our candid opinion of our meal, whereupon he quickly retreated to the kitchen. There are many better restaurants in Sarasota, do not go here.
(1)
Jim M.
Linse's favorite restaurant. After a fantastic meal, head upstairs to the dessert room...
(5)
Steve G.
First, the good: The roast duckling was delicious and cooked perfectly. And a large portion as well. Likewise my wife's filet. The garlic and Parmesan mashed were also delicious. Now the not so good: In a place like this, with folks from everywhere coming in and prices in the NY City restaurant range, I'd expect a very high standard of service. Here are some of the service faux pas I noticed... Presentation: Huge helping of parsley on our plates. Parsley? Really? And when I say huge -- the parsley filled a bread plate at least 2" deep when we moved it off our plates. The sauces were under the entrees instead of poured over the top , which I appreciated, but it had also soaked into the stuffing, which made the stuffing even less appealing. Cocktail service: My wife had a glass of Ravenswood Zinfandel for about $8. They offered the bottle for $35. Later at the bar upstairs, we noticed this was the Ravenswood Vintner's Reserve Zin that they're selling in Publix for $7 per bottle. I don't have a problem with a markup, but shouldn't a place of this caliber be serving something a little more special than the cheapest Ravenswood and McManis by the glass? Also, I asked if they had any aged rum, and the waiter said no. Later, when we went upstairs, the bartender had a half dozen aged rums, including Pyat and Zapaca. How could the waiter downstairs not know that? Other stuff: The bread was seriously under-baked -- a real pet peeve of my wife. The butter was nearly frozen and was in a bowl with water from the ice it had been sitting in, I guess. Again, attention to details. When we finished our meal, the waiter asked us if we were going upstairs for coffee and dessert, we said yes. The waiter said he had reserved a table for us and then poof! he was gone. We found our way upstairs and wandered for a few minutes before ending up sitting at the bar. Dessert presentation: The desserts are presented on a cooling table with a sneeze guard glass above them. There's nothing special about the way they're shown, they're just laid out like you see them at Publix. Some of the small tarts are actually in their little tin foil baking dishes still. Not really all that exciting. The "Loft": This is the best part of the night, in my opinion. It's still got a feeling like it's stuck in the mid-70s, but unlike downstairs in the dining room, it feels appropriate up here. The jazz guitarist is fantastic and the bartender is a whirling dervish with a great bartender attitude. With no view of the water from the dining room downstairs, the Loft is the place to be. Step out for a smoke, hear some live music, have a great cocktail. I'd go back for more of the second floor... But downstairs is ready for a serious updating -- from the cocktail service to the entree presentation to the service. And yes, the prices are high on the first floor, too -- $35 for ala carte roast duckling sets a very high expectation for everything attached to the meal...
(3)
Ruth P.
The menu hasn't really changed in 15 years --but then that's the way they seem to like things down here.
(3)
Lisa H.
Big Disappointment, BigPrice Remembered a lovely birthday dinner here 4 years ago my husband & I agreed worth very penny. Back napkin because I wore dark clothing, great service, excellent food. A bit crowded & so-so atmosphere, but we looked forward to returning. But last night's birthday dinner was huge disappointment, especially in terms f service. Waiter's face fell when I ordered seltzer instead of alcohol. Ordered fried green tomato app. 20 minutes later, my husband's Caesar salad (okay) & app arrived. Room temp fried green tomatoes not so appealing. Waiter took back, replaced 1/2 eaten tomato & nuked. How do I know? 1/2 c or s of parsley on plate warm & wilted. Another 1/2 hr plus wait for entree, which waiter blamed on my returning tomatoes. My duck & husband's grouper & shared Brussel sprouts all very good. After a two hour, frustrating dinner, we'd lost our taste for dessert room we'd enjoyed last time. And no black napkins! (No comped fried green tomatoes, either.) No longer worth the drive for us.
(1)
Ashley B.
Oh my goodness... This place had some of the best food I've ever had in Florida. The seafood was fresh and delicious. I love this place. It's cute, charming, and has an ENTIRE floor devoted to desserts, all of which are decadent and amazing! How could you not like that?! I have yet to notice the service ever being noticeably bad. I will say my family was there one time and I did notice that, in the desert area, some of the employees had been smoking... not cigarettes. It was more entertaining than anything. After the huge meal we just had, we couldn't be anything but happy.
(5)
Susan S.
The food was fine, but the prices were ridiculous. And don't tell me 'cuz it's Long Boat Key: we ate at Harry's and it was delicious and the prices were reasonable. My husband and I both got fish, which was a good portion size and fresh and tasty, with a really nice sauce, but no veggie and not even a half cup of white rice! All that for the bargain price of $34! As our friends who joined us for dinner quipped, this restaurant is only for trust fund babies.
(2)
Sierra G.
I heard wonderful things about this restaurant, but after dining there I was a little disappointed. The restaurant is in an odd house sort of setting and a little dark and gloomy. The pear salad is good and the carbonera style pasta. I hated my lamb dish and couldn't even eat it to be polite, I had a bite of my boyfriend's steak and it was pretty good. When it comes to dessert...you have to leave your table, go upstairs are get seated again. The dessert spread is impressive and its more of an experience to see all the cakes and pies in a separate setting upstairs.
After much anticipation of having dinner here I must say it was a severe disappointment. We arrived 5min ahead of our 5pm dinner reservation only to be seated 30min later. After the wait we found out that our dinner would be in the bar area. After we were told the table we were waiting on was in the back dining area... oh well. Onward to dinner. Service was attentive and we quickly ordered the pumpkin bisque, escargot, shrimp pasta. All the appetizers were good. In fact, the highlight of the night was our 7yr old liking the snails. We researched the main entrees and knew we wanted to try the roast duck and prime pepper strip steak. I will say these entrees was the most disappointed entree I can ever recall. The duck was really dry. The pepper strip steak $53 had a pepper crust so thick drowned in the butter sauce literally killed your taste buds. I honestly could not taste the beef. I had to cut off the edges and damp off the sauce, then it was good. We pushed through dinner service and opted for dessert . It was a hassle to find out in order to have dessert one would have travel upstairs to the loft. So much for relaxing after dinner. We hiked up the stairs and waited to be seated again (for pies). Pies were good but not the best I've had. The banana cream pie barely had a crust. More like graham cracker sprinkles. At $7.50 a pie and the hassle of having to move tables just for dessert I would not recommend this place...unless your're local then you probably don't have to wait 30min for a table. Meh, not worth the $$$ or effort. #EuphemiaHaye #annamaria #sarasota
(2)
Jessie J.
I went here because I love Banana's Foster and a google search of "Sarasota Banana's Foster" turned up this gem of a place. I had been living in Sarasota 6 years before stumbling upon the search and it took me another year and a half to make my way up Longboat, but I am SOOO glad I did it spontaneously tonight. The decor upstairs is wonderful. Sooo charming. The banana's foster was prepared right in front of us from by the dessert chef. It was so much fun. I was on a first date and we had just finished drinks at Ceviche's downtown when we decided to head out. There was so much to talk about just from the environment and presentation by the chef. The owner, Darcy, sat and chatted with us for almost half an hour answering all my questions about the history and decor of the wonderful restaurant. Her and her husband have owned it for 32 years! After my dessert, I went over to the bar to drink some dessert-- a wonderful chocolate martini. There was also a female jazz singer that just made the whole thing perfect. This will definitely be one of my hideaways after a long work day!
(5)
Tay A.
Absolutely the best steak I've ever had. If you go here, you MUST get the Pepper Steak. It's typically a larger portion than one person can eat, but definitely don't order to share! You'll LOVE the leftovers for a steak sandwich the next day. The fried green tomato appetizer is heavenly as well. And don't forget the Haye Loft for dessert! They always have something new and delicious upstairs in their dessert lounge that is an amazingly delicious way to end such a lovely meal.
(5)
Makena K.
Came here for dessert on our anniversary after a fantastic seafood dinner at Crab and Fin in St. Armands Circle. Really nothing special. We had their 'Signature' Apple Pie Crumble Ala Mode. It was ok. We've been coming to LBK for several years now. I have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while because of the rave reviews. Many wrote about the amazing dessert choices at the Haye's Loft. So we went with the expectation that we would see wall to wall and maybe some desserts hanging from the ceiling. Well, maybe not from the ceilings. My humble opinion is that it's like a glorified Perkins dessert display with maybe about 8-10 offerings. Even their chocolate cake looked plain. As far as service, it was alright. She did her job as expected. Positive: The blind musician at the loft. I enjoyed listening to him play the piano. Definitely a one time visit ONLY.
(2)
Geoff K.
A must try restaurant on Longboat Key. The food was exceptional and service outstanding. The Prime Pepper Steak is something to crave. The Red Snapper and Duck was also delicious.
(5)
Bill S.
OMG!!!! This is the only place to go when you're in Long Boat Key! The food is to die for and the place is just serene. Here is a funny story. I had business in Tampa, one of my employees flew down with me on a Saturday to visit family in New Port Richie. After we visit everyone, I said "there is a place we have to go". We're driving and I took the long way, from 95S-to St Armands Circle then North. There are no lights on this one lane beach road and I have this dopey car in front of me doing 24mph in a 25mph zone. I'm dying because I think the place is going to close and we are laughing the entire time cursing this S.O.B out that is doing the speed limit. The dope decides to make a right turn into a store and I go around him while he's turning. All of a sudden a cop comes out of nowhere. He comes over and I'm like: We're going to miss out on pie, where is Euphemia Haye!? He gives me directions (the place is next to the station) and no ticket and I'm eating this warm blackberry creation with ice cream 10 minutes later... If I were to describe heaven, I would have to say this is place. NYBULLY
(5)
Jim H.
I have eaten there 5 times and continue to wonder what people see in the restaurant. The service was horrible by a waiter that could care less. the food was grossly overpriced and barely edible...again. Obviously this is the last time i will eat there. Their desert room is nice however but after a totally disappointing meal no desert could cheer me up. I subsequently ate at The Beach Bistro...top 5 meals of all time! Awesome!
(1)
Douglas S.
What a treasure. Personalized service and awesome food... Need more? Ok, outstanding ambience from the moment you walk up the path. Still more? An upstairs lounge that features live music and wonderful desserts ( I did not indulge but I witnessed many expressively happy souls). We went for the fish ( Grouper and Snapper ). Both wonderful.
(5)
Phill M.
This has to be one of the best restaurants we've been too anywhere. The food and service were 2nd to none. I had the duck and my wife had the snapper. Both were exquisite. Our waiter made sure we had everything we needed but also left us alone to visit. The right service balance. Upstairs, the dessert choice was amazing. There would be nothing you would miss from the menu. The bar in the Haye Loft was quaint and well stocked you can enjoy both pre-dinner drinks and after dinner aperitifs to compliment your dessert choice. You should put this one on your "special occasions" list of must do's.
(5)
Diane B.
A huge disappointment. It is the first restaurant that I left before I ordered an entree. The waiter couldn't even provide a good recommendation on the menu - nor do I think he cared. Caesar salad came highly recommended. It was very average. Overall not a positive experience. It's a shame because the bar upstairs was lovely (as well as service) but the restaurant was a disappointment. It was surprising the level of experience of the staff at the door on a Saturday night. No presence of a true manager monitoring operations. All I saw was what appeared to be the chef in the dining area quite a bit - I wish he had spent more time in the kitchen - it needed attention.
(1)
Kim S.
Have to say I wasn't all that impressed. Food was okay. There is no real view. Small dining area was filled with loud guest so it was difficult to enjoy an intimate dinner. We can now say we've been there, but we probably won't go back.
(2)
Cathy B.
We enjoyed a delicious meal for our anniversary at Euphemia Haye! It is a little pricey--would come more often if it was more reasonably priced. Dessert upstairs had lots of nice selections! Will try the Pepper Steak next time. It looked and smelled delicious!
(5)
Janna R.
Absolutely fantastic. One of the best ducks I've ever had. Atmosphere is cozy and romantic. Service is A+. A truly special place
(5)
Susan F.
A quaint staple of a nice restaurant off the beaten path of Gulf of Mexico Drive...in Longboat Key This restaurant is super popular, and I can see why. A hot spot for visitors and the regulars. The dining experience is pleasant as well as the late night entertainment and dessert "window buffet" upstairs. The menu here, like many of the upscale restaurants was unique and plentiful. That being said, it doesn't sound unique, but it is! In the main dining room, there is a chef that will actually cook your food in front of you. The decor is very earthy and almost feels like an antiquey-green room--without the awful smell. I had the special carrot and orange soup which was great and not too filling. Meals ordered were the peppercorn crusted filet--which was huge and had the best crust I've ever had on a steak, the roasted duckling which took up the entire plate and more and the red snapper. The red snapper was delicious--and I had never had it before. I was very impressed, it was flavored with a pistachio crust. The texture was also great--not fishy at all. We then moved on upstairs to take a look at the huge dessert menu of pies and cakes. It was like being a kid in a candy store--or more accurately... a family on vacation, willing to try anything and everything. Not surprisingly, the chocolate ganache cake was out, so we ordered banana cream pie, peanut butter and chocolate mousse cake, and an apple crumble pie. Other options were tiramisu, key lime pie, ginger cake, white cake, raspberry chocolate tarte...and many more I can't remember. It was a unique experience like I said, one I would not mind revisiting again. Check again with reservations, especially if you only want dessert and drinks.
(5)
Joseph H.
I have been coming down to Longboat Key for my entire life and Euphemia is by far the best restaurant EV-AR!!! You cannot go wrong with any of the dishes, from appetizers to salads to entrees. Make sure to save a little room to go upstairs for the amazing desserts!!!!
(5)
Ginny L.
This is probably the last time we're going there. We usually go 2 to 3 times a year from St. Petersburg, which is about a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hour drive each way. We usually take another couple who is visiting as my husband likes the duck. This time there were four of us. Two ordered the duck, one ordered the lamb shank, and I ordered the "grouper"? I was served two odd pieces of fish, one thin and small and one larger and very thick. It did not taste like grouper to me, For $36, I expected an exquisite piece of fish and a delicious sauce. Everything is ala carte, so this didn't include a vegetable, starch - nothing but these two pieces of mystery fish. I did attempt to eat it as the others seemed to be enjoying their meal, but couldn't finish it. When I commented to the waiter that I was disappointed, he said, "Oh yeah, the grouper has been off a bit lately." Then why is it even on the menu????? He didn't even offer something to make the meal end pleasantly, like a dessert or a glass of wine. It was like - just pay your bill and leave. We travel extensively and dine out frequently and have no problem paying such high prices for quality food - but we are not going to spend our money there any more. If my husband wants duck, either I'll make it for him at home, or he can go by himself!!!
(2)
Kippy P.
I will start by saying that this restaurant used to be my family's favorite special occasion restaurant in Sarasota. I used to dream about the duck and loved their desserts upstairs. It is funny how one incident can change everything. To give a quick overview (just in case you don't feel like reading the whole review). The food might be amazing but I REFUSE to SUPPORT AN OWNER/CHEF that IS ARROGANT, RUDE and POMPOUS. There are plenty of other fantastic restaurants in the Sarasota area to go to where the owners aren't this way! We had been going there for over 5 years when one evening we went for my Mother's Birthday. We got there and when the hostess went to seat us she sat us in the bar area. Maybe if we weren't going there for a special occasion and my Dad hadn't called a few days prior to request our table in the one room it wouldn't have been a big deal. But when my Dad had called they said that it wasn't a problem and they would make sure that we were in the one room. So it completely surprised us when we told the hostess that we had requested this and she said that she was sorry but there was nothing they could do. They had no record of this and it was the bar or we would have to wait several hours. My father asked to speak with the owner who also is the chef and instead of an apology and trying to correct the situation he proceeded to get into a fight with my Dad yelling and raising his voice. I couldn't believe what was happening the chef/owner was causing a huge scene of a mistake that they made! We were all shocked considering it was their mistake and were completely taken back by the chef's inability to recognize and apologize for their mistake. The chef finally calmed down after yelling for a good 10 minutes and worked out the situation and found us a table after another 20 minutes. Needless to say it put a complete damper on our evening. To have a restaurant mess up and not have your reservation and then not try and accommodate you and actually yell at you for their mistake is the worst lack of customer service I have ever experienced.
(1)
Jackie P.
Food and service are really good. Kind of pricey however. Dessert upstairs is awesome.
(4)
Peggy f.
Our foursome enjoyed a dinner recently and found the food great but much overpriced, the service was excellent, but otherwise nothing special going on here. Went upstairs for dessert was treated rudely by the staff (tried speaking to the owner and was rebuffed as well) this was all over asking for a table instead of a booth and being told no! Really? Two capuccinos, 2 coffees, 4 desserts= $75 . Dessert? Not exceptional. Delicious food must be accompanied by graciousness by the owners, staff, etc to equate paying such hefty prices in my mind, so its no, no for us. Peggy
(2)
Crystal B.
My husband and I visit this restaurant every chance we get! The food downstairs is absolutely delicious and worth every penny. The wait staff is wonderfully attentive and will suggest a wine to go along side your meal option. In fact, the last two times we have visited we had the same pleasant waiter. The atmosphere is positively quaint. Nothing like any restaurants in the Orlando area. The Haye Loft is like no other. It has a romantic charm to it the moment you step foot upstairs. The Haye Loft usually has unique local talent playing piano for you while you nosh on delectable desserts and sip coffee. Did I just mention desserts?!? Chef Ray Arpke will make you want to try all of his creations. That is if you still have room in your stomach after supper! If you are in the Sarasota/Tampa/Orlando area and would like to experience something spectacular, visit Euphemia Haye!
(5)
Kent K.
I'll give you several negative things: price, price, price and lack of creativity. Sarasota is awash in restaurants that live on reputation and mediocre execution. And part of that is because there is no critical thinking to push the envelope. Go to a city like Atlanta, not typically thought of as a great food city, and what you find are a plethora of excellent restaurants because the competition constantly pushes the bar higher and higher. And the sous chefs and line cooks in the good places move on to open their own shops and voila, another good restaurant pops up. Euphemia Haye is a perfect example of a typically overpriced Gulf Coast restaurant that coaxes people into believing that exorbitant prices means a good dining experience. Show me one inspired menu item and I'll be surprised. Show me ten that were on menus all over the country 20 years ago and I'll say: I told you so. In truth, it's been two years since I ate there, but I'm pretty confident that nothing has changed. Why change what so many people seem to like right? Goes to show you what my opinions are worth.
(2)
Ed W.
This is a very good seafood restaurant, with fresh fish, solid preparations, a great atmosphere, and fine service. Also, it is reasonably priced for a restaurant of this quality. It very well might be five star worthy - I hope I get a chance to try it again someday. When we were in, the catch of the day was grouper, which was very nice, and my wife had the red snapper. Both were very good, and we enjoyed them with a simple Alsatian riesling.
(4)
Jay H.
Try to get someone with an executive position at an oil company to join you so you can afford the bill at the end. Other than that, the whole experience was pretty great! It was my first and most likely my last time there, but if I find any gold when I go snorkeling in the gulf tomorrow, I will be back fo sho. O yeah, it's ALL about the desserts w upstairs! Fred kicks ass!
(5)
Ruthie S.
Amazing food! On the pricy side but it's what to expect with the type of place. The dessert upstairs was so yummy. With dinner and dessert I barely have room to breath I am stuffed. Service was great and by mentioning yelp on their 30th anniversary I received a free drink and entered into a raffle. A must!
(5)
Holly P.
We just got back from Easter weekend in Sarasota and cannot stop talking about our dinner at Euphemia Haye. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. The restaurant is adorable inside, with lots of green plants, flowers and twinkling lights. It is incredibly warm and romantic. The menu is superb - very eclectic. I'm a vegetarian and was very pleasantly surprised at the number of tasty vegetarian options. I'm also originally from the South Jersey/Philadelphia area and very picky about my Italian food, basically the only cuisine I have eaten my entire life. The eggplant parmesean was off the charts, just the way my grandmother used to make it. I also had an avocado bruschetta starter which was wonderful, served with a slice of walnut crusted chevre and a side of lemon slices (they read my mind- I put a little lemon on everything!). But the menu is not just Italian food- my husband and our friends all had various starters (the fried green tomato, smoked salmon and zucchini fettucini) and the house special duck as an entree, and they were raving about it for days. Chef Raymond personally came to our table to thank us for dining with them. The pleasure was ours. His wife was equally sweet and gracious. We can't wait to go back to Sarasota for many reasons- but at the top of our list is to dine again at Euphemia Haye!
(5)
Michael A.
I'm inclined to agree with Kent K. My wife and I recently returned to Euphemia Haye to celebrate a special event. The menu has remained unchanged in the 3 years since we've been here. It seems that maybe the only thing to have changed are the already too-high prices. Overall we had an excellent dining experience. Our waiter seemed knowledgeable about the menu. Maybe not so much about the wine selection. The pace was not rushed, which we like a lot. We had a nice little window-side table next to where the chef will flambe the pepper steak. That was entertaining. The food was adequately prepared and the portions were generous. But we didn't have the "wow, that's amazing!" type reaction to any of the dishes presented to us. My 4-star rating comes from the comparison of this restaurant against others we have visited all over the globe. The lack of a star comes from overpricing and lack of innovation. Since nothing has changed in the last 3 years we are not encouraged to come back for at least another 3 years (or whatever time it takes for me to forget about this review).
(4)
Michelle L.
How can it be that only one person before me has written a review on this gem of a restaurant?!!! Where do I begin? First of all, I felt like I was eating in somebody's dining room in their home. The rooms are cozy and tastefully decorated with charming antique furniture and nice artwork on the walls. The staff is extremely friendly, down to earth, yet knowledgeable and accomodating (how often do you find all of those traits at the same time?!). The wine list is extensive and excellent. The food is amazing...yes, AMAZING!!! So flavorful and just the right size portions. The presentation is wonderful as well. The food here gives any five star restaurant I've been to in NYC a run for it's money. I honestly can not find ONE single negative thing to say about this place! After dinner, you can choose to have dessert in the dining room or head upstairs to the "Hayeloft", which is a more casual cafe-like atmosphere. We chose to do the latter and couldn't have been happier that we did. The countless desserts are all on display so you can make a decision after viewing them all...and enjoy your selection with a yummy coffee selection (I highly recommend the cappuccino!). Although this place is a bit pricey, it's worth every dollar and more, so splurge and enjoy!
