The appetizer of tuna tartar with bacon and whipped avocado was amazing. Couple that with a terrific dish of scallops with risotto and a cup of vegan chili white bean and you are in for a treat. Our server was the best that I have experienced in a long time. He always inquired and served my wife before myself, proper etiquette for an upscale restaurant - really any restaurant, but I only expect it in higher end establishments. He was friendly, knowledgable and popped over just the right amount so as not to be intrusive on our experience but still readily available. The atmosphere was very relaxing and relatively quiet. Libby's was one of our best dining experiences we had during our stay in Florida. Luckily my parents live only 30 minutes away, so we will return again!
(5)
Danner T.
I've been coming here for years and am never amazed with anything. Servers are kind. Man with the ponytail is always great and buss boys are spot on. Food is like assembly line food now... And way way to many menus and odd menu arrangements per area. The wine is good. Susie the waitress is kind and always attentive. They try to hard with sauces and odd sides. they should just do fresh simple dishes ...
(2)
Daniel A.
*Note: This review is for the bar area only.* Simply put, Libby's is great. Sarasota Magazine consistently awards Libby's as one of the top happy hours spots and I agree. Happy hour is everyday between 4 and 7. Drafts and many salads, sandwiches, and appetizers are half off. There are also many other drink specials which can be found on their website. They even recently renovated the adjacent bar and added about 8 draft lines of local craft beer! The atmosphere is fun and semi-classy. You will feel out of place if you head here straight after the beach--so be sure to change before going. The dimly lit bar area is beautiful and has tea light candles at each marble top table. Contemporary background music compliments the atmosphere. The food is creative and ever-changing with the seasons--so you know what you're eating is fresh. It's a little on the salty side for me, but good nonetheless. I live about 1,000 miles away from this restaurant, but every time I visit Sarasota, I make sure to visit Libby's.
(4)
Jason M.
This is the type of place where you go in and you're pissed you haven't been here sooner. At least that's how we felt. Quiet place on a cute street. We always thought the previous tenant "Fred's" was for old people. Well Libby's has been here for 8+ years and now we are old people! But Libby's has a great menu for all ages. So many unique things to pick from that we had a hard time choosing. Already knowing we would be back, we chose the Cheesesteak eggrolls (amazing!), the Kobe Meatloaf special (holy WOW!) and the fish tacos (super yum). Our server Joe was hilarious we had a great time chatting him up. Can't wait to go back next time we're in SRQ.
(5)
S L.
Went there for Sunday brunch and it was pretty good. Lots of interesting and creative items on their menu. They are definitely pricey. The service was mediocre...not what I was expecting from a decent fine dining restaurant.
(3)
David S.
Welcome to Cougartown. Sarasota is known for its Cougars. I didn't really see what people were talking about, but then I came to Libby's. Eureka! Libby's is a very good restaurant and bar. I would come here regardless of it being a scene. However, please note that it IS a scene - at least on a Thursday night. DJ and all. I had the baked goat cheese and brussel sprout salad and the filet. All of which was delicious. No regrets on my order. Our waiter was a bit busy, but was still attentive and gave our rather large group very good service. I was there for a work function and spoke with my colleagues about their dishes. All of them liked what they ordered. The decor is a balance between steakhouse conservative and Florida modern. The outdoor seating looks like a nice option, even though I didn't dine there. The bar is where the scene is and can be very busy on a Thursday night. I don't drink so can't speak to the drinks quality but they were making a lot of specialty drinks for the guests.
(4)
Jen M.
Words cannot describe the amazing Easter Brunch that Libby's put together, even great for kids ......... Worth the price for something you do every once in awhile !!!!
(5)
Cathy B.
We had a sensational server, Jessica when we dined for a Saturday afternoon brunch last weekend. We love that there are options to eat indoors or out and having a table by the windows was just perfect for us - it was nice to be able to make requests like that using the opentable reservation right through yelp! The brunch menu was extensive and included not only breakfast but also lunch items. They also had the dining out specialty menu- it was without a doubt the longest and toughest decision my fellow foodie fans and I have had to make at a lunch menu. We tried a variety of wine and cocktails and I highly recommend the farmstead sauvignon blanc! The hummus appetizer was to die for and the pita chips were amazing just on their own! The burger with a huge and beautiful fried slice of velveeta was ingenious- too big to eat it all especially with the crispy side of fries! The mushroom burger was equally as juicy and huge! Jessica was extremely attentive and personable - I would request her again. They even surprised me with a cookie the size of a plate to celebrate my birthday - although their other homemade desserts were incredible looking too. The ambience was upscale and comfortable casual and they did have a live dj playing some hits earlier in the brunch that was not obtrusive. If you love bloody mary's their make your own setup at the bar included the usuals as well as bacon, and some additional gourmet treats you don't normally see. It is well worth it to check out Libby's for any meal or occasion - they do not disappoint. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Lori L.
Prix Fixe was amazing! $16.. Spring wedge salad, entree of chicken tacos in real corn shells, gourmet corn the cob, then chocolate brownie and ice cream dessert. Wine included! Great service.
(4)
Laura P.
My husband & I stopped in here for a couple after dinner drinks. I had the Barista & he had the Bluegrass & Blackberries. Both drinks were amazing! They apparently have a happy hour from 4-7pm daily, I think we will have to try it out!
(5)
Kelsey W.
The food and service were both fantastic. We came on Valentine's Day (with a reservation 3 weeks in advance), so it was very crowded. In spite of this, the food came out quickly and perfectly prepared. There were a few excellent options for vegetarians and vegans. My MIL and I split the lentil cake small plate, Crusted goat cheese brussels sprouts salad, and the Vegan fig and walnut loaf. All were delicious, but the the fig loaf was a standout. Even the picky omnivore at the table liked it. I highly recommend Libby's for a nice dinner out.
(5)
Rev. Robert D.
The waitstaff was awesome!!! The food sub par. I can tell you everything we had but let me just say the price did not match the quality of food.
(2)
Kimberly W.
If I could give 3 and half stars I would have. Beautiful setting, nice staff but nothing to write home about on the food. Just ok.
(3)
D J.
I had high expectations for this place but I wasn't impressed with the food at all. I was extremely underwhelmed. I had the mushroom burger with the truffle Parmesan fries. Although the burger was cooked perfectly it didn't seem to be seasoned at all...it was really bland. The fries were overcooked & had way too much truffle and not enough Parmesan. The house made condiments were delicious. Thankfully, they were playing awesome music!!!
(3)
AaronErin D.
It's hard visiting Sarasota and deciding where you want to eat since there are so many amazing choices, this was a great choice! We decided to stop here after running errands in town and caught the tail end of Happy Hour in the lounge area. Keep in mind this was also on a Saturday, most places rarely offer Happy Hour on the weekends so it was a pleasant surprise. They offer an amazing speciality drink menu with many options. I personally had The Cucumber Martini & The Spiced Sangria, both were delicious! As far as food we decided to try The Cheesesteak Egg roll, Their "Asian" egg roll & Lettuce cups off the Happy Hour bites. You must order the Cheesesteak Egg roll! Being from south Jersey & spending a lot of time in Philadelphia, this was spot on!! Very impressed. I also ordered the Goat Cheese & Brussels Sprouts salad which was out of this world. I wish we could have tried one of everything here, for the first time I wanted every item on the menu. The staff here is very polite & efficient as well. I recommend coming here 100 percent. Enjoy! Cheers!
(5)
Yvonne R.
Another Fabulous lunch today. Had the grilled scallops over a bed of arugula ,romain, kalamata olives, roasted peppers and onions and crab cake over Caesar salad.!
(5)
Lea T.
Original and delicious! Libby's is a favorite of mine for their unique and affordable menu options- whether lunch or dinner I always leave Libby's satisfied. Portions are more than enough and small plates also allow for more options when deciding what to eat. Don't miss the $10 lunch specials or the simply grilled section of the menu for the more health conscious patrons. The Libbstacker sandwich CANNOT be missed and truffle Parmesan fries- you can't go wrong! Appetizers are all awesome, love ordering a bunch for out table and jut enjoying a tapas style meal
(5)
Barbara N.
Based on one visit, I'm too thrifty to return here. Portions were small, prices were high, service was indifferent. A house specialty drink, Pink Lady, sounded great on the menu but was small, served tepid and wasn't very tasty. This place is definitely for those who can drop $60 or so on a not-much lunch and not think about it. The DJ on a slow Saturday afternoon was a bit weird. The chopped grilled vegetable salad with shrimp added to it was very small, tasty, but not really even a lunch portion--more like an appetizer size. If the well oiled 'salad' were served on a bed of fresh salad greens, then it would have been perfect. A short rib sandwich served with fries was tasty and really rich. Despite being empty midday on a Saturday, we were neglected by the waiter. I think he was training someone. He's also the one who mixed the crummy drink.
(3)
Resa G.
I went for the first time recently and enjoyed the food. I loved the little pesto biscuits they bring out with whipped butter, roasted garlic and cherries. It sounds like a strange combination but it's very good. I ordered the burger and Parmesan fries. Burger was OK but the fries were better. Menu is a bit pricey.
(4)
Beatriz H.
It was amazing! Our server was very nice and really helpful, we ordered 3 small plates and the warm goat cheese salad to share a long with a bottle of wine! Everythig was superv!
(4)
Marcy K.
I went here in February and was lured in by the reviews. I was hopeful perusing the menu. I ordered a lamb burger and their truffle fries. The food was...dry. I can't describe it any other way. I had to ask for more tzatziki sauce to moisten the burger after the first 2 bites. The fries were just weird, too. Almost like freezer burned shoe string fries tossed in truffle oil. It just wasn't a good experience and I won't be back.
We live here year round and this is one of the four restaurants that we dine at regularly. Only 10 minutes from downtown, Libby's finally got its act together about 4 years ago. Now, the regular menu dishes and specials are excellent and the service is always terrific. Try the lamb burger for lunch or the chicken panini. Burgers are always A+. For dinner - go for the grouper or any fish dish - you won't be disappointed. Upscale atmosphere - its a pleasure getting away from the tee-shirt and shorts crowd!
(5)
cheese w.
Overall, a pretty good experience. Waiter (Corey) was very friendly, but clearly working hard to keep up with so many tables. His attitude was great but at times service was a little slow. I don't think that was his fault - he was working both inside and outside tables and hustling. Barrel cut filet mignon ordered medium rare - came out rare, which was actually fine with me. The blue cheese butter was too cold and almost tasteless. I ended up putting it in my mashed potatoes instead (I swapped out the baked for mashed). The meat itself was tender and nice. Grouper was tasty, but mashed potatoes on that dish were cold. Field greens with goat cheese was a nice salad. Cheddar biscuits were tasty as were the dipping options (garlic, butter, cherries). However, we had to ask for them. Key lime pie was so-so. The addition of gummi bears was just weird and unnecessary.
(4)
Krissy M.
My friend J came from out of town for a bridge run, and we thought the best way to celebrate a success was brunch! So, we hopped on over - I made a reservation through Yelp/Open table since some of the reviews mentioned it could be busy. We arrived at the first seating - 10:30 - and though it was quiet then (DJ was still setting up, etc) we were glad that we got in when we did because people started trickling in at a good pace. There was a bridal shower or something going on in a back room, so we had a pretty prime people watching spot as they passed through the main dining area we were seated in. We loved the $9 mimosa/bloody mary bar, but only partook in one drink each ($4 for refills). The mimosa bar features an array of freshly cut fruit and fruit purees. That was fun - next time, we've gotta try the bloody mary bar (tons of hot sauces, pickles, pepper, etc). I had the miso mahi burger (so good) and J ordered Libbyapalooza. She let me sample some items, and the pancake was my favorite; my only non-love on her plate were the homefries/potatoes - a little greasy. Our server was pleasant and helpful (especially as we were muddling through the extensive menu) and the service was prompt. We'd return!
(4)
Sara S.
I can't support racism. Libby's was one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota for their unique menu. Unfortunately, I can't support this restaurant anymore. My husband and his friends were dining outside when there was a disturbance started by an older man who walked up to someone at the table and said something so atrocious only people in the deep south would say before the Emancipation Proclamation. The commotion caused one of the owners to come out and surprisingly kicked out my husband and his friends even after learning the details of what the racist man said. I know the clientele and demographics of Sarasota and most of Florida is skewed to one side, but he chose to keep the wrong customers. I'm not saying the owner is racist, but I can't support a business owner who tolerates and accepts racism and bigotry for his business.
(1)
Maggie L.
I've never came here for dinner, but I love to stop by after work, they have a great happy hour! Great cocktails, however, I hardly come here anymore since they took the flatbreads off of the happy hour menu. Maybe they were just too good of a deal?
(3)
Luke S.
Service was amazing, even at 11am on a Sunday. They were super busy, but our server was happy to answer all of our group's questions with a positive attitude. She gave us honest answers on what she recommended, even suggesting adjustments to certain menu items to give us the best experience. The chicken on the chicken and waffles is fantastic. If you want to enjoy chicken fingers ever again, I suggest you don't eat these - nothing will ever compare.
(5)
Sidney P.
One of best restaurants in Sarasota. Brussel sprout salad is amazing as is the simply grilled selections
(5)
Sarah S.
Went there for lunch on Sunday and it was a disappointment. I had a salad with steak which was WAY over seasoned. I had to scrape most of it (what I could manage, at least) off and only ate about two bites. My husband had the mahi tacos which should have been listed as an appetizer. We had only been there forty five minutes and had just finished our meals but we're sipping on a couple glasses of wine, when our waiter made it clear time was up. He dropped the check and then came back a couple times to see if we had given our credit card yet. I would understand this if it were between 11-1 on a Sunday because they need the table. Um it was 2:30...mind if we finish our wine?
(2)
Monica M.
My husband and I LOVE this place! Happy hour is from 4-7 and they have craft cocktails and great food! Love the way the restaurant opens up to the outside. More restraints in Sarasota like this please!
(5)
Jason G.
Nothing special. I brought my girlfriend here to celebrate after reading reviews and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed. The food was decent across the board. The service was one step above horrible. We were ignored most of the night and conversation with the waiter and table was super short. We sat outside. There was a man playing songs on a piano while his wife (I'm assuming she was) danced around. It was very cute to watch and provided an amazing ambience. However, the restaurant left the speakers playing so the indie music was funneled outside. Now, I'm a fan of Maroon 5, but the mix between Maroon 5 and a classic piano song is just too much. I don't know that I would come back here or reco it to a friend.
(2)
Julie S.
We have heard such great things about this restaurant but the service was as lukewarm as our food. We had to ask for silverware after the meal arrived and were informed that there was a shortage. The meal was undercooked. I am still trying to think of something positive to write.
(1)
Rob J.
Service = 2 stars although depends entirely upon your luck of the draw of server. We came up with the weaker of the lot: excruciatingly slow to the point of it being absurd, restaurant half empty. Food = 3 stars, nothing special in the taste department but edible, menu is varied. In all, clearly overrated but you could eat dinner here if better places were booked up.
(2)
Drew H.
We dined here on a Monday night, in their slow season. We found this place on yelp and read glanced through their menu online. We were instantly intrigued by a few items we saw on there. (Philly cheesesteak eggrolls, bulgogi tacos, etc.). Once we found Libby's it instantly was not what I pictured based on the menu we read online. I pictured bright, colorful, modern. It was dark and classic looking, more like a steakhouse. The server (Travis) was excellent. The biscuits they give you are amazing and kind of like red lobsters cheddar biscuits. They are served with a three different treats to accompany the bread.The appetizers were great, we had the Gyoza, which was four dumplings that exploded with flavor. In addition we had the Korean BBQ ribs which were super tender and seasoned well. The final appetizer some sort of chicken lettuce wrap with Kim-chee and peanut sauce. Those were very good as well. For the main course I had the bulgogi tacos and my wife had the chimichurri chicken. Now by looking at our selections so far, one would think this was some asian fusion type of restaurant but it was far from it. There menu had depth and went several directions. Anyhow the tacos were pretty damn good. I like tacos and I love bulgogi, so they were perfect for me. I only had a couple bites of my wife's chicken but they were good also. I've never put chicken and chimichurri together but why wouldn't it work? Our kids both had spaghetti from the kids menu. My son approved of it and he is very picky. And the kids menu was priced well. For desert we ordered the apple pie/cinnamon ice cream thing. It came in an iron skillet- still bubbling hot. It was unreal. I didn't want to share. But I did. We also got the strawberry shortcake that comes in a mason jar, and like everything else we tried so far, it was on point. I give it four stars because it was one of those meals that I kept talking about afterward and threatened to go back. I even threatened to get the Gyoza over again as a desert. I didn't give it a five star because I'm still waiting to eat that meal that literally blows me away. Stats 2 adults 2 children (5 and 11) 3 appetizers 2 entrees 2 kids menu choices 2 deserts 1 soda 0 alcohol Bread rating 8/10 140.00 including tip
(4)
Mare G.
Went here with my husband for brunch and ordered the deviled eggs, and quinoa cakes to start. Service was excellent but my main meal was lackluster. I ordered the libbypolooza and I couldn't eat the eggs, sausage or hash browns because they were so greasy. Not sure we'd go back. Fun location near Morton's but they need to improve their breakfast cooking techniques.
(3)
Mel F.
Solid place for lunch and dinner. Some very tasty signature cocktails and some of the best short ribs and creamed kale I've had in the area. Lots of small bites it you just want a tasty nibble. Service has been good and really like how the large windows open up to take advantage of good weather. They take reservations on Open Table so take advantage!
(4)
Katye M.
