State Street Eating House - Cocktails
1533 State St, Sarasota, FL, 34236
State Street Eating House - Cocktails Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Sarasota for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
1533 State St
Sarasota, FL, 34236 - Phone (941) 951-1533
- Website https://statestreetsrq.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 : Valet, Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Aron F.
Love this place for lunch when I'm in town!
(5)Lauryn L.
After reading an article in SRQ magazine I decided to give State Street a try. The little lobster rolls looked delicious and being from Massachusetts I'm always on the hunt for things that remind me of home. I arrived with a friend to a packed restaurant and we were told it would be about twenty minutes, we were seated in less than that and while we were waiting the staff was friendly and we were able to get drinks at the bar. The decor is really cool, it's southern meets industrial and feels very welcoming. The only downside is it's extremely small. Once we were seated we ordered an array of small plates so that we could test the menu out. Everything we ordered was exceptional. I was so impressed that I was already deciding what to order next time, and I hadn't even finished my meal. I've been back several times now and would definitely recommend this place to friends and family, it's delicious and unique. The only reason I'm not giving a 5 star rating is that every time I've been my service has been lack luster. However the food is so good that even though the wait staff needs some improvement I'm very willing to wait for food this fun and different, if they fix that one issue then I'd add one more star.
(4)Chris G.
I visited this place with my folks on Christmas eve for dinner and it ended up being a very pleasant dining experience. The restaurant was small and welcoming, it had a very warm housing feel to it. i work in the business and our service was very attentive and the waitress was very pleasant. she knew the menu and the specials and we had no issues or problems with service. the food was outstanding, we ordered the whole sha-bam of appetizer, dinner, and desert. we started with the fired mushroom with a black yogurt dipping sauce. Im not a fan of mushrooms at all but these were perfect, lightly battered and the black yogurt dipping sauce was different and good. For my main course i has the catch of the day which was snapper, with wild rice and kale, preserved lemon and thyme sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly and i was in awe at how crisp and perfect the kale was prepared. the dessert we had was a red velvet cake and brownie with vanilla ice cream, nothing special about these but still good. had an excellent experience and im really rooting for this restaurant, will be returning
(4)Craig A.
Not bad. The flat iron steak was of good quality. No steak sauce available. 5 minute wait for salt and so far, more than that for the check.
(3)Taryn C.
I love this place because of the atmosphere and the food and drinks are out of this world delicious...however I have never been here and had outstanding service. Everyone is kind enough, but so slow. One time it took about 20 minutes just for drinks.
(4)Jennifer K.
Be prepare to wait for a table. Best to come in pairs of two so you can be seated faster. The first time I tried for 3 person table and it took forever like 1.5 hrs! Don't let that happen. As soon as a seat opens at the bar, take it! Then you can enjoy quick service at the bar. However the second time we came for 2, we were seated within 10 minutes. The meatloaf is so damn good!! Highly recommend the fried okra as well. They have a great selection of wine too.
(4)Otto A.
Would love to give this place four stars yet just couldn't. Have eaten here three times over the last year. Server last Tuesday for dinner was a nice guy yet wasn't able to answer basic questions about the menu and we had to flag him down several times, generally inattentive. Finally brought check to the bar to pay the bill after he vanished for a period. Ok, poor service can happen, yet the manager observed me walking to the bar with the bill after not seeing our waiter for about 10 minutes. bartender is not able to grasp splitting the bill evenly on two credit cards....on and on with no intervention. Service 1 star Food. 3 stars, maybe 4.
(3)Pamela M.
I've been accused of giving too many five star reviews and perhaps that's because I just choose well when trying a new place. This would be one of those e For my first visit here last week I happened to enjoy an amazing dinner in their private dining room with 9 fellow colleages from the office. Yes....I did say 9. The 10 of us were enjoying a loveley meal after a day of team building. So I consider this extra special because serving a table of 10 is no small feat and the staff here rose to the occaissson. The team here provided excellent service. As for the food, we were also very impressed. With a team of 10 we ordered just about everything on the menu and there wBas not a disappointed diner in the group. For myself I ordered the Boneless Short Rob "Pot Roast" which was wonderful and came served in the individual cast iron pot that it was cooked in. We ordered a ton of sides and I can't say a bad thing about any of them. The roasted brussel sprouts and the whipped potatoes were memorable. I also had the green asparagus and duck egg appetizer which was equaly wonderful. I honestly cant' say anything bad about State Street. The Martini's were also great! And just to further illustrate how much I loved this place.......I came back the next day and had a wonderful burger with hand cut fried. Delicious! Get on over here and enjoy! xcellent choices.