(5)
Hal H.
Baffled by the negative reviews. In a town awash in mediocre restaurants, EH is a gem. Yes, it's spendy, but the food is delicious and the service is excellent. It's, by far, my favorite restaurant in Sarasota.
(5)
Tory L.
I came here for Sarasota Restaurant Week - the dinner menu looked absolutely delicious with choices of New Zealand lamb Shank, Famous crisp Roasted Duck, and a seafood dish - choose a three course meal for only $29! I had the New Zealand Lamb Shank braised in red wine garlic sauce with rosemary and greek seasonings. You can absolutely taste the ingredients and feel how soft the lamb shank is with your fork. It was truly divine! My friends had the famous crispy roasted duck that was filled with bread stuffing and served with a tangy, sweet sauce. It was also an innovative dish of many flavors and definitely filling. Along with the three course meal, we also tried the chicken noodle soup and salad as appetizer and chocolate mousse cake and pecan pie as dessert. The service was also relaxed and courteous. Even though we had a large party, the food came promptly and the waiter we had was very nice and knowledgeable about the dishes and the wines! TIP: Ask the waiters for a wine pairing with your dish! You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Andrew D.
Do read past my first paragraph! Arrived on a Sunday night at 630pm per our reservation and there were no cars in the parking lot and our group of 5 was concerned. We entered into the restaurant at the rear of the building and we were greeted by an odd smell (my brother thought mold, I thought it was like old butter left out (reisty). We were shown to a large round table in an adjoining room. We ordered apps and dinner and 2 desserts. The warm French bread was very nice. For apps we had: PUMPKIN GNOCCHI with gorgonzola sauce and pine nuts (10/10)!!! My mouth is still watering several days later; SNAILS LESLIE - escargot with mushrooms (x2) past around and enjoyed by all except one brother that cannot get past the fact that the slimily and slowly crawl across the ground before they are made into a delicious meal (9/10) and Caesar Salad (not sure why anyone would order this but the bland brother ordered it) and it was a normal everyday run of the mill Caesar Salad (5/10); FRIED GREEN TOMATO FUSION (8/10) which was different and enjoyable in a good way. For Meals: 1 - ROASTED DUCKLING - Crazy large portion, nicely cooked, nice flavor and fantastic stuffing. (9/10) 2 - EUPHEMIA'S PRIME PEPPERED STEAK (x2) - top 5 steak of my brother's life and he is not sheltered when it comes to food (10/10), I felt it was good but not that good. (7/10) 3 - GRECIAN LAMB SHANK - my brother who got it didn't think it had any flavor, but my sister and I both tasted it and agreed at a table of great things, this was the best thing. Some people shouldn't order lamb. (10/10) 4 - VEAL SPECIAL (can't recall the make up of the meal) - very tasty, my sister enjoyed it very much, but I had veal the night before at CasAntica in Sarasota the night before and I personally thought that veal dish was far superior, not to say this was bad by any means. (8/10) For Sides (Family Style): 1 - EGGPLANT PARMESAN - huge portion. If you like cheese, this is a dish you would love (8/10) 2 - POTATO DU JOUR (a mashed potato concoction) (9/10) 3 - GRANDMA MEYER'S POTATO PANCAKES - yes, please! (10/10) For Dessert: 1 - APPLE WALNUT CRUMBLE PIE - HUGE !!!!! the size of two fists (7/10) 2 - CHERRIES JUBILEE (x2 - 2 person minimum to order) - the crispy portion turned to caramel (7/10) If you can get this meal, this is the way to go: Pumpkin Gnocchi (1/2 portion), Lamb Shank with the stuffing from the Duck dish and Potato Pancakes ... all 10s IMO. Please note: all portions were huge. A party of five hearty eaters could not finish all of the food above ... but we tried. This was also by far the most expensive meal me had ... so please keep that it mind.
(5)
Selmy B.
Close and intimate. Lighting, it would be nice to have some especially when reading the menu. VERY pricey for Luke warm cappuccino. And coffee in a glass with a straw is NEVER acceptable especially when you are paying $11.95 for it. The desert selection was ok but it seamed there were a lot of pies nothing overwhelming except the ridiculously huge portions served. The service is poor at best. I counted four hanging around and our server bring the lukewarm coffee and forgets to bring the cream. Twice reminded finally the cream arrives. Again, if it was $2 that might be okay, but not at $9.00 for fresh pressed! One scoop of Edy's Vanilla Bean was good but not worth the $4.95 for a four spoon scoop. Overall, great for an older couple's date who have money to toss out on 1980's dining.
(2)
Esther H.
I was taken there for my birthday while on vacation in Anna Maria Island. It was recommended by relatives who go at least twice while they stay in the area. This restaurant is located in a cottage near a beautiful neighborhood. You walk in to a very warm place with lots of greenery outside. Once inside you look out the windows to see only green foliage, it gives you a tropical feeling. This place is a classic, romantic, and elegant, you don't find many of those anymore. Excellent service and tasty food. Fine dining at it's best. I had a veal with wine sauce that's not on the regular menu. It was a delight to eat, I had so much on my plate that I had to share. I can't remember what the other three companions had, but I didn't hear any complaints. After dinner we headed upstairs to their loft, which is divided in two sections: A bar/lounge with live music, and the dessert room. This is a unique treat. The desserts are prepared on site. It's a great idea as you don't feel rushed to finish your dessert. This area is more casual with its own separate entrance so you just go in to enjoy a drink, coffee and dessert. I didn't give it 5 stars because I think it's a little overpriced. OK, I didn't pay the tab, but we're dining out every day for 10 days so you get to compare prices from all the surrounding restaurants and this one was the most expensive. Do go there for special occasions and celebrations!
(4)
Brenton C.
Fine dinning worth every penny. The peppered steak is out of this planet. Sexy ambience, professional staff, and a desert bar that may make you want to move in next door. We go to this spot every chance we get, it's such a treat.
(5)
Jim A.
We are visiting my elderly parents on LBK and had a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner here. I am truthfully outraged at their nerve for charging $36.50 for a turkey dinner that was inferior to the one served in the hospital cafeteria where I work. After a thimble full of pumpkin bisque (best part of meal), the saddest plate of dry turkey, prune stuffing , carrots and bland gravy arrived. We had to ask for cranberry dressing which was parsed out in tiny proportions. There were no green vegetables, no potatoes.......dessert was a choice of over spiced pumpkin pie, dreadful apple pie or pecan pie which no one chose. Additionally, the service was totally unpolished and unprofessional. My recommendation would be to avoid this restaurant at all costs.
(1)
Matthew T.
Good but nothing remarkable. That pretty much sums it up. Never been here even after all these years living in the area, but friends invited us to join them and figured what the heck. Basically old school meats and fish. Seemed so "1980". Even the decor. I had the lamb shank, which was fine, but like I said unremarkable. The DC had duck , which was good but nothing I've not had 100 times. The wine selection is nice and some nice things at reasonable prices and crazy things at crazy prices. Got a gift certificate or live out on the key, fine, but not really worth the drive from the mainland.
(3)
Raymond W.
Get the fried green tomato appetizer---heavenly. The loft is wonderful and music is the right decibels
(4)
Joy B.
This is my first time dining in this restaurant and it was simply delightful. The place was cozy and was had a dessert bar upstairs where you can have your after dinner coffee or cocktail and dessert. I had the catch of the day which was salmon with lump crab and a side of vegetables. This meal was prepared so well, that all the flavors blended so perfectly. The salmon was prepared with just enough spices and grilled well, that it was moist and tender. The combination with the crab was truly a seafood delight! I thoroughly enjoyed this meal. I had the chocolate mousse as a fitting finale for my meal, with cappuccino. I found the mousse to be too sweet for my taste, but the cappuccino was just perfect! I would definitely come back and try any of the delectable entrees on your menu.
(5)
Oliver O.
What a disappointment! We had a family dinner at the Restaurant last night and were excited to have dinner at this place. The moment we arrived in the Restaurant we were shocked about the interior and decor, welcome back to the Seventies! Everything is so outdated that it is almost ridiculous. The moment we were served a very sweet banana bread, we should have known what to expect. Seriously a sweet banana bread to begin a meal? Our server (a nice guy) was giving us some history about the Restaurant and their specialties. He seemed overly excited about their food, so we expected some nice surprises. He recommended the Cesar Salad, one of their classics. At this point I realized that certain meals were prepared within the Restaurant, so there was this constant smell of food that was prepared behind our table. The Cesar Salad was one of these meals prepared outside the kitchen. Oh boy, what a show to make a salad. If you perform a show like this you better serve a fine salad. Unfortunately the salad was not good, far too much garlic in the dressing and the salad leafs were watery. I'd like to mention that they brought a cold salad fork for the salad, how pretentious. I ordered the pasta with shrimp as an appetizer and ended up getting a soup with overcooked pasta and shrimp in it. For the main course I ordered the Duckling one of their signature dishes. I do not recall seeing such poor presentation of duck. They cut the duck in half and put the entire half on my plate. How can you do that? That lacks passion and professionalism. The dishes of my family members were poorly executed and presented. If the Duck would have been fantastic, so what but the taste of it was not good at all. The Chicken Florentine was way too salty and the Veal Moussaka was just blend. I also have to mention that every single meal had parsley on it. Really? This is what my father put on each plate as a chef in the Seventies. We were told that they have a wide selection of cakes upstairs so we wanted to check it out. What we experienced upstairs reminded me of a really bad movie from the past. A piano player playing old fashioned songs, an outdated bar and a smell that reminded me of an antique store but not in a good way... We decided to skip desert and leave. Overall a really disappointing experience, I honestly do not know how this place can still be in business. I do not mind old fashioned Restaurants as long as the food is good but in this case it was just bad. Sorry!
(1)
Andy K.
Loosen your wallet here. It will be empty when you leave but you will be in food heaven. Loved the duck simply outstanding. Shrimp pasta is fantastic. Fresh fish is well done too. The bread is worth it too. Go upstairs for dessert after
(5)
Jessica S.
This is one of my all time favorite places to eat. About twice a year we stay at the longboat key club and always book a reservation here. My go to is the Pepper steak. This might be too much for some because it's completed crusted in peppercorn, but it's my fav. The sauce is fantastic. I always get the creamed spinach and it never disappoints. Caesar is one of the best. The duck is always perfectly cooked. If you happen to be in the area and are lucky enough to to get a reservation. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Chae D.
Awful on every level, believe the other one star reviews. I can't imagine the low standards of anyone who recommends this place. Head to The Blue Marlin (worthy of five stars) on Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island a few miles North and then reconsider your rating of this has-been.
(1)
Dave C.
Was ok... won't go back again though. Went there for dinner over the weekend after reading good reviews. Nice place, and the waitstaff was courteous and very helpful. That said, the food was remarkably boring and bland. I don't mind paying a lot for a great dinner, but their steaks were a total letdown, and the sides were completely devoid of any sort of ingenuity. The brussel sprouts were absolutely no different than the frozen ones I've made dozens of times at home. The "dessert room" was also a bit of a letdown... they should just call it a pie room. Go to this place if you want to eat boring, expensive food. Otherwise, I'd seek out some place that at least puts a little thought and adventure into their menu.
(2)
Iris F.
After reading some reviews here at Yelp we pinned this restaurant as an must visit. We started off with a dry martini that was was perfectly made exactly as asked! Taylor A wrote in her review "You must order the Pepper Steak!" and I say the same: "You just have to order the Pepper Steak!". It is really pricy ($50) but definitely worth every single penny!!! Everything else on the menu pales in comparison. Everyone at the table will regret they ordered something else. I love the fact that it is actually served with sauce! We were lucky to get seated close to the live chef. We could smell the orange sauce served with the steak from where we sat. Lovely! The waiter was friendly, attentive and gave excellent service. We couldn't ask for more! Afterwards, we did like recommended on Yelp - We went upstairs for dessert. We had read so much but was actually disappointed. :( First of all, it was almost empty, still we got the worst seats available. At the door way by the wall. Secondly, they have a girl whose specific task is to present the desserts. She did this rapidly and bored to death. No feeling. Thirdly, yes there are like 15 different pies, but many chains even, have as good choices that tastes as good and even better. The peanutbutter pie is HUGE and enough for 3 (three)! It is too much. Prepare for a box to go. The southern style pecan pie was delicious though. We closed the night in the bar which is really really nice!! Live piano music and soft, cozy atmosphere. So, over all - I am more than satisfied but I suggest you take the dessert downstairs (same choices) and go upstairs to the bar after wards. Skip the dessert room.
(5)
Susan L.
Mediocre at best. We ate upstairs at loft. Brussels sprouts were well cooked, but just boring, under seasoned with no dipping sauce or any distinctive preparation. The sweet & spicey shrimp were over salted to the point of being inedible. Pear and walnut salad was fine but not memorable. We intended to have desserts, but after lacklustre apps decided to go elsewhere. We were in area during peak season and, not surprisingly, this restaurant was only one at which we dined that had numerous tables available.
(2)
Al S.
Nov. 21 - special occasion, 55th anniversary. Have heard mixed reports about this rest so we decided to give it a try. Disappointed! We were one of the first to arrive for a 6:15 sitting and unfort one of the last to leave from that time period. Several other tables were seated, mostly couples, and when we noticed they were getting served and not ourselves, we asked why? Answer given was that the chef prepared a wrong dinner for us and had to start from scratch. The food was good -not great; the service was poor (waiter intentionally avoided us due to the problem they were having); and it was just about 2 hours from the time we arrived 6:15 punctually - - to 8:10 finished check signing and departure. Would we return? Doubt it, but in fairness we should. However, this place is quite expensive and not a place we would go to on a regular basis, maybe once every 2 months or so and then only for special occasion.
(2)
Dawn H.
Never disappointed. Men, this is the PERFECT date place. The chef goes over and above. The layout is adorable. The meals are yummy. Be sure to save room for your trip upstairs for dessert. Also, music upstairs if you just want a night out for dessert and a few cocktails. My once a year favorite gem. :)
(4)
Mike B.
We were delighted with all our dishes. Started with snails Leslie and shared the Caesar salad. Mike had the veal de-jour and I had key west snapper. We ended with desert upstairs. We will be talking about this experience for a long time. Absolutely fabulous. Service was excellent and ambiance was romantic.
(4)
Desiree C.
Please do not try to eat the peanut mouse pie alone !my mouth was soooo happy. Good thing my entree was the seafood bisque! Enjoy!
(3)
Seth F.
On the opposite side of the spectrum as my shock at Hollywood Grill's 3 star review is this turd in Longboat Key, FL. It was among the most expensive restaurants I'd ever been to, and I dine out a lot. To give you an idea, it was easy to tell that the prices were significantly higher than your average steak house. Not one thing we ordered was what I would call good and many of our items were simply not good. The Brussel Sprouts were steamed, still raw and, as best as I could tell, did not contain the slightest about of seasoning. The same could be said for all the the different main entrees (not the raw part). At one point the chef actually came to our table to thank us for dining with us. I was about to say something along the lines of what a rip off it was when I saw the sheer shame on his face. He didn't say it with his mouth, but his eyes said, "I know, but if I try to make the food taste good, the old people get mad". Upstairs was better. Where they had a small "bar" menu and a "pie and cake counter". The coffee they serve up there was actually good and the slices of pie and cake were enormous but the quality was still mediocre.
(1)
Bill T.
Based on reviews and the menu selections I had high hopes for this venue. We have eaten at many fine dining establishments so I knew what to expect as far as the higher prices and I also knew enough to not have overly high expectations. I still somewhat expected this to be a hidden gem with some old style charm and good food. Well, the interior decor does have some old style charm, I'll give them that. The food was mediocre at best. We started with the smoked salmon and buckwheat crepes. The salmon was okay and presented nicely with the thin slices shaped into a rose bud. I think buckwheat is probably a bad idea for a base for crepes to begin with and their execution bore this out. Crepes should have a tender and delicate texture which the buckwheat just couldn't achieve so they were slightly dry and coarse, not a good crepe and not a good accompaniment to the delicate salmon. The garnish of caviar, capers, finely chopped red onion and creme fraiche was nice but there weren't enough of any of those elements to go with the salmon and dry crepe. On to the entrees, well my wife got the lamb shank with Mediterranean spices and I got the crispy duck (one of their signature dishes). The lamb was cooked okay, but any "Mediterranean" spice pallet was lost in an overpowering red wine sauce. The duck was cooked okay also, although it could have been done a good deal lower and slower to really render out as much of the fat as possible and for the meat to be extra juicy and tender. The skin was nice and crispy though so points for that. Where the duck really fell down was in the accompaniments and presentation. The portion was huge and it was on a bed of very mediocre bread dressing that was quite lackluster basic sage dressing 101. Then, on the top of the ducks sat a handful of walnut halves and dried apricots, I mean like straight out of the bag from the grocer. Had they at least attempted to roast and poach the walnuts and apricots in some brandy or with a touch of some spice I could maybe buy into this idea as a garnish, but just plain old walnuts and dried apricots really? They didn't even taste good. If I wanted trail mix I would just go buy a bag, but keep it off my duck, please! The best thing was they had a decent pinot noir that we like in their wine selection. The Morgan Twelve Clones is a nice pinot and paired well with most of our food selections across the board, although not perfect it was a good overall choice and the markup was actually not horrific. We would have preferred a 2009 or 2010, but for the money the 2011 was decent. Just to round out the experience we went upstairs to the Haye Loft for desert and coffee. Well, this is where things got even worse. The loft upstairs had a horrific lounge singer putting her old school twist on eighties classics, not sure who thinks this is a good idea. Plus their deserts were lousy. I had their signature apple pie, which was essentially badly spiced raw apples sitting on raw pie dough. For a ten dollar slice of pie, I at least expect it to be cooked, seriously. My wife's chocolate cake wasn't any better, very dry and not sweet, and not in a dark chocolaty bitter way, just in a not enough sugar way. The press pot of coffee was tasty though and the only thing that made it worth the trouble of going up their. Also, service was spotty at best. The server downstairs offered little to no guidance and seemed to mostly rush us through our selections and meal, in fact, I just realized I drastically over tipped him. The servers upstairs all but forgot about us once we had our deserts and coffee and we eventually had to flag them down to pay. This was all on a Thursday night so the place wasn't packed. Clearly we should have made some other choice for dinner. Oh well, it sounded good. I guess we should have paid closer attention to the many negative reviews.
(2)
Anna C.
The service was okay, nothing extraordinary or anything. The food was mediocre. The cheese plate could have been from Publix for all I knew. I have had much better on cruises. The medallion steak was strange. I thought it would be filet medallions, but smashed up meat to resemble pancakes that could have been ground beef for all I knew. And I should have known when I read they use truffle oil. That is what they add to dishes to make them seem nicer, but it is just some chemical. Some of our table had one of the pasta dishes and felt it was not up to par and that the shrimp were boiled. The best things were the bread they brought out at the start and the price and quality of the wine. Lastly, there were ants all over our table. And to add to it all it was very expensive and not even worth the fraction of the cost. Maybe I would have given it 2 stars if the food was equal to the price I paid. Not sure about the dessert and upstairs area, but I heard that is what they are known for, yet I would doubt I would trouble to find out.
(1)
Chris S.
This place is awesome. I eat here every year when we spent a week in Anna Maria Island. The food is a little overpriced in my opinion and you can get a better steak at Ruth Chris. I always try a different meal when I go and I have not been disappointed. To say the desert room isn't good is insane to me. They have a pastry who creates some of the best deserts that I have ever had. My wife always orders banana's fosters and it is great. You will drop some coin here but it is a good place to eat on occasion.
(4)
Ellie M.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and it is perfect for a special night out. It is sophisticated in an old Florida way which means not stuffy or fancy. The ambiance is classy but comfortable. Start your evening with a drink upstairs at the Haye Loft. The pianist is talented and friendly. You will be pleased with the amazing dishes when you retreat to your table - the best starter is the Caesar made at your table, the sides are always delicious, and I have loved the steak, fish, duck. The dessert room (if you have room, that is!) has many decadent options, but honestly it's worth stopping in just for the superior coffee. Yes it is pricey, but for an experience that you won't forget it is well worth it.
I heard wonderful things about this restaurant, but after dining there I was a little disappointed. The restaurant is in an odd house sort of setting and a little dark and gloomy. The pear salad is good and the carbonera style pasta. I hated my lamb dish and couldn't even eat it to be polite, I had a bite of my boyfriend's steak and it was pretty good. When it comes to dessert...you have to leave your table, go upstairs are get seated again. The dessert spread is impressive and its more of an experience to see all the cakes and pies in a separate setting upstairs.
(3)
Steve G.
First, the good: The roast duckling was delicious and cooked perfectly. And a large portion as well. Likewise my wife's filet. The garlic and Parmesan mashed were also delicious. Now the not so good: In a place like this, with folks from everywhere coming in and prices in the NY City restaurant range, I'd expect a very high standard of service. Here are some of the service faux pas I noticed... Presentation: Huge helping of parsley on our plates. Parsley? Really? And when I say huge -- the parsley filled a bread plate at least 2" deep when we moved it off our plates. The sauces were under the entrees instead of poured over the top , which I appreciated, but it had also soaked into the stuffing, which made the stuffing even less appealing. Cocktail service: My wife had a glass of Ravenswood Zinfandel for about $8. They offered the bottle for $35. Later at the bar upstairs, we noticed this was the Ravenswood Vintner's Reserve Zin that they're selling in Publix for $7 per bottle. I don't have a problem with a markup, but shouldn't a place of this caliber be serving something a little more special than the cheapest Ravenswood and McManis by the glass? Also, I asked if they had any aged rum, and the waiter said no. Later, when we went upstairs, the bartender had a half dozen aged rums, including Pyat and Zapaca. How could the waiter downstairs not know that? Other stuff: The bread was seriously under-baked -- a real pet peeve of my wife. The butter was nearly frozen and was in a bowl with water from the ice it had been sitting in, I guess. Again, attention to details. When we finished our meal, the waiter asked us if we were going upstairs for coffee and dessert, we said yes. The waiter said he had reserved a table for us and then poof! he was gone. We found our way upstairs and wandered for a few minutes before ending up sitting at the bar. Dessert presentation: The desserts are presented on a cooling table with a sneeze guard glass above them. There's nothing special about the way they're shown, they're just laid out like you see them at Publix. Some of the small tarts are actually in their little tin foil baking dishes still. Not really all that exciting. The "Loft": This is the best part of the night, in my opinion. It's still got a feeling like it's stuck in the mid-70s, but unlike downstairs in the dining room, it feels appropriate up here. The jazz guitarist is fantastic and the bartender is a whirling dervish with a great bartender attitude. With no view of the water from the dining room downstairs, the Loft is the place to be. Step out for a smoke, hear some live music, have a great cocktail. I'd go back for more of the second floor... But downstairs is ready for a serious updating -- from the cocktail service to the entree presentation to the service. And yes, the prices are high on the first floor, too -- $35 for ala carte roast duckling sets a very high expectation for everything attached to the meal...