We wanted to try a new restaurant while we were down in Siesta Key and thought Libby's would be pretty "low-key" and casual based on the name of the restaurant. When we arrived, we noticed it was actually it was more upscale than we thought (white linen table cloths). There was no dress code and the staff were quite gracious when we walked in in casual clothes. The items on the menu sounded fantastic. For appetizers, we ordered the classic caprese, crab cakes, and "Seoul Kitchen" chicken lettuce cups. They were fabulous! I only had the caprese salad and it was the best I've ever had (see photo). Everyone else also enjoyed the lettuce cups and crabs cakes. For our entrees, we ordered the wild mushroom ravioli (AWESOME!), bugogi beef tacos, burger, and a couple other items. Everyone loved what they ordered and we all said we would go back again. The service was great! They were very attentive and great with the kids (9 and 8 year olds). One family member ordered the egg roll and the way they described it to him it sounded like it was bigger than expected, but it was a pretty small item for dinner. Luckily we shared a lot of our food and everyone had plenty to eat. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota, but I'm also basing this off of a couple things. One, I'm not a seafood person, so all of the restaurants we usually go to when we're down there for vacation are primarily seafood. Two, we are only there for vacation and we usually eat at the same restaurants each year with a couple changes each year. Therefore, I don't have many to compare it to. With this in mind, I would recommend Libby's. It's on a "cute" and "quaint" street with other restaurants and shops. We wanted to go to the bakery across the street, but it was closed when we finished. Pictures will be uploaded soon.
(5)
Moe B.
Five star food, two star service. Lovely romantic evening was a bit thrown off by the waiter. Where were the promised bread/rolls? Asked again. Sure he said, as soon as they get out of the oven. Meanwhile, the tables on either side of us are enjoying their rolls. Our entrees come. The waiter comes by again to ask if there's anything we need. Er, some rolls? So, just as we finish off our meals they are thrown on the table without comment or apology. On the other hand, the chowder was ethereal, the salmon salad was just marvelous and my wife's seafood pasta was a light and fresh as could be. And the Wednesday night half priced bottle of wine was great. But the service gives me pause..
(3)
Jan W.
Vegan friendly?: not so much This place is listed on 'Vegsarasota.com' as having a vegan menu, but not only do they not have that, the only vegan option that they do have listed comes with regular cheddar cheese and aioli (WTH?). That option (a vegan loaf) without the cheese and aioli was not bad. Fries were good. My wife had the Brussels sprouts that could have been great if it wasn't smothered in the mustard.
(2)
Mike P.
Good food, professional service nice size portions, priced right, great atmosphere What's not to like? A place you go to again and again.
(4)
Madison F.
I love this restaurant and when I visit Sarasota, this is the place I request to go. I've mostly had their appetizers, which are fantastic. The meatloaf sliders are absolutely incredible. They are full of flavor, crunchy and gooey all rolled into one. I've had their signature salad which was very fresh and flavorful as well. Their sticky ribs were also very tasty, the sauce was bright with the right amount of zing and the ribs were cooked well. They also have the best biscuits served at the table and I've had a few good cocktails, too. Overall, this place never disappoints if you know what you like. I've heard from family that the entrees can be not as good as others, and the Wedge salad was disappointing from what it used to be years ago, but I really do love this place because I can always expect good service and good food.
(5)
Elizabeth F.
I want to love this place since its within walking distance of my house but I don't. I've gone for brunch and happy hour. The brunch off the menu was very overpriced, the bloody Marys were good but they didn't live up to the hype. I've been for Mother's day brunch, which was buffet style and I enjoyed that. Happy hour prices were great but don't order off the food menu. We order a cheeseburger flat bread literally had cheeze whiz on it (not even kidding), also ordered the blue cheese chips, I was thinking I would get something similar to the delicious chips served down the street at gecko's but they actually used what I believe to be Ruffles potato chips, squirted some balsamic glaze on top, sprinkled on some blue cheese and brought it to my table. I have been to a company Christmas party that was in the back room and the food served for that was very good. Libby's tries to be an upscale restaurant but the concept gets lost once Ruffles and cheese whiz are on the menu.
(2)
Coty S.
There is only one reason to come to Libby's---- for Happy Hour! That hour of happiness occurs every single day of the week from 4-7pm. libbyscafebar.com/downlo… The deals on the food during Happy Hour are ridiculous (in a good way), because it is half price. Especially for the quality of the food offered for that price, which ranges from $4-8 a plate. Rich or poor, they have something for everyone. The Mac and Cheese is delish, and anything seafood or deep fried is recommended. They specialize in their flavor-packed eggrolls, so order some. I'm usually in and out of here pretty darn quick, and on to better things, like karaoke down the street. The location is classy, the servers are top notch best in the business, and parking is difficult at street-side during this busy time of day. The atmosphere is beautiful, open, and updated. However, it is the wild crowds of cougars and their prey that scare me. I'm just not old enough to get into that scene, and I'm not a wino. So, if you are 45-75 and a wino, you will totally love Libby's!
(4)
Caron S.
We went for an early Saturday dinner and everything was truly fantastic. While Libby's at first felt upscale, I quickly noticed the waiters and waitresses in jeans and matching black Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. Our waitress was stellar - friendly, humorous and exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu. I started with the roasted vegetable "salad" - a wonderfully plated dome of roasted chopped veggies surrounded by drizzles of olive oil, balsamic and basil and then topped with freshly grated cheese. We shared the mussels (they arrive in a warm pot) which were slightly spicy and gingery, and a huge hit. A first-timer to Libby's, I ordered the four-cheese and pear tortelloni with truffle cream sauce. They were amazing. I did try a few bites of the kobe meatloaf, complete with fried egg on top, green beans on the side and one happy onion ring. Also, amazing. Great experience and perfect location right across from Morton's Market in my hometown.
(4)
LA B.
Went here for the prix fixe, three course special and it was fantastic. I had the new house salad which had goat cheese, fresh strawberries, and candied nuts. My guest had the tomato soup. For our entrees we had the cedar planked salmon and the crispy grouper bites. For the last course we both had the strawberry shortcake. Portion size was appropriate for both meals. Pacing was good as well. Our waiter was attentive and informed. The food was perfectly seasoned which I noticed around the time of the entree. Then I realized there was no salt or pepper on any of the tables. Pretty confident of a Chef to pull that off. Early bird price was $16 each, but the order has to hit the kitchen before 5:30pm. It was worth every penny and I've paid a lot more for a lot worse.
(5)
John D.
ELEGANT SURROUNDINGS By that I mean white tablecloth and a warm inviting ambiance. For lunch I had the GULF SHRIMP-DEVILED EGG SALAD SLIDER. It was tasty but miniscule, and came with an equally small Caesar salad. One of the smallest I've seen in quite a while. As if to make up for the paltry size of the offering, they heaped house made & oil drenched potato chips on the plate. Yes, I ate it all, and it was tasty! To be quite honest, the food in my opinion was about 3 1/2 stars, but the fine service and surroundings bump it overall to four stars.
(4)
Billy B.
We stopped here during our stay in Sarasota and it was great. The outdoor seating is great! The tuna and Kobe meatloaf sliders were fantastic. The best part was the Dutch baby apple pie desert. Very low key and plenty of parking. Can't go wrong here!
(4)
Joyce R.
My daughter took me here to celebrate my birthday. The food was outstanding. Lots of choices for no carb diet. I had the snapper and spaghetti squash. Never has spaghetti squash taste so much like pasta. I HAD to break diet to have one of their delicious little cheese biscuits. They were worth every carb!!! My bib lettuce salad was excellent and huge. My daughter had the spaghetti and meatballs, said it was great. Great little patio for dining and the service was outstanding. This one is a true gem.
(5)
Joyce C.
Went to the early bird after attending FST. Not our choice but went along with friend's suggestion. One word sums it up AWFUL....the choices on the menu were dreadful, grouper chunks, a flatbread, a veggie selection that our waiter suggested we avoid, a salmon that was probably raised in a pool, meatloaf (the best choice if you eat meat), and maybe 1 other. We all got something different. The meatloaf was the highlight...my Ceasar salad was shredded lettuce that looked like wilted grass. Desserts were ridiculous... The strawberry shortcake was a gooey strawberry concoction over a small piece of cake. Didn't see any fresh strawberries... The price was cheap, but charge more and provide decent food. Larry said it was like going to a banquet at a marginal restaurant. I gave it 2 stars, the waiter was nice.... Now if you might think I just do not like this place you'd be wrong. We hit happy hour at the bar 2-3 times a month. Great small plates and very decent drinks. My advice here, don't offend your taste buds by choosing this early bird...
(2)
Sarah M.
The biscuits they give you to begin with are like crack. It's that good. They taste like somebody stole the red lobster biscuit recipe, took out half the grease and added an upscale twist. Plus they are served with a unique side of cherries, cheese and roasted garlic. I could have left right then and been happy. I ordered 2 of the specialty cocktails ($6 from 4-7). I had the #7 and #5- both were yummy but the #5 took the cake with a mix of tequila, black pepper, grenadine, and grapefruit. Sounds nasty but it was the perfect sweetness. A light summery drink. For my meal I had the mahi tacos. It was a large serving and came with fries. The large strips of fish were fresh and the 3 tacos came with 2 types of dips. I'll take a dip over a dressing already on my food any day. Finally, for dessert I had the baked apple and ice cream. It had a snazzy name but I can't remember it. It took about 15 minutes to come out because they cook each one individually but it was worth it. My only warning about this place is that it was packed even at 6pm so the waitstaff was a little frazzled. We got our bread about 30 seconds before the meal came out and got our bread plates even after that. It was a little loud inside, but mostly an over 70 crowd and nothing too rowdy. Fabulous dinner!
(5)
Norm G.
Enjoyed the environment, the piano bar was happening during happy hour and later on... The meal was relaxing and stylish. The server was friendly and helpful. We celebrated my daughters birthday and the only negative was they were out of one of our dessert choices.
(4)
Kim W.
Much more food than we knew what to do with!!! Very rich dishes but very delicious!! Great location and decor, a must try in Sarasota!!
(5)
Hank R.
Food was good. Service was terrible. Our waiter (Rudolph) took over 10 minutes before bringing menus. He did not apologize, did not introduce himself, did not mention the specials, etc. Only time we saw him was taking the order and delivering the bill. I may give it another try but with a waiter other than Rudolph.
(2)
Benjamin M.
Horribly confused - trying to do too much - riding on trends without understanding the concepts - high falutin food gone wrong. Ok. That's a lot to contend with. I'll go point by point 1. Horribly confused One look at the menu and I knew this place was in trouble. The menu is huge and all over the place. Tacos! Eggrolls! Kobe Beef! Salads! I understand the desire to give every customer what they want, but as with every restaurant, the larger the menu is, the less likely it is to get the dishes right. and this is a BIG menu. (19 apps, 11 soups/salads, 29 mains-not including the "simply grilled") nearly 60 menu items, ranging from French (Marsala, Chateaubriand), to Asian inspired (katsu salad, bulgogi beef taco), to traditional surf and turf, and the stuff randomly put in an eggroll or Taco-fied. What type of restaurant is this? Each of these cuisines takes nuance to get right - how can you expect this place to get them ALL right? 2. Trying to do too much. This is similar to my first point. And I do appreciate when a restaurant makes the dinner a new experience. The short of it is that Libbies tries to blind you with fancy combinations, interesting ingredients, and odd fusions - but those combinations don't make sense and don't taste good together. 3. Riding on trends without understanding the concepts. Asian fusion is in! Let's put stuff in an eggroll! Ok. Fine. But does putting it in an eggroll make the food better? Or does it merely reheat pre-prepared food in an oily fried package? With Libby's the novelty of packaging and presentation did not enhance the flavor, it merely alter the food delivery mechanism. Kobe beef is great! Indeed it is - and I love it as a tartare, or in a dish which highlights the tremendous flavor of the meat. Not necessarily in a slider with Velveeta. Velveeta! It's on the menu! I love me a good high class lowbrow meal, but smothering great beef with foul tasting, much mocked cheese-spread is not my idea of a good time. Neither is mixing the kobe into a meatloaf (mixed with 2 other meats no less) for a special. A great ingredient ruined by preparation. 4. high falutin food gone wrong. For all the fancy-shmancy descriptions and odd combinations, the food was just plain old overcooked - across the board. Dried out planked salmon (why was the plank on my plate?) Overcooked "simply grilled grouper" which should have been simple - and seasoned with salt and pepper rather than the odd assortment of herbs. My green beans which came with the main were boiled, limp and completely unseasoned. Burssels sprouts were overseasoned beyond edibility. I will NOT be back.
(1)
Richard W.
4.6 for the food, but only 3 for service, which started out very ragged and improved only slightly. It seems to me that a place like this would wow with service. Our waitron came up promptly, but then disappeared until long after we were ready to order. Bread was very late coming, and was received only after we asked for it twice.
(4)
Michael M.
Came in on a Saturday afternoon to meet up for lunch with some friends. Beautiful restaurant and wonderful service. My first time dining so I decided to order from the prix fixe menu to be able to taste a little bit of everything. Had the LCB Green Salad, Kobe Meatloaf and Mango Sorbet. The salad was nothing to write home about but the Kobe Meatloaf was delicious. Tender meat served with the perfect amount of sauce to mix with the side of potato puree- would easily finish a full serving size the next time. Mango sorbet was refreshing and a perfect end to a wonderful meal.
(4)
Ellen P.
My husband and I don't often have before dinner drinks, we drink sparkling water with limes, so we immediately felt shunned, but that often happens in restaurants that make their living serving expensive drinks. We shared the Korean Sticky Ribs (mediocre at best), Bulgogi beef tacos on "grilled" corn torillas (I was told there were 4 tacos per order, I only got 3, 3" COLD corn tortillas served open-face with a small amount of meat and cabbage in a pile in the middle of each, less than acceptable), and one of the entre fish dishes (it was nothing memorable). Strangely, when I pick up the beef taco, there were actually two cold soft tacos stuck together under the pile. Obviously, no pride went into this presentation. To top off the evening, the service was lousy for this higher end (white tablecloth) restaurant. Having requesting the limes, when she took our drink order, we didn't see them, after repeatedly asking any of the staff who happened by our table, until after the food was served. Maybe it was a bad night, but I don't understand how Libby's gets any awards. There are too many good restaurants in Sarasota and Siesta Key, to waste our time and money, giving this place another try.
(2)
Robert H.
Good service. Good food ... BUT, you have to know what to order. Sometimes foods are paired in ways that don't appeal to us; however, we really like the dishes we like and really don't like the dishes we don't.
(4)
Loren H.
My wife and I went here for our 34th Anniversary. Great service, great food. Easy to make reservations on line and recommended. Wide menu including, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. I had snapper over creamed kale, superb!
(5)
Jan S.
Good food, great service; a nice place to eat. always reliable
(4)
Claire S.
This place is upscale but we took our little monster anyway and sat outside and went during the off lunch hour. I had the calamari caesar salad which was really nice, and an interesting combo. My sole gripe with this place was that it so reminded me of a salad they have at the Oar on Long Island which is far superior and better priced and has a nice canal view. I know it might not be the most fair comparison and the salad itself was yummy and I enjoyed it very much, I just thought for the price and the restaurant being a "fancy" restaurant they should try and knock it out of the park a little more. But on the whole I am glad we went.
(3)
Diane L.
While vacationing in Sarasota last week, we enjoyed Libby's so much we ate there 3 times! Trenton, our waiter was amazing. One person in our party has very strict dietary needs - he made her feel at ease with her requests and the chef was quite accommodating. The ambiance, food and service - EXCELLENT!!!
(5)
Lynn M.
Had brunch there for the first time today. The crab cake scramble with lobster was amazing...so much lobster...and of course the herb biscuits with cherries, truffle butter and roasted garlic! They made my little girl who just lost a tooth feel extra special by finding her a box to carry her tooth in AND the 'special' ice cream they got her from the back.
Quaint small breakfast spot. Love the location off the beaten path. Would have been 4 or 5 stars but as a previous review said, the coffee was weak and I need strong coffee.
(3)
Anthony S.
Libbys is absolutely fantastic. You absolutely cannot go wrong with anything on the menu and the food is creative, fresh, and full of flavor. Definitely try the tuna steak or grouper sandwich!
(4)
Adam S.
This was a really interesting and inventive menu and I would love to come back and give some of the other items on the menu a try. I ended up getting their "shades of White Castle" burger which is a burger with fried velveeta, a thin slice of ham, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. It was a nice burger. The velveeta made it also a burger meets grilled cheese sandwich kind of thing. The salt and pepper fries were good, but nothing too special. The wife had the calamari Caesar which was a good dish as well (and a combo I've never seen). My two criticisms of the place are that my burger was not medium rare even though I asked for it to be. Second, $35 for a burger and a salad is steep. It's good food though.
(4)
Rob B.
Ok, Ok, Ok, wait a minute. This place has totally changed since my last review. Erase all that. Gone it is...all of it. They went casual dinning on me. Had a grouper sandwich which was ok. All my favorite items on the menu...gone. Now it's like going to TGIF. The menu...you guys had to sell out. Oh well. I was really disappointed when Big Sugar closed it's doors. That was a great restaurant. Libby's I guess survived by selling out. On a positive note, the service was very good. Food was mediocre at best. Bring back the old menu...please...
(2)
Therese C.
Do not waste your money on Brunch! The bloody Mary and mimosa bar sounds like a great idea until your met with the most unfriendly bartender. Coffee took 30 minutes and refills were never offered. Meal took forever and was presented cold..... Food was nothing special and the wait staff needs some more training. Customer service was nonexistent... We had a group of 11 and this place is not equipped to handle large parties....... Two hours later very disappointed.....We ended up leaving there still hungry and getting food at another restaurant.... YUCK!
(1)
James J.
I have to say Libby's went back to their original menu and it is great. My wife had the filet migon over mashed potatoes and not just any mashed potatoes but the best. I had the crab cakes I thought I was in Maryland the home of the best crab cakes. Food was great, staff is great night was wonderful. If you want a real meal that has great taste at a reasonable price got to visit Libby's.
(5)
Kat W.
yum! pulled chicken sandwich was delish (could have used a bit more chicken), hubby had the flank steak, also good. Warm giant chocolate chip cooke w/ vanilla ice cream -not too shabby. Service was good-our server seemed nervous, my husband's order was wrong entirely (he never says anything, though). but she was very attentive...