(5)Jeanne J.
Maybe they are in the process of making some changes but the service was spotty. Smiling faces but no wine sommelier as was mentioned in advertising. Ordered wine and the bottle We were given was not of the year or vineyard that we ordered. If you are a wine enthusiast you would notice something like this. We did bring it to the attention of the waitress and she went to find the right bottle. They didn't have the bottle that was offered on the menu. A mini rant...this has happened frequently to us lately in other restaurants. The bottle we ordered was pricy because of the year and the bottle brought to our table was the same vineyard but not the same year. ! The food was well prepared, we loved the green bean side and the salmon was perfect. We also shared a wonderful chop salad with avocado which was fresh and the dressing just perfect. We loved the feel of the restaurant , very warm and trendy . Happy enthusiastic crowd and great bar area. We would give five stars for the food.
(3)Victor S.
The 6 of us had a very nice lunch here. We had various soups and sandwiches and everyone agreed that the food was quite flavorful. I had the carved turkey sandwich and it was delicious. the waitstaff was very attentive, always coming back to fill our glasses and ask if we needed anything else. The size of the sandwiches was large enough to feel satisfied with the meal and the prices were reasonable.
(4)Jb M.
I had lunch here recently and was a bit disappointed. I had their burger and fries. The fries were quite tasty, but the burger definitely needs work. The patty is quite thin, which I don't mind, but the sesame seed bun is way too thick for the amount of meat. There are good toppings but even those are overpowered by the way too think top and bottom buns. They either need to increase the amount of beef or find a more suitable bun, plus heating the buns would be an improvement. I still think the place is generally deserving of four stars but this was disappointing.
(3)Elena C.
How disappointing. Had the worst dinner ever. Ordered a special: Duck Burger, it was salty, terribly salty, like after the first bite grab-a-pitcher-of-water and drink-it-down salty. Our server, who was wonderful and fun, took it back. I asked for their vegetarian chickpea entree which was just awful, it had spinach which was undercooked, very salty broccoli and some sort of tasteless chick pea mush. Our server was the only bright spot, he saved our dinner from being a complete disaster. I will think twice before going back. And this was one of my faves in town. Bummer.
(2)Terry S.
Perfect place for a Brunch/Lunch date! Highly recommend this for couples. Friendly service!
(5)Michael P.
Very sophisticated, laid back, and classy. The ambiance is very intimate. When it comes to the food it is very fresh and interesting dishes. The staff is very friendly. Overall I will be returning and enjoying the great food and wonderful drinks
(4)Gail L.
Prepare excellent and innovative food in an inviting atmosphere and they will come! We joined friends for dinner here last night because it is their favorite place to eat. We loved it as well and enjoyed everything. When including the many daily specials it is almost too much to choose from. Drinks and service were excellent. We had catch of the day and the flat iron steak, delicious. Our host had the burger which was huge and his favorite item. We plan on coming back to try the pâté and roasted Brussel sprouts. Cool place that fills up quick and does not take reservations.
(4)Frank M.
Recommend for a quite lunch meeting or romantic place to eat. Good $ value. Food is good, menu isn't winding. Staff and service were also good. Atmosphere is quant with a private dining are in the back. Good selection of alcohol and a wine room. Located in Downtown Sarasota on a quieter side street. So, not much traffic and parking isn't hard to find.
(3)J R.
We've been many times and State Street has the best burger in town, hands down! Best served with the fries or onion rings. Also the bramble cocktail is awesome...all the cocktails have been solid. Oh, and if charcuterie is on the specials menu, get it! I've never had duck prosciutto before eating here. They make it themselves and it is as tasty and rich as it sounds. The atmosphere is cozy-classy-hip and reminds me a bit of spots in Brooklyn.
(5)Jonathan M.
This place is freaking amazing. Keith from Perq Coffee Bar (around the corner) recommended it to me. I was thoroughly impressed with the cuisine and the craft cocktails. They nail it. 5 freakin stars---i don't know why there's only an average of 3 1/2 stars. Magnificent design, quality menu (it's not too big like a freaking book), everything is clean and well kept-bathrooms included, great wine and alcohol selection, the service is courteous and good. If it's not worth it to you to pay good money for terrific food and drinks than you should reconsider your dedication to good quality food. Thanks State Street. A gem of Sarasota.