(3)
Ruth P.
The menu hasn't really changed in 15 years --but then that's the way they seem to like things down here.
(3)
Lisa H.
Big Disappointment, BigPrice Remembered a lovely birthday dinner here 4 years ago my husband & I agreed worth very penny. Back napkin because I wore dark clothing, great service, excellent food. A bit crowded & so-so atmosphere, but we looked forward to returning. But last night's birthday dinner was huge disappointment, especially in terms f service. Waiter's face fell when I ordered seltzer instead of alcohol. Ordered fried green tomato app. 20 minutes later, my husband's Caesar salad (okay) & app arrived. Room temp fried green tomatoes not so appealing. Waiter took back, replaced 1/2 eaten tomato & nuked. How do I know? 1/2 c or s of parsley on plate warm & wilted. Another 1/2 hr plus wait for entree, which waiter blamed on my returning tomatoes. My duck & husband's grouper & shared Brussel sprouts all very good. After a two hour, frustrating dinner, we'd lost our taste for dessert room we'd enjoyed last time. And no black napkins! (No comped fried green tomatoes, either.) No longer worth the drive for us.
(1)
Ashley B.
Oh my goodness... This place had some of the best food I've ever had in Florida. The seafood was fresh and delicious. I love this place. It's cute, charming, and has an ENTIRE floor devoted to desserts, all of which are decadent and amazing! How could you not like that?! I have yet to notice the service ever being noticeably bad. I will say my family was there one time and I did notice that, in the desert area, some of the employees had been smoking... not cigarettes. It was more entertaining than anything. After the huge meal we just had, we couldn't be anything but happy.
(5)
Susan S.
The food was fine, but the prices were ridiculous. And don't tell me 'cuz it's Long Boat Key: we ate at Harry's and it was delicious and the prices were reasonable. My husband and I both got fish, which was a good portion size and fresh and tasty, with a really nice sauce, but no veggie and not even a half cup of white rice! All that for the bargain price of $34! As our friends who joined us for dinner quipped, this restaurant is only for trust fund babies.
(2)
Gerald H.
After much anticipation of having dinner here I must say it was a severe disappointment. We arrived 5min ahead of our 5pm dinner reservation only to be seated 30min later. After the wait we found out that our dinner would be in the bar area. After we were told the table we were waiting on was in the back dining area... oh well. Onward to dinner. Service was attentive and we quickly ordered the pumpkin bisque, escargot, shrimp pasta. All the appetizers were good. In fact, the highlight of the night was our 7yr old liking the snails. We researched the main entrees and knew we wanted to try the roast duck and prime pepper strip steak. I will say these entrees was the most disappointed entree I can ever recall. The duck was really dry. The pepper strip steak $53 had a pepper crust so thick drowned in the butter sauce literally killed your taste buds. I honestly could not taste the beef. I had to cut off the edges and damp off the sauce, then it was good. We pushed through dinner service and opted for dessert . It was a hassle to find out in order to have dessert one would have travel upstairs to the loft. So much for relaxing after dinner. We hiked up the stairs and waited to be seated again (for pies). Pies were good but not the best I've had. The banana cream pie barely had a crust. More like graham cracker sprinkles. At $7.50 a pie and the hassle of having to move tables just for dessert I would not recommend this place...unless your're local then you probably don't have to wait 30min for a table. Meh, not worth the $$$ or effort. #EuphemiaHaye #annamaria #sarasota
(2)
Peggy f.
Our foursome enjoyed a dinner recently and found the food great but much overpriced, the service was excellent, but otherwise nothing special going on here. Went upstairs for dessert was treated rudely by the staff (tried speaking to the owner and was rebuffed as well) this was all over asking for a table instead of a booth and being told no! Really? Two capuccinos, 2 coffees, 4 desserts= $75 . Dessert? Not exceptional. Delicious food must be accompanied by graciousness by the owners, staff, etc to equate paying such hefty prices in my mind, so its no, no for us. Peggy
(2)
Frank A.
Beautiful dining experience. Was it the best food I have ever had? Not even close, but the whole experience was wonderful. We had a set menu to pick from, so I can't fault the restaurant for that . Here is what we had and descriptions: Caesar Salad- top shelf, as good as I have had Medallions of Beef w peppercorn sauce and mashed potato- solid, not amazing, I would not order it again Brussel Sprouts- wonderful, carmelized and tender, yum! Steamed veggies- ok, they were just plain Dessert- apple Pie, solid, not the best I have had Coffee- amazing, top shelf, French pressed at the table If you can, I would try to go to the Haye Loft on the second floor, it is a much cooler place. The first floor is the main restaurant and is very quaint, but we wished we had spent time upstairs. They offer more dessert choices upstairs and live music. Overall, this place is cool. Location on Long Boat Key and the simple unique beauty and elegance of the building and atmosphere make it really special. I read the good and bad reviews and can see all the comments being valid to an extent. The head Chef comes by and checks to see if everything is as expected. We would definitely go back.
(5)
Cary K.
Overpriced, pretentious, tired atmosphere. Don't go. The meal certainly won't sit well after you get the check - you'll wonder what the heck the hype is about. I have eaten in numerous fine restaurants globally and would never balk at paying premium prices for fine dining. This was a joke.
(1)
Samantha B.
Upstairs in the loft -- yummy and great prices. Excellent deserts if they are fresh :) cool vibe but very small -- go early or late to get a table quicker!
(4)
Joyce C.
Went there last evening with another couple. Made reservations well in advance but was placed at a table in the bar area. Two couples were actually eating their dinners at the bar, and they were LOUD, really LOUD...at these prices I did not want to be in the bar... Waiter came to take our drink order, he was LOUD....when he was taking an order at an adjacent table he was LOUD and distracting. Two Ceasar salads were ordered, they were good. A pistachio grouper, chicken dish and two coconut shrimp dishes were ordered, all good....along with a cauliflower mash side, enough for 4 to share. My husband liked the fish but thought you could get the same quality at other restaurants in Sarasota for less $$$. Made the move upstairs to a table ready and waiting for us. I am a dessert person and the choices would please almost anyone...asked the waiter what was the best dessert, he mentioned a berry dessert that they were out of. We ordered the carrot cake, two apple crumb pies and a banana cream pie. All very good and generous portions. French press coffee hit the spot with choices from light to dark roast. We were never rushed, arrived a little after 7 and stayed til almost 10. Next time I will skip the dinner and go directly to the stairs and have a dessert and listen to live music...
(3)
James G.
This place used to be pricey but good. Now it's just pricey. On a recent visit we experienced mediocre to OK food and abysmal service. Our waiter's best trick seemed to be making himself invisible for extended intervals. The chef came by the table and we gave him our candid opinion of our meal, whereupon he quickly retreated to the kitchen. There are many better restaurants in Sarasota, do not go here.
(1)
Jim M.
Linse's favorite restaurant. After a fantastic meal, head upstairs to the dessert room...
I will start by saying that this restaurant used to be my family's favorite special occasion restaurant in Sarasota. I used to dream about the duck and loved their desserts upstairs. It is funny how one incident can change everything. To give a quick overview (just in case you don't feel like reading the whole review). The food might be amazing but I REFUSE to SUPPORT AN OWNER/CHEF that IS ARROGANT, RUDE and POMPOUS. There are plenty of other fantastic restaurants in the Sarasota area to go to where the owners aren't this way! We had been going there for over 5 years when one evening we went for my Mother's Birthday. We got there and when the hostess went to seat us she sat us in the bar area. Maybe if we weren't going there for a special occasion and my Dad hadn't called a few days prior to request our table in the one room it wouldn't have been a big deal. But when my Dad had called they said that it wasn't a problem and they would make sure that we were in the one room. So it completely surprised us when we told the hostess that we had requested this and she said that she was sorry but there was nothing they could do. They had no record of this and it was the bar or we would have to wait several hours. My father asked to speak with the owner who also is the chef and instead of an apology and trying to correct the situation he proceeded to get into a fight with my Dad yelling and raising his voice. I couldn't believe what was happening the chef/owner was causing a huge scene of a mistake that they made! We were all shocked considering it was their mistake and were completely taken back by the chef's inability to recognize and apologize for their mistake. The chef finally calmed down after yelling for a good 10 minutes and worked out the situation and found us a table after another 20 minutes. Needless to say it put a complete damper on our evening. To have a restaurant mess up and not have your reservation and then not try and accommodate you and actually yell at you for their mistake is the worst lack of customer service I have ever experienced.
(1)
Jackie P.
Food and service are really good. Kind of pricey however. Dessert upstairs is awesome.
(4)
Crystal B.
My husband and I visit this restaurant every chance we get! The food downstairs is absolutely delicious and worth every penny. The wait staff is wonderfully attentive and will suggest a wine to go along side your meal option. In fact, the last two times we have visited we had the same pleasant waiter. The atmosphere is positively quaint. Nothing like any restaurants in the Orlando area. The Haye Loft is like no other. It has a romantic charm to it the moment you step foot upstairs. The Haye Loft usually has unique local talent playing piano for you while you nosh on delectable desserts and sip coffee. Did I just mention desserts?!? Chef Ray Arpke will make you want to try all of his creations. That is if you still have room in your stomach after supper! If you are in the Sarasota/Tampa/Orlando area and would like to experience something spectacular, visit Euphemia Haye!
(5)
Douglas S.
What a treasure. Personalized service and awesome food... Need more? Ok, outstanding ambience from the moment you walk up the path. Still more? An upstairs lounge that features live music and wonderful desserts ( I did not indulge but I witnessed many expressively happy souls). We went for the fish ( Grouper and Snapper ). Both wonderful.
(5)
Holly P.
We just got back from Easter weekend in Sarasota and cannot stop talking about our dinner at Euphemia Haye. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. The restaurant is adorable inside, with lots of green plants, flowers and twinkling lights. It is incredibly warm and romantic. The menu is superb - very eclectic. I'm a vegetarian and was very pleasantly surprised at the number of tasty vegetarian options. I'm also originally from the South Jersey/Philadelphia area and very picky about my Italian food, basically the only cuisine I have eaten my entire life. The eggplant parmesean was off the charts, just the way my grandmother used to make it. I also had an avocado bruschetta starter which was wonderful, served with a slice of walnut crusted chevre and a side of lemon slices (they read my mind- I put a little lemon on everything!). But the menu is not just Italian food- my husband and our friends all had various starters (the fried green tomato, smoked salmon and zucchini fettucini) and the house special duck as an entree, and they were raving about it for days. Chef Raymond personally came to our table to thank us for dining with them. The pleasure was ours. His wife was equally sweet and gracious. We can't wait to go back to Sarasota for many reasons- but at the top of our list is to dine again at Euphemia Haye!
(5)
Janna R.
Absolutely fantastic. One of the best ducks I've ever had. Atmosphere is cozy and romantic. Service is A+. A truly special place
(5)
Ginny L.
This is probably the last time we're going there. We usually go 2 to 3 times a year from St. Petersburg, which is about a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hour drive each way. We usually take another couple who is visiting as my husband likes the duck. This time there were four of us. Two ordered the duck, one ordered the lamb shank, and I ordered the "grouper"? I was served two odd pieces of fish, one thin and small and one larger and very thick. It did not taste like grouper to me, For $36, I expected an exquisite piece of fish and a delicious sauce. Everything is ala carte, so this didn't include a vegetable, starch - nothing but these two pieces of mystery fish. I did attempt to eat it as the others seemed to be enjoying their meal, but couldn't finish it. When I commented to the waiter that I was disappointed, he said, "Oh yeah, the grouper has been off a bit lately." Then why is it even on the menu????? He didn't even offer something to make the meal end pleasantly, like a dessert or a glass of wine. It was like - just pay your bill and leave. We travel extensively and dine out frequently and have no problem paying such high prices for quality food - but we are not going to spend our money there any more. If my husband wants duck, either I'll make it for him at home, or he can go by himself!!!
(2)
Erin B.
Way over priced and not worth it. I left full but very unsatisfied. Now we didn't eat downstairs but upstairs is old and dirty looking. The Caesar salad anchovy dressing was too fishy the house salad was all spinach leaves and the dressing was boring. The shrimp tasted frozen and the angel hair pasta had a clear broth over it basically like roman noodles. The chocolate ganache cake was bland, ice cold and nothing interesting. Don't bring children unless they like flatbread pizza. They did accommodate us with 2 chicken fingers for $22.00.
(1)
Kathy M.
DON'T BE A SUCKER. We had such high hopes for this place. We are new to the area and looking for a new Christmas Eve tradition. All I can say is, this place has no understanding of what a fine dining experience is supposed to be. Let me say at the outset, I will forgive almost anything if the place is lovely with ambiance. Euphemia Haye is very pretty but by the time we got out of there we felt insulted, rushed out and have no intention of returning. The appetizer of fried green tomato was nice but it all went downhill from there. The pepper steak they are so proud of was barely edible. My husband gave me a bite and I could not chew it enough to swallow it. The pepper coating was so hard it was like tree bark, the steak itself was tasteless. They make a big deal of cooking this outside the kitchen on a lovely fire which makes it seem so festive that you don't mind taking part (for $50.00!). Skip it. We've had better steak at chain restaurants. I was in such a Christmas spirit I decided to have their Christmas goose dinner. It was a plate of oily glop. I realize duck and goose are very hard to get right but at these prices you really should be responsible enough to make it worth eating. It was hardly edible. After a mess of meal the server brought our check without being asked and told us that it was time to "go upstairs". We had no idea what this meant but he said it is what they do for dessert and "everyone does it." So we left our cozy table (the only great part of the dinner) and climbed steps to join the rest of the suckers at the Golden Corral. The upstairs dessert area feels like a cheap diner. We felt insulted that after we paid a fortune to patronize their establishment they thought no more of us than to banish us to the cheap seats where we had to work hard to find any place to sit. They had maybe 25 different cakes and pies to choose from. You only get a piece of one so what's the point of the buffet/feeding-trough lay out? I asked for French pressed coffee which tasted like dishwater and we had to send it back. A fine dining experience should offer a few nice desserts which should be no more than a few bites of something wonderful to wash down with good coffee to cap a wonderful meal. There is one reason and one reason only for this dessert tactic: They want to get you up and out of your table and out of the way so they can usher in more suckers. This place doesn't care about your experience. They only want to clear tables and get rid of you to get another check. Sarasota is so flush with wonderful restaurants really trying to do a good job. Give ANY SINGLE ONE OF THEM your business and forget this place.
(1)
Michael H.
The restaurant is a little over the hill. Entrees are over priced and over cooked. Service was mediocre with the check showing up with no requests for dessert even though it was a special birthday dinner. Plates were covered with curly parsley that the chef said that everyone " eats it here" Whatever the restaurant was years ago, those features have left it far behind.
(2)
Amy E.
We had an adult dinner date without the kids and this place was awesome. With awesome service. I had the pate for appetizer but would rather had it with their regular bread rather than the toast it came with. My cousin got the escargot, that was excellent. I had the roasted duck and that was the best duck dish I ever had. I highly recommend this dish. We then went upstairs for their dessert, which is a must!
(5)
Jessie J.
I went here because I love Banana's Foster and a google search of "Sarasota Banana's Foster" turned up this gem of a place. I had been living in Sarasota 6 years before stumbling upon the search and it took me another year and a half to make my way up Longboat, but I am SOOO glad I did it spontaneously tonight. The decor upstairs is wonderful. Sooo charming. The banana's foster was prepared right in front of us from by the dessert chef. It was so much fun. I was on a first date and we had just finished drinks at Ceviche's downtown when we decided to head out. There was so much to talk about just from the environment and presentation by the chef. The owner, Darcy, sat and chatted with us for almost half an hour answering all my questions about the history and decor of the wonderful restaurant. Her and her husband have owned it for 32 years! After my dessert, I went over to the bar to drink some dessert-- a wonderful chocolate martini. There was also a female jazz singer that just made the whole thing perfect. This will definitely be one of my hideaways after a long work day!
(5)
Tay A.
Absolutely the best steak I've ever had. If you go here, you MUST get the Pepper Steak. It's typically a larger portion than one person can eat, but definitely don't order to share! You'll LOVE the leftovers for a steak sandwich the next day. The fried green tomato appetizer is heavenly as well. And don't forget the Haye Loft for dessert! They always have something new and delicious upstairs in their dessert lounge that is an amazingly delicious way to end such a lovely meal.
(5)
Makena K.
Came here for dessert on our anniversary after a fantastic seafood dinner at Crab and Fin in St. Armands Circle. Really nothing special. We had their 'Signature' Apple Pie Crumble Ala Mode. It was ok. We've been coming to LBK for several years now. I have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while because of the rave reviews. Many wrote about the amazing dessert choices at the Haye's Loft. So we went with the expectation that we would see wall to wall and maybe some desserts hanging from the ceiling. Well, maybe not from the ceilings. My humble opinion is that it's like a glorified Perkins dessert display with maybe about 8-10 offerings. Even their chocolate cake looked plain. As far as service, it was alright. She did her job as expected. Positive: The blind musician at the loft. I enjoyed listening to him play the piano. Definitely a one time visit ONLY.
(2)
Geoff K.
A must try restaurant on Longboat Key. The food was exceptional and service outstanding. The Prime Pepper Steak is something to crave. The Red Snapper and Duck was also delicious.
(5)
Phill M.
This has to be one of the best restaurants we've been too anywhere. The food and service were 2nd to none. I had the duck and my wife had the snapper. Both were exquisite. Our waiter made sure we had everything we needed but also left us alone to visit. The right service balance. Upstairs, the dessert choice was amazing. There would be nothing you would miss from the menu. The bar in the Haye Loft was quaint and well stocked you can enjoy both pre-dinner drinks and after dinner aperitifs to compliment your dessert choice. You should put this one on your "special occasions" list of must do's.
(5)
Diane B.
A huge disappointment. It is the first restaurant that I left before I ordered an entree. The waiter couldn't even provide a good recommendation on the menu - nor do I think he cared. Caesar salad came highly recommended. It was very average. Overall not a positive experience. It's a shame because the bar upstairs was lovely (as well as service) but the restaurant was a disappointment. It was surprising the level of experience of the staff at the door on a Saturday night. No presence of a true manager monitoring operations. All I saw was what appeared to be the chef in the dining area quite a bit - I wish he had spent more time in the kitchen - it needed attention.
(1)
Kim S.
Have to say I wasn't all that impressed. Food was okay. There is no real view. Small dining area was filled with loud guest so it was difficult to enjoy an intimate dinner. We can now say we've been there, but we probably won't go back.
(2)
Cathy B.
We enjoyed a delicious meal for our anniversary at Euphemia Haye! It is a little pricey--would come more often if it was more reasonably priced. Dessert upstairs had lots of nice selections! Will try the Pepper Steak next time. It looked and smelled delicious!
(5)
Jay H.
Try to get someone with an executive position at an oil company to join you so you can afford the bill at the end. Other than that, the whole experience was pretty great! It was my first and most likely my last time there, but if I find any gold when I go snorkeling in the gulf tomorrow, I will be back fo sho. O yeah, it's ALL about the desserts w upstairs! Fred kicks ass!
(5)
Ruthie S.
Amazing food! On the pricy side but it's what to expect with the type of place. The dessert upstairs was so yummy. With dinner and dessert I barely have room to breath I am stuffed. Service was great and by mentioning yelp on their 30th anniversary I received a free drink and entered into a raffle. A must!
(5)
Susan F.
A quaint staple of a nice restaurant off the beaten path of Gulf of Mexico Drive...in Longboat Key This restaurant is super popular, and I can see why. A hot spot for visitors and the regulars. The dining experience is pleasant as well as the late night entertainment and dessert "window buffet" upstairs. The menu here, like many of the upscale restaurants was unique and plentiful. That being said, it doesn't sound unique, but it is! In the main dining room, there is a chef that will actually cook your food in front of you. The decor is very earthy and almost feels like an antiquey-green room--without the awful smell. I had the special carrot and orange soup which was great and not too filling. Meals ordered were the peppercorn crusted filet--which was huge and had the best crust I've ever had on a steak, the roasted duckling which took up the entire plate and more and the red snapper. The red snapper was delicious--and I had never had it before. I was very impressed, it was flavored with a pistachio crust. The texture was also great--not fishy at all. We then moved on upstairs to take a look at the huge dessert menu of pies and cakes. It was like being a kid in a candy store--or more accurately... a family on vacation, willing to try anything and everything. Not surprisingly, the chocolate ganache cake was out, so we ordered banana cream pie, peanut butter and chocolate mousse cake, and an apple crumble pie. Other options were tiramisu, key lime pie, ginger cake, white cake, raspberry chocolate tarte...and many more I can't remember. It was a unique experience like I said, one I would not mind revisiting again. Check again with reservations, especially if you only want dessert and drinks.
(5)
Joseph H.
I have been coming down to Longboat Key for my entire life and Euphemia is by far the best restaurant EV-AR!!! You cannot go wrong with any of the dishes, from appetizers to salads to entrees. Make sure to save a little room to go upstairs for the amazing desserts!!!!
(5)
Kent K.
I'll give you several negative things: price, price, price and lack of creativity. Sarasota is awash in restaurants that live on reputation and mediocre execution. And part of that is because there is no critical thinking to push the envelope. Go to a city like Atlanta, not typically thought of as a great food city, and what you find are a plethora of excellent restaurants because the competition constantly pushes the bar higher and higher. And the sous chefs and line cooks in the good places move on to open their own shops and voila, another good restaurant pops up. Euphemia Haye is a perfect example of a typically overpriced Gulf Coast restaurant that coaxes people into believing that exorbitant prices means a good dining experience. Show me one inspired menu item and I'll be surprised. Show me ten that were on menus all over the country 20 years ago and I'll say: I told you so. In truth, it's been two years since I ate there, but I'm pretty confident that nothing has changed. Why change what so many people seem to like right? Goes to show you what my opinions are worth.