(4)
L. Scott L.
Saddened at the demise of another great restaurant! Libbys's had been a consistent quality restaurant that I took our friends and neighbors to, and frequently visited. It had been in the outstanding "youi've got to try this place" category. Alas... The quality of the food has gone down over the last year and the attention to detail exhibited by the servers sometimes spotty. Today I had a hamburger that was so greasy that a pool formed on the plate. I couldn't even finish the sopping last part of the burger and left it. (I never leave food). The truffle fries that came with the meal, once something I raved about,were "OK" but not the well tuned side dish that made the meal outstanding. My wife had a Caesar salad with scallops. When the bowl was brought to us we stared in disbelief. There could not have been more than 2 leafs of romaine lettuce broken up in the bowl with a few pieces of shaved cheese. It was in this disgusting composite wooden bowl that would be better relegated to watering pets or catching drips. The waiter did offer to get more salad. For a $19 dollar entree it was pitiful. We came home and had something to eat. I don't know if the place was sold, the chefs have been replaced, or they are are victims of their own success. Ultimately , diners vote with their feet and walk away. Sadly, we will not be back.
(2)
Ann D.
While on vacation we decided to try a new place. Ambience is fine. We didn't have to wait too long for our reserved table. Wine list was extensive. Service timely. Food average. Not great, not bad, average. I ordered the grouper and it was unlike any I'd had before. I'm not able to eat it very often (I live in the midwest) but it was more like a steak then the fluffy, white fish I've had in the past. Meatloaf was average. Not sure I'd try it again.
(3)
Steph D.
I live in Miami, so maybe I am just used to better service and food, but Libby's was disappointing given the number of accolades the restaurant has received. It started raining just as we were seated at the only table outside with out cover. It took the staff 20 minutes to find us another table- a touch long, but the weather was unexpected. For the first dish, the table ordered the brie and mushroom torte- it was a not as warm/hot as I would want a brie and pastry dish. The mushroom part was flavorful, but not hot enough. For dinner I ordered the mushroom ravoli. Upon ordering the dish the waitress remarked "that's one of our best dishes," setting my hopes high. It was almost inedible. The pasta dough was very thick for ravioli and very al dente and chewy. The filling was good, but unequally portioned among the ravioli. As someone who has made ravioli, I understand that it is an art not a science, but the difference in filling was very noticeable....some noddles were just too doughy. We also ordered french fries for the table, also not hot enough...I mean for $8 dollar fries the food should be fresh and hot. My table mates mostly enjoyed their meals. One did have way too balsamic vinegar on her chicken. Overall: food was hit and miss. Service: the primary waitress was good (although very hands off), but the other staff (runners, table busers, etc.) were confused. Food was incorrectly delivered all night (might have contributed to the cool food temperatures). I would not eat there again.
(2)
Bill M.
An enjoyable dinner all around..
(4)
Cheri P.
It's easy to think of the Hillview area of Sarasota as a 'downtown away from downtown' with its line of high-level restaurants, variety of bars and specialty shops and stores. Where it exceeds its more metropolitan relative is at Libby's, an upper-middle end steak restaurant that offers excellent cuisine in an upscale setting. The restaurant itself, with its dark but comfortable interior, elegant adjacent bar and outdoor seating that is just as comfortable as dining indoors was more than we expected. On a busy Friday night, it was a 30 minute wait to be seated, but it seemed closer to 20 as we spent the time in the beautiful bar off the dining room. The drink menu there was expansive, with a ton of specialty martinis and cocktails that did not disappoint (the Espresso Martini was a particular hit at our table). Note: we took the best pics we could, but with the dim lighting and it being 8 pm, it proved a bit much for our meager iPhone cameras. We started with the Jersey Boardwalk eggrolls ($8), an interesting combination of a traditional eggroll wrapped around a meatball, cheese and basil filling. The result was an appetizer that was delicious and full of italian flavor not at all at odds with the eggroll. It was executed more as a mini stromboli, but the crisp flaky crust made it stand out. We also opened with the Double Dragon Flash fry, a mixture of shrimp and calamari batter-fried and served with a sweet and spicy Thai chili glaze that was one of the best accompanying sauces we've ever tasted. It was rich without being heavy, spicy without burning the mouth, sweet without being overly sugary or syrup-based. The shrimp and calamari were perfectly cooked and the breading was the perfect level of crispiness, but the sauce really brought it to life above and beyond what we expected. I usually tend to steer away from hamburgers as a food to base a main-course review on, but for once I felt like I had to try the Half Pound Prime Burger ($12), and I wasn't disappointed. This burger was full of beef flavor that didn't rely on overly cooking the outside or using the obvious seasonings that would otherwise mask it. It was cooked well, it was very filling, and the truffle fries (which seem to be becoming more en vogue these days) were an excellent side. They were well done and, like the burger, didn't rely on truffle seasoning to mask the rich natural flavor of the potato, but only used a little to accent it. My dining companion chose (or let me choose) the Pan Roasted Chicken Breast Roulade ($17), and it was easily the star of the table. It wasn't just that the flavors of the spinach and gorgonzola topping and the gorgonzola mashed cauliflower somehow managed to not get in each other's way. It wasn't just that the blood orange balsamic and mushroom sauces somehow blended together to find a tangy yet rich way to compliment the dish. The chicken was so perfectly cooked, it made me realize that every chicken I've had in other restaurants had been stringy or over/underdone by comparision. The texture of the chicken was so perfect, it defies a true description, and deserves its own dining experience. Everything on the menu looks appealing, but this is the dish that I would keep coming back for and recommend to someone else. After such a fantastic dinner, we had grand plans to try more than one dessert, but ended up settling on the Molten Chocolate Chip Cookie ($8), because we simply couldn't fit anything else after it, and it looked fantastic when it was served to a nearby table. Again, our choice was a good one, and the traditional cookie and ice cream combination was executed in a way that made other attempts seem amateurish by comparison. It was soft without being underdone, and stayed firm through the course despite being mixed with ice cream on the plate, which is a more difficult feat than it sounds. Our entire experience at Libby's was fantastic. Our bartenders and servers were friendly and knowledgeable, and they never kept us waiting on anything. The food was absolutely perfect, and if Libby's delivers it the same way every single night, it's an excellent excuse to skip downtown and spend an evening there.
(5)
Rick J.
Very impressed with the atmosphere, service, specialty drinks and three for fifteen early night specials. We had our five year old grandson along and he said the Mac and Cheese was the best he has ever had, and he eats enough to know. This was our first time, and we will go back again! Very nice classy dining with the Florida flair. One suggestion, loose the PF Fliers, they don't be long.
(4)
kimmy c.
Yay! for the Veggie Options. Libby's has one of the BEST veggie burgers around. It's a black bean quinoa patty that's coated in panko and then fried... not sure if it's shallow fried or deep fried but it's crispy and delicious. It's served on a rosemary herbed roll with crispy fried onions, lettuce, tomato and secret sauce. It comes with the "salt & peppa" fries, which are awesome! Another veggie choice is the anti-muffaleta sandwich. This was a little messy to eat... it's an olive focaccia bread stuffed with avocado, olive spread, tomato and grilled red onion. This dish can be vegan if you omit the horseradish havarti and the truffle parmesan fries, I opted for the sweet potato fries but you could substitute the "salt & peppa" fries if you want. Some of the salads can be modified to be vegan as well. The roasted veggie chopped salad is so good. Roasted peppers, asparagus, onions and zucchini dressed in a light balsamic. Just omit the shaved parmesan and you're vegan. Also a heads up, if you are at Libbys for lunch and you order the large salad... it comes with a grilled chicken breast on top. I found this out the hard way and had to send the salad back (and then asked for the chicken to be placed in a to-go bag... my dogs loved me for that one!). Speaking of doggies, there is outdoor seating if you want to bring your furry friend.
(4)
Ed M.
Libby's did a very nice short rib entree "cooked for seven hours"! Very tender, no need for a knife, already deboned (but I miss the bones). The mashed potatoes were creamy rich, with slender pieces of cauliflower, excellent touch. The string beans were perfectly cooked to a dark green, al dente. I've been here a few times before though not recently. This time it re-enforced the conclusion that they have a talented and creative chef who achieves cuisine food with simple ingredients. This is also quite the local affluent hangout in Sarasota with a welcoming and busy ambiance extending onto the sidewalk tables. There are a few slanted parking spots steps away from the tables. I was lucky and U turned into a space next to a red rag top. Had to back up and line up the car when I heard a panicked "STOP"! The red car owner yelled in fear of me scratching his car. I've driven years and years in downtown NYC & Boston. Of course he didn't know. Turns out he's known at the bar... a regular who likes to impress the ladies as he points out his Ferrari from the middle of the street level bar. Yes I watched him point!
(4)
Andrew H.
Located along the little commercial area on Osprey Ave, Libby's is more of a restaurant than cafe. My five star rating largely reflects the extraordinary bang for your buck with the 3 course prix fixe menu between 4-6 pm and the overall uniqueness of the modern American menu, namely its Asian twists. Good service. For $15, you get a glass of wine or a beer, an appetizer, main course, and a dessert. The menu offers unique options such as honey wasabi pork belly ribs, spicy tuna rice paper roll, korean BBQ chicken lettuce wraps, bulgolgi beef tacos. There are egg rolls stuffed with reuben and cheesesteak. And so much more. My pot roast marsala was beyond fork tender and paired in perfect harmony with the mushroom ravioli. The complimentary biscuits are also quite special. As someone mentioned before, they do remind you of Red Lobster's biscuits sans the grease. They are served with cherries, butter, and roasted garlic. Amazing bang for your buck.
(5)
Justin S.
Who is this Libby and why is her menu so varied? We usually dine out in Downtown Sarasota since experience dictates that the area's best dining options are there. On a recent Saturday night, we strayed from routine and ventured to the adorable Hillview area for dinner at Libby's. The restaurant itself is very large and was packed when we arrived. The dining rooms are large, casually decorated and pretty noisy during peak hours. The menu presents a dizzying array of choices that range from American to Italian to Asian and everything in between. I started with a house salad, which was great, and my main was this sweet grilled pork chop dish (served with mashed yams and vegetables), which was good, but I would ask for the sauce on the side next time. When I looked back at the menu, it said the sauce was made with Dr. Pepper and cherries, so I guess that explains it. Others I was with had a pasta dish (which was cutely served in a pot) and grilled salmon, which they said was excellent. Libby's offers an extensive wine and cocktail menu, which is nice, and the wait staff is friendly and attentive in making recommendations of both food and drink. The atmosphere, as I mentioned was a bit on the noisy side, but very casual and the crowd dining here was pretty diverse in terms of both young and old customers. I think Libby's is an interesting and reliable option if you're looking for a pleasant experience in Sarasota where you can find something for everyone.
(4)
Gary H.
Good happy hour spot and nice location near Hillview. Love those meatloaf sliders.
(4)
Nicole A.
Libby's is one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota. The parmesan fries are a must, and the crab cakes are some of the best I've had anywhere. Delish! Must try if you are in the Hillview area.
(5)
Melissa A.
The salads here can not be beat! When they are busy the service can get very slow at times. The bar area is always packed but they make a good drink!
(5)
Forest Balderson B.
Menu is fresh and versatile. It's a great place to entertain company.
Libby's is exactly why we eat food. This snappy spot is adorned with Murano Glass, comfy booths and a good looking, friendly staff (ask for Ryan). I feel like the chef came up with the menu by asking the Southern part of the USA "What is your grandmothers best recipe". They took everyone's answers and created a southern menu that puts your grandmothers cooking to shame. Don't get me wrong....this is not a country style eating experience. LIbby's takes the very best of southern flavors, dresses them up a bit and send them from the kitchen to a dining room that is upscale but comfortable. The price point is spot on. The food is fantastic. The drinks are how I like them (no mixes and hand made). LIbby's is named after the owners grandmother. The restaurant is totally family owned.
(5)
Suzie S.
Wonderful lunch. Great selection on the menu including a few $10 specials. The service was excellent. Everything looked and tasted fresh, and the service was excellent.
(5)
Hayley S.
Great food, lovely atmosphere, perfect for a nice lunch. The anti-muffaletta is probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Olive spread, veggies and horseradish Havarti on olive bread. The fries are to die for... Salt and Peppa and sweet potato are my faves. Originally from the midwest, I lived in sunny Sarasota for a year, and this was the perfect representation of upscale yet accessible southern hospitality. Oh, and try the flavored iced tea. I usually hate it, but Libby's has mango and raspberry, and both won me over.
(4)
Holly D.
I have tried this place 3 times and each time I've become more and more disenchanted. For appetizers, we ordered the PBR Mussel Pot. The mussels were overcooked and tasted like pencil erasers. When we notified our waiter, he said, "oh", took them off the table but didn't take them off our check. We only ate 3 of the mussels, I could understand if we had eaten the entire serving. We also ordered the White Truffle Parmesan Frites. We had ordered these on a previous visit and they were completely delicious. This trip however, they were over seasoned with the truffle oil, Parmesan and salt. They were soggy from all the toppings. For dinner I had the Miso Glazed Mahi Mahi. Everything about this dish sounded delicious on the menu, but every aspect of the dish was heavy handed. I couldn't taste the fish because of the over salted, cloying sweet citrus sauce. The best thing on the dish were the tempura snow peas stuffed with blue crab. Too bad they only give you 3 of the peas. The recipes need to be refined and/or executed better. The food does not live up to the prices that this restaurant is charging.
(2)
Richard G.
We loved, loved Libby's. Set in a very cute upscale section of Sarasota, Libby's delivered on its great reputation. We were seated at a table inside, but right at one of the openings to its patio dining area, so we had the best of both worlds. My wife just loved her NY sirloin and I had the ahi tuna. It was fabulous and the presentation of it was top notch. Two slices of medium rare tuna were served over a bed of really tasty fried rice spilling out of a cut Chinese food box placed on its side. The tuna was also covered with a drizzle of spicy barbecue sauce. Truly outstanding. All of the deserts looked outstanding. We didn't try any but we will be sure to the next time we go there.
(5)
Stacy J.
This restaurant is in a great location, huge, and has my favorite - indoor/outdoor seating with an opening to either. I had the vegetarian lettuce wraps and a side salad, both of which were delicious. They have an impressive selection of options for folks who are gluten free or vegetarian. Great ambience, our server was incredibly nice. My only complaint is that our food took an hour to arrive - I can be fairly certain someone forgot or misplaced our order. I would definitely return, it looked like they have a great happy hour. We were there for dinner on a weeknight.
(4)
Bob M.
Went last night and took two guests, had the salmon, two had the pot roast and the veg egg roll (best egg roll EVER!!) one had the grouper cheeks. Every dish was excellent, everyone was happy with the food, the quantity, presentation and especially the service. Travis was our waiter and he did a PERFECT job. All in all VERY happy group.
(5)
Wes R.
Great service and great food. This was my son Griffin's first ever restaurant outing and the staff (and owner) could not have been more accommodating and delightful. My favorite times are for lunch as the atmosphere is casual and perfect. Nighttime is super popular with both the bar and tables-filled so make a reservation. Truffle Frites are a menu highlight. Locally-owned and family-owned makes a huge difference.
(5)
Mimi K.
Best bartenders in Sarasota, FL. Went on a Thursday night and had a blast!
Best Sunday brunch in Sarasota! Love the Mimosa and Bloddy Mary bar! Apparently, the chef's wife make's the deserts which were super fabulous! A must try ......
(5)
Sonia S.
We eat here often as its in our neighborhood. After asking several times, they still do not have a changing table in the restroom. The last time that we were there, I was directed to some Harry Potter-esque experience that involved putting two stools together and moving them into a second bathroom on the other side of the moon when I asked where I should change the babe's diaper, but at least they were accommodating. Watch out for the meatloaf special. The reason that it's not on the menu is because the price tag is exorbitant - for meatloaf especially. Not that it's not good, just craaazy expensive. Some of the small plates are really nice, though. We eat here because it is overall a nice dining experience and is convenient to our home. The chicken waldorf salad for lunch is lovely.
(2)
Ed S.
Great dinner. Great service. Great location. I had the Seared Ahi Steak--it was huge, and a wonderful rice/edamame/ginger/pineapple mix. Julie had the Cedar Wrapped Salmon--excellent! Upscale, great atmosphere. Very enjoyable!
(5)
luckysquid m.
I hate writing negative reviews, but I'd recommend that fellow yelpers avoid this place. The atmosphere is lovely, the restaurant is clean, the decor is nice, and the location is great. Staff was friendly and plentiful. Although, I noticed that at the end of the night the waitstaff was looking under the tables using a flashlight - I found that distracting. The real problem: the food. The dishes my husband and I ordered were practically inedible. My over-seasoned and overcooked fish was served with "citrus cream" sauce, which I believe was reduced Sprite soda and cream. The result tasted like liquid milky pez candy. I was also served brussel sprouts with bacon that were overcooked and tasted like bad baby food with grease. My husband's dish was a cedar plank salmon, which was served with the cedar still wrapped around the fish. The waitstaff confessed older patrons have tried eating the cedar wood on several occasions. Inside the wood the, again overcooked, fish was covered in a mustard breading that was awful. It was over-seasoned, spicy, and mushy. The wine list was pretty good, and dessert was really good. Perhaps I was still hungry and that made the dessert even better. The biscuits everyone is raving about, I'd actually rather have the ones from Red Lobster. The one's from Libby's were over-seasoned, yet again. And served with a really weird accompaniment of truffle butter (great on it's own) and sickeningly sweet preserved cherries. I think Libby's is trying to do too much and someone is cooking that has lost their touch with seasoning the food. A lot of the flavors seemed jumbled and confused, plus the menu had a lot of items that seemed out of place.
(2)
Cas B.
Decided on this place off of yelp reviews. Very glad we did!! The service was amazing(thank you Andrew!) and the food and prices were great! We had a bottle of Lang wine, ahi appetizer, 2 salads and 2 entrees ALL for $120!!!! That's just amazing! We ended up adding a couple hundred in gift cards for holiday gifts to the tab. Also noticed that there are heaters for the outdoor tables.
(4)
Dayna G.
