Louies Modern
1289 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34236
Louies Modern Menu
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Address :
1289 N Palm Ave
Sarasota, FL, 34236 - Phone (941) 552-9688
- Website https://www.louiesmodern.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Brian G.
The service was so bad it was humorous. Slow, inattentive, discombobulated, useless. Thought I was in a sitcom or candid camera type show. Super expensive for a little pathetic bit of food.
(1)Yvonne R.
We went here for Brunch on Sunday. UNBELIEVABLE !!! The friendly staff expertly explained each of the many stations--waffle and pancake...omelette.. charcuterie ...carving with an entire turkey, ham and prime rib... seafood with Alaskan king crab legs , cooked shrimp, salmon with all the trimmings...breakfast muffins and Danishes, fresh fruit, desserts ... and chafing dishes galore with eggs benedict, fabulous sweet and spicy bacon, pasta, fingerling potatoes, sausage gravy and biscuits, kale caesar salad, .....and I know I am not listing EVERYTHING! But wait, the cost is $34.99 for this feast and if you want to have bottomless bloody marys or mimosas with fresh orange juice served in a carafe , on the side , just add $5-. Can't wait to go back with more friends!
(5)Jacob K.
Classic meals with a modern twist. They have decent portions and place is definitely worth visiting for a dinner. I think that their lunch prices are a little high but hey it is Sarasota after all.
(4)M R.
I'd like to give them a five for terrific food and a great wine list but unfortunately service killed the evening. Waiter dumped a glass of soda on my son and other then a cursory apology at the moment no offer of reconciliation. Now we'll add the cost of dry cleaning a sweater and shirt to the bill for the night.
(3)Michelle M.
I had to upgrade this place. I have since been back to the bar for food and drink at least a dozen times. The service is amazing and friendly. The satff knows the food and menu well. I even have made a meal the wonderful sides, like the mushrooms (OMG), and the artichokes. Both amazing. The brisket burger is crazy good and of course the drinks are unique and everyone of them delish. This is a great place run by professionals.
(5)Jenny G.
Very enjoyable, great location and super food
(4)Brad K.
Great food. Good service. Really enjoyed their four flight option for $40. We brought our toddlers and the chefs were great and waved to them and talked with us quite a bit. The wood fired grill lends some very tasty flat breads. There are quite a few douchey rich locals who dine here (like red pants and turquoise shirts with popped collars) so if that doesn't phase you then this is a pretty decent value and some of the best tasting food in clown town.
(4)Jean F.
Had a wonderful dinner last night at Louie's Modern. I was first struck with the metropolitan atmosphere. Sleek lines, interesting flower arrangement in the center of the dining room kept catching my eye. The wait staff was attentive, even though the Sarasota Opera had an event and the restaurant was busy. First course calamari was perfectly prepare, although not an ample portion. I would recommend the kale salad to split which was suggested by our server. The dressing complimented well. Our table ordered a range of entrées. The burger was huge and reported delicious. A special short rib preparation with balsamic truly wowed another. My duck was tasty with lots of crispy skin. No dessert just satisfies customers.
(4)Sandi L.
We had been here several times and enjoyed our experience. This time however, was different. We went for an anniversary celebration, our server began by bowing to us! Weird, but I thought oh thats cute! She took our drink order then vanished for 20 minutes. We said drinks before appitizer, of course appitizer came first, drinks a lot after. Never returned for 40 minutes!!! so we gave our dinner order to the manager. Dinner finally came and my husbands fish was cold!! Sent back took another 25 minutes to reheat!! my fish had pin bones in it!! Also no tasting menu which I really enjoyed the first time. A terrible experience. The manager did the right thing and comped us for one dinner and a beer. Still wont be going back there any time soon. Also drinks not half as good as before. Eleven bucks each!! Evening sucked.
(1)A G.
I just called to make a reservation for a big dinner, the lady on the phone (not Lisa) was extremely rude. She wanted to 'build a menu' for my party. When I told her I was looking for everyone to order from the menu- her comments where 'we don't do things like that here at Louie's Modern, or 'that's not how we do things here at Louie's Modern', she didn't offer to work with me or give me other options. She shut me down several times, I felt for a second that I called the White House not Louie's Modern, but thankfully she reminded me by stating the restaurants name in every sentence. I am definitely not used to this kind of communication and was expecting more customer friendly service.
(1)Lisa L.
It feels like a high end hotel buffet, though smaller, the atmosphere and quality are no less! $35 till 3pm on Sunday. Staff are very friendly(easy on the eyes too). I love my selections of King crab, no mess; gulf shrimp, Kale Cesar, sweet potato quinoa, sweet roll, smoked salmon. My partner got other traditional meat, egg, bacon dishes. I LOVE the pancake! It was moist and fluffy, with homemade berry syrup+ whipped cream, BEST ever!! I will definitely return to try more.
(4)Lori W.
The food was good but not great. The service slow and the host/manager paid more attention to us then our waiter. The deviled eggs were the highlight of the items we chose. The lamp chop Milanese was interesting but i was surprised to see it breaded - i love lamb and the lamb was kind of removed, could have been a pork chop. The gnocchi with the lamb, delicious. The french onion soup was good but was expecting something grander. It was just french onion soup. We split the trout which was very good but not anything to write home about. The short rib was delicious. Overall, I was expecting more for the price, better service for the price, and more flavor. I agree with other reviewers that the vibe was hip, but also very loud. The open kitchen a nice touch. I guess the cocktails are a highlight which i only ordered a vodka soda specific to the kind of vodka i wanted and they poured something different which is irritating but the host/manager corrected it for me promptly. My friend got a very interesting drink and it was delicious.
(3)Angela F.
The ambiance is really great. The service was average. Food was also average. .. I had higher expectations for a fine dining restaurant. The flavors need to come together in harmony. I felt like they were competing on the same dish. Had to send my steak back because it was over done... I asked for rare plus...received medium well.
(3)Lawrence C.