(2)
Ed W.
This is a very good seafood restaurant, with fresh fish, solid preparations, a great atmosphere, and fine service. Also, it is reasonably priced for a restaurant of this quality. It very well might be five star worthy - I hope I get a chance to try it again someday. When we were in, the catch of the day was grouper, which was very nice, and my wife had the red snapper. Both were very good, and we enjoyed them with a simple Alsatian riesling.
(4)
Bill S.
OMG!!!! This is the only place to go when you're in Long Boat Key! The food is to die for and the place is just serene. Here is a funny story. I had business in Tampa, one of my employees flew down with me on a Saturday to visit family in New Port Richie. After we visit everyone, I said "there is a place we have to go". We're driving and I took the long way, from 95S-to St Armands Circle then North. There are no lights on this one lane beach road and I have this dopey car in front of me doing 24mph in a 25mph zone. I'm dying because I think the place is going to close and we are laughing the entire time cursing this S.O.B out that is doing the speed limit. The dope decides to make a right turn into a store and I go around him while he's turning. All of a sudden a cop comes out of nowhere. He comes over and I'm like: We're going to miss out on pie, where is Euphemia Haye!? He gives me directions (the place is next to the station) and no ticket and I'm eating this warm blackberry creation with ice cream 10 minutes later... If I were to describe heaven, I would have to say this is place. NYBULLY
(5)
Jim H.
I have eaten there 5 times and continue to wonder what people see in the restaurant. The service was horrible by a waiter that could care less. the food was grossly overpriced and barely edible...again. Obviously this is the last time i will eat there. Their desert room is nice however but after a totally disappointing meal no desert could cheer me up. I subsequently ate at The Beach Bistro...top 5 meals of all time! Awesome!
(1)
Michelle L.
How can it be that only one person before me has written a review on this gem of a restaurant?!!! Where do I begin? First of all, I felt like I was eating in somebody's dining room in their home. The rooms are cozy and tastefully decorated with charming antique furniture and nice artwork on the walls. The staff is extremely friendly, down to earth, yet knowledgeable and accomodating (how often do you find all of those traits at the same time?!). The wine list is extensive and excellent. The food is amazing...yes, AMAZING!!! So flavorful and just the right size portions. The presentation is wonderful as well. The food here gives any five star restaurant I've been to in NYC a run for it's money. I honestly can not find ONE single negative thing to say about this place! After dinner, you can choose to have dessert in the dining room or head upstairs to the "Hayeloft", which is a more casual cafe-like atmosphere. We chose to do the latter and couldn't have been happier that we did. The countless desserts are all on display so you can make a decision after viewing them all...and enjoy your selection with a yummy coffee selection (I highly recommend the cappuccino!). Although this place is a bit pricey, it's worth every dollar and more, so splurge and enjoy!
(5)
Hal H.
Baffled by the negative reviews. In a town awash in mediocre restaurants, EH is a gem. Yes, it's spendy, but the food is delicious and the service is excellent. It's, by far, my favorite restaurant in Sarasota.
(5)
Michael A.
I'm inclined to agree with Kent K. My wife and I recently returned to Euphemia Haye to celebrate a special event. The menu has remained unchanged in the 3 years since we've been here. It seems that maybe the only thing to have changed are the already too-high prices. Overall we had an excellent dining experience. Our waiter seemed knowledgeable about the menu. Maybe not so much about the wine selection. The pace was not rushed, which we like a lot. We had a nice little window-side table next to where the chef will flambe the pepper steak. That was entertaining. The food was adequately prepared and the portions were generous. But we didn't have the "wow, that's amazing!" type reaction to any of the dishes presented to us. My 4-star rating comes from the comparison of this restaurant against others we have visited all over the globe. The lack of a star comes from overpricing and lack of innovation. Since nothing has changed in the last 3 years we are not encouraged to come back for at least another 3 years (or whatever time it takes for me to forget about this review).
(4)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :5540 Gulf Of Mexico Dr
Longboat Key, FL, 34228
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Chae D.
Awful on every level, believe the other one star reviews. I can't imagine the low standards of anyone who recommends this place. Head to The Blue Marlin (worthy of five stars) on Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island a few miles North and then reconsider your rating of this has-been.
(1)Joy B.
This is my first time dining in this restaurant and it was simply delightful. The place was cozy and was had a dessert bar upstairs where you can have your after dinner coffee or cocktail and dessert. I had the catch of the day which was salmon with lump crab and a side of vegetables. This meal was prepared so well, that all the flavors blended so perfectly. The salmon was prepared with just enough spices and grilled well, that it was moist and tender. The combination with the crab was truly a seafood delight! I thoroughly enjoyed this meal. I had the chocolate mousse as a fitting finale for my meal, with cappuccino. I found the mousse to be too sweet for my taste, but the cappuccino was just perfect! I would definitely come back and try any of the delectable entrees on your menu.
(5)Oliver O.
What a disappointment! We had a family dinner at the Restaurant last night and were excited to have dinner at this place. The moment we arrived in the Restaurant we were shocked about the interior and decor, welcome back to the Seventies! Everything is so outdated that it is almost ridiculous. The moment we were served a very sweet banana bread, we should have known what to expect. Seriously a sweet banana bread to begin a meal? Our server (a nice guy) was giving us some history about the Restaurant and their specialties. He seemed overly excited about their food, so we expected some nice surprises. He recommended the Cesar Salad, one of their classics. At this point I realized that certain meals were prepared within the Restaurant, so there was this constant smell of food that was prepared behind our table. The Cesar Salad was one of these meals prepared outside the kitchen. Oh boy, what a show to make a salad. If you perform a show like this you better serve a fine salad. Unfortunately the salad was not good, far too much garlic in the dressing and the salad leafs were watery. I'd like to mention that they brought a cold salad fork for the salad, how pretentious. I ordered the pasta with shrimp as an appetizer and ended up getting a soup with overcooked pasta and shrimp in it. For the main course I ordered the Duckling one of their signature dishes. I do not recall seeing such poor presentation of duck. They cut the duck in half and put the entire half on my plate. How can you do that? That lacks passion and professionalism. The dishes of my family members were poorly executed and presented. If the Duck would have been fantastic, so what but the taste of it was not good at all. The Chicken Florentine was way too salty and the Veal Moussaka was just blend. I also have to mention that every single meal had parsley on it. Really? This is what my father put on each plate as a chef in the Seventies. We were told that they have a wide selection of cakes upstairs so we wanted to check it out. What we experienced upstairs reminded me of a really bad movie from the past. A piano player playing old fashioned songs, an outdated bar and a smell that reminded me of an antique store but not in a good way... We decided to skip desert and leave. Overall a really disappointing experience, I honestly do not know how this place can still be in business. I do not mind old fashioned Restaurants as long as the food is good but in this case it was just bad. Sorry!
(1)Andy K.
Loosen your wallet here. It will be empty when you leave but you will be in food heaven. Loved the duck simply outstanding. Shrimp pasta is fantastic. Fresh fish is well done too. The bread is worth it too. Go upstairs for dessert after
(5)Jessica S.
This is one of my all time favorite places to eat. About twice a year we stay at the longboat key club and always book a reservation here. My go to is the Pepper steak. This might be too much for some because it's completed crusted in peppercorn, but it's my fav. The sauce is fantastic. I always get the creamed spinach and it never disappoints. Caesar is one of the best. The duck is always perfectly cooked. If you happen to be in the area and are lucky enough to to get a reservation. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Kathy M.
DON'T BE A SUCKER. We had such high hopes for this place. We are new to the area and looking for a new Christmas Eve tradition. All I can say is, this place has no understanding of what a fine dining experience is supposed to be. Let me say at the outset, I will forgive almost anything if the place is lovely with ambiance. Euphemia Haye is very pretty but by the time we got out of there we felt insulted, rushed out and have no intention of returning. The appetizer of fried green tomato was nice but it all went downhill from there. The pepper steak they are so proud of was barely edible. My husband gave me a bite and I could not chew it enough to swallow it. The pepper coating was so hard it was like tree bark, the steak itself was tasteless. They make a big deal of cooking this outside the kitchen on a lovely fire which makes it seem so festive that you don't mind taking part (for $50.00!). Skip it. We've had better steak at chain restaurants. I was in such a Christmas spirit I decided to have their Christmas goose dinner. It was a plate of oily glop. I realize duck and goose are very hard to get right but at these prices you really should be responsible enough to make it worth eating. It was hardly edible. After a mess of meal the server brought our check without being asked and told us that it was time to "go upstairs". We had no idea what this meant but he said it is what they do for dessert and "everyone does it." So we left our cozy table (the only great part of the dinner) and climbed steps to join the rest of the suckers at the Golden Corral. The upstairs dessert area feels like a cheap diner. We felt insulted that after we paid a fortune to patronize their establishment they thought no more of us than to banish us to the cheap seats where we had to work hard to find any place to sit. They had maybe 25 different cakes and pies to choose from. You only get a piece of one so what's the point of the buffet/feeding-trough lay out? I asked for French pressed coffee which tasted like dishwater and we had to send it back. A fine dining experience should offer a few nice desserts which should be no more than a few bites of something wonderful to wash down with good coffee to cap a wonderful meal. There is one reason and one reason only for this dessert tactic: They want to get you up and out of your table and out of the way so they can usher in more suckers. This place doesn't care about your experience. They only want to clear tables and get rid of you to get another check. Sarasota is so flush with wonderful restaurants really trying to do a good job. Give ANY SINGLE ONE OF THEM your business and forget this place.
(1)Michael H.
The restaurant is a little over the hill. Entrees are over priced and over cooked. Service was mediocre with the check showing up with no requests for dessert even though it was a special birthday dinner. Plates were covered with curly parsley that the chef said that everyone " eats it here" Whatever the restaurant was years ago, those features have left it far behind.
(2)Amy E.
We had an adult dinner date without the kids and this place was awesome. With awesome service. I had the pate for appetizer but would rather had it with their regular bread rather than the toast it came with. My cousin got the escargot, that was excellent. I had the roasted duck and that was the best duck dish I ever had. I highly recommend this dish. We then went upstairs for their dessert, which is a must!
(5)Joyce C.
Went there last evening with another couple. Made reservations well in advance but was placed at a table in the bar area. Two couples were actually eating their dinners at the bar, and they were LOUD, really LOUD...at these prices I did not want to be in the bar... Waiter came to take our drink order, he was LOUD....when he was taking an order at an adjacent table he was LOUD and distracting. Two Ceasar salads were ordered, they were good. A pistachio grouper, chicken dish and two coconut shrimp dishes were ordered, all good....along with a cauliflower mash side, enough for 4 to share. My husband liked the fish but thought you could get the same quality at other restaurants in Sarasota for less $$$. Made the move upstairs to a table ready and waiting for us. I am a dessert person and the choices would please almost anyone...asked the waiter what was the best dessert, he mentioned a berry dessert that they were out of. We ordered the carrot cake, two apple crumb pies and a banana cream pie. All very good and generous portions. French press coffee hit the spot with choices from light to dark roast. We were never rushed, arrived a little after 7 and stayed til almost 10. Next time I will skip the dinner and go directly to the stairs and have a dessert and listen to live music...
(3)Al S.
Nov. 21 - special occasion, 55th anniversary. Have heard mixed reports about this rest so we decided to give it a try. Disappointed! We were one of the first to arrive for a 6:15 sitting and unfort one of the last to leave from that time period. Several other tables were seated, mostly couples, and when we noticed they were getting served and not ourselves, we asked why? Answer given was that the chef prepared a wrong dinner for us and had to start from scratch. The food was good -not great; the service was poor (waiter intentionally avoided us due to the problem they were having); and it was just about 2 hours from the time we arrived 6:15 punctually - - to 8:10 finished check signing and departure. Would we return? Doubt it, but in fairness we should. However, this place is quite expensive and not a place we would go to on a regular basis, maybe once every 2 months or so and then only for special occasion.
(2)Dawn H.
Never disappointed. Men, this is the PERFECT date place. The chef goes over and above. The layout is adorable. The meals are yummy. Be sure to save room for your trip upstairs for dessert. Also, music upstairs if you just want a night out for dessert and a few cocktails. My once a year favorite gem. :)
(4)Mike B.
We were delighted with all our dishes. Started with snails Leslie and shared the Caesar salad. Mike had the veal de-jour and I had key west snapper. We ended with desert upstairs. We will be talking about this experience for a long time. Absolutely fabulous. Service was excellent and ambiance was romantic.
(4)Desiree C.
Please do not try to eat the peanut mouse pie alone !my mouth was soooo happy. Good thing my entree was the seafood bisque! Enjoy!
(3)Erin B.
Way over priced and not worth it. I left full but very unsatisfied. Now we didn't eat downstairs but upstairs is old and dirty looking. The Caesar salad anchovy dressing was too fishy the house salad was all spinach leaves and the dressing was boring. The shrimp tasted frozen and the angel hair pasta had a clear broth over it basically like roman noodles. The chocolate ganache cake was bland, ice cold and nothing interesting. Don't bring children unless they like flatbread pizza. They did accommodate us with 2 chicken fingers for $22.00.
(1)Matthew T.
Good but nothing remarkable. That pretty much sums it up. Never been here even after all these years living in the area, but friends invited us to join them and figured what the heck. Basically old school meats and fish. Seemed so "1980". Even the decor. I had the lamb shank, which was fine, but like I said unremarkable. The DC had duck , which was good but nothing I've not had 100 times. The wine selection is nice and some nice things at reasonable prices and crazy things at crazy prices. Got a gift certificate or live out on the key, fine, but not really worth the drive from the mainland.
(3)Tory L.
I came here for Sarasota Restaurant Week - the dinner menu looked absolutely delicious with choices of New Zealand lamb Shank, Famous crisp Roasted Duck, and a seafood dish - choose a three course meal for only $29! I had the New Zealand Lamb Shank braised in red wine garlic sauce with rosemary and greek seasonings. You can absolutely taste the ingredients and feel how soft the lamb shank is with your fork. It was truly divine! My friends had the famous crispy roasted duck that was filled with bread stuffing and served with a tangy, sweet sauce. It was also an innovative dish of many flavors and definitely filling. Along with the three course meal, we also tried the chicken noodle soup and salad as appetizer and chocolate mousse cake and pecan pie as dessert. The service was also relaxed and courteous. Even though we had a large party, the food came promptly and the waiter we had was very nice and knowledgeable about the dishes and the wines! TIP: Ask the waiters for a wine pairing with your dish! You won't be disappointed.
(4)Cary K.
Overpriced, pretentious, tired atmosphere. Don't go. The meal certainly won't sit well after you get the check - you'll wonder what the heck the hype is about. I have eaten in numerous fine restaurants globally and would never balk at paying premium prices for fine dining. This was a joke.
(1)Samantha B.
Upstairs in the loft -- yummy and great prices. Excellent deserts if they are fresh :) cool vibe but very small -- go early or late to get a table quicker!
(4)Andrew D.
Do read past my first paragraph! Arrived on a Sunday night at 630pm per our reservation and there were no cars in the parking lot and our group of 5 was concerned. We entered into the restaurant at the rear of the building and we were greeted by an odd smell (my brother thought mold, I thought it was like old butter left out (reisty). We were shown to a large round table in an adjoining room. We ordered apps and dinner and 2 desserts. The warm French bread was very nice. For apps we had: PUMPKIN GNOCCHI with gorgonzola sauce and pine nuts (10/10)!!! My mouth is still watering several days later; SNAILS LESLIE - escargot with mushrooms (x2) past around and enjoyed by all except one brother that cannot get past the fact that the slimily and slowly crawl across the ground before they are made into a delicious meal (9/10) and Caesar Salad (not sure why anyone would order this but the bland brother ordered it) and it was a normal everyday run of the mill Caesar Salad (5/10); FRIED GREEN TOMATO FUSION (8/10) which was different and enjoyable in a good way. For Meals: 1 - ROASTED DUCKLING - Crazy large portion, nicely cooked, nice flavor and fantastic stuffing. (9/10) 2 - EUPHEMIA'S PRIME PEPPERED STEAK (x2) - top 5 steak of my brother's life and he is not sheltered when it comes to food (10/10), I felt it was good but not that good. (7/10) 3 - GRECIAN LAMB SHANK - my brother who got it didn't think it had any flavor, but my sister and I both tasted it and agreed at a table of great things, this was the best thing. Some people shouldn't order lamb. (10/10) 4 - VEAL SPECIAL (can't recall the make up of the meal) - very tasty, my sister enjoyed it very much, but I had veal the night before at CasAntica in Sarasota the night before and I personally thought that veal dish was far superior, not to say this was bad by any means. (8/10) For Sides (Family Style): 1 - EGGPLANT PARMESAN - huge portion. If you like cheese, this is a dish you would love (8/10) 2 - POTATO DU JOUR (a mashed potato concoction) (9/10) 3 - GRANDMA MEYER'S POTATO PANCAKES - yes, please! (10/10) For Dessert: 1 - APPLE WALNUT CRUMBLE PIE - HUGE !!!!! the size of two fists (7/10) 2 - CHERRIES JUBILEE (x2 - 2 person minimum to order) - the crispy portion turned to caramel (7/10) If you can get this meal, this is the way to go: Pumpkin Gnocchi (1/2 portion), Lamb Shank with the stuffing from the Duck dish and Potato Pancakes ... all 10s IMO. Please note: all portions were huge. A party of five hearty eaters could not finish all of the food above ... but we tried. This was also by far the most expensive meal me had ... so please keep that it mind.
(5)Selmy B.
Close and intimate. Lighting, it would be nice to have some especially when reading the menu. VERY pricey for Luke warm cappuccino. And coffee in a glass with a straw is NEVER acceptable especially when you are paying $11.95 for it. The desert selection was ok but it seamed there were a lot of pies nothing overwhelming except the ridiculously huge portions served. The service is poor at best. I counted four hanging around and our server bring the lukewarm coffee and forgets to bring the cream. Twice reminded finally the cream arrives. Again, if it was $2 that might be okay, but not at $9.00 for fresh pressed! One scoop of Edy's Vanilla Bean was good but not worth the $4.95 for a four spoon scoop. Overall, great for an older couple's date who have money to toss out on 1980's dining.
(2)Esther H.
I was taken there for my birthday while on vacation in Anna Maria Island. It was recommended by relatives who go at least twice while they stay in the area. This restaurant is located in a cottage near a beautiful neighborhood. You walk in to a very warm place with lots of greenery outside. Once inside you look out the windows to see only green foliage, it gives you a tropical feeling. This place is a classic, romantic, and elegant, you don't find many of those anymore. Excellent service and tasty food. Fine dining at it's best. I had a veal with wine sauce that's not on the regular menu. It was a delight to eat, I had so much on my plate that I had to share. I can't remember what the other three companions had, but I didn't hear any complaints. After dinner we headed upstairs to their loft, which is divided in two sections: A bar/lounge with live music, and the dessert room. This is a unique treat. The desserts are prepared on site. It's a great idea as you don't feel rushed to finish your dessert. This area is more casual with its own separate entrance so you just go in to enjoy a drink, coffee and dessert. I didn't give it 5 stars because I think it's a little overpriced. OK, I didn't pay the tab, but we're dining out every day for 10 days so you get to compare prices from all the surrounding restaurants and this one was the most expensive. Do go there for special occasions and celebrations!
(4)Brenton C.
Fine dinning worth every penny. The peppered steak is out of this planet. Sexy ambience, professional staff, and a desert bar that may make you want to move in next door. We go to this spot every chance we get, it's such a treat.
(5)Jim A.
We are visiting my elderly parents on LBK and had a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner here. I am truthfully outraged at their nerve for charging $36.50 for a turkey dinner that was inferior to the one served in the hospital cafeteria where I work. After a thimble full of pumpkin bisque (best part of meal), the saddest plate of dry turkey, prune stuffing , carrots and bland gravy arrived. We had to ask for cranberry dressing which was parsed out in tiny proportions. There were no green vegetables, no potatoes.......dessert was a choice of over spiced pumpkin pie, dreadful apple pie or pecan pie which no one chose. Additionally, the service was totally unpolished and unprofessional. My recommendation would be to avoid this restaurant at all costs.
(1)Raymond W.
Get the fried green tomato appetizer---heavenly. The loft is wonderful and music is the right decibels
(4)Dave C.
Was ok... won't go back again though. Went there for dinner over the weekend after reading good reviews. Nice place, and the waitstaff was courteous and very helpful. That said, the food was remarkably boring and bland. I don't mind paying a lot for a great dinner, but their steaks were a total letdown, and the sides were completely devoid of any sort of ingenuity. The brussel sprouts were absolutely no different than the frozen ones I've made dozens of times at home. The "dessert room" was also a bit of a letdown... they should just call it a pie room. Go to this place if you want to eat boring, expensive food. Otherwise, I'd seek out some place that at least puts a little thought and adventure into their menu.
(2)Iris F.
After reading some reviews here at Yelp we pinned this restaurant as an must visit. We started off with a dry martini that was was perfectly made exactly as asked! Taylor A wrote in her review "You must order the Pepper Steak!" and I say the same: "You just have to order the Pepper Steak!". It is really pricy ($50) but definitely worth every single penny!!! Everything else on the menu pales in comparison. Everyone at the table will regret they ordered something else. I love the fact that it is actually served with sauce! We were lucky to get seated close to the live chef. We could smell the orange sauce served with the steak from where we sat. Lovely! The waiter was friendly, attentive and gave excellent service. We couldn't ask for more! Afterwards, we did like recommended on Yelp - We went upstairs for dessert. We had read so much but was actually disappointed. :( First of all, it was almost empty, still we got the worst seats available. At the door way by the wall. Secondly, they have a girl whose specific task is to present the desserts. She did this rapidly and bored to death. No feeling. Thirdly, yes there are like 15 different pies, but many chains even, have as good choices that tastes as good and even better. The peanutbutter pie is HUGE and enough for 3 (three)! It is too much. Prepare for a box to go. The southern style pecan pie was delicious though. We closed the night in the bar which is really really nice!! Live piano music and soft, cozy atmosphere. So, over all - I am more than satisfied but I suggest you take the dessert downstairs (same choices) and go upstairs to the bar after wards. Skip the dessert room.
