When we arrived, the first thing is the hostess to us was, we are having issues because people called off today. One person had a death in the family and another person is sick. So can you wait? We asked if we could go sit at the bar while we waited, and she told us the same thing again. Finally after a couple of asking, she said yes we can go to the bar. Luckily, we did. Our waiter at the bar was phenomenal. The food was outstanding. It was so good, that we even stayed for dessert. Luckily, we didn't leave when we arrived. It was worth our stay. The food was worthwhile, but our waiter's service made the difference. So, ask for Ian. We will come back because of him.
(4)
Jim M.
Excellent Service, along with a great menu. Michaels has a terrific wine menu as well. I've been in most often for brunch or lunch. Michaels also is a longtime favorite destination for conferences and fundraisers - the banquet facilities and personnel are outstanding.
(4)
Cami W.
Graduation dinner for my son Saturday night! Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner we had on Saturday evening. Cloe did a wonderful job putting the event together for me!!! This was my first time to Michael's, but have heard so much about it and it was the only place Jacob requested to go for his graduation dinner. I was happy to meet Michael and have his son Max join us as well. I cannot say enough about the ambiance and service!!! We were so so so lucky to have Shannon be our head waiter, I cannot remember the gentleman who assisted her, but he was great as well. Shannon met me promptly when I arrived and offered to help me set up the few balloons and extras that I had with me. Shannon frequently called me and both of my sons by name, such a nice touch, and made sure that we were comfortable and felt extra special. I honestly cannot speak highly enough of her!!! She is caring and over above a waiter, I felt like she was a friend of the family. The food was wonderful and all of the guests raved and cleaned their plates, even my boys two little sisters, 5 & 7 years old!! Thank you so much for having us and taking such wonderful care of all of us. I was nervous about hosting an event so far away from New Orleans, at a place I had never been to, but it far exceeded my expectations!! Next time I am in Sarasota, I will be back for dinner where I can sample more of the elaborate menu. Great, FANTASTIC place to have a special event!! Made me feel like family!
(5)
Marc G.
Every course was beautiful and flavorful. Excellent chef. Great wine list, and fantastic service. Hits all points. Ask for Kimberly to be your server and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Shlamie G.
Heard great things about Michaels. Was there many years ago and needed to check it out again. Last minute on a Saturday, but called and got a table. Waitress, Kimberly, was the highlight of the evening. Food was good, but not sure we'll rush back since it was extremely pricy. Never pay much attention to cost, but for a bowl of pasta and chicken @ $26, found it good, but not exceptional. All in all, it is a well thought of establishment in town, but not my "go to" place when I want a "cut above" food. Pompano fish was good and Romaine Wedge for $12 was good, but really!!! Again, service is the key for us and Kimberly was the best !
(3)
S H.
Went there for our anniversary dinner. Food was excellent; calamari appetizer with two dipping sauces, rack of lamb for my wife, and two very delicious crab cakes for me, best I've ever had. The only down side was the noise level. We arrived during happy-hour and we were seated close to the bar which was quite noisy. Next time we will request seats in a quieter location.
(5)
Jennifer K.
Have dined here for many years. Mostly in the wine cellar. Great ambiance, service and food. If you done in the wine cellar you are surrounded by their collection of wine bottle and candles. The grape, fig salad is the best. I really can't pick a favorite dish but my most current meal I had the filet. So juicy and cooked to perfection. Service is always superb. You can sign up for their wine tastings.... So much fun.
(5)
Jay K.