(5)Sarah W.
The food here never disappoints. We have been here for snacks and dinner a bunch of times. The burger here is the best burger I've had in Florida (my favorite burger is at Holeman & Fitch in Atlanta). The smoked salmon appetizer and grilled sardine appetizer are both fantastic. The brownie sundae for dessert is mind blowing. We have had Patrick as our server twice and he is our favorite. He is friendly, funny and knows his food. He was honest with recommendations which is always greatly appreciated. The cocktails are delicious and easily the best made in town. The Old Fashioned is my favorite. Yes, it might take some time to get your drink during busy times, but they make each drink carefully and the result is worth the wait. Grace is a fantastic mixologist and will always make a great cocktail. We will return again and again.
(5)Wayne L.
Made a reservation for Saturday. When we arrived we were told they did not take reservations . I guess the bad service reviews on Yelp are correct. I won't go back.
(1)Michelle M.
Still Great!! Went for dinner this time and Love the food and the presentation. The Drinks are fantastic!! Salmon tartar was so delicate with fried quail egg and the soup is my absolute favorite. My boyfriend had the pot roast. Just amazing.. posted pics.. Don't pass this place up. Doing great things here,, Very cool
(5)Ashley A.
I have been to this place several times and have always been happy about the food and experience . The last two times I was stuck with the worst waiter ever !!!!! You need to get rid of him . I mean he's the worst I have ever had . It is very obvious he doesn't want to be there . I was there with friends and he was rude and talked over us and forgetful . The last time I brought a client to dinner and we unfortunately got HIM again and I was so embarrassed . This is one of my favorite places but I don't want him again . He ruined our experience at our favorite place .
(2)Erin H.
I have a great time every time I go toState Street. Love the atmosphere and the food even more!! Lobster mac & cheese is soooooo yummy!! The brownie sundae is addicting!!
(5)Megan L.
Love the decor. The drinks are great. The service is good and most of the staff look like models. The problem is the food. The pickles were great, but that's about it. The chick pea casserole was so bland. I couldn't eat beyond two bites. Given what I paid for it, I wouldn't return here except for happy hour.
(3)Gregory L.
State Street has been (until tonight) a fav when returning to Sarasota (and these are the guys that turned me on to brussel sprouts). Food was ok, but I'll refrain as our opinion may be tainted by the overall "experience". The tone was set by the host (12/30/14) who was somewhere between indifferent to rude - no way I'd have this guy run the "front of house". Looking around, the rest of the staff seemed robotic and lacked any energy or enjoyment - what happened to this place. Will look for other options before returning. Too bad as Sarasota really does need more places with good energy/vibe. Tend to feel that when they fail in the front of the house, the back will soon follow - it' a management thing.
(1)Dylonn C.
Such a gem in downtown Sarasota. The special appetizer of the night was a salmon tartar with cucumber and topped by a sunny side up egg. To die for. On an every day basis though you cannot go wrong with the meatloaf entree, the chopped salad, the fried okra with truffle oil, and best of all, the burger (by far the best burger I town). A must or anybody in town to try!
(5)David H.
Stll have a bad taste in my mouth from a plate sharing charge, even though they did not split the plate or advise they were adding the $5 charge. Have eaten there at least six times (and never before been charged for sharing) and have really liked some of the food including the outstanding chicken soup, delectable clam chowder, delicious tender pot roast, tasty moist roast chicken, and perfect onion rings. The house-made bread and house-cut French fries are usually very good, too. Salads are decent but not exceptional; the $13 burger was disappointing and the Rueben looks great but was hard to eat (tough meat and kraut) and not at as good as expected (on two different visits). Service has been really good and friendly on most visits, and not so good on other visits. This place has been something of a favorite and I've liked the food and have kept going back. I want to be a fan, and would have rated it four stars, but unfortunately some of the staff don't seem to appreciate customers. Their "nickel and dime the customer" attitude (experienced twice so far in 6+ visits) produces a less-than-savory two-star after-taste that will make me think twice before returning. And here it is May 2014 and instead of going there every couple of weeks, we have not gone back yet.