I think this place deserves 3.5 stars. I really enjoy the extensive wine list they offered but some of the food was hit or miss. My sister had the scallops with risotto which was delicious. For my entree I got the crab cakes and the side of risotto. The crabcakes were not anything memorable but the risotto was awful, it looked delicious but there was literally no flavor...I never add salt to my food but I had to for this side and still only ate a few bites, oh well! Our table also had mussels which were really great. I thought the atmosphere left something to be desired and as someone in hospitality the restaurant looked in need of a makeover and clean up. We sat down at 9 so I understand by this point things get dirty but there were dirty linens on the floor, it was unappealing. Not a bad experience but I am not in a hurry to go back.
(3)
Jay C.
We spend a lot of time in the Hillview neighborhood when visiting the area. Libby's is always a stop. Great food & service. Nice people.
(4)
Matthew G.
Libby's serves a specialty bloody mary called the "Manolo Mary." I would punch a baby bunny rabbit for one. Organic cucumber vodka and homemade bloody mix. Can I use the "f" word here? I feel the need to. The three-cheese and pear tortelloni are ridiculous, and you will most likely find yourself asking for a serving spoon from the kitchen so that you can cram them into your mouth that much faster. The shrimp cocktail is great. And, that's saying something. For you seafood freaks out there, you know the value of a PERFECTLY cooked shrimp. They can be found here. And the damned fries. I'm weeping right now. Service staff: all sort of dressed-up casual, all very friendly. My wife and I have gone in the dead-time between lunch and dinner and the service was still great. This is one of the "hippest" spots in Sarasota, but not in an annoying way. It's in a great location and this town DESPERATELY needs more places like this.
(4)
Lindsey M.
Libby's is a great spot. My husband and I ate here for lunch one day before a shopping trip. He said the meatloaf was the best he's ever had (and trust me, he's had a lot). I had the Mahi Tacos which were delicious as well. Our waitress told us about Sunday Brunch which we immediately made reservations for and brought our in-laws. Brunch was AMAZING. Totally worth the wait. Everyone's food was delicious. The blueberry pancakes are to die for, the eggs are light and fluffy, the hash browns are full of flavor. This will be a definite go to spot every time we visit my in-laws in Florida.
(5)
Ivan K.
reservation and the service was fine and not harried. The menu is quite unusual, innovative and offers a wide variety of choices. All that we ordered was fresh, well prepared and nicely plated.. I notice one fellow who was bussing tables, asking folks if all was well, etc. i stopped him and asked if he was the manager. He informed me that he was one of the owner partners and that one of the partners was always in the house and available. this may account for why the place appears to function so well. Ii would recommend this restaurant as one of the best we have experienced in our four years of wintering in the Sarasota area.
(5)
Carolyn M.
Libby's has replaced Fred's in the Hillview neighborhood. I rarely dine at places like this because they are a little too stuffy for my taste, but since my sister was in town and a friend I decided to join them for dinner. Boy am I glad I did. As a vegan I have a hard time finding nice restaurants in Sarasota to enjoy. I rarely go out to dinner because of this, but Libby's was very accomodating for both a vegan and vegetarian. I got black bean cakes from the app menu and the chopped salad for dinner. It was plenty to fill me up. My sister and her friend got an app and entree and despite the price being more than I normally spend to eat out, it was well worth it. The portions were huge and they had leftovers for lunch the next day (or perhaps a late night snack after a night at the Five O'Clock Club). Libby's was so tasty, I went back the next day with my Fiance as I wanted him to check it out for a possible rehearsal dinner location. Their GM, Molly, hooked us up with lunch and has been a delight to work with. All and all I'm totally impressed with Libby's menu - unique and flavorful fusion food and their attentive service. And about it being stuffy.... it's all that Sarasota show!!! HAPPY VEGAN DINING! be well, carolyn
(5)
Spud C.
My fiance and I came down to Anna Maria Island for a short getaway, and were looking for someplace nice to go out to for the evening. My fiance is vegan, and our web searches showed that Libby's had a few vegetarian/vegan items on the menu. First, let me state that my fiance and I can be sticklers for good service and quality food, so we're tough cookies when it comes to being impressed by a restaurant. When When we arrived, we noted that Libby's had a few tables set for outside dining, with table clothes and full place settings. We were dressed more casual, but had called ahead and were told that the restaurant was casual dress. When we went inside, we were greeted warmly by the hostess who asked us if we preferred a booth or table, ans I always find that sort of courtesy to be quite refreshing. The decor inside had a very upscale feel, but was balanced by the casual dress of white shirts, aprons, blue jeans and sneakers of the waitstaff. Our waitress, Stacy, was very knowledgeable of the menu and offered to go back to the kitchen to make sure that the entree my fiance wanted was in fact vegan. The food was served quickly, and was in both of our opinions, absolutely delicious! Our waitress, as well as the manager checked in with us a couple of times, but were in no way obtrusive, and we felt taken care of without being rushed at all. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a nice quiet atmosphere with really good food. We will definitely be going here again.
(5)
Shannon D.
Always casually elegant and creative. While this is a grown up restaurant we have taken our small children there frequently because the wait staff has been wonderful to them. They offered hot water to heat a bottle and brought out a few not-on-the-menu nibbles that were age-appropriate for our infant. We really appreciate that mom and dad can have a nice meal and the children can learn to enjoy a nice restaurant politely.
(5)
Megan D.
The food at Libby's is amazing and incredibly ecclectic. The tuna is amazingly fresh and pair wonderfully with any salad. All pasta dishes will rival your favorite Italian restaurants.
(5)
Sara S.
Thanks to a recommendation from a friend of ours who lives in the neighborhood, we had the pleasure of dining at Libby's. The food, atmosphere, and service was outstanding! We loved the ambiance and the decor; the art & glass light fixtures are gorgeous! We enjoyed talking with the manager, Clay, and liked everything about this restaurant. We loved it so much--we went three nights in a row! We probably would have gone back for several more nights, but our trip ended and we had to return to Minneapolis. Thank you, Libby's employees, for helping to make our trip to Siesta Key a pleasurable, memorable one!
(5)
M I.
This is my neighborhood hangout and I really like the happy hour food and drinks. A nice mix of ppl in the evening and really friendly bartenders.
(5)
Mike M.
Eclectic varied menu, with unique treatments of familiar ingredients. Staff is pleasant friendly and efficient. Make reservations and sit at the bar if you arrive early, the drink menu, beer and wine selection will occupy that extra time. They also have a bar menu so you can pick a little on some fun items if you are really hungry before being seated at your table. Nice mix of casual atmosphere and well presented food. Across the street from Morton's Market as well for those last minute ingredients you need for the next day's meal.
(4)
C K.
This was very good food and excellent wait staff.
(5)
Brooks R.
The food has really gone downhill at this restaurant. All four of the entrees in our party were sloppy and swimming in sauce.....and the sauce was not good. I had the chicken roulade and it look like four dog biscuits sitting on top of a pile of dog food. The bread basket was good, but we had to ask twice to get it. Dinner here was a big disappointment.
(2)
Melissa S.
Went there for lunch with a friend. Nice casual-upscale atmosphere and great people-watching from our sidewalk table. I had the crab cakes with a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc. I enjoyed it enough that I've been trying to find excuses to get back and give it another go.
(4)
Allen S.
Too too loud. If they would add music maybe patrons would not try to talk over each other. Prices are too high for the low quality food and cheap alchohol drinks. $40 for ribeye with bone. They say epic I say fat and not phat. Meat should have marbling but not fat pockets throughout. What about garnish on the plate? I am happy to pay $100 on dinner for two if the quality is there. Wrong menu for this place. Salads and sandwiches would fit in better with the wait staff. I really have only one thought on why so damn busy. Tourist trap!
(2)
Michael B.
We were greeted and seated right away, and the waiter and busboy were instantly to us, despite the dining room being full. Our waiter, Josh, was exceptional: attentive, and always knew when to come and go. The table next to us had difficult customers, and their waiter handled them magnificently. We loved the previous restaurant, Fred's (different owner), so Libby's has a lot to live up to in our minds, and it did. It can still be noisy when full, but the atmosphere is light and bubbly, tables are not too close together, and you can have an intimate dinner despite the din. The menu is broad and challenging. There are no staples: these are all special creations. I had the Inside-out Lamb Chop, which was a thick chop, cooked to perfection, covered in a complex sausage and pine nut ball. It may be a bit over the top, and I might have preferred a few ribs with a layer of the sausage, so that it wouldn't overpower the delicate lamb. While it did give a great flavor to the lamb, I must ask: Chef, even though you can do it, must you? Perhaps with some of the dishes a slightly narrower focus, and a less-is-more attitude might be advisable. That's why I withhold the fifth star. That said, I can recommend Libby's! My companions enjoyed their respective Short Ribs (with a clever, tasty Gorgonzola Smashed Cauliflower,) and Cedar-wrapped Salmon. It was a Tuesday night, high season, and wonderful to meet the owners on our departure. If two owners are there on a weekday night, they are dedicated, and that is always a good sign.
(4)
Daniel D.
Good neighborhood place. Outdoor dinning and buzz. Consistent food and service.
(4)
j m.
Very good food. The decor is very pleasant and the happy hour specials on drinks and bar plates from 4-7 is a steal!
(4)
Laura B.
I took my husband for his 50th B-Day. I went in the day before and ordered EVERYTHING ahead of time. Tom the manager was fabulous and the entire evening went exactly as planned. The food was amazing, the service was incredible and we had a wonderful time.
(5)
Hal H.
It *looks* like fine dining -- but the food is loaded with salt to the point where it's really unenjoyable. Nice enough place with great location and good atmosphere. Sadly, the food doesn't measure up.
(2)
rhett t.
Wow did the menu fit my flavor profile. Service was attentive, a bit uninformed, but clearly caring. Space is huge, well segmented, but the carpet (which I never notice) was dated and worn. Wood floors might work well here. The smell from across the street (Morton's Market) was awesome, but I digress. The Wakame cucumber salad was flavorful, but the cucumbers were unnecessary. But the cheesesteak egg roll was otherworldly. The Chef clearly understands Philly flavors and this egg roll took me back to South Philly. The spaghetti and meatballs was not as successful. The meatballs were tasty, but the sauce was soupy and packed an unexpected and unwanted kick. They were very accommodating for my son's limited palate. Based upon the great menu and very good apps, this was a hit.
(4)
Peter H.
Went on a early Sunday (5:45PM) to celebrate a belated birthday and college acceptance. Seated promptly but that is where it ended; drinks took 15 minutes, another 15 for the waiter to come back to get our order. 15 minutes past until the appetizers/salads came (45 minutes since arrival). Food OK, nothing to rave about. The main courses arrived by back-waiter who had to ask everyone what they ordered. the veal Marsala was awful; slapped together with wet spinach, melted Swiss cheese and drenched with a heavy beef-based sauce; not the classic veal-stock derived, Marsala wine laced recipe. The Mussels were steamed and served with blah spaghetti in a canned red sauce; unpalatable. two of our party had the Risotto, which was overcooked to the consistency of grits. Overall, the food is highly overrated, but it is the piss-poor service (S L O W), very high noise level, and cramped table arrangements (we were 9 seated at a round table for 6). We will not ever return to Libby's. There are better choices within 2 miles.
(2)
Charles M.
excellent food, great service with a menu that will appeal to all tastes.
(4)
lois l.
Formerly "Fred's," a Southside Village hot-spot, Libby's inherited a lot of regular patrons and then used its outdoor and dog-friendly dining to further enhance its urban atmosphere, great service, and of course fabulous menu and wine list. Named among Zagat's 2010 "America's Top Restaurants," garnering Wine Spectator's 2010 "Award of Excellence," Florida Trend's "Golden Spoon Award 2010," on the heels of the '09 Readers' Choice Award from the Sarasota Herald Tribune ( heraldtribune.com largest of the dailies in the NYT regional editions), even without its chichi location and crowd, what's not to love when leisurely lunching in this artsy tropical town ...and PS. - just minutes away from the most bee-yoo-ti-ful white sugar sand beach: Siesta Key ( seesarasotalive.com/sies… ... check out the beach-cam!). But enough of my salivating and carrying on, I'll let THEM carry on... Here's their link libbyscafebar.com/menu.h… . You'll love Libby's and NO, I have no personal stake, connection, or self-serving interest here, I just LOVE good food, wine, atmosphere, and service... and know you do too. Enjoy!
(4)
Jennifer B.
Good Service, Great Food, The Wasabi Crusted Tuna is amazing! I can't wait to have lunch here!
(4)
Keri K.
dined outside for a sunday brunch on a mini-trip to sarasota. i was feeling lunch-y slightly more than breakfast-y style food. no wait for outside seating probably due to the fact is was quite mild outside and the outdoor seating didn't have any sun...our waiter did suggest pulling our table out into the sun and that meant we were smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk and there are plenty of people walking by...it worked somewhat... on to the food! i ordered the turkey club sandwich which included a generous amount of turkey, bacon, avocado, tomato, lettuce, and aioli mayo. the french fries are thin and served with thick sea salt. they hit the spot! overall, i enjoyed the food and thought the service was friendly. the sandwich was a bite pricey but nicely done and i would go back.
(3)
Gracia L.
I have a love/hate relationship with salads. I'll have one about once a day but usually made by my own hand since more often than not, the restaurant variety disappoints. Libby's proved me wrong and showed me that they do salad the way I like it - well dressed greens, nothing too heavy, and not-so-predictable ingredients. My new obsession is the grilled sea scallop caprese (with kalamata olives, peppers, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, and SEVEN scallops) and I could and may have it on a very regular basis. I'll be back for happy hour to enjoy a St. Germain champagne cocktail or a glass of vino. Great spot in a lovely part of town. Excellent option for brunch, lunch or dinner.
(4)
Rick L.
Food fair...serivice fair.....in short their are better restaurants in the area. Location is good. Other than that I have not been their in a few years. I apparently haven't missed much and see no reason to return. Save your money and try something else. My wife had the scallops and does not require large portions and thought the order was small. I had the the crab chowder to start...I have had better wall paper paste. The Grouper cheeks were nothing to write home about. I have had better fish at many places.
(2)
Max M.
Our party of three dined here on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, with a 6:45 p.m. seating. The restaurant was very busy, reflecting local diners'appreciation of Libby's interesting and very diverse menu choices, including meats, seafood, gluten-free and vegan items. We chose two appetizers: oyster bisque (special of the day) and jumbo lump crabcakes. The oyster bisque was delicious - flavorful but not excessively rich. Our three entrees were: Seared Ahi Tuna Steak (spicy and delicious, with lots of Asian influences, and a very clever presentation - we won't spoil it for you by being specific); Red Snapper Fillet and White Clam Pan Roast - very good; and Pan Seared Virginia Beach Sea Scallops (very flavorful, but slightly too well-done). Our bill for one glass of wine, two appetizers and three entrees was $106 excluding tax and tip, which was what we expected for this level of dining. Service was pleasant and quick, considering that the restaurant was full. The atmosphere is upscale but be aware that this is not a place for quiet conversation, at least not on a busy night. We will definitely come back to try the many interesting items on the menu.
(5)
Jane D.
Went to Libby's for Easter Brunch at the end of the brunch hour.. The food selection was generous, with great shrimp cocktail and mini crab cakes, along with standard breakfast items, varied lunch/dinner choices and a really good selection of desserts. However, by the time we arrived the buffet serving staff was clearly tired. Seated in the add on dining room, with folding chairs and large parties just leaving left something to be desired in terms of ambiance, but that's our fault for coming late in the day. The dining room waitstaff also seemed too tired to stay on top of the small details that are important even if it's a serve yourself brunch, such as new silver, refills on drinks, etc. Perhaps shorter brunch hours, or adding fresh staff for the afternoon shift. By next year's brunch it would be great if the owner has a good second in command, so he can make his way around the room and greet his guests, instead of handling refills at the buffet table. It's a nice environment in general, and you can tell it's a friendly casual place that's generous with their food. It has the potential to be even better.
(3)
Lee P.
Don't go on a Thursday night if you enjoy fine dining as it's Meat Market night in the two bars that ajoin the main dining room. The food is 3 STARS, but the noise level after 8PM makes the experience less than enjoyable. Subtract one Star for the noise level with boom, boom music for the ritual mating game.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Michael P.
The appetizer of tuna tartar with bacon and whipped avocado was amazing. Couple that with a terrific dish of scallops with risotto and a cup of vegan chili white bean and you are in for a treat. Our server was the best that I have experienced in a long time. He always inquired and served my wife before myself, proper etiquette for an upscale restaurant - really any restaurant, but I only expect it in higher end establishments. He was friendly, knowledgable and popped over just the right amount so as not to be intrusive on our experience but still readily available. The atmosphere was very relaxing and relatively quiet. Libby's was one of our best dining experiences we had during our stay in Florida. Luckily my parents live only 30 minutes away, so we will return again!
(5)Danner T.
I've been coming here for years and am never amazed with anything. Servers are kind. Man with the ponytail is always great and buss boys are spot on. Food is like assembly line food now... And way way to many menus and odd menu arrangements per area. The wine is good. Susie the waitress is kind and always attentive. They try to hard with sauces and odd sides. they should just do fresh simple dishes ...
(2)Daniel A.
*Note: This review is for the bar area only.* Simply put, Libby's is great. Sarasota Magazine consistently awards Libby's as one of the top happy hours spots and I agree. Happy hour is everyday between 4 and 7. Drafts and many salads, sandwiches, and appetizers are half off. There are also many other drink specials which can be found on their website. They even recently renovated the adjacent bar and added about 8 draft lines of local craft beer! The atmosphere is fun and semi-classy. You will feel out of place if you head here straight after the beach--so be sure to change before going. The dimly lit bar area is beautiful and has tea light candles at each marble top table. Contemporary background music compliments the atmosphere. The food is creative and ever-changing with the seasons--so you know what you're eating is fresh. It's a little on the salty side for me, but good nonetheless. I live about 1,000 miles away from this restaurant, but every time I visit Sarasota, I make sure to visit Libby's.
(4)Jason M.
This is the type of place where you go in and you're pissed you haven't been here sooner. At least that's how we felt. Quiet place on a cute street. We always thought the previous tenant "Fred's" was for old people. Well Libby's has been here for 8+ years and now we are old people! But Libby's has a great menu for all ages. So many unique things to pick from that we had a hard time choosing. Already knowing we would be back, we chose the Cheesesteak eggrolls (amazing!), the Kobe Meatloaf special (holy WOW!) and the fish tacos (super yum). Our server Joe was hilarious we had a great time chatting him up. Can't wait to go back next time we're in SRQ.