(5)Susan L.
Mediocre at best. We ate upstairs at loft. Brussels sprouts were well cooked, but just boring, under seasoned with no dipping sauce or any distinctive preparation. The sweet & spicey shrimp were over salted to the point of being inedible. Pear and walnut salad was fine but not memorable. We intended to have desserts, but after lacklustre apps decided to go elsewhere. We were in area during peak season and, not surprisingly, this restaurant was only one at which we dined that had numerous tables available.
(2)Frank A.
Beautiful dining experience. Was it the best food I have ever had? Not even close, but the whole experience was wonderful. We had a set menu to pick from, so I can't fault the restaurant for that . Here is what we had and descriptions: Caesar Salad- top shelf, as good as I have had Medallions of Beef w peppercorn sauce and mashed potato- solid, not amazing, I would not order it again Brussel Sprouts- wonderful, carmelized and tender, yum! Steamed veggies- ok, they were just plain Dessert- apple Pie, solid, not the best I have had Coffee- amazing, top shelf, French pressed at the table If you can, I would try to go to the Haye Loft on the second floor, it is a much cooler place. The first floor is the main restaurant and is very quaint, but we wished we had spent time upstairs. They offer more dessert choices upstairs and live music. Overall, this place is cool. Location on Long Boat Key and the simple unique beauty and elegance of the building and atmosphere make it really special. I read the good and bad reviews and can see all the comments being valid to an extent. The head Chef comes by and checks to see if everything is as expected. We would definitely go back.
(5)Seth F.
On the opposite side of the spectrum as my shock at Hollywood Grill's 3 star review is this turd in Longboat Key, FL. It was among the most expensive restaurants I'd ever been to, and I dine out a lot. To give you an idea, it was easy to tell that the prices were significantly higher than your average steak house. Not one thing we ordered was what I would call good and many of our items were simply not good. The Brussel Sprouts were steamed, still raw and, as best as I could tell, did not contain the slightest about of seasoning. The same could be said for all the the different main entrees (not the raw part). At one point the chef actually came to our table to thank us for dining with us. I was about to say something along the lines of what a rip off it was when I saw the sheer shame on his face. He didn't say it with his mouth, but his eyes said, "I know, but if I try to make the food taste good, the old people get mad". Upstairs was better. Where they had a small "bar" menu and a "pie and cake counter". The coffee they serve up there was actually good and the slices of pie and cake were enormous but the quality was still mediocre.
(1)Bill T.
Based on reviews and the menu selections I had high hopes for this venue. We have eaten at many fine dining establishments so I knew what to expect as far as the higher prices and I also knew enough to not have overly high expectations. I still somewhat expected this to be a hidden gem with some old style charm and good food. Well, the interior decor does have some old style charm, I'll give them that. The food was mediocre at best. We started with the smoked salmon and buckwheat crepes. The salmon was okay and presented nicely with the thin slices shaped into a rose bud. I think buckwheat is probably a bad idea for a base for crepes to begin with and their execution bore this out. Crepes should have a tender and delicate texture which the buckwheat just couldn't achieve so they were slightly dry and coarse, not a good crepe and not a good accompaniment to the delicate salmon. The garnish of caviar, capers, finely chopped red onion and creme fraiche was nice but there weren't enough of any of those elements to go with the salmon and dry crepe. On to the entrees, well my wife got the lamb shank with Mediterranean spices and I got the crispy duck (one of their signature dishes). The lamb was cooked okay, but any "Mediterranean" spice pallet was lost in an overpowering red wine sauce. The duck was cooked okay also, although it could have been done a good deal lower and slower to really render out as much of the fat as possible and for the meat to be extra juicy and tender. The skin was nice and crispy though so points for that. Where the duck really fell down was in the accompaniments and presentation. The portion was huge and it was on a bed of very mediocre bread dressing that was quite lackluster basic sage dressing 101. Then, on the top of the ducks sat a handful of walnut halves and dried apricots, I mean like straight out of the bag from the grocer. Had they at least attempted to roast and poach the walnuts and apricots in some brandy or with a touch of some spice I could maybe buy into this idea as a garnish, but just plain old walnuts and dried apricots really? They didn't even taste good. If I wanted trail mix I would just go buy a bag, but keep it off my duck, please! The best thing was they had a decent pinot noir that we like in their wine selection. The Morgan Twelve Clones is a nice pinot and paired well with most of our food selections across the board, although not perfect it was a good overall choice and the markup was actually not horrific. We would have preferred a 2009 or 2010, but for the money the 2011 was decent. Just to round out the experience we went upstairs to the Haye Loft for desert and coffee. Well, this is where things got even worse. The loft upstairs had a horrific lounge singer putting her old school twist on eighties classics, not sure who thinks this is a good idea. Plus their deserts were lousy. I had their signature apple pie, which was essentially badly spiced raw apples sitting on raw pie dough. For a ten dollar slice of pie, I at least expect it to be cooked, seriously. My wife's chocolate cake wasn't any better, very dry and not sweet, and not in a dark chocolaty bitter way, just in a not enough sugar way. The press pot of coffee was tasty though and the only thing that made it worth the trouble of going up their. Also, service was spotty at best. The server downstairs offered little to no guidance and seemed to mostly rush us through our selections and meal, in fact, I just realized I drastically over tipped him. The servers upstairs all but forgot about us once we had our deserts and coffee and we eventually had to flag them down to pay. This was all on a Thursday night so the place wasn't packed. Clearly we should have made some other choice for dinner. Oh well, it sounded good. I guess we should have paid closer attention to the many negative reviews.
(2)Anna C.
The service was okay, nothing extraordinary or anything. The food was mediocre. The cheese plate could have been from Publix for all I knew. I have had much better on cruises. The medallion steak was strange. I thought it would be filet medallions, but smashed up meat to resemble pancakes that could have been ground beef for all I knew. And I should have known when I read they use truffle oil. That is what they add to dishes to make them seem nicer, but it is just some chemical. Some of our table had one of the pasta dishes and felt it was not up to par and that the shrimp were boiled. The best things were the bread they brought out at the start and the price and quality of the wine. Lastly, there were ants all over our table. And to add to it all it was very expensive and not even worth the fraction of the cost. Maybe I would have given it 2 stars if the food was equal to the price I paid. Not sure about the dessert and upstairs area, but I heard that is what they are known for, yet I would doubt I would trouble to find out.
(1)Chris S.
This place is awesome. I eat here every year when we spent a week in Anna Maria Island. The food is a little overpriced in my opinion and you can get a better steak at Ruth Chris. I always try a different meal when I go and I have not been disappointed. To say the desert room isn't good is insane to me. They have a pastry who creates some of the best deserts that I have ever had. My wife always orders banana's fosters and it is great. You will drop some coin here but it is a good place to eat on occasion.
(4)Ellie M.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and it is perfect for a special night out. It is sophisticated in an old Florida way which means not stuffy or fancy. The ambiance is classy but comfortable. Start your evening with a drink upstairs at the Haye Loft. The pianist is talented and friendly. You will be pleased with the amazing dishes when you retreat to your table - the best starter is the Caesar made at your table, the sides are always delicious, and I have loved the steak, fish, duck. The dessert room (if you have room, that is!) has many decadent options, but honestly it's worth stopping in just for the superior coffee. Yes it is pricey, but for an experience that you won't forget it is well worth it.
(5)Susan B.
I've taken a day to write this, because my review is so contrary to the others here, I really wanted to think it out and make it a thoughtful review. I discussed this with my friends to get their input, as well. We had 6:30 reservations, and were indeed seated almost immediately, in a nice section of this lovely (intimate) space. From that point on, we were rushed. We bought a bottle of wine: the selection was nice and reasonably priced for a place like this. The waiter came to the table twice in about 3 minutes asking if we knew what we wanted. We had barely sat down and put our purses/sweaters away! We still at that point didn't realize the hostess didn't give us the wine list, but instead gave us 4 copies of the regular men. Later, we were relaxing, and talking over wine, and the waiter came over 3 times in quick succession asking to take our order. He mentioned the pâté ($13.50) was almost gone (the goose special WAS gone, he told us) so we ordered it to munch on while scoping out the menu. I was still eating the pâté (very good) when they took my plate. My friend laughed and gave me his plate, so I continued to enjoy the pâté and accoutrements. The waiter just raised his eyebrows when my friend handed me his plate. We ordered 3 apps: fried green tomato fusion ($13.50), avocado bruschetta ($11.50) (me),and buckwheat crepes with smoked salmon ($13.75) . If I had been with friends who I knew better, I would have returned my brushcetta. The bread was soggy on the bottom: like they toasted it then sat it on the plate and the bottom steamed up and sogged the bread. Not professional. But the real issue was the flavor - or lack of it. It truly tasted like: nothing. The avocado had no flavor, the garlic toast had no garlic, the lemon was, well, a lemon wedge, and I used it only because there was no flavor and it needed SOMETHING. Upon reflection, I can't believe how bad that dish really was. My friend said the fried green tomatoes where mostly batter, with almost no tomato; the other said the smoked salmon crepe was wonderful. For dinner, I had the sweetbreads ($30) (which I love and get every chance I can!!) and the others had the duck special (38.50) and the veal scalopine (I think - it was a special so I can't see it on the menu now). The veal was fabulous - we all mentioned, sadly, it was the only entree that tasted good. The duck (I didn't try it - I"m not a fan) was reported as "ok but not flavorful," and my sweetbreads....my sweetbreads.....what can I say? it's the only time in my life I didn't finish an entire order of sweetbreads. They were a greasy, overcooked mess. The plate was screaming hot, and it was clear to me - and maybe the others - that the food had been sitting either under a heat lamp or in a hot oven waiting for us to finish our appetizers. Clearly in so doing, they had overcooked the delicate sweetbreads.And forget about the "delecate lemon butter sauce;" that had been absorbed by the greasy breading while it sat waiting for us to eat. It really was not good AT ALL. I can't believe how good the reviews are here! All told, the dinner with wine was $240 or so plus tip. Appalling. HOWEVER - we then went up to the lounge and had after dinner drinks and thoroughly enjoyed the piano player. He was good, and amiable, and the drink prices were pretty descent ($9 for Bailey's Irish Cream; $16 for a 20 year basic Port). We would go back (my friends are moving down the street, evidently) but we would NEVER go back for dinner: only the lounge and maybe dessert. One last thing: It was Christmas dinner, and clearly they don't enforce any sort of dress code. Maybe that's the norm, on this classy island, and they assume people will show up nicely dressed, but I think mentioning on the phone "it's Christmas, please dress festively" would have been nice. One teenage was wearing those terribly short short cut-off jean shorts and a tshirt - I wouldn't let her at the poolside bar in that outfit; another kid in his 20s was wearing an outfit (with a red and green tie!) that looked like he had just cleaned the pool. Now really: when you charge up to $55 for an entree, you have the right to say "I'm sorry, for the respect of our other patrons, we have an upscale casual dress code!" Some people were so dressed up they were in sequins and suits: clearly pool attire should have been.....rerouted. I had been looking forward to this meal for a week. I can't tell you how much we wanted it to be wonderful. It was not.
(2)James G.
This place used to be pricey but good. Now it's just pricey. On a recent visit we experienced mediocre to OK food and abysmal service. Our waiter's best trick seemed to be making himself invisible for extended intervals. The chef came by the table and we gave him our candid opinion of our meal, whereupon he quickly retreated to the kitchen. There are many better restaurants in Sarasota, do not go here.
(1)Jim M.
Linse's favorite restaurant. After a fantastic meal, head upstairs to the dessert room...
(5)Steve G.
First, the good: The roast duckling was delicious and cooked perfectly. And a large portion as well. Likewise my wife's filet. The garlic and Parmesan mashed were also delicious. Now the not so good: In a place like this, with folks from everywhere coming in and prices in the NY City restaurant range, I'd expect a very high standard of service. Here are some of the service faux pas I noticed... Presentation: Huge helping of parsley on our plates. Parsley? Really? And when I say huge -- the parsley filled a bread plate at least 2" deep when we moved it off our plates. The sauces were under the entrees instead of poured over the top , which I appreciated, but it had also soaked into the stuffing, which made the stuffing even less appealing. Cocktail service: My wife had a glass of Ravenswood Zinfandel for about $8. They offered the bottle for $35. Later at the bar upstairs, we noticed this was the Ravenswood Vintner's Reserve Zin that they're selling in Publix for $7 per bottle. I don't have a problem with a markup, but shouldn't a place of this caliber be serving something a little more special than the cheapest Ravenswood and McManis by the glass? Also, I asked if they had any aged rum, and the waiter said no. Later, when we went upstairs, the bartender had a half dozen aged rums, including Pyat and Zapaca. How could the waiter downstairs not know that? Other stuff: The bread was seriously under-baked -- a real pet peeve of my wife. The butter was nearly frozen and was in a bowl with water from the ice it had been sitting in, I guess. Again, attention to details. When we finished our meal, the waiter asked us if we were going upstairs for coffee and dessert, we said yes. The waiter said he had reserved a table for us and then poof! he was gone. We found our way upstairs and wandered for a few minutes before ending up sitting at the bar. Dessert presentation: The desserts are presented on a cooling table with a sneeze guard glass above them. There's nothing special about the way they're shown, they're just laid out like you see them at Publix. Some of the small tarts are actually in their little tin foil baking dishes still. Not really all that exciting. The "Loft": This is the best part of the night, in my opinion. It's still got a feeling like it's stuck in the mid-70s, but unlike downstairs in the dining room, it feels appropriate up here. The jazz guitarist is fantastic and the bartender is a whirling dervish with a great bartender attitude. With no view of the water from the dining room downstairs, the Loft is the place to be. Step out for a smoke, hear some live music, have a great cocktail. I'd go back for more of the second floor... But downstairs is ready for a serious updating -- from the cocktail service to the entree presentation to the service. And yes, the prices are high on the first floor, too -- $35 for ala carte roast duckling sets a very high expectation for everything attached to the meal...
(3)Ruth P.
The menu hasn't really changed in 15 years --but then that's the way they seem to like things down here.
(3)Lisa H.
Big Disappointment, BigPrice Remembered a lovely birthday dinner here 4 years ago my husband & I agreed worth very penny. Back napkin because I wore dark clothing, great service, excellent food. A bit crowded & so-so atmosphere, but we looked forward to returning. But last night's birthday dinner was huge disappointment, especially in terms f service. Waiter's face fell when I ordered seltzer instead of alcohol. Ordered fried green tomato app. 20 minutes later, my husband's Caesar salad (okay) & app arrived. Room temp fried green tomatoes not so appealing. Waiter took back, replaced 1/2 eaten tomato & nuked. How do I know? 1/2 c or s of parsley on plate warm & wilted. Another 1/2 hr plus wait for entree, which waiter blamed on my returning tomatoes. My duck & husband's grouper & shared Brussel sprouts all very good. After a two hour, frustrating dinner, we'd lost our taste for dessert room we'd enjoyed last time. And no black napkins! (No comped fried green tomatoes, either.) No longer worth the drive for us.
(1)Ashley B.
Oh my goodness... This place had some of the best food I've ever had in Florida. The seafood was fresh and delicious. I love this place. It's cute, charming, and has an ENTIRE floor devoted to desserts, all of which are decadent and amazing! How could you not like that?! I have yet to notice the service ever being noticeably bad. I will say my family was there one time and I did notice that, in the desert area, some of the employees had been smoking... not cigarettes. It was more entertaining than anything. After the huge meal we just had, we couldn't be anything but happy.
(5)Susan S.
The food was fine, but the prices were ridiculous. And don't tell me 'cuz it's Long Boat Key: we ate at Harry's and it was delicious and the prices were reasonable. My husband and I both got fish, which was a good portion size and fresh and tasty, with a really nice sauce, but no veggie and not even a half cup of white rice! All that for the bargain price of $34! As our friends who joined us for dinner quipped, this restaurant is only for trust fund babies.
(2)Sierra G.
I heard wonderful things about this restaurant, but after dining there I was a little disappointed. The restaurant is in an odd house sort of setting and a little dark and gloomy. The pear salad is good and the carbonera style pasta. I hated my lamb dish and couldn't even eat it to be polite, I had a bite of my boyfriend's steak and it was pretty good. When it comes to dessert...you have to leave your table, go upstairs are get seated again. The dessert spread is impressive and its more of an experience to see all the cakes and pies in a separate setting upstairs.
(3)Mac O.
You have to eat at Euphemia Haye when you're on Longboat. No, not every night -- prohibitive prices, duh. Most reviewers have mentioned these famous prices, and they ain't lyin'. The prices could lead you to do a spit-take, rub your eyes with your fists, and then check the menu again. Yup, you read that right: 30 bucks for shrimp. Actually, tho the prices are astronomically high, I find they're neeearly merited by the quality of the food and -- perhaps this has changed since the first review posted here in 2007 -- the inventiveness of the dishes. Everything we've tried here has been really good, from the fresh salads (any time you grill a salad, I'm gonna eat it), to the creamy hummus, to the well-prepared meats and seafoods. But hang on: the apps and mains aren't even the stars of the show here, and not the reason you MUST come to Euphemia Haye. The real reason to come is the dessert room in the Haye Loft upstairs -- dessert here is so special it has its own room...although the Loft also serves limited foods from the downstairs dining room. When you've finished eating din, you move upstairs to the Loft. There is a dazzling array of desserts to choose from, but trust me when I tell you just to go with the flambées. Nothing will transport you to the 1950s like a good old fashioned cherries jubilee or bananas foster flambéed tableside. With French vanilla ice cream. Makes me want to order a Sidecar and sleep in pink rollers. The flambées are so. good. Rarely (if ever???) have I seen them on a dessert menu, so this is really the reason we stop by Euphemia Haye when we're in town. If anything, just come get your flambée on, kay? [15 Minutes of Fame: "CBS' Chef on a Shoestring" and "ABC's Nightline"]
(4)Gerald H.
After much anticipation of having dinner here I must say it was a severe disappointment. We arrived 5min ahead of our 5pm dinner reservation only to be seated 30min later. After the wait we found out that our dinner would be in the bar area. After we were told the table we were waiting on was in the back dining area... oh well. Onward to dinner. Service was attentive and we quickly ordered the pumpkin bisque, escargot, shrimp pasta. All the appetizers were good. In fact, the highlight of the night was our 7yr old liking the snails. We researched the main entrees and knew we wanted to try the roast duck and prime pepper strip steak. I will say these entrees was the most disappointed entree I can ever recall. The duck was really dry. The pepper strip steak $53 had a pepper crust so thick drowned in the butter sauce literally killed your taste buds. I honestly could not taste the beef. I had to cut off the edges and damp off the sauce, then it was good. We pushed through dinner service and opted for dessert . It was a hassle to find out in order to have dessert one would have travel upstairs to the loft. So much for relaxing after dinner. We hiked up the stairs and waited to be seated again (for pies). Pies were good but not the best I've had. The banana cream pie barely had a crust. More like graham cracker sprinkles. At $7.50 a pie and the hassle of having to move tables just for dessert I would not recommend this place...unless your're local then you probably don't have to wait 30min for a table. Meh, not worth the $$$ or effort. #EuphemiaHaye #annamaria #sarasota
(2)Jessie J.
I went here because I love Banana's Foster and a google search of "Sarasota Banana's Foster" turned up this gem of a place. I had been living in Sarasota 6 years before stumbling upon the search and it took me another year and a half to make my way up Longboat, but I am SOOO glad I did it spontaneously tonight. The decor upstairs is wonderful. Sooo charming. The banana's foster was prepared right in front of us from by the dessert chef. It was so much fun. I was on a first date and we had just finished drinks at Ceviche's downtown when we decided to head out. There was so much to talk about just from the environment and presentation by the chef. The owner, Darcy, sat and chatted with us for almost half an hour answering all my questions about the history and decor of the wonderful restaurant. Her and her husband have owned it for 32 years! After my dessert, I went over to the bar to drink some dessert-- a wonderful chocolate martini. There was also a female jazz singer that just made the whole thing perfect. This will definitely be one of my hideaways after a long work day!
(5)Tay A.
Absolutely the best steak I've ever had. If you go here, you MUST get the Pepper Steak. It's typically a larger portion than one person can eat, but definitely don't order to share! You'll LOVE the leftovers for a steak sandwich the next day. The fried green tomato appetizer is heavenly as well. And don't forget the Haye Loft for dessert! They always have something new and delicious upstairs in their dessert lounge that is an amazingly delicious way to end such a lovely meal.
(5)Makena K.
Came here for dessert on our anniversary after a fantastic seafood dinner at Crab and Fin in St. Armands Circle. Really nothing special. We had their 'Signature' Apple Pie Crumble Ala Mode. It was ok. We've been coming to LBK for several years now. I have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while because of the rave reviews. Many wrote about the amazing dessert choices at the Haye's Loft. So we went with the expectation that we would see wall to wall and maybe some desserts hanging from the ceiling. Well, maybe not from the ceilings. My humble opinion is that it's like a glorified Perkins dessert display with maybe about 8-10 offerings. Even their chocolate cake looked plain. As far as service, it was alright. She did her job as expected. Positive: The blind musician at the loft. I enjoyed listening to him play the piano. Definitely a one time visit ONLY.
(2)Geoff K.
A must try restaurant on Longboat Key. The food was exceptional and service outstanding. The Prime Pepper Steak is something to crave. The Red Snapper and Duck was also delicious.
(5)Bill S.
OMG!!!! This is the only place to go when you're in Long Boat Key! The food is to die for and the place is just serene. Here is a funny story. I had business in Tampa, one of my employees flew down with me on a Saturday to visit family in New Port Richie. After we visit everyone, I said "there is a place we have to go". We're driving and I took the long way, from 95S-to St Armands Circle then North. There are no lights on this one lane beach road and I have this dopey car in front of me doing 24mph in a 25mph zone. I'm dying because I think the place is going to close and we are laughing the entire time cursing this S.O.B out that is doing the speed limit. The dope decides to make a right turn into a store and I go around him while he's turning. All of a sudden a cop comes out of nowhere. He comes over and I'm like: We're going to miss out on pie, where is Euphemia Haye!? He gives me directions (the place is next to the station) and no ticket and I'm eating this warm blackberry creation with ice cream 10 minutes later... If I were to describe heaven, I would have to say this is place. NYBULLY
(5)Jim H.