(3)C K.
Had no idea we had a fun place like this downtown. Good food and excellent mixed drinks! Gets loud and crowded, but that is part of the vibe.
(4)Matthew T.
A lot of potential, some good food but the front of the house needs some work. The chef knows how to cook and has some interesting ideas. But with a miss or two. I stopped in here twice during the film festival, because I was curious and what else are you going to do between movies this time of year? First time, I came in and we had some wine and some "snacks" at the bar. The guy working the bar was good, attentive and nice. The wine excellent. I like the idea of the snacks and the tuna snack was very good. But we ordered three things before they figured out what they were out of, so we kind of ended up with the fourth choice because of communication problems between the kitchen and the front. The other odd thing that happened during this visit was plenty of film festival people kept coming by but when they weren't serving the normal menu, they left. The staff had no clue the film festival was running that week. What are you doing turning people away during one of the last tourist events of the spring?!?! These people will go somewhere else and will never be back. Insane. While wonky, I wanted to try the regular menu, so we went back later the same week. The manager/waiter was happy to tell us what he likes on the menu, which I appreciated. But he didn't seem interested in taking our drink order. Then a different waiter came and got our order, but only wanted to deal with drinks although we had been sitting there long enough we knew what we wanted. We started with the sardines and got a couple of dinners this time around. The sardines were great! I do recommend them. Then another waiter tried to give us another table's wine. The table who'e wine it was had to flag him down from across the room. Next the dinners came, I got the flat iron steak, which was good and the beans and potatoes were yummy. I wanted some bread to soak up the juices, but no bread to be found, except on all the tables around us. Hmmmmm, strange, do they serve bread or not? We'll never know. But the bread that came with the sardines was amazing. So inconsistent. We also got the sweet potato gnocchi. Bland and flavorless. Avoid those. Plus they were broiled under a salamander! No one came back and asked us about another round of drinks or about the food. A different waiter, yes a waiter not a bus boy or expediter, took way our plates and as she walked away asked about more drinks. We declined. This place has maybe 12 tables, tops, crammed into a small space. While we were there the second time we saw 4 waiters, a hostess and the manager guy we started with and two bartenders, plus a runner from the kitchen. Over staffed? Maybe. I need of some training, yes. With this many people crammed into the small place it was claustrophobic, and if the waiter #2 and #3 kept bumping into my chair one more time I was going to go crazy. Oh yeah, the other thing, the hippster "PBR in a can" thing is so over, and wasn't that interesting to start with. Other hippster touches include "our cocktails are made the old fashion way so be patient." Here is my advice, go get some wine and the sardines at the bar and leave it at that.
(3)Nathalie K.
Poor service: really long waiting time, the server gave us the dessert menu on a receipt. The food is good but overpriced for what it is.
(2)Jeanne M.
Awesome cocktails and soul warming food. Love to come here and kick back relax with a gin and tonic (excellent gin bar and educational bar tenders). Relaxing atmosphere. One of my favs.
(5)Debra B.
I can't say enough about the BlackBerry Bramble! Excellent service! Laid back relaxing atmosphere. Encompasses the Sarasota culture perfectly!
(5)Ben G.
We went to their bar next door before getting a table. We were able to take our drinks with us when our table was ready. I had the ribs for dinner. Huge serving and tasted delicious!
(4)DruMiguel E.
After going a few more times I've experienced not only a great atmosphere but a dramatic improvement in the burger. This place is fantastic.
(5)Matthew G.
I know that State Street Eating House is Hall & Oates' favorite local haunt when they're touring, but I don't see what all the fuss is about. The hostess was of average height and informed me that I would have to either finish my chardonnay or leave it outside. Of course I gulped it; I wasn't going to have some hobo steal my Yahtzee shaker and my chardonnay. We had drinks at the bar, which, by the way, did NOT feature bas relief carvings of circus scenes as I'd hoped. Server asked me to please stop exposing myself even though I'd tucked everything back into my pants almost ten minutes prior. Rude. I had the gyro platter with seasoned curlies. Or maybe it was the burger with house made pickled cucumbers and lobster mac & cheese. It's possible I nodded off during the main course. The bathroom, though was very nice. Warm and inviting with just a soupçon of faint vanilla and spice scent. The commode was a Moen; bone white and comfortable-no Toto, but still very accommodating. I will eat there again but only because the owner himself came out and asked me so politely to never come back. It's rare to meet a really in-touch chef/owner who is so kind. Just kidding this place is fu**ing awesome stop reading reviews and go eat there like now.