(5)S L.
Went there for Sunday brunch and it was pretty good. Lots of interesting and creative items on their menu. They are definitely pricey. The service was mediocre...not what I was expecting from a decent fine dining restaurant.
(3)David S.
Welcome to Cougartown. Sarasota is known for its Cougars. I didn't really see what people were talking about, but then I came to Libby's. Eureka! Libby's is a very good restaurant and bar. I would come here regardless of it being a scene. However, please note that it IS a scene - at least on a Thursday night. DJ and all. I had the baked goat cheese and brussel sprout salad and the filet. All of which was delicious. No regrets on my order. Our waiter was a bit busy, but was still attentive and gave our rather large group very good service. I was there for a work function and spoke with my colleagues about their dishes. All of them liked what they ordered. The decor is a balance between steakhouse conservative and Florida modern. The outdoor seating looks like a nice option, even though I didn't dine there. The bar is where the scene is and can be very busy on a Thursday night. I don't drink so can't speak to the drinks quality but they were making a lot of specialty drinks for the guests.
(4)Jen M.
Words cannot describe the amazing Easter Brunch that Libby's put together, even great for kids ......... Worth the price for something you do every once in awhile !!!!
(5)Cathy B.
We had a sensational server, Jessica when we dined for a Saturday afternoon brunch last weekend. We love that there are options to eat indoors or out and having a table by the windows was just perfect for us - it was nice to be able to make requests like that using the opentable reservation right through yelp! The brunch menu was extensive and included not only breakfast but also lunch items. They also had the dining out specialty menu- it was without a doubt the longest and toughest decision my fellow foodie fans and I have had to make at a lunch menu. We tried a variety of wine and cocktails and I highly recommend the farmstead sauvignon blanc! The hummus appetizer was to die for and the pita chips were amazing just on their own! The burger with a huge and beautiful fried slice of velveeta was ingenious- too big to eat it all especially with the crispy side of fries! The mushroom burger was equally as juicy and huge! Jessica was extremely attentive and personable - I would request her again. They even surprised me with a cookie the size of a plate to celebrate my birthday - although their other homemade desserts were incredible looking too. The ambience was upscale and comfortable casual and they did have a live dj playing some hits earlier in the brunch that was not obtrusive. If you love bloody mary's their make your own setup at the bar included the usuals as well as bacon, and some additional gourmet treats you don't normally see. It is well worth it to check out Libby's for any meal or occasion - they do not disappoint. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)Lori L.
Prix Fixe was amazing! $16.. Spring wedge salad, entree of chicken tacos in real corn shells, gourmet corn the cob, then chocolate brownie and ice cream dessert. Wine included! Great service.
(4)Laura P.
My husband & I stopped in here for a couple after dinner drinks. I had the Barista & he had the Bluegrass & Blackberries. Both drinks were amazing! They apparently have a happy hour from 4-7pm daily, I think we will have to try it out!
(5)Kelsey W.
The food and service were both fantastic. We came on Valentine's Day (with a reservation 3 weeks in advance), so it was very crowded. In spite of this, the food came out quickly and perfectly prepared. There were a few excellent options for vegetarians and vegans. My MIL and I split the lentil cake small plate, Crusted goat cheese brussels sprouts salad, and the Vegan fig and walnut loaf. All were delicious, but the the fig loaf was a standout. Even the picky omnivore at the table liked it. I highly recommend Libby's for a nice dinner out.
(5)Rev. Robert D.
The waitstaff was awesome!!! The food sub par. I can tell you everything we had but let me just say the price did not match the quality of food.
(2)Kimberly W.
If I could give 3 and half stars I would have. Beautiful setting, nice staff but nothing to write home about on the food. Just ok.
(3)D J.
I had high expectations for this place but I wasn't impressed with the food at all. I was extremely underwhelmed. I had the mushroom burger with the truffle Parmesan fries. Although the burger was cooked perfectly it didn't seem to be seasoned at all...it was really bland. The fries were overcooked & had way too much truffle and not enough Parmesan. The house made condiments were delicious. Thankfully, they were playing awesome music!!!
(3)AaronErin D.
It's hard visiting Sarasota and deciding where you want to eat since there are so many amazing choices, this was a great choice! We decided to stop here after running errands in town and caught the tail end of Happy Hour in the lounge area. Keep in mind this was also on a Saturday, most places rarely offer Happy Hour on the weekends so it was a pleasant surprise. They offer an amazing speciality drink menu with many options. I personally had The Cucumber Martini & The Spiced Sangria, both were delicious! As far as food we decided to try The Cheesesteak Egg roll, Their "Asian" egg roll & Lettuce cups off the Happy Hour bites. You must order the Cheesesteak Egg roll! Being from south Jersey & spending a lot of time in Philadelphia, this was spot on!! Very impressed. I also ordered the Goat Cheese & Brussels Sprouts salad which was out of this world. I wish we could have tried one of everything here, for the first time I wanted every item on the menu. The staff here is very polite & efficient as well. I recommend coming here 100 percent. Enjoy! Cheers!
(5)Yvonne R.
Another Fabulous lunch today. Had the grilled scallops over a bed of arugula ,romain, kalamata olives, roasted peppers and onions and crab cake over Caesar salad.!
(5)Lea T.
Original and delicious! Libby's is a favorite of mine for their unique and affordable menu options- whether lunch or dinner I always leave Libby's satisfied. Portions are more than enough and small plates also allow for more options when deciding what to eat. Don't miss the $10 lunch specials or the simply grilled section of the menu for the more health conscious patrons. The Libbstacker sandwich CANNOT be missed and truffle Parmesan fries- you can't go wrong! Appetizers are all awesome, love ordering a bunch for out table and jut enjoying a tapas style meal
(5)Barbara N.
Based on one visit, I'm too thrifty to return here. Portions were small, prices were high, service was indifferent. A house specialty drink, Pink Lady, sounded great on the menu but was small, served tepid and wasn't very tasty. This place is definitely for those who can drop $60 or so on a not-much lunch and not think about it. The DJ on a slow Saturday afternoon was a bit weird. The chopped grilled vegetable salad with shrimp added to it was very small, tasty, but not really even a lunch portion--more like an appetizer size. If the well oiled 'salad' were served on a bed of fresh salad greens, then it would have been perfect. A short rib sandwich served with fries was tasty and really rich. Despite being empty midday on a Saturday, we were neglected by the waiter. I think he was training someone. He's also the one who mixed the crummy drink.
(3)Resa G.
I went for the first time recently and enjoyed the food. I loved the little pesto biscuits they bring out with whipped butter, roasted garlic and cherries. It sounds like a strange combination but it's very good. I ordered the burger and Parmesan fries. Burger was OK but the fries were better. Menu is a bit pricey.
(4)Beatriz H.
It was amazing! Our server was very nice and really helpful, we ordered 3 small plates and the warm goat cheese salad to share a long with a bottle of wine! Everythig was superv!
(4)Marcy K.
I went here in February and was lured in by the reviews. I was hopeful perusing the menu. I ordered a lamb burger and their truffle fries. The food was...dry. I can't describe it any other way. I had to ask for more tzatziki sauce to moisten the burger after the first 2 bites. The fries were just weird, too. Almost like freezer burned shoe string fries tossed in truffle oil. It just wasn't a good experience and I won't be back.
(2)Camsie M.
Delightful meal to end our week in Sarasota. Found this spot by accident looking for a café. Ended up having a delectable meal! Standouts: Kobe meatloaf sliders with fried velveeta!?! Crazy green salad Fresh baked chocolate chip cookie for dessert was incredible - simple but delicious! Excellent service and nice atmosphere. A good choice if you're staying in Siesta Key and want to venture off the island but not all the way downtown.
(5)Sarasota R.
We live here year round and this is one of the four restaurants that we dine at regularly. Only 10 minutes from downtown, Libby's finally got its act together about 4 years ago. Now, the regular menu dishes and specials are excellent and the service is always terrific. Try the lamb burger for lunch or the chicken panini. Burgers are always A+. For dinner - go for the grouper or any fish dish - you won't be disappointed. Upscale atmosphere - its a pleasure getting away from the tee-shirt and shorts crowd!
(5)cheese w.
Overall, a pretty good experience. Waiter (Corey) was very friendly, but clearly working hard to keep up with so many tables. His attitude was great but at times service was a little slow. I don't think that was his fault - he was working both inside and outside tables and hustling. Barrel cut filet mignon ordered medium rare - came out rare, which was actually fine with me. The blue cheese butter was too cold and almost tasteless. I ended up putting it in my mashed potatoes instead (I swapped out the baked for mashed). The meat itself was tender and nice. Grouper was tasty, but mashed potatoes on that dish were cold. Field greens with goat cheese was a nice salad. Cheddar biscuits were tasty as were the dipping options (garlic, butter, cherries). However, we had to ask for them. Key lime pie was so-so. The addition of gummi bears was just weird and unnecessary.
(4)Krissy M.
My friend J came from out of town for a bridge run, and we thought the best way to celebrate a success was brunch! So, we hopped on over - I made a reservation through Yelp/Open table since some of the reviews mentioned it could be busy. We arrived at the first seating - 10:30 - and though it was quiet then (DJ was still setting up, etc) we were glad that we got in when we did because people started trickling in at a good pace. There was a bridal shower or something going on in a back room, so we had a pretty prime people watching spot as they passed through the main dining area we were seated in. We loved the $9 mimosa/bloody mary bar, but only partook in one drink each ($4 for refills). The mimosa bar features an array of freshly cut fruit and fruit purees. That was fun - next time, we've gotta try the bloody mary bar (tons of hot sauces, pickles, pepper, etc). I had the miso mahi burger (so good) and J ordered Libbyapalooza. She let me sample some items, and the pancake was my favorite; my only non-love on her plate were the homefries/potatoes - a little greasy. Our server was pleasant and helpful (especially as we were muddling through the extensive menu) and the service was prompt. We'd return!
(4)Sara S.
I can't support racism. Libby's was one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota for their unique menu. Unfortunately, I can't support this restaurant anymore. My husband and his friends were dining outside when there was a disturbance started by an older man who walked up to someone at the table and said something so atrocious only people in the deep south would say before the Emancipation Proclamation. The commotion caused one of the owners to come out and surprisingly kicked out my husband and his friends even after learning the details of what the racist man said. I know the clientele and demographics of Sarasota and most of Florida is skewed to one side, but he chose to keep the wrong customers. I'm not saying the owner is racist, but I can't support a business owner who tolerates and accepts racism and bigotry for his business.
(1)Maggie L.
I've never came here for dinner, but I love to stop by after work, they have a great happy hour! Great cocktails, however, I hardly come here anymore since they took the flatbreads off of the happy hour menu. Maybe they were just too good of a deal?
(3)Luke S.
Service was amazing, even at 11am on a Sunday. They were super busy, but our server was happy to answer all of our group's questions with a positive attitude. She gave us honest answers on what she recommended, even suggesting adjustments to certain menu items to give us the best experience. The chicken on the chicken and waffles is fantastic. If you want to enjoy chicken fingers ever again, I suggest you don't eat these - nothing will ever compare.
(5)Sidney P.
One of best restaurants in Sarasota. Brussel sprout salad is amazing as is the simply grilled selections
(5)Sarah S.
Went there for lunch on Sunday and it was a disappointment. I had a salad with steak which was WAY over seasoned. I had to scrape most of it (what I could manage, at least) off and only ate about two bites. My husband had the mahi tacos which should have been listed as an appetizer. We had only been there forty five minutes and had just finished our meals but we're sipping on a couple glasses of wine, when our waiter made it clear time was up. He dropped the check and then came back a couple times to see if we had given our credit card yet. I would understand this if it were between 11-1 on a Sunday because they need the table. Um it was 2:30...mind if we finish our wine?
(2)Monica M.
My husband and I LOVE this place! Happy hour is from 4-7 and they have craft cocktails and great food! Love the way the restaurant opens up to the outside. More restraints in Sarasota like this please!
(5)Jason G.
Nothing special. I brought my girlfriend here to celebrate after reading reviews and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed. The food was decent across the board. The service was one step above horrible. We were ignored most of the night and conversation with the waiter and table was super short. We sat outside. There was a man playing songs on a piano while his wife (I'm assuming she was) danced around. It was very cute to watch and provided an amazing ambience. However, the restaurant left the speakers playing so the indie music was funneled outside. Now, I'm a fan of Maroon 5, but the mix between Maroon 5 and a classic piano song is just too much. I don't know that I would come back here or reco it to a friend.
(2)Julie S.
We have heard such great things about this restaurant but the service was as lukewarm as our food. We had to ask for silverware after the meal arrived and were informed that there was a shortage. The meal was undercooked. I am still trying to think of something positive to write.
(1)Rob J.
Service = 2 stars although depends entirely upon your luck of the draw of server. We came up with the weaker of the lot: excruciatingly slow to the point of it being absurd, restaurant half empty. Food = 3 stars, nothing special in the taste department but edible, menu is varied. In all, clearly overrated but you could eat dinner here if better places were booked up.
(2)Drew H.
We dined here on a Monday night, in their slow season. We found this place on yelp and read glanced through their menu online. We were instantly intrigued by a few items we saw on there. (Philly cheesesteak eggrolls, bulgogi tacos, etc.). Once we found Libby's it instantly was not what I pictured based on the menu we read online. I pictured bright, colorful, modern. It was dark and classic looking, more like a steakhouse. The server (Travis) was excellent. The biscuits they give you are amazing and kind of like red lobsters cheddar biscuits. They are served with a three different treats to accompany the bread.The appetizers were great, we had the Gyoza, which was four dumplings that exploded with flavor. In addition we had the Korean BBQ ribs which were super tender and seasoned well. The final appetizer some sort of chicken lettuce wrap with Kim-chee and peanut sauce. Those were very good as well. For the main course I had the bulgogi tacos and my wife had the chimichurri chicken. Now by looking at our selections so far, one would think this was some asian fusion type of restaurant but it was far from it. There menu had depth and went several directions. Anyhow the tacos were pretty damn good. I like tacos and I love bulgogi, so they were perfect for me. I only had a couple bites of my wife's chicken but they were good also. I've never put chicken and chimichurri together but why wouldn't it work? Our kids both had spaghetti from the kids menu. My son approved of it and he is very picky. And the kids menu was priced well. For desert we ordered the apple pie/cinnamon ice cream thing. It came in an iron skillet- still bubbling hot. It was unreal. I didn't want to share. But I did. We also got the strawberry shortcake that comes in a mason jar, and like everything else we tried so far, it was on point. I give it four stars because it was one of those meals that I kept talking about afterward and threatened to go back. I even threatened to get the Gyoza over again as a desert. I didn't give it a five star because I'm still waiting to eat that meal that literally blows me away. Stats 2 adults 2 children (5 and 11) 3 appetizers 2 entrees 2 kids menu choices 2 deserts 1 soda 0 alcohol Bread rating 8/10 140.00 including tip
(4)Mare G.
Went here with my husband for brunch and ordered the deviled eggs, and quinoa cakes to start. Service was excellent but my main meal was lackluster. I ordered the libbypolooza and I couldn't eat the eggs, sausage or hash browns because they were so greasy. Not sure we'd go back. Fun location near Morton's but they need to improve their breakfast cooking techniques.
(3)Mel F.
Solid place for lunch and dinner. Some very tasty signature cocktails and some of the best short ribs and creamed kale I've had in the area. Lots of small bites it you just want a tasty nibble. Service has been good and really like how the large windows open up to take advantage of good weather. They take reservations on Open Table so take advantage!
(4)Katye M.
We wanted to try a new restaurant while we were down in Siesta Key and thought Libby's would be pretty "low-key" and casual based on the name of the restaurant. When we arrived, we noticed it was actually it was more upscale than we thought (white linen table cloths). There was no dress code and the staff were quite gracious when we walked in in casual clothes. The items on the menu sounded fantastic. For appetizers, we ordered the classic caprese, crab cakes, and "Seoul Kitchen" chicken lettuce cups. They were fabulous! I only had the caprese salad and it was the best I've ever had (see photo). Everyone else also enjoyed the lettuce cups and crabs cakes. For our entrees, we ordered the wild mushroom ravioli (AWESOME!), bugogi beef tacos, burger, and a couple other items. Everyone loved what they ordered and we all said we would go back again. The service was great! They were very attentive and great with the kids (9 and 8 year olds). One family member ordered the egg roll and the way they described it to him it sounded like it was bigger than expected, but it was a pretty small item for dinner. Luckily we shared a lot of our food and everyone had plenty to eat. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota, but I'm also basing this off of a couple things. One, I'm not a seafood person, so all of the restaurants we usually go to when we're down there for vacation are primarily seafood. Two, we are only there for vacation and we usually eat at the same restaurants each year with a couple changes each year. Therefore, I don't have many to compare it to. With this in mind, I would recommend Libby's. It's on a "cute" and "quaint" street with other restaurants and shops. We wanted to go to the bakery across the street, but it was closed when we finished. Pictures will be uploaded soon.
(5)Moe B.
Five star food, two star service. Lovely romantic evening was a bit thrown off by the waiter. Where were the promised bread/rolls? Asked again. Sure he said, as soon as they get out of the oven. Meanwhile, the tables on either side of us are enjoying their rolls. Our entrees come. The waiter comes by again to ask if there's anything we need. Er, some rolls? So, just as we finish off our meals they are thrown on the table without comment or apology. On the other hand, the chowder was ethereal, the salmon salad was just marvelous and my wife's seafood pasta was a light and fresh as could be. And the Wednesday night half priced bottle of wine was great. But the service gives me pause..
(3)Jan W.
Vegan friendly?: not so much This place is listed on 'Vegsarasota.com' as having a vegan menu, but not only do they not have that, the only vegan option that they do have listed comes with regular cheddar cheese and aioli (WTH?). That option (a vegan loaf) without the cheese and aioli was not bad. Fries were good. My wife had the Brussels sprouts that could have been great if it wasn't smothered in the mustard.