My return visit here (at the request of our dining companion---see my previous review), was actually better than I anticipated, considering my lone visit here more than a year ago. This time it was lunch, and the greeting by the hostess was pleasant and warm. We were early, before the rush, and coupled with the fact that they're not the "hot & new" kid anymore, and it being "off-season", the service was atmosphere was much more pleasant. Kale salad is the main base for the salads, and they do a good job preparing it. One diner had the salmon w the kale, $19, and one had blackened shrimp, $18. Both were excellent. The third diner had the shrimp & crab salad, $14, which did not have too much mayonnaise, which often is a complaint. Unlimited refills on iced teas and coffees, $3 ea, were a welcome service.
(4)Deidre A.
Only missing a star because they were out of celery bitters, which is my latest cocktail obsession! #firstworldproblems Atmosphere is cool, chic, and casual; has a bit of a NYC vibe. specialty cocktails are a must! We sat at the bar & enjoyed happy hour drink & appetizer specials. Our bartender was wonderfully creative, knowledgeable & talented; our food was delicious. There is a living wall in the dining room with herbs that are used in the drinks & food- can't get much more local than that! So happy to find this gem, far removed from the chain restaurant & tourist hubbub.
(4)David F.
Sub-par service from a frustrated bartender saddled with a useless bar back. The bartender spent more time blow torching wood panels for the "smoke" flavor of a signature drink than making eye contact or engaging with customers. Probably didn't want the bar back (who seemed wasted) handling an open flame. Beautiful restaurant whose major profit center appeared poorly managed. Very sad.
(2)Jonah K.
Came by here at 11pm or so on a weekend night, the place was mostly empty. Large space, including an event room. The decor is very nice, including the little outdoor area. The service is very slow in the bar and patio. Good beer selection and some innovative drinks on the menu. Didn't eat here, not sure I would...
(3)John S.
Had an excellent Easter Brunch here. All of the spread was high quality ranging from omelettes to high quality meat and oysters, and the staff was all extremely attentive to our needs. Looking around the restaurant, you could tell there was a high attention to detail. Highly recommend this classy yet reasonable restaurant.
(5)Stephanie Y.
Louies Modern was a Disappointment with a capital D. For the price, I've eaten at some fine restaurants in Manhattan, in Sarasota it was subpar food with horrible service. The place is definitely upscale chic with a modern open kitchen. I like that. They have a wonderful wine, craft beer and cocktail list, although the Thai Pineapple cocktail I ordered was on the flavorless side and it consisted of pineapple and basil. Something was missing. I do want to say my experience may have been hindered by our horrible waitress. She was seriously one of the worst waitresses in my history of dining out. She was non-existent, very weird, didn't relay any specials, wasn't attentive and overall just sloppy. Usually I'm not so harsh on service, but when paying $30+ per entree and add drinks and apps to the mix, there is a level of sophistication expected. Sadly, she had none. I opted for the onion-mushroom soup to start and the lamb medallions for my main. The soup was flavorless. The lamb medallions were for lack of a better word, gross. They were tough lamb nuggets smothered in this really smokey brown sauce that just did not work served with a pretty pedestrian couscous. My guy sampled it as well and completely agreed; it was not at all tasty. People in my party seemed to like their food enough, however I'm not a believer. I think there's better out there for the money and I'd keep searching for it. Side note: I absolutely hate when websites aren't up to date with their menus. Why have a website with a menu if you aren't going to keep it relevant? Laziness.
(2)The Real Foodie Of Orlando L.
One of the best Brunch Buffets anywhere! Split king crab legs, prime rib, shrimp cocktail, biscuits and gravy, smoked salmon, omelet bar, and pastries to die for! The list goes on and on. Don't forget $5 mimosas and bloody Mary's!
(5)Gordon O.
Louie's has extended their Savor Sarasota promotion and, if you want a more subdued romantic atmosphere, Sunday evening is the time to do it. It was raining when we arrived and not too many customers were in the restaurant, but for our 29th anniversary, that suited us just fine. We ordered off their Savor menu, which features some of their regular signature dishes as part of the 3 course meal. I had the featured salad for the first course and my wife had the roasted artichoke with a couple of different sauces, which were quite tasty. The second course my wife had the salmon entree and I had the short ribs without the bones. They both were excellent. The last course was dessert and both of what we ordered ended the meal on a high note. If you want a chic contemporary atmosphere and a great food experience, this is one of the musts in Sarasota!
(4)Violetta M.
Love the buretta and kale salad. My friend is vegan and even had a lot of options. Cute coffee spot next door. Would totally come back.
(5)Kelly D.
My BF and I dined here with some friends for dinner (by their recommendation) as they had been here before, and said it was the downtown hotspot. The restaurant was very nice with a open kitchen and modern décor.... My BF and I both had the kale caesar and loved it. I had the scallops with spinach and truffle butter, which were completely amazing! The server was friendly but seemed very unorganized. We had to ask twice for our cocktails (which were good when they finally arrive!). He just didn't seem to have the knowledge of the menu or experience you would expect for this level of dining. Loved the food.... & would easily given a 5-stars but hoping they step up the 2-star service because we plan to return our next visit to SRQ.
(4)Stefanie B.
I've been twice, and although the first time was fine (maybe three stars??) The second trip was more of a 1. Our service was slow despite being fairly empty. I ordered scallops and my husband a steak. BOTH dishes came burned. I cut off the burnt part of the scallops and ate it. I didn't send it back (kind of shame on me, but we wanted to get out of there and it was already taking a long time). The thing that was most off putting, however, was that for both of our dishes, the protein came with the burnt sides down and the side that was up was perfectly seared. Clearly they knew something was amiss, but didn't do anything about it. The wedge salad was good (pretty hard to mess that up). I will say the lavender creme brulee was by far the best part of the meal. I will not be back to eat here. The atmosphere and location are great, so maybe I'll head in for drinks and dessert, but in a town with a lot of upscale restaurants, your money is better spent on dinner somewhere else.
(2)Meaghan T.