(5)Suzie S.
Went their for dinner with friends who had been to the restaurant before and really liked it so I had high expectations. My lamb was tender and tasty but several of us found the vegetables and mashed potatoes to be too salty. The waitress did not check on our table, which was in the back, so we could not exchange them. My friends were happy with their soup and fish. The bread was excellent but be prepared to pay an extra 3.50 if you want more than one piece. The carrot cake, which we shared, was moist, but not very tasty. The food is all very fresh, but the menu is relatively limited. Also, the white napkins shed lint all over our clothing.(they have black ones somewhere in the back room) The waitress said they were aware of the problem and have a lint remover available, but never brought it to the table. This is supposed to be an upscale restaurant. I was disappointed.
(2)Jim M.
State Street keeps getting better. We've enjoyed the drinks for years, but the entrees justify an even higher rating. I really think this is one other better all around establishments in Sarasota. We visited two weeks ago and again last weekend, when we took my son and his girlfriend. The cocktails were as good as ever. The service is consistently very good. Alex said the swordfish was literally amongst the best fish he has ever had, and he's had quite a few. I had the lobster mac and cheese for the first time, and it is quite delicious, though not the healthiest option on the menu. The flatbread is so good, we had to order a second helping (both times we visited). Finally, the grilled sardines are just like you get them in the South of Portugal and Spain - a big hit in my book. Eat the whole damn thing, like they do there - you can leave the head. PS - the new public parking garage is right across the street now. Keep the threshold high, State Street!
(5)Alex M.
There is a reason why all the cool kids go to state, it's simply the coolest place in town with the best cocktails, food and scene. Service has improved significantly since it opened (don't listen to the very planted and nasty reviews by vengeful ex employees ) and now with the new lounge there is something for everyone. We enjoy eating at the bar for a casual night out or for bigger parties call to reserve one of the private dining rooms however the place is small so be patient with seating. I'm addicted to the gravlax, fries, meatloaf, brownie Sunday's and brambles. The burgers are fantastic and the dumpling soup is often overlooked and delicious for something lighter.
(5)Nicole L.
The best gin selection I've EVER seen (and I'm still talking about it months later, all the way in Michigan)! This place (and the fab bartender) got me hooked on Nolet's and Blackberry Brambles. Great cocktails!
(5)Lulu M.
First time in State Street Eating House and will hands down be my last! The best part of the evening was that they had our table waiting for us at the moment we walked in. Started with an arrogant waiter who was either pushing food and/or drinks on us that we did not want or thought he knew better then us what we wanted to eat or drink. It was literally like I was fighting the guy all night to get what I wanted and not what he was recommending which was of course always more expensive. Food order for the four of us was the yellow tail fresh catch, chix & dumpling soup, tuna casserole and swordfish....everyone single one was bland and boring! After eating and arguing with the waiter that we did not want dessert, we left very disappointed and several hundred dollars poorer. If you take anything away from this review please save your money and go to Brio or Made or Stonewood Grill even....all of those are top notch in food and SERVICE. You may not have the same atmosphere but what good is the atmosphere when you're not enjoying the food and service.
(1)Sara S.
Sometimes you don't know what you have till it's gone. I miss their truffle lobster mac and cheese! It's the best! I've been eating my way through Tampa looking for something, anything remotely as good, and they all disappoint. Even the highly rated and recommended mac and cheeses aren't even close to the creaminess, the chunks of lobster, the crumb topping, the intense truffle flavor of State Street's. They also have my favorite salad. It's grilled and fantastic. There are so many great items on the menu, but the lobster mac and cheese wins the prize. I can even look past the slow service for it. It's so good.
(5)Carey Y.