(2)Mike P.
Good food, professional service nice size portions, priced right, great atmosphere What's not to like? A place you go to again and again.
(4)Madison F.
I love this restaurant and when I visit Sarasota, this is the place I request to go. I've mostly had their appetizers, which are fantastic. The meatloaf sliders are absolutely incredible. They are full of flavor, crunchy and gooey all rolled into one. I've had their signature salad which was very fresh and flavorful as well. Their sticky ribs were also very tasty, the sauce was bright with the right amount of zing and the ribs were cooked well. They also have the best biscuits served at the table and I've had a few good cocktails, too. Overall, this place never disappoints if you know what you like. I've heard from family that the entrees can be not as good as others, and the Wedge salad was disappointing from what it used to be years ago, but I really do love this place because I can always expect good service and good food.
(5)Elizabeth F.
I want to love this place since its within walking distance of my house but I don't. I've gone for brunch and happy hour. The brunch off the menu was very overpriced, the bloody Marys were good but they didn't live up to the hype. I've been for Mother's day brunch, which was buffet style and I enjoyed that. Happy hour prices were great but don't order off the food menu. We order a cheeseburger flat bread literally had cheeze whiz on it (not even kidding), also ordered the blue cheese chips, I was thinking I would get something similar to the delicious chips served down the street at gecko's but they actually used what I believe to be Ruffles potato chips, squirted some balsamic glaze on top, sprinkled on some blue cheese and brought it to my table. I have been to a company Christmas party that was in the back room and the food served for that was very good. Libby's tries to be an upscale restaurant but the concept gets lost once Ruffles and cheese whiz are on the menu.
(2)Coty S.
There is only one reason to come to Libby's---- for Happy Hour! That hour of happiness occurs every single day of the week from 4-7pm. libbyscafebar.com/downlo… The deals on the food during Happy Hour are ridiculous (in a good way), because it is half price. Especially for the quality of the food offered for that price, which ranges from $4-8 a plate. Rich or poor, they have something for everyone. The Mac and Cheese is delish, and anything seafood or deep fried is recommended. They specialize in their flavor-packed eggrolls, so order some. I'm usually in and out of here pretty darn quick, and on to better things, like karaoke down the street. The location is classy, the servers are top notch best in the business, and parking is difficult at street-side during this busy time of day. The atmosphere is beautiful, open, and updated. However, it is the wild crowds of cougars and their prey that scare me. I'm just not old enough to get into that scene, and I'm not a wino. So, if you are 45-75 and a wino, you will totally love Libby's!
(4)Caron S.
We went for an early Saturday dinner and everything was truly fantastic. While Libby's at first felt upscale, I quickly noticed the waiters and waitresses in jeans and matching black Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. Our waitress was stellar - friendly, humorous and exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu. I started with the roasted vegetable "salad" - a wonderfully plated dome of roasted chopped veggies surrounded by drizzles of olive oil, balsamic and basil and then topped with freshly grated cheese. We shared the mussels (they arrive in a warm pot) which were slightly spicy and gingery, and a huge hit. A first-timer to Libby's, I ordered the four-cheese and pear tortelloni with truffle cream sauce. They were amazing. I did try a few bites of the kobe meatloaf, complete with fried egg on top, green beans on the side and one happy onion ring. Also, amazing. Great experience and perfect location right across from Morton's Market in my hometown.
(4)LA B.
Went here for the prix fixe, three course special and it was fantastic. I had the new house salad which had goat cheese, fresh strawberries, and candied nuts. My guest had the tomato soup. For our entrees we had the cedar planked salmon and the crispy grouper bites. For the last course we both had the strawberry shortcake. Portion size was appropriate for both meals. Pacing was good as well. Our waiter was attentive and informed. The food was perfectly seasoned which I noticed around the time of the entree. Then I realized there was no salt or pepper on any of the tables. Pretty confident of a Chef to pull that off. Early bird price was $16 each, but the order has to hit the kitchen before 5:30pm. It was worth every penny and I've paid a lot more for a lot worse.
(5)John D.
ELEGANT SURROUNDINGS By that I mean white tablecloth and a warm inviting ambiance. For lunch I had the GULF SHRIMP-DEVILED EGG SALAD SLIDER. It was tasty but miniscule, and came with an equally small Caesar salad. One of the smallest I've seen in quite a while. As if to make up for the paltry size of the offering, they heaped house made & oil drenched potato chips on the plate. Yes, I ate it all, and it was tasty! To be quite honest, the food in my opinion was about 3 1/2 stars, but the fine service and surroundings bump it overall to four stars.
(4)Billy B.
We stopped here during our stay in Sarasota and it was great. The outdoor seating is great! The tuna and Kobe meatloaf sliders were fantastic. The best part was the Dutch baby apple pie desert. Very low key and plenty of parking. Can't go wrong here!
(4)Joyce R.
My daughter took me here to celebrate my birthday. The food was outstanding. Lots of choices for no carb diet. I had the snapper and spaghetti squash. Never has spaghetti squash taste so much like pasta. I HAD to break diet to have one of their delicious little cheese biscuits. They were worth every carb!!! My bib lettuce salad was excellent and huge. My daughter had the spaghetti and meatballs, said it was great. Great little patio for dining and the service was outstanding. This one is a true gem.
(5)Joyce C.
Went to the early bird after attending FST. Not our choice but went along with friend's suggestion. One word sums it up AWFUL....the choices on the menu were dreadful, grouper chunks, a flatbread, a veggie selection that our waiter suggested we avoid, a salmon that was probably raised in a pool, meatloaf (the best choice if you eat meat), and maybe 1 other. We all got something different. The meatloaf was the highlight...my Ceasar salad was shredded lettuce that looked like wilted grass. Desserts were ridiculous... The strawberry shortcake was a gooey strawberry concoction over a small piece of cake. Didn't see any fresh strawberries... The price was cheap, but charge more and provide decent food. Larry said it was like going to a banquet at a marginal restaurant. I gave it 2 stars, the waiter was nice.... Now if you might think I just do not like this place you'd be wrong. We hit happy hour at the bar 2-3 times a month. Great small plates and very decent drinks. My advice here, don't offend your taste buds by choosing this early bird...
(2)Sarah M.
The biscuits they give you to begin with are like crack. It's that good. They taste like somebody stole the red lobster biscuit recipe, took out half the grease and added an upscale twist. Plus they are served with a unique side of cherries, cheese and roasted garlic. I could have left right then and been happy. I ordered 2 of the specialty cocktails ($6 from 4-7). I had the #7 and #5- both were yummy but the #5 took the cake with a mix of tequila, black pepper, grenadine, and grapefruit. Sounds nasty but it was the perfect sweetness. A light summery drink. For my meal I had the mahi tacos. It was a large serving and came with fries. The large strips of fish were fresh and the 3 tacos came with 2 types of dips. I'll take a dip over a dressing already on my food any day. Finally, for dessert I had the baked apple and ice cream. It had a snazzy name but I can't remember it. It took about 15 minutes to come out because they cook each one individually but it was worth it. My only warning about this place is that it was packed even at 6pm so the waitstaff was a little frazzled. We got our bread about 30 seconds before the meal came out and got our bread plates even after that. It was a little loud inside, but mostly an over 70 crowd and nothing too rowdy. Fabulous dinner!
(5)Norm G.
Enjoyed the environment, the piano bar was happening during happy hour and later on... The meal was relaxing and stylish. The server was friendly and helpful. We celebrated my daughters birthday and the only negative was they were out of one of our dessert choices.
(4)Kim W.
Much more food than we knew what to do with!!! Very rich dishes but very delicious!! Great location and decor, a must try in Sarasota!!
(5)Hank R.
Food was good. Service was terrible. Our waiter (Rudolph) took over 10 minutes before bringing menus. He did not apologize, did not introduce himself, did not mention the specials, etc. Only time we saw him was taking the order and delivering the bill. I may give it another try but with a waiter other than Rudolph.
(2)Benjamin M.
Horribly confused - trying to do too much - riding on trends without understanding the concepts - high falutin food gone wrong. Ok. That's a lot to contend with. I'll go point by point 1. Horribly confused One look at the menu and I knew this place was in trouble. The menu is huge and all over the place. Tacos! Eggrolls! Kobe Beef! Salads! I understand the desire to give every customer what they want, but as with every restaurant, the larger the menu is, the less likely it is to get the dishes right. and this is a BIG menu. (19 apps, 11 soups/salads, 29 mains-not including the "simply grilled") nearly 60 menu items, ranging from French (Marsala, Chateaubriand), to Asian inspired (katsu salad, bulgogi beef taco), to traditional surf and turf, and the stuff randomly put in an eggroll or Taco-fied. What type of restaurant is this? Each of these cuisines takes nuance to get right - how can you expect this place to get them ALL right? 2. Trying to do too much. This is similar to my first point. And I do appreciate when a restaurant makes the dinner a new experience. The short of it is that Libbies tries to blind you with fancy combinations, interesting ingredients, and odd fusions - but those combinations don't make sense and don't taste good together. 3. Riding on trends without understanding the concepts. Asian fusion is in! Let's put stuff in an eggroll! Ok. Fine. But does putting it in an eggroll make the food better? Or does it merely reheat pre-prepared food in an oily fried package? With Libby's the novelty of packaging and presentation did not enhance the flavor, it merely alter the food delivery mechanism. Kobe beef is great! Indeed it is - and I love it as a tartare, or in a dish which highlights the tremendous flavor of the meat. Not necessarily in a slider with Velveeta. Velveeta! It's on the menu! I love me a good high class lowbrow meal, but smothering great beef with foul tasting, much mocked cheese-spread is not my idea of a good time. Neither is mixing the kobe into a meatloaf (mixed with 2 other meats no less) for a special. A great ingredient ruined by preparation. 4. high falutin food gone wrong. For all the fancy-shmancy descriptions and odd combinations, the food was just plain old overcooked - across the board. Dried out planked salmon (why was the plank on my plate?) Overcooked "simply grilled grouper" which should have been simple - and seasoned with salt and pepper rather than the odd assortment of herbs. My green beans which came with the main were boiled, limp and completely unseasoned. Burssels sprouts were overseasoned beyond edibility. I will NOT be back.
(1)Richard W.
4.6 for the food, but only 3 for service, which started out very ragged and improved only slightly. It seems to me that a place like this would wow with service. Our waitron came up promptly, but then disappeared until long after we were ready to order. Bread was very late coming, and was received only after we asked for it twice.
(4)Michael M.
Came in on a Saturday afternoon to meet up for lunch with some friends. Beautiful restaurant and wonderful service. My first time dining so I decided to order from the prix fixe menu to be able to taste a little bit of everything. Had the LCB Green Salad, Kobe Meatloaf and Mango Sorbet. The salad was nothing to write home about but the Kobe Meatloaf was delicious. Tender meat served with the perfect amount of sauce to mix with the side of potato puree- would easily finish a full serving size the next time. Mango sorbet was refreshing and a perfect end to a wonderful meal.
(4)Ellen P.
My husband and I don't often have before dinner drinks, we drink sparkling water with limes, so we immediately felt shunned, but that often happens in restaurants that make their living serving expensive drinks. We shared the Korean Sticky Ribs (mediocre at best), Bulgogi beef tacos on "grilled" corn torillas (I was told there were 4 tacos per order, I only got 3, 3" COLD corn tortillas served open-face with a small amount of meat and cabbage in a pile in the middle of each, less than acceptable), and one of the entre fish dishes (it was nothing memorable). Strangely, when I pick up the beef taco, there were actually two cold soft tacos stuck together under the pile. Obviously, no pride went into this presentation. To top off the evening, the service was lousy for this higher end (white tablecloth) restaurant. Having requesting the limes, when she took our drink order, we didn't see them, after repeatedly asking any of the staff who happened by our table, until after the food was served. Maybe it was a bad night, but I don't understand how Libby's gets any awards. There are too many good restaurants in Sarasota and Siesta Key, to waste our time and money, giving this place another try.
(2)Robert H.
Good service. Good food ... BUT, you have to know what to order. Sometimes foods are paired in ways that don't appeal to us; however, we really like the dishes we like and really don't like the dishes we don't.
(4)Loren H.
My wife and I went here for our 34th Anniversary. Great service, great food. Easy to make reservations on line and recommended. Wide menu including, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. I had snapper over creamed kale, superb!
(5)Jan S.
Good food, great service; a nice place to eat. always reliable
(4)Claire S.
This place is upscale but we took our little monster anyway and sat outside and went during the off lunch hour. I had the calamari caesar salad which was really nice, and an interesting combo. My sole gripe with this place was that it so reminded me of a salad they have at the Oar on Long Island which is far superior and better priced and has a nice canal view. I know it might not be the most fair comparison and the salad itself was yummy and I enjoyed it very much, I just thought for the price and the restaurant being a "fancy" restaurant they should try and knock it out of the park a little more. But on the whole I am glad we went.
(3)Diane L.
While vacationing in Sarasota last week, we enjoyed Libby's so much we ate there 3 times! Trenton, our waiter was amazing. One person in our party has very strict dietary needs - he made her feel at ease with her requests and the chef was quite accommodating. The ambiance, food and service - EXCELLENT!!!
(5)Lynn M.
Had brunch there for the first time today. The crab cake scramble with lobster was amazing...so much lobster...and of course the herb biscuits with cherries, truffle butter and roasted garlic! They made my little girl who just lost a tooth feel extra special by finding her a box to carry her tooth in AND the 'special' ice cream they got her from the back.
(5)Sean K.
Best restaurant in Sarasota! Took my girlfriend, her sister, and her sister's fiancé to Libby's awhile back to impress and was not disappointed. 50 percent off select bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Delicious gluten free options. My girlfriend has gluten allergies and had the simply grilled grouper with asparagus which she loved. I had the snapper over creamed kale, best dish I've had in Sarasota. Her sister and fiancé had the Scottish salmon and seared tuna over forbidden fried rice which they talked about well after we left. Our waitress was excellent, courteous, smiling, and very knowledgeable about menu ingredients. Yet our experience didn't solely rely on her performance. The restaurant was very busy and different staff members asked us how we were doing and presented our food wonderfully adding to the experience. But Angela was always on top of things to make sure we didn't need anything. Planning on taking her parents next before we head to Europe!
(5)Anthony K.
Quaint small breakfast spot. Love the location off the beaten path. Would have been 4 or 5 stars but as a previous review said, the coffee was weak and I need strong coffee.
(3)Anthony S.
Libbys is absolutely fantastic. You absolutely cannot go wrong with anything on the menu and the food is creative, fresh, and full of flavor. Definitely try the tuna steak or grouper sandwich!
(4)Adam S.
This was a really interesting and inventive menu and I would love to come back and give some of the other items on the menu a try. I ended up getting their "shades of White Castle" burger which is a burger with fried velveeta, a thin slice of ham, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. It was a nice burger. The velveeta made it also a burger meets grilled cheese sandwich kind of thing. The salt and pepper fries were good, but nothing too special. The wife had the calamari Caesar which was a good dish as well (and a combo I've never seen). My two criticisms of the place are that my burger was not medium rare even though I asked for it to be. Second, $35 for a burger and a salad is steep. It's good food though.
(4)Rob B.
Ok, Ok, Ok, wait a minute. This place has totally changed since my last review. Erase all that. Gone it is...all of it. They went casual dinning on me. Had a grouper sandwich which was ok. All my favorite items on the menu...gone. Now it's like going to TGIF. The menu...you guys had to sell out. Oh well. I was really disappointed when Big Sugar closed it's doors. That was a great restaurant. Libby's I guess survived by selling out. On a positive note, the service was very good. Food was mediocre at best. Bring back the old menu...please...
(2)Therese C.
Do not waste your money on Brunch! The bloody Mary and mimosa bar sounds like a great idea until your met with the most unfriendly bartender. Coffee took 30 minutes and refills were never offered. Meal took forever and was presented cold..... Food was nothing special and the wait staff needs some more training. Customer service was nonexistent... We had a group of 11 and this place is not equipped to handle large parties....... Two hours later very disappointed.....We ended up leaving there still hungry and getting food at another restaurant.... YUCK!
(1)James J.
I have to say Libby's went back to their original menu and it is great. My wife had the filet migon over mashed potatoes and not just any mashed potatoes but the best. I had the crab cakes I thought I was in Maryland the home of the best crab cakes. Food was great, staff is great night was wonderful. If you want a real meal that has great taste at a reasonable price got to visit Libby's.
(5)Kat W.
yum! pulled chicken sandwich was delish (could have used a bit more chicken), hubby had the flank steak, also good. Warm giant chocolate chip cooke w/ vanilla ice cream -not too shabby. Service was good-our server seemed nervous, my husband's order was wrong entirely (he never says anything, though). but she was very attentive...
(4)L. Scott L.
Saddened at the demise of another great restaurant! Libbys's had been a consistent quality restaurant that I took our friends and neighbors to, and frequently visited. It had been in the outstanding "youi've got to try this place" category. Alas... The quality of the food has gone down over the last year and the attention to detail exhibited by the servers sometimes spotty. Today I had a hamburger that was so greasy that a pool formed on the plate. I couldn't even finish the sopping last part of the burger and left it. (I never leave food). The truffle fries that came with the meal, once something I raved about,were "OK" but not the well tuned side dish that made the meal outstanding. My wife had a Caesar salad with scallops. When the bowl was brought to us we stared in disbelief. There could not have been more than 2 leafs of romaine lettuce broken up in the bowl with a few pieces of shaved cheese. It was in this disgusting composite wooden bowl that would be better relegated to watering pets or catching drips. The waiter did offer to get more salad. For a $19 dollar entree it was pitiful. We came home and had something to eat. I don't know if the place was sold, the chefs have been replaced, or they are are victims of their own success. Ultimately , diners vote with their feet and walk away. Sadly, we will not be back.
(2)Ann D.