We eat here pretty regularly. Most of the time it is everything you'd expect from a fine dining establishment. Occasionally though, the food has disappointed. Ok, that happens. A restaurant can't be on all the time. What *is* 100% within their control is how you deal with things when it doesn't go right. On this note, Michael's on East, and Michael specifically, fail. The last time we went, there was an issue with my wife's meal. Michael was patrolling the restaurant as he usually does. He stopped by our table to ask how everything was (this was before our server returned for the first time, so Michael was the first to ask). My wife raised her issues with her dish, a dish she had ordered there probably 15 times before with no issue. Michael, in typical German fashion immediately adopted an attitude and basically told my wife she was wrong and that she didn't know food. Um, yeah, we've dined all over the world, at holes in the wall to Michelin 5 Diamond restaurants. We know food. My wife's complaint was legitimate. But instead of making the customer feel appreciated and making things right, Michael berated her and put her down. Sorry, that was our last time there as a result. We'd been semi-regulars there, spending several thousand dollars a month there (we usually always order premium champagne or wine), but as a result of the owner's actions, we won't return. Michael seems to think he can ride on the laurels of his community involvement and his usually good food, but I guarantee you, if he has treated other patrons the way we were treated, he is losing business as a result of his attitude and would be best served keeping customer interactions to a minimum.
(3)
Gaetano E.
What an excellent restaurant! An unexpected find. A true gem. I had the recommended rack of lamb omg so delicious! My date had the recommended scallops and were also excellent! Also a great wine list and beautiful decor. If your in Sarasota this place is a must!
(5)
Tony S.
Two of the four of us had a very unsatisfactory meal Christmas Eve. My two daughters wisely selected fish - Chilean Sea Bass and Salmon and enjoyed their meals. My wife and I ordered Pork Chops and Confit of Veal and were wildly disappointed. I ordered the lobster bisque to start. It was a tasty soup but the hunks of lobster and crab, indistinguishable from one another, were rubbery and seemed like an afterthought dropped into the liquid. My wife's confit was super fatty and sparce. My Pork Chop was barely edible with fatty gristle for over half of it. The few bites I was able to surgically separate from the bone and swallow were meaty but entirely flavorless. The cranberry chutney was needed to make anything of this mess. I was close to sending it back but my two girls were fine with their fish and I didn't want to have to wait for another dish to be prepared. I just wanted to get out of there. $400 later, we did. Too bad this restaurant has such a nice dining room because our expectations were as high as the prices. The service was barely adequate - the waitress highly recommended the Pork Chop, delivered the wrong glass of wine to my wife and didn't bother to ask how our dinners were. We now know one restaurant to avoid like the plague in the future.
1. Im always the yongest patron by at least 30 years 2. Chicken Cesaer is my go-to every time 3. Must try the Passion Tea (and it even comes in a fancy goblet!) 4. The Boy gets the thai chicken dish, says it's awesome. Clean plate to prove! 5. Overall, I'm a fan of MOE, especially when it's a midday lunch break, just don't expect to leave in under an hour.
(4)
Seth F.
Honestly, this place would've easily gotten a 5 had it not been for the service. It didn't start out horrible, but we sat with finished plates in front of us for 20 minutes and the time between ordering dessert and receiving dessert was literally an hour. I would definitely like to go back in the hopes it was a one time fluke, but can't in good conscience give it an above average review for fear that my infallible credibility in the Yelp community would propel somebody into a similar experience. With great Yelping comes great responsibility. For documentation's sake, the Scallops and Porcini Rubbed Colorado Rack of Lamb were outstanding.
(3)
rhonda d.
I have been wanting to go here for years and after going there this past week for lunch, I am upset that I didn't do it sooner. It was one of the best places we ladies have been to in this area. The service was outstanding and the food was amazing The owner Michael even came over to our table to meet us and I got to hear about his latest travels. This is a MUST go to restaurant. Lunch prices are very good. I am a huge foodie and this restaurant exceeded my expectations.
(5)
Erin B.
Pleasantly surprised! The shrimp tacos not so much. The shrimp was frozen and very small but everything after that was great! They have wine half off any bottle on Thursday sweet!! The red snapper was so good it had crab meat and in a bisque that was so tasty. The duck was not too fatty and the blueberry reduction was delicious. The icebox chocolate cake had a mint top and the flavor was great. Great experience.
(5)
Mike P.
Great date place. Great place for a nice evening out. Food was excellent , Service excellent ambiance was excellent. This place deserves all the high praises.
(4)
Tingting H.