I was excited to finally visit State Street Eating House with my dad for lunch last week. I've walked past it a bunch of times and am always intrigued by the menu, the minimalist/industrial atmosphere and the young, hip crowd dines and drinks there. When we met on a Wednesday at 1:30, we were greeted by the owner- who I was sure (and turned out to be wrong) must be from Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It felt so familiar in a New York-y way, and everything about him from his persona to his plaid shirt and bow tie made me think of the Brooklyn hipsters I left behind when I moved to Sarasota last year. We sat at a table and were brought menus and asked if we wanted tap or bottled water. We asked for tap, which we quickly realized was not going to cut it. The water was notably bad, as it often is in Florida, and we ordered a ($6!!) bottle of Evian instead. This turned out to be the ONLY thing about our experience here that we didn't both love. We did, in fact, chat with the owner about it after our lunch and he was very open to hearing the criticism. He explained that they were expanding into the space next door and planned to add a filtration system. We also discussed his ideas about charging for bread and filtered water, which my father and I cautioned him against. We both agreed that we'd rather see price increases on the menu items to cover his costs there rather than charging extra for things that our society definitely expects to be included. Anyway, back to the meal. We decided to order a bowl of soup, a salad, and a sandwich. We asked the waiter if he would ask the chef if he would split our three choices for us to share. When our food arrived, we were both pleased to see that the splits had been made. The portion sizes were STILL so large that I was surprised it was only 'half' on my plate and in my bowl. I liked the simplicity of the presentation and felt that it coordinated well with the decor of the restaurant. The way the ambiance, menu, staff and food all went together showed clear attention to detail and sophistication. Our clam chowder had whole clams, chunks of potato, celery, little puffed crackers, and a creamy, smooth, not-too-thick base. It had a wonderful flavor that could only come from the fresh clams. The semi-thin consistency made it a lovely first course instead of the heavy, filling, appetizer that most chowders are. Our salad and sandwich came out next, looking amazing. The salad was wonderful; Grilled lettuce hearts topped with ricotta salata and fried hearts of palm. It came with a side of bread, but I chose to leave it behind since the bread on the grilled cheese was already carb-indulgent enough. Well, ok. I did have one little bite of it, but it wasn't different enough from the sandwich bread that I could justify it. The salad was tossed in a grainy mustard dressing that added texture and a little sharp bite to this creative salad. It was my own fault that I didn't ask for the dressing on the side. I almost always do, but forgot this time. It was overdressed for my taste, but I still ate every bite and really enjoyed it. The classic grilled cheese sandwich was served on crusty sourdough, with thin slices of tomato. It was grilled perfectly and adorably topped with a green olive. Some creamy coleslaw came alongside of it, but was also a bit overdressed for my taste. I love cabbage, so too much mayo is always a disappointment. The cheddar cheese was awesome; gooey, sharp and exactly the comfort food I'd expected. Overall, aside from the bad tap water and overpriced bottled water, I thoroughly enjoyed this meal and restaurant. I would love to go back some evening after work for cocktails (they use craft liquors that add to inherently artsy quality) and snacks like the housemade pickles and mini lobster rolls on their snack menu. If you need a cool spot to meet a date or some friends, I think State Street Eating House makes a great choice.
(5)Jamie R.
It says cocktails, so we took them up on that. We were there to celebrate the season's final concert by Key Chorale with my favorite Alto. She had a finely muddled mojito. I ordered a retro negrino made of Campari, orange, and gin (clear not fruited, at the direction of Rocco, our very good server.) My other friends had Kettle vodka - no Stoly in the house - mixed with mineral water. To us! To Life!! To learning how to whistle with your fingers in your mouth so well that you get to be in the percussion section of the orchestra. Since we were going to make healthy dinner choices, we got the delicious grease, butter, and fire out of the way with orders of sweet corn hush puppies and deep fried peppers as appetizers. A dinner salad, and a well crafted quiche was enjoyed across the table from me. Next to me, bright red crawdads were devoured with gusto. I had a choice of freshly caught yellowtail or swordfish. Barely over a pound when naked, the little yellowtail that I asked to be grilled, was delectable. And charitably shared. O and btw, that whistle thing was not a fish story.
(5)Jim H.