I have eaten there 5 times and continue to wonder what people see in the restaurant. The service was horrible by a waiter that could care less. the food was grossly overpriced and barely edible...again. Obviously this is the last time i will eat there. Their desert room is nice however but after a totally disappointing meal no desert could cheer me up. I subsequently ate at The Beach Bistro...top 5 meals of all time! Awesome!
(1)Douglas S.
What a treasure. Personalized service and awesome food... Need more? Ok, outstanding ambience from the moment you walk up the path. Still more? An upstairs lounge that features live music and wonderful desserts ( I did not indulge but I witnessed many expressively happy souls). We went for the fish ( Grouper and Snapper ). Both wonderful.
(5)Phill M.
This has to be one of the best restaurants we've been too anywhere. The food and service were 2nd to none. I had the duck and my wife had the snapper. Both were exquisite. Our waiter made sure we had everything we needed but also left us alone to visit. The right service balance. Upstairs, the dessert choice was amazing. There would be nothing you would miss from the menu. The bar in the Haye Loft was quaint and well stocked you can enjoy both pre-dinner drinks and after dinner aperitifs to compliment your dessert choice. You should put this one on your "special occasions" list of must do's.
(5)Diane B.
A huge disappointment. It is the first restaurant that I left before I ordered an entree. The waiter couldn't even provide a good recommendation on the menu - nor do I think he cared. Caesar salad came highly recommended. It was very average. Overall not a positive experience. It's a shame because the bar upstairs was lovely (as well as service) but the restaurant was a disappointment. It was surprising the level of experience of the staff at the door on a Saturday night. No presence of a true manager monitoring operations. All I saw was what appeared to be the chef in the dining area quite a bit - I wish he had spent more time in the kitchen - it needed attention.
(1)Kim S.
Have to say I wasn't all that impressed. Food was okay. There is no real view. Small dining area was filled with loud guest so it was difficult to enjoy an intimate dinner. We can now say we've been there, but we probably won't go back.
(2)Cathy B.
We enjoyed a delicious meal for our anniversary at Euphemia Haye! It is a little pricey--would come more often if it was more reasonably priced. Dessert upstairs had lots of nice selections! Will try the Pepper Steak next time. It looked and smelled delicious!
(5)Janna R.
Absolutely fantastic. One of the best ducks I've ever had. Atmosphere is cozy and romantic. Service is A+. A truly special place
(5)Susan F.
A quaint staple of a nice restaurant off the beaten path of Gulf of Mexico Drive...in Longboat Key This restaurant is super popular, and I can see why. A hot spot for visitors and the regulars. The dining experience is pleasant as well as the late night entertainment and dessert "window buffet" upstairs. The menu here, like many of the upscale restaurants was unique and plentiful. That being said, it doesn't sound unique, but it is! In the main dining room, there is a chef that will actually cook your food in front of you. The decor is very earthy and almost feels like an antiquey-green room--without the awful smell. I had the special carrot and orange soup which was great and not too filling. Meals ordered were the peppercorn crusted filet--which was huge and had the best crust I've ever had on a steak, the roasted duckling which took up the entire plate and more and the red snapper. The red snapper was delicious--and I had never had it before. I was very impressed, it was flavored with a pistachio crust. The texture was also great--not fishy at all. We then moved on upstairs to take a look at the huge dessert menu of pies and cakes. It was like being a kid in a candy store--or more accurately... a family on vacation, willing to try anything and everything. Not surprisingly, the chocolate ganache cake was out, so we ordered banana cream pie, peanut butter and chocolate mousse cake, and an apple crumble pie. Other options were tiramisu, key lime pie, ginger cake, white cake, raspberry chocolate tarte...and many more I can't remember. It was a unique experience like I said, one I would not mind revisiting again. Check again with reservations, especially if you only want dessert and drinks.
(5)Joseph H.
I have been coming down to Longboat Key for my entire life and Euphemia is by far the best restaurant EV-AR!!! You cannot go wrong with any of the dishes, from appetizers to salads to entrees. Make sure to save a little room to go upstairs for the amazing desserts!!!!
(5)Ginny L.
This is probably the last time we're going there. We usually go 2 to 3 times a year from St. Petersburg, which is about a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hour drive each way. We usually take another couple who is visiting as my husband likes the duck. This time there were four of us. Two ordered the duck, one ordered the lamb shank, and I ordered the "grouper"? I was served two odd pieces of fish, one thin and small and one larger and very thick. It did not taste like grouper to me, For $36, I expected an exquisite piece of fish and a delicious sauce. Everything is ala carte, so this didn't include a vegetable, starch - nothing but these two pieces of mystery fish. I did attempt to eat it as the others seemed to be enjoying their meal, but couldn't finish it. When I commented to the waiter that I was disappointed, he said, "Oh yeah, the grouper has been off a bit lately." Then why is it even on the menu????? He didn't even offer something to make the meal end pleasantly, like a dessert or a glass of wine. It was like - just pay your bill and leave. We travel extensively and dine out frequently and have no problem paying such high prices for quality food - but we are not going to spend our money there any more. If my husband wants duck, either I'll make it for him at home, or he can go by himself!!!
(2)Kippy P.
I will start by saying that this restaurant used to be my family's favorite special occasion restaurant in Sarasota. I used to dream about the duck and loved their desserts upstairs. It is funny how one incident can change everything. To give a quick overview (just in case you don't feel like reading the whole review). The food might be amazing but I REFUSE to SUPPORT AN OWNER/CHEF that IS ARROGANT, RUDE and POMPOUS. There are plenty of other fantastic restaurants in the Sarasota area to go to where the owners aren't this way! We had been going there for over 5 years when one evening we went for my Mother's Birthday. We got there and when the hostess went to seat us she sat us in the bar area. Maybe if we weren't going there for a special occasion and my Dad hadn't called a few days prior to request our table in the one room it wouldn't have been a big deal. But when my Dad had called they said that it wasn't a problem and they would make sure that we were in the one room. So it completely surprised us when we told the hostess that we had requested this and she said that she was sorry but there was nothing they could do. They had no record of this and it was the bar or we would have to wait several hours. My father asked to speak with the owner who also is the chef and instead of an apology and trying to correct the situation he proceeded to get into a fight with my Dad yelling and raising his voice. I couldn't believe what was happening the chef/owner was causing a huge scene of a mistake that they made! We were all shocked considering it was their mistake and were completely taken back by the chef's inability to recognize and apologize for their mistake. The chef finally calmed down after yelling for a good 10 minutes and worked out the situation and found us a table after another 20 minutes. Needless to say it put a complete damper on our evening. To have a restaurant mess up and not have your reservation and then not try and accommodate you and actually yell at you for their mistake is the worst lack of customer service I have ever experienced.
(1)Jackie P.
Food and service are really good. Kind of pricey however. Dessert upstairs is awesome.
(4)Peggy f.
Our foursome enjoyed a dinner recently and found the food great but much overpriced, the service was excellent, but otherwise nothing special going on here. Went upstairs for dessert was treated rudely by the staff (tried speaking to the owner and was rebuffed as well) this was all over asking for a table instead of a booth and being told no! Really? Two capuccinos, 2 coffees, 4 desserts= $75 . Dessert? Not exceptional. Delicious food must be accompanied by graciousness by the owners, staff, etc to equate paying such hefty prices in my mind, so its no, no for us. Peggy
(2)Crystal B.
My husband and I visit this restaurant every chance we get! The food downstairs is absolutely delicious and worth every penny. The wait staff is wonderfully attentive and will suggest a wine to go along side your meal option. In fact, the last two times we have visited we had the same pleasant waiter. The atmosphere is positively quaint. Nothing like any restaurants in the Orlando area. The Haye Loft is like no other. It has a romantic charm to it the moment you step foot upstairs. The Haye Loft usually has unique local talent playing piano for you while you nosh on delectable desserts and sip coffee. Did I just mention desserts?!? Chef Ray Arpke will make you want to try all of his creations. That is if you still have room in your stomach after supper! If you are in the Sarasota/Tampa/Orlando area and would like to experience something spectacular, visit Euphemia Haye!
(5)Kent K.
I'll give you several negative things: price, price, price and lack of creativity. Sarasota is awash in restaurants that live on reputation and mediocre execution. And part of that is because there is no critical thinking to push the envelope. Go to a city like Atlanta, not typically thought of as a great food city, and what you find are a plethora of excellent restaurants because the competition constantly pushes the bar higher and higher. And the sous chefs and line cooks in the good places move on to open their own shops and voila, another good restaurant pops up. Euphemia Haye is a perfect example of a typically overpriced Gulf Coast restaurant that coaxes people into believing that exorbitant prices means a good dining experience. Show me one inspired menu item and I'll be surprised. Show me ten that were on menus all over the country 20 years ago and I'll say: I told you so. In truth, it's been two years since I ate there, but I'm pretty confident that nothing has changed. Why change what so many people seem to like right? Goes to show you what my opinions are worth.
(2)Ed W.
This is a very good seafood restaurant, with fresh fish, solid preparations, a great atmosphere, and fine service. Also, it is reasonably priced for a restaurant of this quality. It very well might be five star worthy - I hope I get a chance to try it again someday. When we were in, the catch of the day was grouper, which was very nice, and my wife had the red snapper. Both were very good, and we enjoyed them with a simple Alsatian riesling.
(4)Jay H.
Try to get someone with an executive position at an oil company to join you so you can afford the bill at the end. Other than that, the whole experience was pretty great! It was my first and most likely my last time there, but if I find any gold when I go snorkeling in the gulf tomorrow, I will be back fo sho. O yeah, it's ALL about the desserts w upstairs! Fred kicks ass!
(5)Ruthie S.
Amazing food! On the pricy side but it's what to expect with the type of place. The dessert upstairs was so yummy. With dinner and dessert I barely have room to breath I am stuffed. Service was great and by mentioning yelp on their 30th anniversary I received a free drink and entered into a raffle. A must!
(5)Holly P.
We just got back from Easter weekend in Sarasota and cannot stop talking about our dinner at Euphemia Haye. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. The restaurant is adorable inside, with lots of green plants, flowers and twinkling lights. It is incredibly warm and romantic. The menu is superb - very eclectic. I'm a vegetarian and was very pleasantly surprised at the number of tasty vegetarian options. I'm also originally from the South Jersey/Philadelphia area and very picky about my Italian food, basically the only cuisine I have eaten my entire life. The eggplant parmesean was off the charts, just the way my grandmother used to make it. I also had an avocado bruschetta starter which was wonderful, served with a slice of walnut crusted chevre and a side of lemon slices (they read my mind- I put a little lemon on everything!). But the menu is not just Italian food- my husband and our friends all had various starters (the fried green tomato, smoked salmon and zucchini fettucini) and the house special duck as an entree, and they were raving about it for days. Chef Raymond personally came to our table to thank us for dining with them. The pleasure was ours. His wife was equally sweet and gracious. We can't wait to go back to Sarasota for many reasons- but at the top of our list is to dine again at Euphemia Haye!
(5)Michael A.
I'm inclined to agree with Kent K. My wife and I recently returned to Euphemia Haye to celebrate a special event. The menu has remained unchanged in the 3 years since we've been here. It seems that maybe the only thing to have changed are the already too-high prices. Overall we had an excellent dining experience. Our waiter seemed knowledgeable about the menu. Maybe not so much about the wine selection. The pace was not rushed, which we like a lot. We had a nice little window-side table next to where the chef will flambe the pepper steak. That was entertaining. The food was adequately prepared and the portions were generous. But we didn't have the "wow, that's amazing!" type reaction to any of the dishes presented to us. My 4-star rating comes from the comparison of this restaurant against others we have visited all over the globe. The lack of a star comes from overpricing and lack of innovation. Since nothing has changed in the last 3 years we are not encouraged to come back for at least another 3 years (or whatever time it takes for me to forget about this review).
(4)Michelle L.
How can it be that only one person before me has written a review on this gem of a restaurant?!!! Where do I begin? First of all, I felt like I was eating in somebody's dining room in their home. The rooms are cozy and tastefully decorated with charming antique furniture and nice artwork on the walls. The staff is extremely friendly, down to earth, yet knowledgeable and accomodating (how often do you find all of those traits at the same time?!). The wine list is extensive and excellent. The food is amazing...yes, AMAZING!!! So flavorful and just the right size portions. The presentation is wonderful as well. The food here gives any five star restaurant I've been to in NYC a run for it's money. I honestly can not find ONE single negative thing to say about this place! After dinner, you can choose to have dessert in the dining room or head upstairs to the "Hayeloft", which is a more casual cafe-like atmosphere. We chose to do the latter and couldn't have been happier that we did. The countless desserts are all on display so you can make a decision after viewing them all...and enjoy your selection with a yummy coffee selection (I highly recommend the cappuccino!). Although this place is a bit pricey, it's worth every dollar and more, so splurge and enjoy!
(5)Hal H.
Baffled by the negative reviews. In a town awash in mediocre restaurants, EH is a gem. Yes, it's spendy, but the food is delicious and the service is excellent. It's, by far, my favorite restaurant in Sarasota.
(5)Tory L.
I came here for Sarasota Restaurant Week - the dinner menu looked absolutely delicious with choices of New Zealand lamb Shank, Famous crisp Roasted Duck, and a seafood dish - choose a three course meal for only $29! I had the New Zealand Lamb Shank braised in red wine garlic sauce with rosemary and greek seasonings. You can absolutely taste the ingredients and feel how soft the lamb shank is with your fork. It was truly divine! My friends had the famous crispy roasted duck that was filled with bread stuffing and served with a tangy, sweet sauce. It was also an innovative dish of many flavors and definitely filling. Along with the three course meal, we also tried the chicken noodle soup and salad as appetizer and chocolate mousse cake and pecan pie as dessert. The service was also relaxed and courteous. Even though we had a large party, the food came promptly and the waiter we had was very nice and knowledgeable about the dishes and the wines! TIP: Ask the waiters for a wine pairing with your dish! You won't be disappointed.
(4)Andrew D.
Do read past my first paragraph! Arrived on a Sunday night at 630pm per our reservation and there were no cars in the parking lot and our group of 5 was concerned. We entered into the restaurant at the rear of the building and we were greeted by an odd smell (my brother thought mold, I thought it was like old butter left out (reisty). We were shown to a large round table in an adjoining room. We ordered apps and dinner and 2 desserts. The warm French bread was very nice. For apps we had: PUMPKIN GNOCCHI with gorgonzola sauce and pine nuts (10/10)!!! My mouth is still watering several days later; SNAILS LESLIE - escargot with mushrooms (x2) past around and enjoyed by all except one brother that cannot get past the fact that the slimily and slowly crawl across the ground before they are made into a delicious meal (9/10) and Caesar Salad (not sure why anyone would order this but the bland brother ordered it) and it was a normal everyday run of the mill Caesar Salad (5/10); FRIED GREEN TOMATO FUSION (8/10) which was different and enjoyable in a good way. For Meals: 1 - ROASTED DUCKLING - Crazy large portion, nicely cooked, nice flavor and fantastic stuffing. (9/10) 2 - EUPHEMIA'S PRIME PEPPERED STEAK (x2) - top 5 steak of my brother's life and he is not sheltered when it comes to food (10/10), I felt it was good but not that good. (7/10) 3 - GRECIAN LAMB SHANK - my brother who got it didn't think it had any flavor, but my sister and I both tasted it and agreed at a table of great things, this was the best thing. Some people shouldn't order lamb. (10/10) 4 - VEAL SPECIAL (can't recall the make up of the meal) - very tasty, my sister enjoyed it very much, but I had veal the night before at CasAntica in Sarasota the night before and I personally thought that veal dish was far superior, not to say this was bad by any means. (8/10) For Sides (Family Style): 1 - EGGPLANT PARMESAN - huge portion. If you like cheese, this is a dish you would love (8/10) 2 - POTATO DU JOUR (a mashed potato concoction) (9/10) 3 - GRANDMA MEYER'S POTATO PANCAKES - yes, please! (10/10) For Dessert: 1 - APPLE WALNUT CRUMBLE PIE - HUGE !!!!! the size of two fists (7/10) 2 - CHERRIES JUBILEE (x2 - 2 person minimum to order) - the crispy portion turned to caramel (7/10) If you can get this meal, this is the way to go: Pumpkin Gnocchi (1/2 portion), Lamb Shank with the stuffing from the Duck dish and Potato Pancakes ... all 10s IMO. Please note: all portions were huge. A party of five hearty eaters could not finish all of the food above ... but we tried. This was also by far the most expensive meal me had ... so please keep that it mind.
(5)Selmy B.
Close and intimate. Lighting, it would be nice to have some especially when reading the menu. VERY pricey for Luke warm cappuccino. And coffee in a glass with a straw is NEVER acceptable especially when you are paying $11.95 for it. The desert selection was ok but it seamed there were a lot of pies nothing overwhelming except the ridiculously huge portions served. The service is poor at best. I counted four hanging around and our server bring the lukewarm coffee and forgets to bring the cream. Twice reminded finally the cream arrives. Again, if it was $2 that might be okay, but not at $9.00 for fresh pressed! One scoop of Edy's Vanilla Bean was good but not worth the $4.95 for a four spoon scoop. Overall, great for an older couple's date who have money to toss out on 1980's dining.
(2)Esther H.
I was taken there for my birthday while on vacation in Anna Maria Island. It was recommended by relatives who go at least twice while they stay in the area. This restaurant is located in a cottage near a beautiful neighborhood. You walk in to a very warm place with lots of greenery outside. Once inside you look out the windows to see only green foliage, it gives you a tropical feeling. This place is a classic, romantic, and elegant, you don't find many of those anymore. Excellent service and tasty food. Fine dining at it's best. I had a veal with wine sauce that's not on the regular menu. It was a delight to eat, I had so much on my plate that I had to share. I can't remember what the other three companions had, but I didn't hear any complaints. After dinner we headed upstairs to their loft, which is divided in two sections: A bar/lounge with live music, and the dessert room. This is a unique treat. The desserts are prepared on site. It's a great idea as you don't feel rushed to finish your dessert. This area is more casual with its own separate entrance so you just go in to enjoy a drink, coffee and dessert. I didn't give it 5 stars because I think it's a little overpriced. OK, I didn't pay the tab, but we're dining out every day for 10 days so you get to compare prices from all the surrounding restaurants and this one was the most expensive. Do go there for special occasions and celebrations!
(4)Brenton C.
Fine dinning worth every penny. The peppered steak is out of this planet. Sexy ambience, professional staff, and a desert bar that may make you want to move in next door. We go to this spot every chance we get, it's such a treat.
(5)Jim A.
We are visiting my elderly parents on LBK and had a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner here. I am truthfully outraged at their nerve for charging $36.50 for a turkey dinner that was inferior to the one served in the hospital cafeteria where I work. After a thimble full of pumpkin bisque (best part of meal), the saddest plate of dry turkey, prune stuffing , carrots and bland gravy arrived. We had to ask for cranberry dressing which was parsed out in tiny proportions. There were no green vegetables, no potatoes.......dessert was a choice of over spiced pumpkin pie, dreadful apple pie or pecan pie which no one chose. Additionally, the service was totally unpolished and unprofessional. My recommendation would be to avoid this restaurant at all costs.
(1)Matthew T.
Good but nothing remarkable. That pretty much sums it up. Never been here even after all these years living in the area, but friends invited us to join them and figured what the heck. Basically old school meats and fish. Seemed so "1980". Even the decor. I had the lamb shank, which was fine, but like I said unremarkable. The DC had duck , which was good but nothing I've not had 100 times. The wine selection is nice and some nice things at reasonable prices and crazy things at crazy prices. Got a gift certificate or live out on the key, fine, but not really worth the drive from the mainland.
(3)Raymond W.
Get the fried green tomato appetizer---heavenly. The loft is wonderful and music is the right decibels
(4)Joy B.
This is my first time dining in this restaurant and it was simply delightful. The place was cozy and was had a dessert bar upstairs where you can have your after dinner coffee or cocktail and dessert. I had the catch of the day which was salmon with lump crab and a side of vegetables. This meal was prepared so well, that all the flavors blended so perfectly. The salmon was prepared with just enough spices and grilled well, that it was moist and tender. The combination with the crab was truly a seafood delight! I thoroughly enjoyed this meal. I had the chocolate mousse as a fitting finale for my meal, with cappuccino. I found the mousse to be too sweet for my taste, but the cappuccino was just perfect! I would definitely come back and try any of the delectable entrees on your menu.
(5)Oliver O.
What a disappointment! We had a family dinner at the Restaurant last night and were excited to have dinner at this place. The moment we arrived in the Restaurant we were shocked about the interior and decor, welcome back to the Seventies! Everything is so outdated that it is almost ridiculous. The moment we were served a very sweet banana bread, we should have known what to expect. Seriously a sweet banana bread to begin a meal? Our server (a nice guy) was giving us some history about the Restaurant and their specialties. He seemed overly excited about their food, so we expected some nice surprises. He recommended the Cesar Salad, one of their classics. At this point I realized that certain meals were prepared within the Restaurant, so there was this constant smell of food that was prepared behind our table. The Cesar Salad was one of these meals prepared outside the kitchen. Oh boy, what a show to make a salad. If you perform a show like this you better serve a fine salad. Unfortunately the salad was not good, far too much garlic in the dressing and the salad leafs were watery. I'd like to mention that they brought a cold salad fork for the salad, how pretentious. I ordered the pasta with shrimp as an appetizer and ended up getting a soup with overcooked pasta and shrimp in it. For the main course I ordered the Duckling one of their signature dishes. I do not recall seeing such poor presentation of duck. They cut the duck in half and put the entire half on my plate. How can you do that? That lacks passion and professionalism. The dishes of my family members were poorly executed and presented. If the Duck would have been fantastic, so what but the taste of it was not good at all. The Chicken Florentine was way too salty and the Veal Moussaka was just blend. I also have to mention that every single meal had parsley on it. Really? This is what my father put on each plate as a chef in the Seventies. We were told that they have a wide selection of cakes upstairs so we wanted to check it out. What we experienced upstairs reminded me of a really bad movie from the past. A piano player playing old fashioned songs, an outdated bar and a smell that reminded me of an antique store but not in a good way... We decided to skip desert and leave. Overall a really disappointing experience, I honestly do not know how this place can still be in business. I do not mind old fashioned Restaurants as long as the food is good but in this case it was just bad. Sorry!