I LOVE LOUIES MODERN! Best in SRQ. The wait and bar staff is awesome. Not too pushy. Incredible food at honest prices. Cutting edge hand-crafted cocktails. Not to mention one of the best wine lists in Florida! I'm from a big city and was shocked that you can find such an urban/big city style restaurant right here in Sarasota. Well done! The menu updates frequently, so there is always something new to peak your curiosity. Every time I come to town, a stop at Louies is a no-brainier!
(5)Jen B.
Meh. Mediocre and overpriced. Wish the food matched the gorgeous setting. Sadly, it doesn't.
(2)Sarah C.
We came here for Mother's Day brunch- the selection was great, and loved the $5 bottomless mimosas. The wait staff was extremely pleasant and professional. The only bad aspect to the meal was that we were seated outside and there were gnats swarming all over the place....spent the whole meal swatting bugs away from our food, and heard nearby tables commenting the same. Very off-putting. Would try this place again, but definitely seated inside.
(4)Valerie A K.
This has become our goto favorite. If we dont have a reservation, the bar is great! Meghan, favorite bartender/server, makes every meal a celebration. Food is very good as well.
(5)Alexandra S.
I'm really giving this restaurant barely a 3. Maybe more a 2.8 stars. I went there for a mid week lunch with family and at first really like the ambiance and the open kitchen. Felt a bit like a restaurant that would belong to the W Hotel chain. The menu is definitely original and quite vegan friendly although there are meat/chicken/fish options too. I had a the fish tacos which were good but not extraordinary and the salad had a bit too much dressing. I tried to order an espresso as my parents really enjoyed theirs but they had run out of decaf so no coffee for me. The real problem was the service. As another review said "spotty and pretentious". The restaurant was not that busy and when we were waiting for the check, it was near empty, yet we still had to ask for it several times and then wait and wait and wait to pay. The ordering process was also quite long. If you are in no hurry, and looking to have a long leisurely lunch then this might be a great option. Otherwise, there are plenty of other places downtown that I would recommend above this one.
(3)Kelly F.
Louie's is a great example of the world class dining Sarasota offers. Staff is top notch and gracious, the cocktails are innovative, the food is delicious and the ambience is chic and clean. Happy hours specials are fantastic too!
(5)Sarah S.
I have to say I like this place mostly for the ambiance, cocktails and appetizers. Ambiance is cool and allows for larger parties - we had a group of seven once. Appetizers are great - especially the heirloom tomato and burrata (heaven). Beyond that, I've never had an entree I thought was that good and the desserts are...ok. I think it's a great spot with sort of a sexy atmosphere for a group to split a bunch of appetizers and have a few drinks. Skip the main.
(4)Vic O.
Nice, different, food tastes good. But we predict their business will fall off and they'll be gone before long. Brunch is kind of not what you expected (i.e, no bacon, no toast, no fruit, no potatoes there (but fried chicken fingers?). Potatoes, fruit are a la carte $5, the hash browns aren't hash, but quartered, unskinned potatoes that show up long after you've finished your buffet meal, as if they're dessert) and aren't that good. Their chicken on 'melted vegetables' is lusciously tender, but the sauce is like salty, undiluted demi-glace right out of a jar, the veggies are crunchy, not 'melted' at all. Crab cakes are good but small and only 1 for a lunch entree? Flat iron steak is way overly fake hickory smoke flavored. 'French fries' come with a light coat of granular asiago cheese, served with mayonnaise as dip. That is an unfamiliar (for Americans) combo your kids won't like. No one i know, adult or child, cares for them. Scallop/soba noodle slaw is nice, scallops very tender. Whatever you do, don't have a Bloody Mary, they are completely undrinkable. Too much overly-spicy mix and not nearly-enough booze. We had to water them down with water from the table, but still couldn't stand them. I don't mind the place, but, after three visits, my friends, father and husband won't go back. Majority vote is thumbs down.
(2)Lauren M.
Just ok. No one claimed our table for 5 + minutes, even though the place was empty. The explanation was that our server wasn't there yet. Ok.... The burratta was good, but as an obviously shared app, it had no serving knife. Kind of annoying. A giant bread plate is on the table, covering the menu, which is your placemat. So I'm thinking they come, take the plates, and talk about the specials while you peruse the menu. Nope. Pick up your plate, look at menu. Then we asked about drinks. They are on back of menu. Now pick up your menu, turn it over. But what if you want wine in the middle of dinner? Do you pick up your dinner plate? Gah! Butter knife doesn't balance and falls over and rests awkwardly on giant butter plate. On top of all that, short rib really dry. chicken livers gooood. Grouper kinda bready. Just ok. Not returning.
(3)David C.
The drinks were good and there was a broad selection. I have heard a number of people complain about service, but our waitress did a fine job. The main reason for the three star rating is that our dinner just wasn't very good. The main course we're fine, but I would describe the sides and dessert as somewhere between below average and bad. The food coupled with the cost makes me certain that we will not return to the restaurant, though we may stop by the bar for drinks.
(3)M. M.
Some of the best cocktails I've ever tasted. The barkeeps are friendly, engaging and efficient. You don't wait for the next round. Have only dined at the bar and all the food was tasty and very original in both flavors and presentation.
(5)Camsie M.
Bar service only but wow- what an end to an evening! Cherry beets cocktail was perfectly tart and sweet, refreshing and satisfying. Butterscotch pot de creme was just perfect - not too sweet, silky and delicious! Even though the interior seethes pretension the crowd at the bar was friendly and warm. The vibe is hip and subdued all at the same time. A good special evening spot in an otherwise sleepy beach town.
(5)Britt S.
WORST SERVICE EVER! We just left...sat at a bar table and our server disappeared for an hour! Food was fabulous BUT the service was so horrible that we'll NEVER be back! As we walked in the female bartender scowled at us...we had to ask her if we could have a table at the bar...to which she replied, "yeah..." The male server who we had took our order and never came back to refill drinks or see how our meals were! As a server. I find this lack of service pathetic. The manger gave us a free round of drinks because of the lack of service but also didn't seemed very concerned that we were so unhappy:(
(1)Justin S.