Wow, this will be difficult to write as I liked the vibe of this place but doubt we would ever return. The good news is they do certainly honor their reservations as our table for six was waiting complete with ice water at each place setting. Our server was prompt and gladly explained some of their specialty drinks and later the nightly specials, which are also displayed on a chalkboard with pricing. He really did his job well and was the best part of the evening. Strangely our server had to apologize twice for the long wait for drinks, given the small size of this place it would seem a bartender would be able to keep up. Although it appears to be a pattern as food delivery was sluggish at best. We shared a fried whole anchovy appetizer ($9.00) served in a small paper bag with a basil aioli dipping sauce. We're anchovy lovers, they were crispy and delicious and a great presentation. It was a favorite part of our meal. We also shared the "Roasted Chicken for two" ($27.50) described on the menu as prepared with various herbs. A platter arrived with the SMALLEST chicken I have ever seen and was divided at the table by a hostess. This whole chicken for one would leave you hungry. Further it was plated to tiny plates making it impossible to eat without making a mess on the table, or place your utensils properly. Although the serving platter had two roasted orange halves and a whole onion, the chicken tasted like....chicken. Nothing special at all. Actually it needed seasoning, but being politically correct and very European there is no salt & pepper on the table. I object to this "we know better than you" fad, I know when my food should be flavor enhanced (which is what salt is, an enhancer) and although I can ask for it, I find it a ridiculous policy. Everything here is a la carte. We additionally ordered brussel sprouts roasted in duck fat. Given my above mini-rant, they were over salted! Others at our table had various fishes and actually heard no raves or complaints. One friend had the chopped salad which did look good and he commented how much he enjoyed it. A premium Vodka with an olive at $9.00, and a chicken the size of a Cornish game hen with no sides for $27.00, along with a lethargic bar and kitchen, I can't think of any reason to return.
(3)Ben P.
Wife and I had dinner at the bar. Always enjoy repartee with SRQ bartendenders but no such luck here. Bartenders devoid of personality. Apps came out right away. Entrees took forever. Bottle of wine was gone by the time they arrived. Hinted that they should comp us a couple of glasses but I believe that went over their heads. Kept apologizing about a large private party which caused the delay. Food okay; too liberal with the salt. Seems to be an ambitious effort but minor league result.
(1)Aaron N.
Great restaurant. We ate here on a Saturday night. They don't take reservations and there was a short but tolerable wait. We had the specialty cocktails. The bramble was excellent but the Negron had way too many bitters especially given the description. The food was fantastic. The best was the lobster Mac and cheese. It was full and flavorful unlike any other. I had the short ribs which were fall off the bone perfect. My wife had vegetables that were excellent as well. One minor drawback was no salt and pepper at the table. (Btw chefs we all have different salt taste levels, it's not an insult.) But they brought good sea salt with no problem. The service was adequate. But everything else was good enough for five stars. A great addition to downtown SRQ.
(5)Mike S.
Service was terrible. Rude and disorganized personnel and ownership. We will not be going back.
(1)Andrea B.
I have not had dinner here yet but it is one of the best places in Sarasota to go for their snacks and appetizers. Far from the tourist traps on St. Armand's Circle! My absolute favorites are the fried okra, mini corn dogs, and the onion rings! The service has been consistently good, and the atmosphere is great!
(5)Stephen C.
State Street offers a lot of cool dishes, decor, and drinks and fits in will with Sarasota's foodie culture. Most importantly, they aren't trying too hard. You can tell that the hosts, servers, and bartenders are genuine- you can't fake that. It's a bummer that they don't take reservations for a table of less than 5, but I get it. Grab a $10 cocktail and or two why you wait. They are worth it. Don't go tonight at 7 though- I'm trying to get a table.
(4)Terry A.
Drink and bar review only. This place is all about Sarasota. Pretentious, snob types, not-your local bar and grill for sure. I see the meatloaf runs about $22 a plate. The bar was cozy despite botox lady easily aiming at 75 years of age and, of course, the bartender, the "most interesting man in the world", who informed all the patrons, "I don't normally drink beer but when I do...".
(2)Amy P.
Unwelcoming. In an attempt to show some visiting british friends some american food and hospitality, we sought out State Street for an evening cocktail and snacks post an evening show downtown on a Friday. We arrived an hour before closing, but several members of the staff made us feel as if we were imposing on them. Sadly, our immediate suspicions were solidified when we overheard them lamenting to one another that we ought not to expect them to stay late and serve us. Maybe we misunderstood "eating house & cocktails". Maybe they misunderstand the art of customer service. Their website boosts an experience that goes beyond food. Indeed, it was such an unpleasant experience I won't recommend the food. Extremely disappointing as it's a very enticing concept/atmosphere aesthetically, but the staff and their vibe has the ability to immediately turn you off and cause loss of appetite. Because we felt so unwelcome we tipped for the tap water and left with a sour taste in our mouths.
(1)Patty M.