(1)Andy K.
Loosen your wallet here. It will be empty when you leave but you will be in food heaven. Loved the duck simply outstanding. Shrimp pasta is fantastic. Fresh fish is well done too. The bread is worth it too. Go upstairs for dessert after
(5)Jessica S.
This is one of my all time favorite places to eat. About twice a year we stay at the longboat key club and always book a reservation here. My go to is the Pepper steak. This might be too much for some because it's completed crusted in peppercorn, but it's my fav. The sauce is fantastic. I always get the creamed spinach and it never disappoints. Caesar is one of the best. The duck is always perfectly cooked. If you happen to be in the area and are lucky enough to to get a reservation. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Chae D.
Awful on every level, believe the other one star reviews. I can't imagine the low standards of anyone who recommends this place. Head to The Blue Marlin (worthy of five stars) on Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island a few miles North and then reconsider your rating of this has-been.
(1)Dave C.
Was ok... won't go back again though. Went there for dinner over the weekend after reading good reviews. Nice place, and the waitstaff was courteous and very helpful. That said, the food was remarkably boring and bland. I don't mind paying a lot for a great dinner, but their steaks were a total letdown, and the sides were completely devoid of any sort of ingenuity. The brussel sprouts were absolutely no different than the frozen ones I've made dozens of times at home. The "dessert room" was also a bit of a letdown... they should just call it a pie room. Go to this place if you want to eat boring, expensive food. Otherwise, I'd seek out some place that at least puts a little thought and adventure into their menu.
(2)Iris F.
After reading some reviews here at Yelp we pinned this restaurant as an must visit. We started off with a dry martini that was was perfectly made exactly as asked! Taylor A wrote in her review "You must order the Pepper Steak!" and I say the same: "You just have to order the Pepper Steak!". It is really pricy ($50) but definitely worth every single penny!!! Everything else on the menu pales in comparison. Everyone at the table will regret they ordered something else. I love the fact that it is actually served with sauce! We were lucky to get seated close to the live chef. We could smell the orange sauce served with the steak from where we sat. Lovely! The waiter was friendly, attentive and gave excellent service. We couldn't ask for more! Afterwards, we did like recommended on Yelp - We went upstairs for dessert. We had read so much but was actually disappointed. :( First of all, it was almost empty, still we got the worst seats available. At the door way by the wall. Secondly, they have a girl whose specific task is to present the desserts. She did this rapidly and bored to death. No feeling. Thirdly, yes there are like 15 different pies, but many chains even, have as good choices that tastes as good and even better. The peanutbutter pie is HUGE and enough for 3 (three)! It is too much. Prepare for a box to go. The southern style pecan pie was delicious though. We closed the night in the bar which is really really nice!! Live piano music and soft, cozy atmosphere. So, over all - I am more than satisfied but I suggest you take the dessert downstairs (same choices) and go upstairs to the bar after wards. Skip the dessert room.
(5)Susan L.
Mediocre at best. We ate upstairs at loft. Brussels sprouts were well cooked, but just boring, under seasoned with no dipping sauce or any distinctive preparation. The sweet & spicey shrimp were over salted to the point of being inedible. Pear and walnut salad was fine but not memorable. We intended to have desserts, but after lacklustre apps decided to go elsewhere. We were in area during peak season and, not surprisingly, this restaurant was only one at which we dined that had numerous tables available.
(2)Al S.
Nov. 21 - special occasion, 55th anniversary. Have heard mixed reports about this rest so we decided to give it a try. Disappointed! We were one of the first to arrive for a 6:15 sitting and unfort one of the last to leave from that time period. Several other tables were seated, mostly couples, and when we noticed they were getting served and not ourselves, we asked why? Answer given was that the chef prepared a wrong dinner for us and had to start from scratch. The food was good -not great; the service was poor (waiter intentionally avoided us due to the problem they were having); and it was just about 2 hours from the time we arrived 6:15 punctually - - to 8:10 finished check signing and departure. Would we return? Doubt it, but in fairness we should. However, this place is quite expensive and not a place we would go to on a regular basis, maybe once every 2 months or so and then only for special occasion.
(2)Dawn H.
Never disappointed. Men, this is the PERFECT date place. The chef goes over and above. The layout is adorable. The meals are yummy. Be sure to save room for your trip upstairs for dessert. Also, music upstairs if you just want a night out for dessert and a few cocktails. My once a year favorite gem. :)
(4)Mike B.
We were delighted with all our dishes. Started with snails Leslie and shared the Caesar salad. Mike had the veal de-jour and I had key west snapper. We ended with desert upstairs. We will be talking about this experience for a long time. Absolutely fabulous. Service was excellent and ambiance was romantic.
(4)Desiree C.
Please do not try to eat the peanut mouse pie alone !my mouth was soooo happy. Good thing my entree was the seafood bisque! Enjoy!
(3)Seth F.
On the opposite side of the spectrum as my shock at Hollywood Grill's 3 star review is this turd in Longboat Key, FL. It was among the most expensive restaurants I'd ever been to, and I dine out a lot. To give you an idea, it was easy to tell that the prices were significantly higher than your average steak house. Not one thing we ordered was what I would call good and many of our items were simply not good. The Brussel Sprouts were steamed, still raw and, as best as I could tell, did not contain the slightest about of seasoning. The same could be said for all the the different main entrees (not the raw part). At one point the chef actually came to our table to thank us for dining with us. I was about to say something along the lines of what a rip off it was when I saw the sheer shame on his face. He didn't say it with his mouth, but his eyes said, "I know, but if I try to make the food taste good, the old people get mad". Upstairs was better. Where they had a small "bar" menu and a "pie and cake counter". The coffee they serve up there was actually good and the slices of pie and cake were enormous but the quality was still mediocre.
(1)Bill T.
Based on reviews and the menu selections I had high hopes for this venue. We have eaten at many fine dining establishments so I knew what to expect as far as the higher prices and I also knew enough to not have overly high expectations. I still somewhat expected this to be a hidden gem with some old style charm and good food. Well, the interior decor does have some old style charm, I'll give them that. The food was mediocre at best. We started with the smoked salmon and buckwheat crepes. The salmon was okay and presented nicely with the thin slices shaped into a rose bud. I think buckwheat is probably a bad idea for a base for crepes to begin with and their execution bore this out. Crepes should have a tender and delicate texture which the buckwheat just couldn't achieve so they were slightly dry and coarse, not a good crepe and not a good accompaniment to the delicate salmon. The garnish of caviar, capers, finely chopped red onion and creme fraiche was nice but there weren't enough of any of those elements to go with the salmon and dry crepe. On to the entrees, well my wife got the lamb shank with Mediterranean spices and I got the crispy duck (one of their signature dishes). The lamb was cooked okay, but any "Mediterranean" spice pallet was lost in an overpowering red wine sauce. The duck was cooked okay also, although it could have been done a good deal lower and slower to really render out as much of the fat as possible and for the meat to be extra juicy and tender. The skin was nice and crispy though so points for that. Where the duck really fell down was in the accompaniments and presentation. The portion was huge and it was on a bed of very mediocre bread dressing that was quite lackluster basic sage dressing 101. Then, on the top of the ducks sat a handful of walnut halves and dried apricots, I mean like straight out of the bag from the grocer. Had they at least attempted to roast and poach the walnuts and apricots in some brandy or with a touch of some spice I could maybe buy into this idea as a garnish, but just plain old walnuts and dried apricots really? They didn't even taste good. If I wanted trail mix I would just go buy a bag, but keep it off my duck, please! The best thing was they had a decent pinot noir that we like in their wine selection. The Morgan Twelve Clones is a nice pinot and paired well with most of our food selections across the board, although not perfect it was a good overall choice and the markup was actually not horrific. We would have preferred a 2009 or 2010, but for the money the 2011 was decent. Just to round out the experience we went upstairs to the Haye Loft for desert and coffee. Well, this is where things got even worse. The loft upstairs had a horrific lounge singer putting her old school twist on eighties classics, not sure who thinks this is a good idea. Plus their deserts were lousy. I had their signature apple pie, which was essentially badly spiced raw apples sitting on raw pie dough. For a ten dollar slice of pie, I at least expect it to be cooked, seriously. My wife's chocolate cake wasn't any better, very dry and not sweet, and not in a dark chocolaty bitter way, just in a not enough sugar way. The press pot of coffee was tasty though and the only thing that made it worth the trouble of going up their. Also, service was spotty at best. The server downstairs offered little to no guidance and seemed to mostly rush us through our selections and meal, in fact, I just realized I drastically over tipped him. The servers upstairs all but forgot about us once we had our deserts and coffee and we eventually had to flag them down to pay. This was all on a Thursday night so the place wasn't packed. Clearly we should have made some other choice for dinner. Oh well, it sounded good. I guess we should have paid closer attention to the many negative reviews.
(2)Anna C.
The service was okay, nothing extraordinary or anything. The food was mediocre. The cheese plate could have been from Publix for all I knew. I have had much better on cruises. The medallion steak was strange. I thought it would be filet medallions, but smashed up meat to resemble pancakes that could have been ground beef for all I knew. And I should have known when I read they use truffle oil. That is what they add to dishes to make them seem nicer, but it is just some chemical. Some of our table had one of the pasta dishes and felt it was not up to par and that the shrimp were boiled. The best things were the bread they brought out at the start and the price and quality of the wine. Lastly, there were ants all over our table. And to add to it all it was very expensive and not even worth the fraction of the cost. Maybe I would have given it 2 stars if the food was equal to the price I paid. Not sure about the dessert and upstairs area, but I heard that is what they are known for, yet I would doubt I would trouble to find out.
(1)Chris S.
This place is awesome. I eat here every year when we spent a week in Anna Maria Island. The food is a little overpriced in my opinion and you can get a better steak at Ruth Chris. I always try a different meal when I go and I have not been disappointed. To say the desert room isn't good is insane to me. They have a pastry who creates some of the best deserts that I have ever had. My wife always orders banana's fosters and it is great. You will drop some coin here but it is a good place to eat on occasion.
(4)Ellie M.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and it is perfect for a special night out. It is sophisticated in an old Florida way which means not stuffy or fancy. The ambiance is classy but comfortable. Start your evening with a drink upstairs at the Haye Loft. The pianist is talented and friendly. You will be pleased with the amazing dishes when you retreat to your table - the best starter is the Caesar made at your table, the sides are always delicious, and I have loved the steak, fish, duck. The dessert room (if you have room, that is!) has many decadent options, but honestly it's worth stopping in just for the superior coffee. Yes it is pricey, but for an experience that you won't forget it is well worth it.
(5)Susan B.
I've taken a day to write this, because my review is so contrary to the others here, I really wanted to think it out and make it a thoughtful review. I discussed this with my friends to get their input, as well. We had 6:30 reservations, and were indeed seated almost immediately, in a nice section of this lovely (intimate) space. From that point on, we were rushed. We bought a bottle of wine: the selection was nice and reasonably priced for a place like this. The waiter came to the table twice in about 3 minutes asking if we knew what we wanted. We had barely sat down and put our purses/sweaters away! We still at that point didn't realize the hostess didn't give us the wine list, but instead gave us 4 copies of the regular men. Later, we were relaxing, and talking over wine, and the waiter came over 3 times in quick succession asking to take our order. He mentioned the pâté ($13.50) was almost gone (the goose special WAS gone, he told us) so we ordered it to munch on while scoping out the menu. I was still eating the pâté (very good) when they took my plate. My friend laughed and gave me his plate, so I continued to enjoy the pâté and accoutrements. The waiter just raised his eyebrows when my friend handed me his plate. We ordered 3 apps: fried green tomato fusion ($13.50), avocado bruschetta ($11.50) (me),and buckwheat crepes with smoked salmon ($13.75) . If I had been with friends who I knew better, I would have returned my brushcetta. The bread was soggy on the bottom: like they toasted it then sat it on the plate and the bottom steamed up and sogged the bread. Not professional. But the real issue was the flavor - or lack of it. It truly tasted like: nothing. The avocado had no flavor, the garlic toast had no garlic, the lemon was, well, a lemon wedge, and I used it only because there was no flavor and it needed SOMETHING. Upon reflection, I can't believe how bad that dish really was. My friend said the fried green tomatoes where mostly batter, with almost no tomato; the other said the smoked salmon crepe was wonderful. For dinner, I had the sweetbreads ($30) (which I love and get every chance I can!!) and the others had the duck special (38.50) and the veal scalopine (I think - it was a special so I can't see it on the menu now). The veal was fabulous - we all mentioned, sadly, it was the only entree that tasted good. The duck (I didn't try it - I"m not a fan) was reported as "ok but not flavorful," and my sweetbreads....my sweetbreads.....what can I say? it's the only time in my life I didn't finish an entire order of sweetbreads. They were a greasy, overcooked mess. The plate was screaming hot, and it was clear to me - and maybe the others - that the food had been sitting either under a heat lamp or in a hot oven waiting for us to finish our appetizers. Clearly in so doing, they had overcooked the delicate sweetbreads.And forget about the "delecate lemon butter sauce;" that had been absorbed by the greasy breading while it sat waiting for us to eat. It really was not good AT ALL. I can't believe how good the reviews are here! All told, the dinner with wine was $240 or so plus tip. Appalling. HOWEVER - we then went up to the lounge and had after dinner drinks and thoroughly enjoyed the piano player. He was good, and amiable, and the drink prices were pretty descent ($9 for Bailey's Irish Cream; $16 for a 20 year basic Port). We would go back (my friends are moving down the street, evidently) but we would NEVER go back for dinner: only the lounge and maybe dessert. One last thing: It was Christmas dinner, and clearly they don't enforce any sort of dress code. Maybe that's the norm, on this classy island, and they assume people will show up nicely dressed, but I think mentioning on the phone "it's Christmas, please dress festively" would have been nice. One teenage was wearing those terribly short short cut-off jean shorts and a tshirt - I wouldn't let her at the poolside bar in that outfit; another kid in his 20s was wearing an outfit (with a red and green tie!) that looked like he had just cleaned the pool. Now really: when you charge up to $55 for an entree, you have the right to say "I'm sorry, for the respect of our other patrons, we have an upscale casual dress code!" Some people were so dressed up they were in sequins and suits: clearly pool attire should have been.....rerouted. I had been looking forward to this meal for a week. I can't tell you how much we wanted it to be wonderful. It was not.
(2)Sierra G.
I heard wonderful things about this restaurant, but after dining there I was a little disappointed. The restaurant is in an odd house sort of setting and a little dark and gloomy. The pear salad is good and the carbonera style pasta. I hated my lamb dish and couldn't even eat it to be polite, I had a bite of my boyfriend's steak and it was pretty good. When it comes to dessert...you have to leave your table, go upstairs are get seated again. The dessert spread is impressive and its more of an experience to see all the cakes and pies in a separate setting upstairs.
(3)Steve G.
First, the good: The roast duckling was delicious and cooked perfectly. And a large portion as well. Likewise my wife's filet. The garlic and Parmesan mashed were also delicious. Now the not so good: In a place like this, with folks from everywhere coming in and prices in the NY City restaurant range, I'd expect a very high standard of service. Here are some of the service faux pas I noticed... Presentation: Huge helping of parsley on our plates. Parsley? Really? And when I say huge -- the parsley filled a bread plate at least 2" deep when we moved it off our plates. The sauces were under the entrees instead of poured over the top , which I appreciated, but it had also soaked into the stuffing, which made the stuffing even less appealing. Cocktail service: My wife had a glass of Ravenswood Zinfandel for about $8. They offered the bottle for $35. Later at the bar upstairs, we noticed this was the Ravenswood Vintner's Reserve Zin that they're selling in Publix for $7 per bottle. I don't have a problem with a markup, but shouldn't a place of this caliber be serving something a little more special than the cheapest Ravenswood and McManis by the glass? Also, I asked if they had any aged rum, and the waiter said no. Later, when we went upstairs, the bartender had a half dozen aged rums, including Pyat and Zapaca. How could the waiter downstairs not know that? Other stuff: The bread was seriously under-baked -- a real pet peeve of my wife. The butter was nearly frozen and was in a bowl with water from the ice it had been sitting in, I guess. Again, attention to details. When we finished our meal, the waiter asked us if we were going upstairs for coffee and dessert, we said yes. The waiter said he had reserved a table for us and then poof! he was gone. We found our way upstairs and wandered for a few minutes before ending up sitting at the bar. Dessert presentation: The desserts are presented on a cooling table with a sneeze guard glass above them. There's nothing special about the way they're shown, they're just laid out like you see them at Publix. Some of the small tarts are actually in their little tin foil baking dishes still. Not really all that exciting. The "Loft": This is the best part of the night, in my opinion. It's still got a feeling like it's stuck in the mid-70s, but unlike downstairs in the dining room, it feels appropriate up here. The jazz guitarist is fantastic and the bartender is a whirling dervish with a great bartender attitude. With no view of the water from the dining room downstairs, the Loft is the place to be. Step out for a smoke, hear some live music, have a great cocktail. I'd go back for more of the second floor... But downstairs is ready for a serious updating -- from the cocktail service to the entree presentation to the service. And yes, the prices are high on the first floor, too -- $35 for ala carte roast duckling sets a very high expectation for everything attached to the meal...
(3)Ruth P.
The menu hasn't really changed in 15 years --but then that's the way they seem to like things down here.
(3)Lisa H.
Big Disappointment, BigPrice Remembered a lovely birthday dinner here 4 years ago my husband & I agreed worth very penny. Back napkin because I wore dark clothing, great service, excellent food. A bit crowded & so-so atmosphere, but we looked forward to returning. But last night's birthday dinner was huge disappointment, especially in terms f service. Waiter's face fell when I ordered seltzer instead of alcohol. Ordered fried green tomato app. 20 minutes later, my husband's Caesar salad (okay) & app arrived. Room temp fried green tomatoes not so appealing. Waiter took back, replaced 1/2 eaten tomato & nuked. How do I know? 1/2 c or s of parsley on plate warm & wilted. Another 1/2 hr plus wait for entree, which waiter blamed on my returning tomatoes. My duck & husband's grouper & shared Brussel sprouts all very good. After a two hour, frustrating dinner, we'd lost our taste for dessert room we'd enjoyed last time. And no black napkins! (No comped fried green tomatoes, either.) No longer worth the drive for us.
(1)Ashley B.
Oh my goodness... This place had some of the best food I've ever had in Florida. The seafood was fresh and delicious. I love this place. It's cute, charming, and has an ENTIRE floor devoted to desserts, all of which are decadent and amazing! How could you not like that?! I have yet to notice the service ever being noticeably bad. I will say my family was there one time and I did notice that, in the desert area, some of the employees had been smoking... not cigarettes. It was more entertaining than anything. After the huge meal we just had, we couldn't be anything but happy.
(5)Susan S.
The food was fine, but the prices were ridiculous. And don't tell me 'cuz it's Long Boat Key: we ate at Harry's and it was delicious and the prices were reasonable. My husband and I both got fish, which was a good portion size and fresh and tasty, with a really nice sauce, but no veggie and not even a half cup of white rice! All that for the bargain price of $34! As our friends who joined us for dinner quipped, this restaurant is only for trust fund babies.
(2)Gerald H.
After much anticipation of having dinner here I must say it was a severe disappointment. We arrived 5min ahead of our 5pm dinner reservation only to be seated 30min later. After the wait we found out that our dinner would be in the bar area. After we were told the table we were waiting on was in the back dining area... oh well. Onward to dinner. Service was attentive and we quickly ordered the pumpkin bisque, escargot, shrimp pasta. All the appetizers were good. In fact, the highlight of the night was our 7yr old liking the snails. We researched the main entrees and knew we wanted to try the roast duck and prime pepper strip steak. I will say these entrees was the most disappointed entree I can ever recall. The duck was really dry. The pepper strip steak $53 had a pepper crust so thick drowned in the butter sauce literally killed your taste buds. I honestly could not taste the beef. I had to cut off the edges and damp off the sauce, then it was good. We pushed through dinner service and opted for dessert . It was a hassle to find out in order to have dessert one would have travel upstairs to the loft. So much for relaxing after dinner. We hiked up the stairs and waited to be seated again (for pies). Pies were good but not the best I've had. The banana cream pie barely had a crust. More like graham cracker sprinkles. At $7.50 a pie and the hassle of having to move tables just for dessert I would not recommend this place...unless your're local then you probably don't have to wait 30min for a table. Meh, not worth the $$$ or effort. #EuphemiaHaye #annamaria #sarasota
(2)Peggy f.
Our foursome enjoyed a dinner recently and found the food great but much overpriced, the service was excellent, but otherwise nothing special going on here. Went upstairs for dessert was treated rudely by the staff (tried speaking to the owner and was rebuffed as well) this was all over asking for a table instead of a booth and being told no! Really? Two capuccinos, 2 coffees, 4 desserts= $75 . Dessert? Not exceptional. Delicious food must be accompanied by graciousness by the owners, staff, etc to equate paying such hefty prices in my mind, so its no, no for us. Peggy
(2)Frank A.
Beautiful dining experience. Was it the best food I have ever had? Not even close, but the whole experience was wonderful. We had a set menu to pick from, so I can't fault the restaurant for that . Here is what we had and descriptions: Caesar Salad- top shelf, as good as I have had Medallions of Beef w peppercorn sauce and mashed potato- solid, not amazing, I would not order it again Brussel Sprouts- wonderful, carmelized and tender, yum! Steamed veggies- ok, they were just plain Dessert- apple Pie, solid, not the best I have had Coffee- amazing, top shelf, French pressed at the table If you can, I would try to go to the Haye Loft on the second floor, it is a much cooler place. The first floor is the main restaurant and is very quaint, but we wished we had spent time upstairs. They offer more dessert choices upstairs and live music. Overall, this place is cool. Location on Long Boat Key and the simple unique beauty and elegance of the building and atmosphere make it really special. I read the good and bad reviews and can see all the comments being valid to an extent. The head Chef comes by and checks to see if everything is as expected. We would definitely go back.