"This looks trendy," my friend remarked as we entered Louie's Modern for dinner on a recent Saturday night. It's true, Louie's Modern is a complex of hip, modern spaces (especially on weekends when things get more crowded), but the delicious, thoughfully prepared menu offerings make it worth a visit. Our party of three was promptly seated in the sleek, modern (yup) dining room which features cush banquettes along one wall and a big, pulsating open kitchen to the rear, which provides the diner with a view in to see the chefs kick out all this amazing food. Standouts from the menu included the steak tartare (small entrée) which was expertly prepared and flavorful, and the South American-style flank steak served with yucca fries and a charred corn succotash. The flavors just popped, and the presentation was impressive. Louie's Modern is owned by the same family who owns Libby's down on South Osprey, but these two establishments could not be further apart (and that's a good thing!). I was really floored by the emphasis on fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, especially since they pull it off without pretense. The service was doting, friendly and thoughtful. The waiter made a terrific suggestion for a gorgeous bottle of Sancerre that we all enjoyed. The combination of a beautiful venue, great food and friendly service make Louie's a restaurant I look forward to trying on subsequent Sarasota visits. Downtown Sarasota gets another winner of a restaurant with this one.
(5)Don S.
A lovely evening. Exceptionally good server and food was very, very well prepared. Especially for a Monday night when the chef was off. Cioppino was fabulous and had to have home made warm cinnamon donut for dessert.
(5)rozalind b.
So disappointed in this restaurant. Went there for brunch Saturday with two friends. Each of us give it one star for.......location and design. Despite being almost empty, we were served food I would have sent back for half the price we were charged. I ordered a steak frites. It came on a sliiver of bread and the meat was just a little thicker than a sliver, smothered in over an inch of herbed cheese that had a piece of tin foil buried in it. One of my friends ordered a turkey sandwich. That arrived looking very appealing, but tasting bland and dry. The other diner had the fritatta , a recommendation of the waitress. It arrived with a lovely side plate of fruit. Unfortunately, looks aren't enough. It was tasteless. After reading other reviews, I'd say management needs to pay attention, even in the off season. I will not be a repeat customer.
(1)Kristin M.
I have been here a few times in the last year I have lived in Sarasota. It is amazing! I enjoy going out and having a really great cocktail and creative food. This place has an awesome drink menu, i haven't ordered a single cocktail I haven't absolutely loved there. The food is great too! They have a cool vibe throughout the venue, as well as a cool open kitchen so you can see your food being prepared which is fun. Sometimes slow service, but I believe it is worth the wait!
(5)Carmel F.
best savor lunch menu ive had in Sarasota .......I had kale caesar and salmon ...corn chowder to start. it had a kick to it. delightful chocolate dessert it said gateaux but looked more browniesque...great taste though..plate lickin good. my friend enjoyed the lamb Milanese. eddie was our server for Monday lunch and he did a good job . btw vegan sandwich no longer on menu . it was one of my faves..... anyway great choices for savor menu this year kudos chef. this is a great restaurant but service can be iffy.. luckily not for us on june 1st.
(5)Michael S.
Excellent decor and service..food arrived in a timely matter and food was very hot, a small detail that restaurants sometimes over look. Everything from the apps to the wine was great..north palm drink is amazing and my girlfriend loved the coconut sunset drink..
(5)Mario D.
I kind of expected a little more.. Salmon and risotto was pretty good, but the plates looked plain and not too exciting.
(3)Haig P.
First time in 40 years.... My wife and I went to Louies Modern last night. Loved the location. Very active bar. Lots of infectious activity in downtown Sarasota on a Friday night. We had 7:30 reservations and our table was ready for us. Joe, our server, greeted us warmly and we ordered two glasses of wine. Nice selection. The food and wine menus are on the placemat, which I thought was clever. No need for the exchange of large menus. My wife ordered the Grouper special and the Winter Green salad. I ordered the Cowboy NY Strip Steak and the Artisian Romaine Wedge. Bottom line. Fish was dry. Salads were large but tasteless. My steak....well my steak was the first steak I have not finished in 40 years. It was piled high with peppers and tomatoes. I had asked Joe about the menu description and he informed me that there was a few red peppers on the steak. Great, I thought, I like peppers and tomatoes. What I didn't like was the brown sauce over the entire entree. It was overwhelming. I pushed the 3 inch stack of tomatoes and peppers to the side after trying it. There was the steak. Prepared medium rare perfectly as ordered. Every bite tasted like the brown sauce, peppers and tomatoes. I could not finish it. Ate about half of it. First time in 40 years I did not finish a steak. That is saying something. I did not complain to the waiter. I ordered it. Not his issue. I tried my wife's Grouper. I agreed it was dry. On the way home, we were talking about our dinners. We concluded that was the first time ever where everything we ordered was not to our liking. Dinner was $140. I tipped 20%. Not the waiter's fault. I was presented a comment card. I filled it out stating the fish was dry and my steak was overwhelmed with the brown sauce. Seated next to us was an older couple, dressed very nicely. They ordered pizza and a beer. I thought that was a strange choice in such a nice restaurant. Next time I try this restaurant, I will listen to my elders.....
(1)leslie o.
I've been to Louie's 5 or 6 times now - and I have not had a bad experience to date. Some have been better than others, but that has been reflective of the waiter and the menu selections (and the company). The décor is beautiful - modern and hip - nice clean restrooms - great people watching. Make sure to stop at the bar for a drink first to get in the best people watching in town. I've been solo to eat at the bar, and with a few large groups for birthday dinners, and also a table for two. All of my outings to Louie's have been enjoyable. They are the only place around that is doing Salt Block Cooking - and they do it well. Their Burrata and Heirloom Salad is outstanding, and I order it every time. I have tried all of the salads on the menu and have not been disappointed. There are several standout items are the Kale Caesar, Brisket Burger, Wood fired mushrooms, Sea Scallops, the Seasonal Veggie Platter and the Scottish Salmon. The portions are not huge - so save room for dessert. There are some tasty ones that are ever-changing.