Wonderful place to have a Great Drink prepared by professional bartenders who can tweak the drink to perfection. NO MUSIC! Which allows one to hear though things do get loud with a good crowd. An assortment of well executed small plates that are delicious and varied along with some good entrees. Delicious desserts. The Maitre D who greets you at the entrance is there to find you a table at the bar or an eventual table, while the wait staff tends to your every wish. THE BEST NEW PLACE IN SARASOTA. Patty Miller
(5)Laura C.
We had dinner here on Saturday night. We called ahead and were seated promptly upon arriving. Then....we sat for 15 minutes until Gavin the manager noticed we had not ordered or gotten water as tables around us who came in later were already ordering. The food was delicious! We had the pot roast, kale and humus appetizer. The onion ring aps were drenched in oil, skip them. Before we had finished our aps and entrees the waiter was there to scoop up our plates, we asked that he come back. As soon as we took our last bite the bill appeared on our table. We felt rushed and hurried, they were ready for us to leave so they could seat the next party. Hopefully, front of house etiquette will improve...then this should be a great place to go!
(3)Kim S.
Everything was delicious. Small dining area but still enjoyable. We will definitely go back.
(4)Particular C.
DINERS BEWARE!!! The management at this restaurant is HATEFUL! We scheduled a dinner in the back room for fourteen people and when we attended with only eleven we were treated HORRIBLY! We had asked for separate check prior to attending and at the end of the they refused to provide them... They actually threw a pad of paper on the table and asked us to write down what we had ordered in order to get the separate checks accomplished and then added on an 18.5% group tip! The manager stated we had "wasted his time" and asked us not to return!!! The FOOD WAS UNDERWHELMING!!!! ... Small portions that were overpriced, service was slow... Took three hours to eat! Our group itself had a wonderful time entertaining ourselves, but we could have fun on a potluck picnic! I WOULD NEVER AGAIN GIVE THIS RESTAURANT MY BUSINESS!
(1)Christopher K.
My wife and I went here for dinner on a Friday night. We had a short wait, which we decided to do at the bar. The drinks were great, the bar area was lively and fun, and the bartenders were nice and attentive so we decided to just eat dinner at the bar. We got a salad, a fish entree and a steak entree, and a couple vegetable sides and everything was great. We had a very nice evening in this clean, nice, comfortable place.
(5)Danny E.
My wife and I visited this restaurant based on several recommendations from our friends...Upon entering, we were met by a very friendly hostess and were seated immediately after utilizing the "call-ahead" option. The place is simple, fun and very clean. The servers wear plaid shirts and jeans and there were quite a few people eating. Our server (Tim) was nice enough but seemed either inexperienced or just too busy to handle some very basic needs...water, new knife, cocktails,etc... My wife had the Bramble cocktail, I had a glass of chardonnay- both were finished before our dinners arrived and we were never asked if we like another- UNTIL we actually finished our meal and were offered by our hostess (maybe we should have had her as our server?) which we turned down-because we were finished with our meal...Any ways, I ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, my wife had the Hogfish. Both looked wonderful! The hogfish was very plump and flaky, cooked to perfection but lacked any real flavor, I hate to say- but it was boring...The lobster Mac was OK- nothing crazy to write home about, it wasn't bad- maybe I had higher expectations? All in all we felt like our server was just never really "There." Kudos to the hostess for refilling our water glasses and asking about about our cocktails. The food was OK, the ambiance was great, probably wont make it back anytime soon I'm afraid, but I do hope that it is successful- Sarasota really needs places like this as long as it can focus on some very basic, key elements of service.
(2)Kelly C.
My fiancé and I visited this establishment Saturday 5/4 and the food was good and the drinks were ok. That's where the compliments end!! Our drinks got dumped out twice by the male bartender (Macallan 12 mind you). On the 2nd time this occurred I approached the manager Kyle and told him. As he was trying to get us another drink the bartender walked over and took an empty glass from the dish sink and shook it in my face saying "this was your glass!!". I proceeded to go to the manager and tell him and forget the drinks because of the bartenders actions! The bartender followed me and accused me of being a liar in front of the manager! Mortifying !!!! We got our drinks from the friendly female bartender Susan drank them quickly and left. I am in the service industry and this is by far the worst service experience of my life!! Please beware!!! Sit at a table never the bar unless the male bartender is not there!!!
(1)