(5)Cary K.
Overpriced, pretentious, tired atmosphere. Don't go. The meal certainly won't sit well after you get the check - you'll wonder what the heck the hype is about. I have eaten in numerous fine restaurants globally and would never balk at paying premium prices for fine dining. This was a joke.
(1)Samantha B.
Upstairs in the loft -- yummy and great prices. Excellent deserts if they are fresh :) cool vibe but very small -- go early or late to get a table quicker!
(4)Joyce C.
Went there last evening with another couple. Made reservations well in advance but was placed at a table in the bar area. Two couples were actually eating their dinners at the bar, and they were LOUD, really LOUD...at these prices I did not want to be in the bar... Waiter came to take our drink order, he was LOUD....when he was taking an order at an adjacent table he was LOUD and distracting. Two Ceasar salads were ordered, they were good. A pistachio grouper, chicken dish and two coconut shrimp dishes were ordered, all good....along with a cauliflower mash side, enough for 4 to share. My husband liked the fish but thought you could get the same quality at other restaurants in Sarasota for less $$$. Made the move upstairs to a table ready and waiting for us. I am a dessert person and the choices would please almost anyone...asked the waiter what was the best dessert, he mentioned a berry dessert that they were out of. We ordered the carrot cake, two apple crumb pies and a banana cream pie. All very good and generous portions. French press coffee hit the spot with choices from light to dark roast. We were never rushed, arrived a little after 7 and stayed til almost 10. Next time I will skip the dinner and go directly to the stairs and have a dessert and listen to live music...
(3)James G.
This place used to be pricey but good. Now it's just pricey. On a recent visit we experienced mediocre to OK food and abysmal service. Our waiter's best trick seemed to be making himself invisible for extended intervals. The chef came by the table and we gave him our candid opinion of our meal, whereupon he quickly retreated to the kitchen. There are many better restaurants in Sarasota, do not go here.
(1)Jim M.
Linse's favorite restaurant. After a fantastic meal, head upstairs to the dessert room...
(5)Mac O.
You have to eat at Euphemia Haye when you're on Longboat. No, not every night -- prohibitive prices, duh. Most reviewers have mentioned these famous prices, and they ain't lyin'. The prices could lead you to do a spit-take, rub your eyes with your fists, and then check the menu again. Yup, you read that right: 30 bucks for shrimp. Actually, tho the prices are astronomically high, I find they're neeearly merited by the quality of the food and -- perhaps this has changed since the first review posted here in 2007 -- the inventiveness of the dishes. Everything we've tried here has been really good, from the fresh salads (any time you grill a salad, I'm gonna eat it), to the creamy hummus, to the well-prepared meats and seafoods. But hang on: the apps and mains aren't even the stars of the show here, and not the reason you MUST come to Euphemia Haye. The real reason to come is the dessert room in the Haye Loft upstairs -- dessert here is so special it has its own room...although the Loft also serves limited foods from the downstairs dining room. When you've finished eating din, you move upstairs to the Loft. There is a dazzling array of desserts to choose from, but trust me when I tell you just to go with the flambées. Nothing will transport you to the 1950s like a good old fashioned cherries jubilee or bananas foster flambéed tableside. With French vanilla ice cream. Makes me want to order a Sidecar and sleep in pink rollers. The flambées are so. good. Rarely (if ever???) have I seen them on a dessert menu, so this is really the reason we stop by Euphemia Haye when we're in town. If anything, just come get your flambée on, kay? [15 Minutes of Fame: "CBS' Chef on a Shoestring" and "ABC's Nightline"]
(4)Kippy P.
I will start by saying that this restaurant used to be my family's favorite special occasion restaurant in Sarasota. I used to dream about the duck and loved their desserts upstairs. It is funny how one incident can change everything. To give a quick overview (just in case you don't feel like reading the whole review). The food might be amazing but I REFUSE to SUPPORT AN OWNER/CHEF that IS ARROGANT, RUDE and POMPOUS. There are plenty of other fantastic restaurants in the Sarasota area to go to where the owners aren't this way! We had been going there for over 5 years when one evening we went for my Mother's Birthday. We got there and when the hostess went to seat us she sat us in the bar area. Maybe if we weren't going there for a special occasion and my Dad hadn't called a few days prior to request our table in the one room it wouldn't have been a big deal. But when my Dad had called they said that it wasn't a problem and they would make sure that we were in the one room. So it completely surprised us when we told the hostess that we had requested this and she said that she was sorry but there was nothing they could do. They had no record of this and it was the bar or we would have to wait several hours. My father asked to speak with the owner who also is the chef and instead of an apology and trying to correct the situation he proceeded to get into a fight with my Dad yelling and raising his voice. I couldn't believe what was happening the chef/owner was causing a huge scene of a mistake that they made! We were all shocked considering it was their mistake and were completely taken back by the chef's inability to recognize and apologize for their mistake. The chef finally calmed down after yelling for a good 10 minutes and worked out the situation and found us a table after another 20 minutes. Needless to say it put a complete damper on our evening. To have a restaurant mess up and not have your reservation and then not try and accommodate you and actually yell at you for their mistake is the worst lack of customer service I have ever experienced.
(1)Jackie P.
Food and service are really good. Kind of pricey however. Dessert upstairs is awesome.
(4)Crystal B.
My husband and I visit this restaurant every chance we get! The food downstairs is absolutely delicious and worth every penny. The wait staff is wonderfully attentive and will suggest a wine to go along side your meal option. In fact, the last two times we have visited we had the same pleasant waiter. The atmosphere is positively quaint. Nothing like any restaurants in the Orlando area. The Haye Loft is like no other. It has a romantic charm to it the moment you step foot upstairs. The Haye Loft usually has unique local talent playing piano for you while you nosh on delectable desserts and sip coffee. Did I just mention desserts?!? Chef Ray Arpke will make you want to try all of his creations. That is if you still have room in your stomach after supper! If you are in the Sarasota/Tampa/Orlando area and would like to experience something spectacular, visit Euphemia Haye!
(5)Douglas S.
What a treasure. Personalized service and awesome food... Need more? Ok, outstanding ambience from the moment you walk up the path. Still more? An upstairs lounge that features live music and wonderful desserts ( I did not indulge but I witnessed many expressively happy souls). We went for the fish ( Grouper and Snapper ). Both wonderful.
(5)Holly P.
We just got back from Easter weekend in Sarasota and cannot stop talking about our dinner at Euphemia Haye. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. The restaurant is adorable inside, with lots of green plants, flowers and twinkling lights. It is incredibly warm and romantic. The menu is superb - very eclectic. I'm a vegetarian and was very pleasantly surprised at the number of tasty vegetarian options. I'm also originally from the South Jersey/Philadelphia area and very picky about my Italian food, basically the only cuisine I have eaten my entire life. The eggplant parmesean was off the charts, just the way my grandmother used to make it. I also had an avocado bruschetta starter which was wonderful, served with a slice of walnut crusted chevre and a side of lemon slices (they read my mind- I put a little lemon on everything!). But the menu is not just Italian food- my husband and our friends all had various starters (the fried green tomato, smoked salmon and zucchini fettucini) and the house special duck as an entree, and they were raving about it for days. Chef Raymond personally came to our table to thank us for dining with them. The pleasure was ours. His wife was equally sweet and gracious. We can't wait to go back to Sarasota for many reasons- but at the top of our list is to dine again at Euphemia Haye!
(5)Janna R.
Absolutely fantastic. One of the best ducks I've ever had. Atmosphere is cozy and romantic. Service is A+. A truly special place
(5)Ginny L.
This is probably the last time we're going there. We usually go 2 to 3 times a year from St. Petersburg, which is about a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hour drive each way. We usually take another couple who is visiting as my husband likes the duck. This time there were four of us. Two ordered the duck, one ordered the lamb shank, and I ordered the "grouper"? I was served two odd pieces of fish, one thin and small and one larger and very thick. It did not taste like grouper to me, For $36, I expected an exquisite piece of fish and a delicious sauce. Everything is ala carte, so this didn't include a vegetable, starch - nothing but these two pieces of mystery fish. I did attempt to eat it as the others seemed to be enjoying their meal, but couldn't finish it. When I commented to the waiter that I was disappointed, he said, "Oh yeah, the grouper has been off a bit lately." Then why is it even on the menu????? He didn't even offer something to make the meal end pleasantly, like a dessert or a glass of wine. It was like - just pay your bill and leave. We travel extensively and dine out frequently and have no problem paying such high prices for quality food - but we are not going to spend our money there any more. If my husband wants duck, either I'll make it for him at home, or he can go by himself!!!
(2)Erin B.
Way over priced and not worth it. I left full but very unsatisfied. Now we didn't eat downstairs but upstairs is old and dirty looking. The Caesar salad anchovy dressing was too fishy the house salad was all spinach leaves and the dressing was boring. The shrimp tasted frozen and the angel hair pasta had a clear broth over it basically like roman noodles. The chocolate ganache cake was bland, ice cold and nothing interesting. Don't bring children unless they like flatbread pizza. They did accommodate us with 2 chicken fingers for $22.00.
(1)Kathy M.
DON'T BE A SUCKER. We had such high hopes for this place. We are new to the area and looking for a new Christmas Eve tradition. All I can say is, this place has no understanding of what a fine dining experience is supposed to be. Let me say at the outset, I will forgive almost anything if the place is lovely with ambiance. Euphemia Haye is very pretty but by the time we got out of there we felt insulted, rushed out and have no intention of returning. The appetizer of fried green tomato was nice but it all went downhill from there. The pepper steak they are so proud of was barely edible. My husband gave me a bite and I could not chew it enough to swallow it. The pepper coating was so hard it was like tree bark, the steak itself was tasteless. They make a big deal of cooking this outside the kitchen on a lovely fire which makes it seem so festive that you don't mind taking part (for $50.00!). Skip it. We've had better steak at chain restaurants. I was in such a Christmas spirit I decided to have their Christmas goose dinner. It was a plate of oily glop. I realize duck and goose are very hard to get right but at these prices you really should be responsible enough to make it worth eating. It was hardly edible. After a mess of meal the server brought our check without being asked and told us that it was time to "go upstairs". We had no idea what this meant but he said it is what they do for dessert and "everyone does it." So we left our cozy table (the only great part of the dinner) and climbed steps to join the rest of the suckers at the Golden Corral. The upstairs dessert area feels like a cheap diner. We felt insulted that after we paid a fortune to patronize their establishment they thought no more of us than to banish us to the cheap seats where we had to work hard to find any place to sit. They had maybe 25 different cakes and pies to choose from. You only get a piece of one so what's the point of the buffet/feeding-trough lay out? I asked for French pressed coffee which tasted like dishwater and we had to send it back. A fine dining experience should offer a few nice desserts which should be no more than a few bites of something wonderful to wash down with good coffee to cap a wonderful meal. There is one reason and one reason only for this dessert tactic: They want to get you up and out of your table and out of the way so they can usher in more suckers. This place doesn't care about your experience. They only want to clear tables and get rid of you to get another check. Sarasota is so flush with wonderful restaurants really trying to do a good job. Give ANY SINGLE ONE OF THEM your business and forget this place.
(1)Michael H.
The restaurant is a little over the hill. Entrees are over priced and over cooked. Service was mediocre with the check showing up with no requests for dessert even though it was a special birthday dinner. Plates were covered with curly parsley that the chef said that everyone " eats it here" Whatever the restaurant was years ago, those features have left it far behind.
(2)Amy E.
We had an adult dinner date without the kids and this place was awesome. With awesome service. I had the pate for appetizer but would rather had it with their regular bread rather than the toast it came with. My cousin got the escargot, that was excellent. I had the roasted duck and that was the best duck dish I ever had. I highly recommend this dish. We then went upstairs for their dessert, which is a must!
(5)Jessie J.
I went here because I love Banana's Foster and a google search of "Sarasota Banana's Foster" turned up this gem of a place. I had been living in Sarasota 6 years before stumbling upon the search and it took me another year and a half to make my way up Longboat, but I am SOOO glad I did it spontaneously tonight. The decor upstairs is wonderful. Sooo charming. The banana's foster was prepared right in front of us from by the dessert chef. It was so much fun. I was on a first date and we had just finished drinks at Ceviche's downtown when we decided to head out. There was so much to talk about just from the environment and presentation by the chef. The owner, Darcy, sat and chatted with us for almost half an hour answering all my questions about the history and decor of the wonderful restaurant. Her and her husband have owned it for 32 years! After my dessert, I went over to the bar to drink some dessert-- a wonderful chocolate martini. There was also a female jazz singer that just made the whole thing perfect. This will definitely be one of my hideaways after a long work day!
(5)Tay A.
Absolutely the best steak I've ever had. If you go here, you MUST get the Pepper Steak. It's typically a larger portion than one person can eat, but definitely don't order to share! You'll LOVE the leftovers for a steak sandwich the next day. The fried green tomato appetizer is heavenly as well. And don't forget the Haye Loft for dessert! They always have something new and delicious upstairs in their dessert lounge that is an amazingly delicious way to end such a lovely meal.
(5)Makena K.
Came here for dessert on our anniversary after a fantastic seafood dinner at Crab and Fin in St. Armands Circle. Really nothing special. We had their 'Signature' Apple Pie Crumble Ala Mode. It was ok. We've been coming to LBK for several years now. I have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while because of the rave reviews. Many wrote about the amazing dessert choices at the Haye's Loft. So we went with the expectation that we would see wall to wall and maybe some desserts hanging from the ceiling. Well, maybe not from the ceilings. My humble opinion is that it's like a glorified Perkins dessert display with maybe about 8-10 offerings. Even their chocolate cake looked plain. As far as service, it was alright. She did her job as expected. Positive: The blind musician at the loft. I enjoyed listening to him play the piano. Definitely a one time visit ONLY.
(2)Geoff K.
A must try restaurant on Longboat Key. The food was exceptional and service outstanding. The Prime Pepper Steak is something to crave. The Red Snapper and Duck was also delicious.
(5)Phill M.
This has to be one of the best restaurants we've been too anywhere. The food and service were 2nd to none. I had the duck and my wife had the snapper. Both were exquisite. Our waiter made sure we had everything we needed but also left us alone to visit. The right service balance. Upstairs, the dessert choice was amazing. There would be nothing you would miss from the menu. The bar in the Haye Loft was quaint and well stocked you can enjoy both pre-dinner drinks and after dinner aperitifs to compliment your dessert choice. You should put this one on your "special occasions" list of must do's.
(5)Diane B.
A huge disappointment. It is the first restaurant that I left before I ordered an entree. The waiter couldn't even provide a good recommendation on the menu - nor do I think he cared. Caesar salad came highly recommended. It was very average. Overall not a positive experience. It's a shame because the bar upstairs was lovely (as well as service) but the restaurant was a disappointment. It was surprising the level of experience of the staff at the door on a Saturday night. No presence of a true manager monitoring operations. All I saw was what appeared to be the chef in the dining area quite a bit - I wish he had spent more time in the kitchen - it needed attention.
(1)Kim S.
Have to say I wasn't all that impressed. Food was okay. There is no real view. Small dining area was filled with loud guest so it was difficult to enjoy an intimate dinner. We can now say we've been there, but we probably won't go back.
(2)Cathy B.
We enjoyed a delicious meal for our anniversary at Euphemia Haye! It is a little pricey--would come more often if it was more reasonably priced. Dessert upstairs had lots of nice selections! Will try the Pepper Steak next time. It looked and smelled delicious!
(5)Jay H.
Try to get someone with an executive position at an oil company to join you so you can afford the bill at the end. Other than that, the whole experience was pretty great! It was my first and most likely my last time there, but if I find any gold when I go snorkeling in the gulf tomorrow, I will be back fo sho. O yeah, it's ALL about the desserts w upstairs! Fred kicks ass!
(5)Ruthie S.
Amazing food! On the pricy side but it's what to expect with the type of place. The dessert upstairs was so yummy. With dinner and dessert I barely have room to breath I am stuffed. Service was great and by mentioning yelp on their 30th anniversary I received a free drink and entered into a raffle. A must!
(5)Susan F.
A quaint staple of a nice restaurant off the beaten path of Gulf of Mexico Drive...in Longboat Key This restaurant is super popular, and I can see why. A hot spot for visitors and the regulars. The dining experience is pleasant as well as the late night entertainment and dessert "window buffet" upstairs. The menu here, like many of the upscale restaurants was unique and plentiful. That being said, it doesn't sound unique, but it is! In the main dining room, there is a chef that will actually cook your food in front of you. The decor is very earthy and almost feels like an antiquey-green room--without the awful smell. I had the special carrot and orange soup which was great and not too filling. Meals ordered were the peppercorn crusted filet--which was huge and had the best crust I've ever had on a steak, the roasted duckling which took up the entire plate and more and the red snapper. The red snapper was delicious--and I had never had it before. I was very impressed, it was flavored with a pistachio crust. The texture was also great--not fishy at all. We then moved on upstairs to take a look at the huge dessert menu of pies and cakes. It was like being a kid in a candy store--or more accurately... a family on vacation, willing to try anything and everything. Not surprisingly, the chocolate ganache cake was out, so we ordered banana cream pie, peanut butter and chocolate mousse cake, and an apple crumble pie. Other options were tiramisu, key lime pie, ginger cake, white cake, raspberry chocolate tarte...and many more I can't remember. It was a unique experience like I said, one I would not mind revisiting again. Check again with reservations, especially if you only want dessert and drinks.
(5)Joseph H.
I have been coming down to Longboat Key for my entire life and Euphemia is by far the best restaurant EV-AR!!! You cannot go wrong with any of the dishes, from appetizers to salads to entrees. Make sure to save a little room to go upstairs for the amazing desserts!!!!
(5)Kent K.
I'll give you several negative things: price, price, price and lack of creativity. Sarasota is awash in restaurants that live on reputation and mediocre execution. And part of that is because there is no critical thinking to push the envelope. Go to a city like Atlanta, not typically thought of as a great food city, and what you find are a plethora of excellent restaurants because the competition constantly pushes the bar higher and higher. And the sous chefs and line cooks in the good places move on to open their own shops and voila, another good restaurant pops up. Euphemia Haye is a perfect example of a typically overpriced Gulf Coast restaurant that coaxes people into believing that exorbitant prices means a good dining experience. Show me one inspired menu item and I'll be surprised. Show me ten that were on menus all over the country 20 years ago and I'll say: I told you so. In truth, it's been two years since I ate there, but I'm pretty confident that nothing has changed. Why change what so many people seem to like right? Goes to show you what my opinions are worth.
(2)Ed W.
This is a very good seafood restaurant, with fresh fish, solid preparations, a great atmosphere, and fine service. Also, it is reasonably priced for a restaurant of this quality. It very well might be five star worthy - I hope I get a chance to try it again someday. When we were in, the catch of the day was grouper, which was very nice, and my wife had the red snapper. Both were very good, and we enjoyed them with a simple Alsatian riesling.
(4)Bill S.
OMG!!!! This is the only place to go when you're in Long Boat Key! The food is to die for and the place is just serene. Here is a funny story. I had business in Tampa, one of my employees flew down with me on a Saturday to visit family in New Port Richie. After we visit everyone, I said "there is a place we have to go". We're driving and I took the long way, from 95S-to St Armands Circle then North. There are no lights on this one lane beach road and I have this dopey car in front of me doing 24mph in a 25mph zone. I'm dying because I think the place is going to close and we are laughing the entire time cursing this S.O.B out that is doing the speed limit. The dope decides to make a right turn into a store and I go around him while he's turning. All of a sudden a cop comes out of nowhere. He comes over and I'm like: We're going to miss out on pie, where is Euphemia Haye!? He gives me directions (the place is next to the station) and no ticket and I'm eating this warm blackberry creation with ice cream 10 minutes later... If I were to describe heaven, I would have to say this is place. NYBULLY
(5)Jim H.
I have eaten there 5 times and continue to wonder what people see in the restaurant. The service was horrible by a waiter that could care less. the food was grossly overpriced and barely edible...again. Obviously this is the last time i will eat there. Their desert room is nice however but after a totally disappointing meal no desert could cheer me up. I subsequently ate at The Beach Bistro...top 5 meals of all time! Awesome!
(1)Michelle L.
How can it be that only one person before me has written a review on this gem of a restaurant?!!! Where do I begin? First of all, I felt like I was eating in somebody's dining room in their home. The rooms are cozy and tastefully decorated with charming antique furniture and nice artwork on the walls. The staff is extremely friendly, down to earth, yet knowledgeable and accomodating (how often do you find all of those traits at the same time?!). The wine list is extensive and excellent. The food is amazing...yes, AMAZING!!! So flavorful and just the right size portions. The presentation is wonderful as well. The food here gives any five star restaurant I've been to in NYC a run for it's money. I honestly can not find ONE single negative thing to say about this place! After dinner, you can choose to have dessert in the dining room or head upstairs to the "Hayeloft", which is a more casual cafe-like atmosphere. We chose to do the latter and couldn't have been happier that we did. The countless desserts are all on display so you can make a decision after viewing them all...and enjoy your selection with a yummy coffee selection (I highly recommend the cappuccino!). Although this place is a bit pricey, it's worth every dollar and more, so splurge and enjoy!
(5)Hal H.
Baffled by the negative reviews. In a town awash in mediocre restaurants, EH is a gem. Yes, it's spendy, but the food is delicious and the service is excellent. It's, by far, my favorite restaurant in Sarasota.
(5)Michael A.
I'm inclined to agree with Kent K. My wife and I recently returned to Euphemia Haye to celebrate a special event. The menu has remained unchanged in the 3 years since we've been here. It seems that maybe the only thing to have changed are the already too-high prices. Overall we had an excellent dining experience. Our waiter seemed knowledgeable about the menu. Maybe not so much about the wine selection. The pace was not rushed, which we like a lot. We had a nice little window-side table next to where the chef will flambe the pepper steak. That was entertaining. The food was adequately prepared and the portions were generous. But we didn't have the "wow, that's amazing!" type reaction to any of the dishes presented to us. My 4-star rating comes from the comparison of this restaurant against others we have visited all over the globe. The lack of a star comes from overpricing and lack of innovation. Since nothing has changed in the last 3 years we are not encouraged to come back for at least another 3 years (or whatever time it takes for me to forget about this review).
(4)