(4)Alan M.
Decided to try Louie's Modern for dinner. We were not impressed. The Sashima Tuna Salt Block was the best item. I ordered the Yellowfin Tuna as main course. It was stringy and hard to cut and overcooked. My guest had the 14 oz NY strip which did not look like a MP steak but more like one that would be expected at Longhorn. All in all .it was OK but not good enough to return. My wife did order the Sashima Tuna Salt Block but was brought the wrong dish. They did correct it quickly. For all the hype we really expected more. The food was not up to the rest of the restaurant.
(2)Riley R.
This review is for The Francis, the private event space connected to Louies Modern. I held my rehearsal dinner for 50 guests last Friday evening at The Francis...and I'm so glad that I did! Lisa and her event staff went above and beyond to make the evening special and enjoyable for everyone. I've had many guests tell me how wonderful the food was and what a unique spot to hold our rehearsal dinner. Planning the event was an absolute breeze and I felt 100% confident that Lisa and her team would execute a beautiful event. We added floral arrangements from their in-house designer, Roger. Again, what an outstanding job! I highly recommend The Francis for any private event function!
(5)T. Isabella N.
I'm super mixed about this place. This was my 2nd time here. My husband and I came here when they 1st opened and it was bad but we thought we would give them another try because this place is gorgeous inside. The burrata on a salt block with tomatoes was amazing with 4 different types of tomatoes but then it went down hill from there. I had the kale pesto bucatini and it was horrible! The pasta was extremely over cooked and the pesto was bland. Very bland. I sent it back and let me tell you even if I don't like it, I won't send it back but this was awful! I then reordered and got the flat iron steak which was good but not amazing. For the same money you can get better elsewhere in Sarasota. My Husband had the lobster pot pie which was more like a lobster chowder and the flavors were average but it was really really fishy smelling and fishy tasting!! Such a disappointment because this place is soooo beautiful inside! P.S. I can't believe this place is related to Libbey's. Libbys is soo good.
(2)Melinda C.
I took my husband here for his Birthday and we had a very nice evening. The menu was a bit daunting but once we dove in we were pleased. The kale ceaser salad was delicious. The drink menu was really interesting and will bring us back so we can try more. My husband and I agreed the best thing about this resteraunt was the service. We will be returning
(4)Deirdre C.
I went for lunch with two friends yesterday. What a disappointment! We all love Libby's and could not believe this restaurant was run by the same people. The emphasis is on the ultra hip decor, not the food or service, especially not the service. We didn't arrive until 1:45, so the place was not all that busy and there were plenty of waitstaff in evidence. We chose to eat outside, since it was cloudy and there was a nice breeze, despite the heat. Not long after we'd ordered, the sun came out, and since there are no umbrellas, we needed to find some shade. We asked a server if we could move the table closer to the building, where there was shade - and he and two other servers stood and watched as we women moved it ourselves They were kind enough to hand us our flatware and glasses, but they didn't move a muscle to help us with the table. It took quite a while to get our salads, and when we asked about bread, we were told that they didn't offer bread at lunch, but if someone asked they'd serve it. Our salads finally came, though no bread. When we inquired about it ,we were told, "The guy in the kitchen is Spanish; he doesn't really speak English, so I don't think he understood me." I imagine the owners would have been apoplectic if they'd heard this explanation. The server asked whether we still wanted the bread, and as we were still hungry, we told her we did. The salads were good, but not plentiful, and at $16 apiece, we should not have been left hungry. When the bread arrived, it was delicious, but as we were now looking forward to dessert, the timing was off. We decided to order coffee and dessert to end the meal on a sweet note, but, alas, there was a mix up with the offerings, and we just had the coffee. It was fine. We are three women who dine out constantly, and we will never go back to this restaurant. If you're looking for a nice salad or sandwich in a pleasant atmosphere with good service, try Mattison's City Grille, Duval's, Patricks, or just about any other restaurant in downtown Sarasota. You will spend less money (though money was not the issue) and feel appreciated and satisfied.
(2)Holly D.
Decor & Atmosphere: Five Stars Service: Four Stars Food Rating based on what we ordered: Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs: 3 stars, could be a little creamier Tuna Roll: falls apart when picked up, came with too much mayo-y sauce. Tasted good without sauce. Steak Frites with Arugula & Aioli Bernaise: Steak perfectly cooked. Frites, yum. Arugula, did someone drop the whole bin of salt? Aioli Bernaise (?) yuk. too salty and too acidic. I'd prefer a perfectly prepared Bernaise. SIdes: Wood grilled mushrooms. Too much wood grill. They tasted like they came out of an ash tray. Mac & Cheese: Good by not great. Pasta a little dense. Wine & Drinks: Excellent Other comments: Although my some of our items were heavy handed with the salt, the Mac & Cheese was very bland. This is the type of restaurant where the Chef is so confident that his food does not need to be seasoned, that they do not put salt & pepper on the table. The Mac & Cheese needed both, but there was too much salt in nearly everything else.
(3)Derek P.
Clifs: Excellent cuisine and superb service. Must try! I took my wife out to Louie's Modern this week for dinner after she mentioned hearing about the place. It is located under the new parking garage downtown, which makes for extremely convenient parking. The decor is very cool and it's obvious that they put a lot of thought into the design. The food was excellent! Nothing bizarre, but I haven't seen most of those dishes anywhere else that I've been to in town. I had the brazed lamb shank special, and my wife had the flat-iron steak. Both were excellent, with the accompanying elements just as good as the main event. We also had some of their cocktails, which were quite a treat. Lots of interesting mixtures and top-shelf liquor. Absinthe and fennel seeds in a gin & tonic? Surprisingly good. The service was also superb. I couldn't have asked for better. We will definitely be back again!
(5)Elise L.