While on vacation we decided to try a new place. Ambience is fine. We didn't have to wait too long for our reserved table. Wine list was extensive. Service timely. Food average. Not great, not bad, average. I ordered the grouper and it was unlike any I'd had before. I'm not able to eat it very often (I live in the midwest) but it was more like a steak then the fluffy, white fish I've had in the past. Meatloaf was average. Not sure I'd try it again.
(3)Steph D.
I live in Miami, so maybe I am just used to better service and food, but Libby's was disappointing given the number of accolades the restaurant has received. It started raining just as we were seated at the only table outside with out cover. It took the staff 20 minutes to find us another table- a touch long, but the weather was unexpected. For the first dish, the table ordered the brie and mushroom torte- it was a not as warm/hot as I would want a brie and pastry dish. The mushroom part was flavorful, but not hot enough. For dinner I ordered the mushroom ravoli. Upon ordering the dish the waitress remarked "that's one of our best dishes," setting my hopes high. It was almost inedible. The pasta dough was very thick for ravioli and very al dente and chewy. The filling was good, but unequally portioned among the ravioli. As someone who has made ravioli, I understand that it is an art not a science, but the difference in filling was very noticeable....some noddles were just too doughy. We also ordered french fries for the table, also not hot enough...I mean for $8 dollar fries the food should be fresh and hot. My table mates mostly enjoyed their meals. One did have way too balsamic vinegar on her chicken. Overall: food was hit and miss. Service: the primary waitress was good (although very hands off), but the other staff (runners, table busers, etc.) were confused. Food was incorrectly delivered all night (might have contributed to the cool food temperatures). I would not eat there again.
(2)Bill M.
An enjoyable dinner all around..
(4)Cheri P.
It's easy to think of the Hillview area of Sarasota as a 'downtown away from downtown' with its line of high-level restaurants, variety of bars and specialty shops and stores. Where it exceeds its more metropolitan relative is at Libby's, an upper-middle end steak restaurant that offers excellent cuisine in an upscale setting. The restaurant itself, with its dark but comfortable interior, elegant adjacent bar and outdoor seating that is just as comfortable as dining indoors was more than we expected. On a busy Friday night, it was a 30 minute wait to be seated, but it seemed closer to 20 as we spent the time in the beautiful bar off the dining room. The drink menu there was expansive, with a ton of specialty martinis and cocktails that did not disappoint (the Espresso Martini was a particular hit at our table). Note: we took the best pics we could, but with the dim lighting and it being 8 pm, it proved a bit much for our meager iPhone cameras. We started with the Jersey Boardwalk eggrolls ($8), an interesting combination of a traditional eggroll wrapped around a meatball, cheese and basil filling. The result was an appetizer that was delicious and full of italian flavor not at all at odds with the eggroll. It was executed more as a mini stromboli, but the crisp flaky crust made it stand out. We also opened with the Double Dragon Flash fry, a mixture of shrimp and calamari batter-fried and served with a sweet and spicy Thai chili glaze that was one of the best accompanying sauces we've ever tasted. It was rich without being heavy, spicy without burning the mouth, sweet without being overly sugary or syrup-based. The shrimp and calamari were perfectly cooked and the breading was the perfect level of crispiness, but the sauce really brought it to life above and beyond what we expected. I usually tend to steer away from hamburgers as a food to base a main-course review on, but for once I felt like I had to try the Half Pound Prime Burger ($12), and I wasn't disappointed. This burger was full of beef flavor that didn't rely on overly cooking the outside or using the obvious seasonings that would otherwise mask it. It was cooked well, it was very filling, and the truffle fries (which seem to be becoming more en vogue these days) were an excellent side. They were well done and, like the burger, didn't rely on truffle seasoning to mask the rich natural flavor of the potato, but only used a little to accent it. My dining companion chose (or let me choose) the Pan Roasted Chicken Breast Roulade ($17), and it was easily the star of the table. It wasn't just that the flavors of the spinach and gorgonzola topping and the gorgonzola mashed cauliflower somehow managed to not get in each other's way. It wasn't just that the blood orange balsamic and mushroom sauces somehow blended together to find a tangy yet rich way to compliment the dish. The chicken was so perfectly cooked, it made me realize that every chicken I've had in other restaurants had been stringy or over/underdone by comparision. The texture of the chicken was so perfect, it defies a true description, and deserves its own dining experience. Everything on the menu looks appealing, but this is the dish that I would keep coming back for and recommend to someone else. After such a fantastic dinner, we had grand plans to try more than one dessert, but ended up settling on the Molten Chocolate Chip Cookie ($8), because we simply couldn't fit anything else after it, and it looked fantastic when it was served to a nearby table. Again, our choice was a good one, and the traditional cookie and ice cream combination was executed in a way that made other attempts seem amateurish by comparison. It was soft without being underdone, and stayed firm through the course despite being mixed with ice cream on the plate, which is a more difficult feat than it sounds. Our entire experience at Libby's was fantastic. Our bartenders and servers were friendly and knowledgeable, and they never kept us waiting on anything. The food was absolutely perfect, and if Libby's delivers it the same way every single night, it's an excellent excuse to skip downtown and spend an evening there.
(5)Rick J.
Very impressed with the atmosphere, service, specialty drinks and three for fifteen early night specials. We had our five year old grandson along and he said the Mac and Cheese was the best he has ever had, and he eats enough to know. This was our first time, and we will go back again! Very nice classy dining with the Florida flair. One suggestion, loose the PF Fliers, they don't be long.
(4)kimmy c.
Yay! for the Veggie Options. Libby's has one of the BEST veggie burgers around. It's a black bean quinoa patty that's coated in panko and then fried... not sure if it's shallow fried or deep fried but it's crispy and delicious. It's served on a rosemary herbed roll with crispy fried onions, lettuce, tomato and secret sauce. It comes with the "salt & peppa" fries, which are awesome! Another veggie choice is the anti-muffaleta sandwich. This was a little messy to eat... it's an olive focaccia bread stuffed with avocado, olive spread, tomato and grilled red onion. This dish can be vegan if you omit the horseradish havarti and the truffle parmesan fries, I opted for the sweet potato fries but you could substitute the "salt & peppa" fries if you want. Some of the salads can be modified to be vegan as well. The roasted veggie chopped salad is so good. Roasted peppers, asparagus, onions and zucchini dressed in a light balsamic. Just omit the shaved parmesan and you're vegan. Also a heads up, if you are at Libbys for lunch and you order the large salad... it comes with a grilled chicken breast on top. I found this out the hard way and had to send the salad back (and then asked for the chicken to be placed in a to-go bag... my dogs loved me for that one!). Speaking of doggies, there is outdoor seating if you want to bring your furry friend.
(4)Ed M.
Libby's did a very nice short rib entree "cooked for seven hours"! Very tender, no need for a knife, already deboned (but I miss the bones). The mashed potatoes were creamy rich, with slender pieces of cauliflower, excellent touch. The string beans were perfectly cooked to a dark green, al dente. I've been here a few times before though not recently. This time it re-enforced the conclusion that they have a talented and creative chef who achieves cuisine food with simple ingredients. This is also quite the local affluent hangout in Sarasota with a welcoming and busy ambiance extending onto the sidewalk tables. There are a few slanted parking spots steps away from the tables. I was lucky and U turned into a space next to a red rag top. Had to back up and line up the car when I heard a panicked "STOP"! The red car owner yelled in fear of me scratching his car. I've driven years and years in downtown NYC & Boston. Of course he didn't know. Turns out he's known at the bar... a regular who likes to impress the ladies as he points out his Ferrari from the middle of the street level bar. Yes I watched him point!
(4)Andrew H.
Located along the little commercial area on Osprey Ave, Libby's is more of a restaurant than cafe. My five star rating largely reflects the extraordinary bang for your buck with the 3 course prix fixe menu between 4-6 pm and the overall uniqueness of the modern American menu, namely its Asian twists. Good service. For $15, you get a glass of wine or a beer, an appetizer, main course, and a dessert. The menu offers unique options such as honey wasabi pork belly ribs, spicy tuna rice paper roll, korean BBQ chicken lettuce wraps, bulgolgi beef tacos. There are egg rolls stuffed with reuben and cheesesteak. And so much more. My pot roast marsala was beyond fork tender and paired in perfect harmony with the mushroom ravioli. The complimentary biscuits are also quite special. As someone mentioned before, they do remind you of Red Lobster's biscuits sans the grease. They are served with cherries, butter, and roasted garlic. Amazing bang for your buck.
(5)Justin S.
Who is this Libby and why is her menu so varied? We usually dine out in Downtown Sarasota since experience dictates that the area's best dining options are there. On a recent Saturday night, we strayed from routine and ventured to the adorable Hillview area for dinner at Libby's. The restaurant itself is very large and was packed when we arrived. The dining rooms are large, casually decorated and pretty noisy during peak hours. The menu presents a dizzying array of choices that range from American to Italian to Asian and everything in between. I started with a house salad, which was great, and my main was this sweet grilled pork chop dish (served with mashed yams and vegetables), which was good, but I would ask for the sauce on the side next time. When I looked back at the menu, it said the sauce was made with Dr. Pepper and cherries, so I guess that explains it. Others I was with had a pasta dish (which was cutely served in a pot) and grilled salmon, which they said was excellent. Libby's offers an extensive wine and cocktail menu, which is nice, and the wait staff is friendly and attentive in making recommendations of both food and drink. The atmosphere, as I mentioned was a bit on the noisy side, but very casual and the crowd dining here was pretty diverse in terms of both young and old customers. I think Libby's is an interesting and reliable option if you're looking for a pleasant experience in Sarasota where you can find something for everyone.
(4)Gary H.
Good happy hour spot and nice location near Hillview. Love those meatloaf sliders.
(4)Nicole A.
Libby's is one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota. The parmesan fries are a must, and the crab cakes are some of the best I've had anywhere. Delish! Must try if you are in the Hillview area.
(5)Melissa A.
The salads here can not be beat! When they are busy the service can get very slow at times. The bar area is always packed but they make a good drink!
(5)Forest Balderson B.
Menu is fresh and versatile. It's a great place to entertain company.
(5)Kristi P.
Far from your average café, Libby's boasts some seriously amazing drinks. I'm in love with the Spicy Dirty. The food is unique and arrives like a small work of art each time. I have to say the lunch menu seems much more intriguing to me than the dinner menu. Try the Bacon and Eggs on the $10 lunch menu. I also like their creative sides, not just French fries, Parmesan crusted, Salt and Peppa, and Spinach Gnocchi Tater tots? Yes please!
(4)Matt O.
Libby's is exactly why we eat food. This snappy spot is adorned with Murano Glass, comfy booths and a good looking, friendly staff (ask for Ryan). I feel like the chef came up with the menu by asking the Southern part of the USA "What is your grandmothers best recipe". They took everyone's answers and created a southern menu that puts your grandmothers cooking to shame. Don't get me wrong....this is not a country style eating experience. LIbby's takes the very best of southern flavors, dresses them up a bit and send them from the kitchen to a dining room that is upscale but comfortable. The price point is spot on. The food is fantastic. The drinks are how I like them (no mixes and hand made). LIbby's is named after the owners grandmother. The restaurant is totally family owned.
(5)Suzie S.
Wonderful lunch. Great selection on the menu including a few $10 specials. The service was excellent. Everything looked and tasted fresh, and the service was excellent.
(5)Hayley S.
Great food, lovely atmosphere, perfect for a nice lunch. The anti-muffaletta is probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Olive spread, veggies and horseradish Havarti on olive bread. The fries are to die for... Salt and Peppa and sweet potato are my faves. Originally from the midwest, I lived in sunny Sarasota for a year, and this was the perfect representation of upscale yet accessible southern hospitality. Oh, and try the flavored iced tea. I usually hate it, but Libby's has mango and raspberry, and both won me over.
(4)Holly D.
I have tried this place 3 times and each time I've become more and more disenchanted. For appetizers, we ordered the PBR Mussel Pot. The mussels were overcooked and tasted like pencil erasers. When we notified our waiter, he said, "oh", took them off the table but didn't take them off our check. We only ate 3 of the mussels, I could understand if we had eaten the entire serving. We also ordered the White Truffle Parmesan Frites. We had ordered these on a previous visit and they were completely delicious. This trip however, they were over seasoned with the truffle oil, Parmesan and salt. They were soggy from all the toppings. For dinner I had the Miso Glazed Mahi Mahi. Everything about this dish sounded delicious on the menu, but every aspect of the dish was heavy handed. I couldn't taste the fish because of the over salted, cloying sweet citrus sauce. The best thing on the dish were the tempura snow peas stuffed with blue crab. Too bad they only give you 3 of the peas. The recipes need to be refined and/or executed better. The food does not live up to the prices that this restaurant is charging.
(2)Richard G.
We loved, loved Libby's. Set in a very cute upscale section of Sarasota, Libby's delivered on its great reputation. We were seated at a table inside, but right at one of the openings to its patio dining area, so we had the best of both worlds. My wife just loved her NY sirloin and I had the ahi tuna. It was fabulous and the presentation of it was top notch. Two slices of medium rare tuna were served over a bed of really tasty fried rice spilling out of a cut Chinese food box placed on its side. The tuna was also covered with a drizzle of spicy barbecue sauce. Truly outstanding. All of the deserts looked outstanding. We didn't try any but we will be sure to the next time we go there.
(5)Stacy J.
This restaurant is in a great location, huge, and has my favorite - indoor/outdoor seating with an opening to either. I had the vegetarian lettuce wraps and a side salad, both of which were delicious. They have an impressive selection of options for folks who are gluten free or vegetarian. Great ambience, our server was incredibly nice. My only complaint is that our food took an hour to arrive - I can be fairly certain someone forgot or misplaced our order. I would definitely return, it looked like they have a great happy hour. We were there for dinner on a weeknight.
(4)Bob M.
Went last night and took two guests, had the salmon, two had the pot roast and the veg egg roll (best egg roll EVER!!) one had the grouper cheeks. Every dish was excellent, everyone was happy with the food, the quantity, presentation and especially the service. Travis was our waiter and he did a PERFECT job. All in all VERY happy group.
(5)Wes R.
Great service and great food. This was my son Griffin's first ever restaurant outing and the staff (and owner) could not have been more accommodating and delightful. My favorite times are for lunch as the atmosphere is casual and perfect. Nighttime is super popular with both the bar and tables-filled so make a reservation. Truffle Frites are a menu highlight. Locally-owned and family-owned makes a huge difference.
(5)Mimi K.
Best bartenders in Sarasota, FL. Went on a Thursday night and had a blast!
(5)Carey Y.
After I circled around the area for 15 minutes looking for a parking spot, I finally noticed that Morton's lot is ALSO for Libby's and has free valet parking. Duh. There's 15 minutes I'll never get back. Hooray for valet! My parents and Gabriel had arrived before me and were comfortably seated an an outdoor table looking over their menus. I joined them and was quickly greeted by our waitress who was ready to go over the specials and take our drink orders. During Savor Sarasota restaurant week (which, apparently, Libby's will be honoring for the whole summer- YAY!) They offer $15 bottles of wine so we decided to share the white they had. We looked over the $25 prix fix menus and I found myself facing a tough decision- WAY too many appealing choices! I love problems like that. As I often do, I asked the waitress what her favorites were and decided to go with them- the Seoul Kitchen Chicken Lettuce cups for a starter and the Cedar Wrapped Sustainable Salmon for my entree. The entrée comes with asparagus- not my favorite veggie, and they were happy to substitute green beans when I asked. What turned out to be the standout for me what served next; a basket of AMAZING parmesan biscuits served with brandied (I think) cherries, butter and roasted garlic. The cheese was caramelized in the baking process and I am not lying when I tell you that these alone are plenty of reason to dine here. I am still hyper salivating thinking about them. YUM. My appetizer came out quickly and was really delicious. It had a spicy kick from the kimchi, and the BBQ glaze on the chicken was a great combination of sweet and tangy. I love foods that require assembling, so rolling up the little lettuce wraps myself was amusing. My entrée was described by the waitress as 'the best salmon she ever had in her life' so how could I *not* order it? Despite a bunch of other super interesting options on the menu, I trusted her and chose it. I have to say, I was kind of disappointed with it. Yes, the salmon itself was wonderful- cooked perfectly and seasoned lightly, but the fact that the only side were the steamed green beans was a let down. Everyone else at my table had amazing dishes with extravagant presentations, and my boring piece of salmon sitting next to a pile of veggies was totally sad looking. Although it did taste very good, it did not blow me away as tastes of everyone else's entrees did. Oh well, next time I'll trust my own instincts and choose something else. For dessert I ordered the key lime pie- one of my go-to desserts when I don't feel like chocolate (which is pretty rare). This was a great opportunity to stray from my typical loyalty. It was an excellent slice, adorably topped with gummy bears. Totally delicious, refreshing and somehow both light and rich at the same time. I should also point out that while I didn't totally agree with our waitress' choice of entrees, she was an excellent server; very attentive, knowledgable and personable. Overall, I thought that Libby's was one of the best dining experiences I've had so far in Sarasota- and even faintly reminded me of my all time favorite restaurant; ABC Kitchen in NYC. (And that is a VERY high compliment) I will definitely be back- especially knowing that the prix fix deal is going on all summer long! $15 for a 3 course lunch? Yes, please!
(4)Pamela D.
Best Sunday brunch in Sarasota! Love the Mimosa and Bloddy Mary bar! Apparently, the chef's wife make's the deserts which were super fabulous! A must try ......
(5)Sonia S.
We eat here often as its in our neighborhood. After asking several times, they still do not have a changing table in the restroom. The last time that we were there, I was directed to some Harry Potter-esque experience that involved putting two stools together and moving them into a second bathroom on the other side of the moon when I asked where I should change the babe's diaper, but at least they were accommodating. Watch out for the meatloaf special. The reason that it's not on the menu is because the price tag is exorbitant - for meatloaf especially. Not that it's not good, just craaazy expensive. Some of the small plates are really nice, though. We eat here because it is overall a nice dining experience and is convenient to our home. The chicken waldorf salad for lunch is lovely.
(2)Ed S.
Great dinner. Great service. Great location. I had the Seared Ahi Steak--it was huge, and a wonderful rice/edamame/ginger/pineapple mix. Julie had the Cedar Wrapped Salmon--excellent! Upscale, great atmosphere. Very enjoyable!