We dined last night, which was the first official dinner service for the restaurant. First off, the restaurant and bar are beautifully designed. It even has banquet facilities and a gorgeous private dining room for 18. Even the bathrooms are stunning. We started at the bar, where I ordered a Gramercy, a hand crafted rum cocktail. It was good, not great. Bartender wasn't efficient in making the hand crafted, mixology style cocktails yet, and looked off the drink menu the entire time making it. Onto the food. We started with the Johnnycakes, which came out lukewarm. Tasty as a snack, but they didn't exactly taste freshly baked. The other items on the snack menu looked extremely appealing as well. Oh, the bread basket was phenomenal, just an FYI For a starter I had the Salted Bosc pear, which was superb. The savory shortbread and walnuts served with it was an excellent pairing. Next, I wanted to try out their brick oven, so I ordered their Pulled Pork pizzetta. It was fair, really nothing to write home about. My husband ordered the brisket burger, which was tasty, but missing a good char flavor. The fries were excellent. We passed on dessert. My main complaint was that the timing of the tickets was off. The snack came out immediately, which is always a cause for concern. The starter was perfectly timed, but the entrees took a long while to arrive. All in all, pretty decent first time experience. I will give them at least 6 - 8 weeks before going again, but I will definitely go again.
(4)Geoff And Jenni G.
Very pleased with this new restaurant in downtown Sarasota... really friendly, excellent service, superb cocktails and an interesting/innovative menu. Lots of veggie options too... Overall we were really impressed and welcome this new restaurant to Sarasota! :-) We will be back...
(5)Stephen C.
I agree with most reviewers that say this is a new restaurant ironing out some kinks... Great cocktails... gives state street a run for their money here since they are a little more progressive. Salmon hush puppies... sounds weird, but AWESOME. The decor is great... hip vibe. Overall food was very good, service was fine. They just need a few more months to iron out the wrinkles before one can truly judge what kind of restaurant they will be. The potential is there for them to be fantastic.
(3)Tastebud D.
This place is filling a void in Sarasota, a town without much in terms of culinary creativity. The menu is interesting and offers some fun twists on old favorites. We ordered everything Lori recommended and were delighted. The lamb meatballs were perfect. The kale Caesar was very nice. The mozzarella on salt slab was creative and tasty. Overall, I was impressed. Would definitely come back.
(4)Melissa A.
I'm quite surprised to see the low ratings of this restaurant. Our party of 5 had quite the enjoyable dinner experience. Our reservation was at 7pm and we were promptly seated. Our server, Joe, immediately greeted us and brought out our drink orders. He was also very helpful with any menu questions or concerns. Their version of the caprese salad was served on a slab of salt and it was divine. Not your typical presentation but fun to see it that way. Service, decor and food quality is on point with this restaurant. I definitely will be revisiting.
(5)Patty M.
Yet another less than mediocre Sarasota restaurant. On par with the less than mediocre. Jack Dusty at The Ritz. The food does not deserve a single star but reviews cannot be posted without one. Hence the one star. Poor acoustics, loud music, concrete and glass make hearing impossible and conversing frustrating. Food is uninteresting, tasteless and portions minuscule. Salads are sliced very thinly on a mandolin. If a salad contains "beets" expect two paper thin slices. There are no distinct favors. Bland and boring. There is no reason to return. There are, however, some wonderful restaurants to choose from in Sarasota. Right around the corner on Main is the always excellent Selva Grill, on Siesta Drive, across from Williams-Sonoma is Andrea's, nouvelle Italian with beautiful, homemade pasta, on Longboat Key the elegant and lovely Maison Blanche, and on Gateway Avenue, just past Stickney Point off 41, is Vizen, the only authentic Japanese Restaurant, fabulous and OISHI! Delicious and beautifully prepared. Don't waste your time at Louie's & Mediocre.
(1)Alex R.
I'd give this 4.5 stars, but it's not an option. And I never give any restaurant 5 stars - just my policy. Anyway, my wife and I went here for the second time on a Friday night in September. Made the reservation on OpenTable. We were seated immediately at a nice table. The open kitchen is a great feature and fun to watch. The room was a bit noisy, and I'm sure it gets really loud as the night goes on. Why restaurants pipe in music to add to the din is beyond me. My wife ordered a cup of the Vegan Tuscan Ribollita soup, the Organic Shaved Salad and the Scottish Salmon. The soup and salad were fine, if unremarkable. The salmon was excellent. I had the Summer Chef Tour w/ wine pairing - a prix fixe option. This was three courses consisting of a seared scallop appetizer, a crab ravioli second course, and a nori crusted tuna main course. The scallop and the ravioli were both excellent. The tuna was nicely presented, and although I ordered it (and like it) rare, the tuna itself was really raw and a bit grissily. The wine pairings were all good. The waiter was friendly and efficient, if a bit overbearing. In general, a good experience.
(4)Carolyn K.
I am giving 2 stars because the atmosphere was nice. The cowboy rib eye ordered medium well came out mid rare to medium forcing my friend to eat the outer edges. When half the steak was left on her plate because it was too bloody the server took it away instead of offering to finish cooking it.(otherwise the service was excellent) A med well steak isn't hard to do but that's what their so called chefs put out. The burgers and fries were great. My desert was a banana split. The ice cream was severely under portioned. It was like they gave me a whole banana with 2 oz of ice cream. Then I ordered a chocolate desert with raspberrys. It was a tiny flourless cake with a long white chocolate garnish that made it appear to look like a penis. Not a beautiful work of art as I would expect. The worst part was it tasted disgusting. The best part of my night was the people I was with. I won't be going back here. It's not worth the cost. I RECOMMEND SELVAS. PERFECTION EVERYTIME. If your going to pay out money like that for a dinner.
(2)Bill P.
Had a very pleasant dinner at Louie's Modern last evening. As has been reported, the ambience and décor are outstanding. The tables are nicely spaced. You never feel encroached upon by nearby diners. Food-wise, we sampled every thing from the small "snacks" to the full entrees. All were beautifully presented and quite tasty. Only one, the Brussels sprouts and lentils side dish, was underwhelming. If there is to be a complaint, it is to be with one aspect of the service. It's not that it was inattentive, slow or unfriendly. Service couldn't have been better in those areas, BUT the presentation (explanation of menu and various dishes) was so over-the-top PRETENTIOUS, it was difficult for the four of us to keep a straight face while being regaled with what parts of the world were home to the various menu items. Don't get me wrong, the server was just as pleasant as could be, but the mantra he was obviously instructed to impart to diners was actually screaming, "You are so privileged to be dining at the Oh-so-special Louie's Modern." Nevertheless, I'm sure we will return...just that the next time we will say immediately that we have eaten here before, so let's cut to the chase.
(4)Thomas R.
Pretty good overall but a few small gripes with almost every dish and the cocktails. Kind of chunky on the tartare - not esp. refined. Excellent clams but came with mushy potatoes and sausage chunks. Good lamb meatballs, and I heard a rave about the burger. Very pretty scallop entree slightly missed the mark on the cooking. An otherwise successful "two-day pork chop" had to be wrestled into submission with a dull knife. No appropriate cutlery available to handle this mammoth meat mountain. Seriously hard work. GET SOME KNIVES FOR THAT DISH PEOPLE! Maybe they cater to rednecks who bring their own knives. The duck fat Brussels sprouts were tasty but mushy and exceedingly heavy. If I ate more than three I would have died and there were enough on the plate to kill the whole table of 5. All the cocktails we ordered were slightly too sweet and made us anxious for the wine to arrive. Service-wise we didn't suffer at all but it's the type of restaurant that opens the wine and after the first pour you're on your own.
(3)Kyosik K.
Didn't live up to all the hype. They should focus on quality food rather than all their 'fancy' upgrades, like putting my check in a cup instead of the normal black folder. Food was not impressive and service was even worst. Hostess and waitress ignored us for ten minutes at the front door and waitress was really incompetent about the menu. Sorry, but fix the menu and service, the decor definitely did not make up for it.
(1)Lindsey B.
I am really excited about this new restaurant in downtown Sarasota. We had an outstanding meal here. The decor is clean and modern, the service was good, although slightly rushed. Very interesting menu- love that it is seasonal. Great place to try something new. Food was absolutely delicious, especially the gazpacho. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Frank R.
Just disappointed not even close to Libby s small portions bad hamburgers at 13.00 you'd think they would make them fresh or look good , I will give another try . But I think they think they can make it on hyped up tourist ,
(2)Carey Y.
I have a new Sarasota favorite! YAY! I met my family here for a goodbye dinner as my parents are heading out of town for the summer. Knowing that it's run by the same people as Libby's, (another fav) I knew I was in for a treat. I did go with slightly lowered expectations because of a surprising number of poor reviews on Yelp, but I had an open mind having been misled by Yelpers before. Pulling up to the cool building/parking lot/outdoor bar area, It looked like a pretty fancy place by Florida standards. We walked inside to find beautifully tasteful decor. A sleek fountain in the front sets the tone of the ambiance which is minimalist, detail-oriented and chic. It is young, modern and hip feeling, but not in a trendy way. We were seated at a comfortable banquette and looked over our placemat-menus. It has one of the most appealing selections of any restaurant I've been to. Even as a non-meat-eater, there were tons of awesome choices and picking one was not an easy task. It was made a little easier when Gabriel agreed to share two different salads as a starter. The Kale Caesar was exceptional. I happen to love Kale in any form, but for the many people who don't, I think this salad would be a great way to try it again. It didn't even need the dressing that it came with, but once I tasted the creamy, delicious version of this classic, I devoured it even faster. The other salad we ordered was the Hawaiian Hearts of Palm with roasted beets, sunchoke, shaved fennel, radish, cucumber, pressed ricotta, and a fancy aged balsamic. It was light but full of flavor with ingredients that definitely don't find their way into my at-home salads. Although I preferred the Kale salad, this too was wonderful. For my entree, I ordered the Wood Fired Scottish Salmon served with blood orange confit, hearts of palm, and pomegranate. I had a delicious side of roasted mushrooms- which sadly, I forgot to photograph. Both were outstanding, cooked to perfection and full of unexpected, complimentary flavors. The portion sizes were just right- and except for a small taste of a homemade cracker and some garlic toast, I didn't even need to fill up on the awesome (and dangerously tempting) basket of bread on the table. I did, however, fall victim to sharing a glorious slice of Key Lime pie. It's one of my very favorite desserts and not even wedding-preparation dieting could hold me back from indulging in a shared piece. (This too, I forgot to photograph. Sorry!) Overall, my experience here was way above my expectations. It's no surprise that even in the 'off season' they were crowded and having a reservation proved to be a good (and necessary) idea. I hope that my 5 star review will help the Yelp ratings, which I am happy to report, are WAY off. I will surely be back asap. The prices are reasonable for an amazing dinner out, and I honestly loved everything about it. Bravo!
(5)J V.
Wood oven duck was exceptional. Crispy and flavorful. Try a cocktail as well. We had the bell ringer and cherry beets.
(5)Gina W.
Had lunch here at 11:45am yesterday. The atmosphere is open, modern, clean and quiet. It's a nice place for lunch. The Brisket burger was the best I have had in Sarasota. It came with Rosemary Asiago fries, which were also over the top excellent, crispy with little pieces of asiago clinging to them. We also shared a Tuna Nicoise salad which was not good. The fish was super fishy and stringy-couldn't cut it to eat it. The dressing was bland. The vegies were overcooked haricot verts and some cherry tomatoes with no flavor. The cute petite eggs were ok, but had no dressing, salad or flavor. The salad was a complete miss. On to the service. Our waitress was MIA the whole dining experience. Had to beg/flag down another server to get a coffee refill, the check, and any help whatsoever. Kind of snotty, untrained waiters, too, and there are a ton of them, they just don't come to your table. It was total inattentiveness to details. The coffee was served sloshed over in a cup, so when you went to take a sip, you wore it. The waitress finally came over at the end of the meal and asked if we were done. We said yes, and she cleared the coffee cup-not the dishes. We sat at the dirty table for 15 minutes before getting our check. Not good for a quick lunch, that's for sure. Interesting(in a bad way) that the vibe was snooty. The wait staff needs massive training by the staff at Jack Dusty's, who are amazing. Next time, lunch will be at Jack Dusty's-until the staff learns how to wait on people, spend your time with a view of the water, not the street/parking garage.