(5)luckysquid m.
I hate writing negative reviews, but I'd recommend that fellow yelpers avoid this place. The atmosphere is lovely, the restaurant is clean, the decor is nice, and the location is great. Staff was friendly and plentiful. Although, I noticed that at the end of the night the waitstaff was looking under the tables using a flashlight - I found that distracting. The real problem: the food. The dishes my husband and I ordered were practically inedible. My over-seasoned and overcooked fish was served with "citrus cream" sauce, which I believe was reduced Sprite soda and cream. The result tasted like liquid milky pez candy. I was also served brussel sprouts with bacon that were overcooked and tasted like bad baby food with grease. My husband's dish was a cedar plank salmon, which was served with the cedar still wrapped around the fish. The waitstaff confessed older patrons have tried eating the cedar wood on several occasions. Inside the wood the, again overcooked, fish was covered in a mustard breading that was awful. It was over-seasoned, spicy, and mushy. The wine list was pretty good, and dessert was really good. Perhaps I was still hungry and that made the dessert even better. The biscuits everyone is raving about, I'd actually rather have the ones from Red Lobster. The one's from Libby's were over-seasoned, yet again. And served with a really weird accompaniment of truffle butter (great on it's own) and sickeningly sweet preserved cherries. I think Libby's is trying to do too much and someone is cooking that has lost their touch with seasoning the food. A lot of the flavors seemed jumbled and confused, plus the menu had a lot of items that seemed out of place.
(2)Cas B.
Decided on this place off of yelp reviews. Very glad we did!! The service was amazing(thank you Andrew!) and the food and prices were great! We had a bottle of Lang wine, ahi appetizer, 2 salads and 2 entrees ALL for $120!!!! That's just amazing! We ended up adding a couple hundred in gift cards for holiday gifts to the tab. Also noticed that there are heaters for the outdoor tables.
(4)Dayna G.
I think this place deserves 3.5 stars. I really enjoy the extensive wine list they offered but some of the food was hit or miss. My sister had the scallops with risotto which was delicious. For my entree I got the crab cakes and the side of risotto. The crabcakes were not anything memorable but the risotto was awful, it looked delicious but there was literally no flavor...I never add salt to my food but I had to for this side and still only ate a few bites, oh well! Our table also had mussels which were really great. I thought the atmosphere left something to be desired and as someone in hospitality the restaurant looked in need of a makeover and clean up. We sat down at 9 so I understand by this point things get dirty but there were dirty linens on the floor, it was unappealing. Not a bad experience but I am not in a hurry to go back.
(3)Jay C.
We spend a lot of time in the Hillview neighborhood when visiting the area. Libby's is always a stop. Great food & service. Nice people.
(4)Matthew G.
Libby's serves a specialty bloody mary called the "Manolo Mary." I would punch a baby bunny rabbit for one. Organic cucumber vodka and homemade bloody mix. Can I use the "f" word here? I feel the need to. The three-cheese and pear tortelloni are ridiculous, and you will most likely find yourself asking for a serving spoon from the kitchen so that you can cram them into your mouth that much faster. The shrimp cocktail is great. And, that's saying something. For you seafood freaks out there, you know the value of a PERFECTLY cooked shrimp. They can be found here. And the damned fries. I'm weeping right now. Service staff: all sort of dressed-up casual, all very friendly. My wife and I have gone in the dead-time between lunch and dinner and the service was still great. This is one of the "hippest" spots in Sarasota, but not in an annoying way. It's in a great location and this town DESPERATELY needs more places like this.
(4)Lindsey M.
Libby's is a great spot. My husband and I ate here for lunch one day before a shopping trip. He said the meatloaf was the best he's ever had (and trust me, he's had a lot). I had the Mahi Tacos which were delicious as well. Our waitress told us about Sunday Brunch which we immediately made reservations for and brought our in-laws. Brunch was AMAZING. Totally worth the wait. Everyone's food was delicious. The blueberry pancakes are to die for, the eggs are light and fluffy, the hash browns are full of flavor. This will be a definite go to spot every time we visit my in-laws in Florida.
(5)Ivan K.
reservation and the service was fine and not harried. The menu is quite unusual, innovative and offers a wide variety of choices. All that we ordered was fresh, well prepared and nicely plated.. I notice one fellow who was bussing tables, asking folks if all was well, etc. i stopped him and asked if he was the manager. He informed me that he was one of the owner partners and that one of the partners was always in the house and available. this may account for why the place appears to function so well. Ii would recommend this restaurant as one of the best we have experienced in our four years of wintering in the Sarasota area.
(5)Carolyn M.
Libby's has replaced Fred's in the Hillview neighborhood. I rarely dine at places like this because they are a little too stuffy for my taste, but since my sister was in town and a friend I decided to join them for dinner. Boy am I glad I did. As a vegan I have a hard time finding nice restaurants in Sarasota to enjoy. I rarely go out to dinner because of this, but Libby's was very accomodating for both a vegan and vegetarian. I got black bean cakes from the app menu and the chopped salad for dinner. It was plenty to fill me up. My sister and her friend got an app and entree and despite the price being more than I normally spend to eat out, it was well worth it. The portions were huge and they had leftovers for lunch the next day (or perhaps a late night snack after a night at the Five O'Clock Club). Libby's was so tasty, I went back the next day with my Fiance as I wanted him to check it out for a possible rehearsal dinner location. Their GM, Molly, hooked us up with lunch and has been a delight to work with. All and all I'm totally impressed with Libby's menu - unique and flavorful fusion food and their attentive service. And about it being stuffy.... it's all that Sarasota show!!! HAPPY VEGAN DINING! be well, carolyn
(5)Spud C.
My fiance and I came down to Anna Maria Island for a short getaway, and were looking for someplace nice to go out to for the evening. My fiance is vegan, and our web searches showed that Libby's had a few vegetarian/vegan items on the menu. First, let me state that my fiance and I can be sticklers for good service and quality food, so we're tough cookies when it comes to being impressed by a restaurant. When When we arrived, we noted that Libby's had a few tables set for outside dining, with table clothes and full place settings. We were dressed more casual, but had called ahead and were told that the restaurant was casual dress. When we went inside, we were greeted warmly by the hostess who asked us if we preferred a booth or table, ans I always find that sort of courtesy to be quite refreshing. The decor inside had a very upscale feel, but was balanced by the casual dress of white shirts, aprons, blue jeans and sneakers of the waitstaff. Our waitress, Stacy, was very knowledgeable of the menu and offered to go back to the kitchen to make sure that the entree my fiance wanted was in fact vegan. The food was served quickly, and was in both of our opinions, absolutely delicious! Our waitress, as well as the manager checked in with us a couple of times, but were in no way obtrusive, and we felt taken care of without being rushed at all. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a nice quiet atmosphere with really good food. We will definitely be going here again.
(5)Shannon D.
Always casually elegant and creative. While this is a grown up restaurant we have taken our small children there frequently because the wait staff has been wonderful to them. They offered hot water to heat a bottle and brought out a few not-on-the-menu nibbles that were age-appropriate for our infant. We really appreciate that mom and dad can have a nice meal and the children can learn to enjoy a nice restaurant politely.
(5)Megan D.
The food at Libby's is amazing and incredibly ecclectic. The tuna is amazingly fresh and pair wonderfully with any salad. All pasta dishes will rival your favorite Italian restaurants.
(5)Sara S.
Thanks to a recommendation from a friend of ours who lives in the neighborhood, we had the pleasure of dining at Libby's. The food, atmosphere, and service was outstanding! We loved the ambiance and the decor; the art & glass light fixtures are gorgeous! We enjoyed talking with the manager, Clay, and liked everything about this restaurant. We loved it so much--we went three nights in a row! We probably would have gone back for several more nights, but our trip ended and we had to return to Minneapolis. Thank you, Libby's employees, for helping to make our trip to Siesta Key a pleasurable, memorable one!
(5)M I.
This is my neighborhood hangout and I really like the happy hour food and drinks. A nice mix of ppl in the evening and really friendly bartenders.
(5)Mike M.
Eclectic varied menu, with unique treatments of familiar ingredients. Staff is pleasant friendly and efficient. Make reservations and sit at the bar if you arrive early, the drink menu, beer and wine selection will occupy that extra time. They also have a bar menu so you can pick a little on some fun items if you are really hungry before being seated at your table. Nice mix of casual atmosphere and well presented food. Across the street from Morton's Market as well for those last minute ingredients you need for the next day's meal.
(4)C K.
This was very good food and excellent wait staff.
(5)Brooks R.
The food has really gone downhill at this restaurant. All four of the entrees in our party were sloppy and swimming in sauce.....and the sauce was not good. I had the chicken roulade and it look like four dog biscuits sitting on top of a pile of dog food. The bread basket was good, but we had to ask twice to get it. Dinner here was a big disappointment.
(2)Melissa S.
Went there for lunch with a friend. Nice casual-upscale atmosphere and great people-watching from our sidewalk table. I had the crab cakes with a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc. I enjoyed it enough that I've been trying to find excuses to get back and give it another go.
(4)Allen S.
Too too loud. If they would add music maybe patrons would not try to talk over each other. Prices are too high for the low quality food and cheap alchohol drinks. $40 for ribeye with bone. They say epic I say fat and not phat. Meat should have marbling but not fat pockets throughout. What about garnish on the plate? I am happy to pay $100 on dinner for two if the quality is there. Wrong menu for this place. Salads and sandwiches would fit in better with the wait staff. I really have only one thought on why so damn busy. Tourist trap!
(2)Michael B.
We were greeted and seated right away, and the waiter and busboy were instantly to us, despite the dining room being full. Our waiter, Josh, was exceptional: attentive, and always knew when to come and go. The table next to us had difficult customers, and their waiter handled them magnificently. We loved the previous restaurant, Fred's (different owner), so Libby's has a lot to live up to in our minds, and it did. It can still be noisy when full, but the atmosphere is light and bubbly, tables are not too close together, and you can have an intimate dinner despite the din. The menu is broad and challenging. There are no staples: these are all special creations. I had the Inside-out Lamb Chop, which was a thick chop, cooked to perfection, covered in a complex sausage and pine nut ball. It may be a bit over the top, and I might have preferred a few ribs with a layer of the sausage, so that it wouldn't overpower the delicate lamb. While it did give a great flavor to the lamb, I must ask: Chef, even though you can do it, must you? Perhaps with some of the dishes a slightly narrower focus, and a less-is-more attitude might be advisable. That's why I withhold the fifth star. That said, I can recommend Libby's! My companions enjoyed their respective Short Ribs (with a clever, tasty Gorgonzola Smashed Cauliflower,) and Cedar-wrapped Salmon. It was a Tuesday night, high season, and wonderful to meet the owners on our departure. If two owners are there on a weekday night, they are dedicated, and that is always a good sign.
(4)Daniel D.
Good neighborhood place. Outdoor dinning and buzz. Consistent food and service.
(4)j m.
Very good food. The decor is very pleasant and the happy hour specials on drinks and bar plates from 4-7 is a steal!
(4)Laura B.
I took my husband for his 50th B-Day. I went in the day before and ordered EVERYTHING ahead of time. Tom the manager was fabulous and the entire evening went exactly as planned. The food was amazing, the service was incredible and we had a wonderful time.
(5)Hal H.
It *looks* like fine dining -- but the food is loaded with salt to the point where it's really unenjoyable. Nice enough place with great location and good atmosphere. Sadly, the food doesn't measure up.
(2)rhett t.
Wow did the menu fit my flavor profile. Service was attentive, a bit uninformed, but clearly caring. Space is huge, well segmented, but the carpet (which I never notice) was dated and worn. Wood floors might work well here. The smell from across the street (Morton's Market) was awesome, but I digress. The Wakame cucumber salad was flavorful, but the cucumbers were unnecessary. But the cheesesteak egg roll was otherworldly. The Chef clearly understands Philly flavors and this egg roll took me back to South Philly. The spaghetti and meatballs was not as successful. The meatballs were tasty, but the sauce was soupy and packed an unexpected and unwanted kick. They were very accommodating for my son's limited palate. Based upon the great menu and very good apps, this was a hit.
(4)Peter H.
Went on a early Sunday (5:45PM) to celebrate a belated birthday and college acceptance. Seated promptly but that is where it ended; drinks took 15 minutes, another 15 for the waiter to come back to get our order. 15 minutes past until the appetizers/salads came (45 minutes since arrival). Food OK, nothing to rave about. The main courses arrived by back-waiter who had to ask everyone what they ordered. the veal Marsala was awful; slapped together with wet spinach, melted Swiss cheese and drenched with a heavy beef-based sauce; not the classic veal-stock derived, Marsala wine laced recipe. The Mussels were steamed and served with blah spaghetti in a canned red sauce; unpalatable. two of our party had the Risotto, which was overcooked to the consistency of grits. Overall, the food is highly overrated, but it is the piss-poor service (S L O W), very high noise level, and cramped table arrangements (we were 9 seated at a round table for 6). We will not ever return to Libby's. There are better choices within 2 miles.
(2)Charles M.
excellent food, great service with a menu that will appeal to all tastes.
(4)lois l.
Formerly "Fred's," a Southside Village hot-spot, Libby's inherited a lot of regular patrons and then used its outdoor and dog-friendly dining to further enhance its urban atmosphere, great service, and of course fabulous menu and wine list. Named among Zagat's 2010 "America's Top Restaurants," garnering Wine Spectator's 2010 "Award of Excellence," Florida Trend's "Golden Spoon Award 2010," on the heels of the '09 Readers' Choice Award from the Sarasota Herald Tribune ( heraldtribune.com largest of the dailies in the NYT regional editions), even without its chichi location and crowd, what's not to love when leisurely lunching in this artsy tropical town ...and PS. - just minutes away from the most bee-yoo-ti-ful white sugar sand beach: Siesta Key ( seesarasotalive.com/sies… ... check out the beach-cam!). But enough of my salivating and carrying on, I'll let THEM carry on... Here's their link libbyscafebar.com/menu.h… . You'll love Libby's and NO, I have no personal stake, connection, or self-serving interest here, I just LOVE good food, wine, atmosphere, and service... and know you do too. Enjoy!
(4)Jennifer B.
Good Service, Great Food, The Wasabi Crusted Tuna is amazing! I can't wait to have lunch here!
(4)Keri K.
dined outside for a sunday brunch on a mini-trip to sarasota. i was feeling lunch-y slightly more than breakfast-y style food. no wait for outside seating probably due to the fact is was quite mild outside and the outdoor seating didn't have any sun...our waiter did suggest pulling our table out into the sun and that meant we were smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk and there are plenty of people walking by...it worked somewhat... on to the food! i ordered the turkey club sandwich which included a generous amount of turkey, bacon, avocado, tomato, lettuce, and aioli mayo. the french fries are thin and served with thick sea salt. they hit the spot! overall, i enjoyed the food and thought the service was friendly. the sandwich was a bite pricey but nicely done and i would go back.
(3)Gracia L.
I have a love/hate relationship with salads. I'll have one about once a day but usually made by my own hand since more often than not, the restaurant variety disappoints. Libby's proved me wrong and showed me that they do salad the way I like it - well dressed greens, nothing too heavy, and not-so-predictable ingredients. My new obsession is the grilled sea scallop caprese (with kalamata olives, peppers, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, and SEVEN scallops) and I could and may have it on a very regular basis. I'll be back for happy hour to enjoy a St. Germain champagne cocktail or a glass of vino. Great spot in a lovely part of town. Excellent option for brunch, lunch or dinner.
(4)Rick L.
Food fair...serivice fair.....in short their are better restaurants in the area. Location is good. Other than that I have not been their in a few years. I apparently haven't missed much and see no reason to return. Save your money and try something else. My wife had the scallops and does not require large portions and thought the order was small. I had the the crab chowder to start...I have had better wall paper paste. The Grouper cheeks were nothing to write home about. I have had better fish at many places.
(2)Max M.
Our party of three dined here on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, with a 6:45 p.m. seating. The restaurant was very busy, reflecting local diners'appreciation of Libby's interesting and very diverse menu choices, including meats, seafood, gluten-free and vegan items. We chose two appetizers: oyster bisque (special of the day) and jumbo lump crabcakes. The oyster bisque was delicious - flavorful but not excessively rich. Our three entrees were: Seared Ahi Tuna Steak (spicy and delicious, with lots of Asian influences, and a very clever presentation - we won't spoil it for you by being specific); Red Snapper Fillet and White Clam Pan Roast - very good; and Pan Seared Virginia Beach Sea Scallops (very flavorful, but slightly too well-done). Our bill for one glass of wine, two appetizers and three entrees was $106 excluding tax and tip, which was what we expected for this level of dining. Service was pleasant and quick, considering that the restaurant was full. The atmosphere is upscale but be aware that this is not a place for quiet conversation, at least not on a busy night. We will definitely come back to try the many interesting items on the menu.
(5)Jane D.
Went to Libby's for Easter Brunch at the end of the brunch hour.. The food selection was generous, with great shrimp cocktail and mini crab cakes, along with standard breakfast items, varied lunch/dinner choices and a really good selection of desserts. However, by the time we arrived the buffet serving staff was clearly tired. Seated in the add on dining room, with folding chairs and large parties just leaving left something to be desired in terms of ambiance, but that's our fault for coming late in the day. The dining room waitstaff also seemed too tired to stay on top of the small details that are important even if it's a serve yourself brunch, such as new silver, refills on drinks, etc. Perhaps shorter brunch hours, or adding fresh staff for the afternoon shift. By next year's brunch it would be great if the owner has a good second in command, so he can make his way around the room and greet his guests, instead of handling refills at the buffet table. It's a nice environment in general, and you can tell it's a friendly casual place that's generous with their food. It has the potential to be even better.
(3)Lee P.
Don't go on a Thursday night if you enjoy fine dining as it's Meat Market night in the two bars that ajoin the main dining room. The food is 3 STARS, but the noise level after 8PM makes the experience less than enjoyable. Subtract one Star for the noise level with boom, boom music for the ritual mating game.
(2)