(3)L L.
Louie's is billed as the "newest, hottest" restaurant in downtown Sarasota. We had great expectations, especially since we've had great luck (and frequent visits) to Libby's, its sister restaurant. Well, the short recommendation: don't. Just don't. From the vacuous hostess that could not seem to figure out if there was a table available (leaving the host stand and taking well over 10 minutes to spot an available table amidst several empty ones at 9pm) to skit-scat though apparently well meaning service (we had at least 5 different people taking orders, needing repeated requests, and not returning to our table.) No organization, no coordination - and no, it was not busy. A post-dinnertime weeknight in downtown Sarasota, maybe 40 people in the entire restaurant, indoors and out. It took 20 minutes to place a drink order, and about that long for them to arrive. We fortunately ordered food at the same time, or we'd still be there waiting. Smallest martinis in town, at $11; an order of French fries that was so miniscule you could count them (about 12--for $8 as a side) Last week at Libby's, the side of fries was quite abundant, serving 3 people with some left over - to be fair, it was the expectation that the quality of the food and service at Louie's would be equal to Libby's, even if the concept / menu items were different. And don't do the hearts of palm salad and sunchoke salad. A few thinly sliced rounds of the palm, and the sunchoke was chewy and woody - thin sliced, but "bark on" as it were. I didn't poll the rest of our little group for their feedback--no one looked happy. Yes, one of our group talked to the owner about the overall experience. He appeared not to care about how his staff was serving (or not serving) us. Great location, good looking restaurant (formulaic, slick, but nicely done--and the lighting was OK--) This puppy just needs a few months to settle in, and some hands-on management of what seemed to be a good natured but ill trained and undirected staff. Hopefully they'll get to practice on the tourists, and we'll have a better experience if we return in a few months' time.
(1)Will B.
Went to this restaurant sat in back near kitchen. Watched a cook cough with his rag near his face, wipe his face with his sleeve, and then use the same rag to wipe down the counter. Well I told the Chef and we got up and left before even receiving our drinks. NO THANKS I DON'T WANT THE PLAGUE
(1)Francine D.
I went for a luncheon and speaker event on Tuesday. Chaos not ready for prime time is my assessment. They portion controlled the food and were short, crowded conditions =spills and broken glass in the lobby. the food was mediocre at best; lukewarm, uneven service, wait staff not fully trained or coordinated. too many tables to allow for serving the meal. coffee served in styrofoam cups in the lobby , etc. I was a guest but had I paid for my ticket I would most likely have been more disappointed. they may have been doing a favor for the organization but they did a diservice to themselves by rushing into hosting so many people so poorly. I wish them well but will wait awhile before I try them again.
(1)MaryAnn C.
Scrumptious! Everything we tasted was delicious. I loved the caprese on a salt block because it was tasty and made a beautiful presentation. Trout devil eggs-to die for! Even the fish hater in our group loved the trout devil eggs! We also had the edamame hummus-great. I had the brisket burger and it was the best burger I have ever had. The cocktails were fresh and fun. I had never seen a bartender smoke a cocktail glass before-burned a cedar plank and put a glass upside down on it-and it made the cocktail even more yummy with that slight smoky taste. Four of us with 3 drinks each, 3 appetizers, 4 entrees, and two shared desserts was only $140-a bargain for such delicious food. The servers were attentive,informative and efficient. It was a great experience. Go there!
(5)Oh-two-fl L.
We have been here 3 times and it improves each time as they 'mature'. Curry Roasted Cauliflower is a winner in my book. I love that they take seemingly unrelated items and make them work so well together. The curry cauliflower is mashed and whole, with the fruity quinoa flavor, along with the apple salad is wonderful. We loved the side of Mac and Cheese, and unlike another reviewer, thought the gnocchi style pasta was an unusual and good twist. We have split the Hawaiian hearts of palm salad several times and it is crispy and chewy, as we'd expect with hearts of palm and the rest of the ingredients. My husband tried the brisket burger, tender, another interesting and good mix. He also did the wild mushroom pierogie. Both are on his do-again list. I guess if we're forced to choose a favorite (so far), it would be the Spicy Veggie Pizzetta. Lots of flavors going on there that combine to be the winner. We are less about the aesthetics and atmosphere of the place than the quality food, and most of the other reviewers covered the beauty of the place. No need for me to go there. So glad to have a place to eat in the area that has lighter and a little healthier fare!
(5)Kim S.
"Started with the Bosc pear and the Burrata (sp) -- very heavy on the salt but interesting. My salmon was a little dry but the pomegranate and blood orange were terrific. My friend enjoyed her scallops. Service was good. Restaurant was incredibly warm. Decor was nice. I'm hoping the restaurant will improve over time.
(2)Suzie S.
Service was slow. A burger was ordered well done, and was served raw in the center (they did not charge us after we complained to the manager, but all we wanted was the right order from the start). They tried to serve us food that another table had ordered. One of us asked them to serve the meatballs without the side (allergies) and it was served anyway. We asked for separate checks at the start of the meal. They mixed up the orders and charged us the wrong amounts. The waitress was hard to find, even though the restaurant was half empty.
(2)Terry A.
Quick review. My wife and I did not eat. This review is for the bar. Surprisingly, the drinks are priced well and the atmosphere at the bar is quite relaxed. We are always skeptical of establishments like this in Srq because they have a tendency to be very 'high-brow'. That's Sarasota for you. The bartender was knowledgeable and friendly. We will stop by again!
(3)Beth S.
The menu and flavors are over ambitious, perhaps the small plates would have been better. I ordered the special, beef goulash, which sounded good. Unfortunately there was no beef in it. Just a beef flavored sauce with mushrooms, a few onions and lots of pasta. Again where's the beef? To their credit after I provided this feedback they took the dish off our tab . Definitely not impressed.
(2)