Service was good but food just so so... I had a shrimp tempura for starter... it was the worst ever! The batter was so thick like a comforter...
(2)
Letitia S.
One of the worst meals ever! Uninspired dishes that were poorly presented. An iPad wine list that didn't work. SLOW service.
OMG! This place is fantastic! The calamari are to die for, the filet mignon with the different sauces on the side are amazing (especially the horseradish one which didn't taste like horseradish but pure deliciousness in a bowl), the walnut raisin cinnamon bread is SO SO SO good that I dream about it when I am home and I lament not having the recipe so that I can make it myself for breakfast every day. What can I say? The ambiance is fantastic, the piano guy is GREAT, the service is THE BEST! Go to Michael's. THE END! :)
(5)
John D.
4 STAR FOOD IN A 5 STAR JOINT We had a lovely lunch here. Our drinks (sodas & iced tea) were bottomless and cheerfully refilled. Two different types of bread plus poppadoms were served as a part of the meal and they were fantastic - the very best part of the meal, really. The food? A touch above ordinary/ho-hum. Between the three of us we had the Chicken Caesar Salad and two combos: spring roll & soup and spring roll & calamari. The chicken was dry and overcooked, the spring rolls had little flavor, the soup was very good and the calamari was okay but was too soft, I think, and needed something to spice it up a bit. So, overall, I'd say: Ambiance/Decor - 5 stars Service - 5 stars Food - 3 1/2 stars So there you are...
(4)
Richard H.
I don't know. We went there with high expectations and indeed ambiance and service were very good and my wife's epicurean menus for $30 was good. However the calamari I had to start with were totally average and the NY strip was virtually inedible due to the excessive amount of salt they put on it. Extremely expensive too. I might go back for the epicurean which is good value for money, but would stay away from the menu and especially the steak.
(3)
J R.
The food was pretty good. The Prix-fixe was a great deal and good portions. The atmosphere is super 80s...which I found amusing, but doesn't inspire a sense of fine dining if you are trying to do a fancy date night. The piano bar was fun.
(3)
Arlene A.
Lunch at Michael's is an experience not to be missed. The food is par excellent, the decor, although intimate, is remininent of a luxury liner of the 30's and the staff more than helpful without being obsequiece. The ambience of Michael's plus the unique menu choices, make this a restaurant one must return to as often as possible. I had a delicious Thai chicken paillard and my companion had a flounder dish that was equally as succulent, plus the presentations were outstanding. We visited Michael's the day before we left Sarsota, but we will certainly make it one of our first stops when we return next year.
(5)
Ed W.
had reservations for 6:00 PM today (Dec. 25, 2014) as the time was selected by restaurant. Arrived a few minutes before 6:00 and was told our table would be ready in about 10 minutes and we could wait in the bar. Waited 45 minutes to be seated at our table and this was after 2 visits to the front desk. No reasonable explanation was provided. Although our drinks were provided on the restaurant, I would say the service was only mediocre. My wife order a non alcoholic drink and after repeating the drink twice it still came with vodka. I have to say that the food was excellent, but at those prices you should be able to expect good service and that was not there. Not sure if Christmas dinner was too much for them to handle, but I was disappointed that a place with the reputation that Michael's has could not provide service commensurate with the cost of the meal. Not sure I will be returning anytime soon. Sorry for such a review, but they should do better.
(3)
David B.
thank you for hiring the new piano player mr. gould. that is an incredible story of giving back to the community!!!
(5)
Jack B.
Went here for Christmas (dunch or linner 3:30 in the afternoon between both dinner and lunch). Hostess friendly and seated immediately upon arrival, we did have a reservation. Great table even dining with both our girls (10 and 13). Server Danielle was friendly, courteous and knew the menu making strong recommendations, all were delicious. Butter nut bisque great. Angel hair onion rings with homemade ketchup everyone liked very much. We had sea bass, rack of lamb, filet and salmon with side of the mac and cheese we shared. Everyone was pleased and had very happy plates upon leaving. Desserts sounded delicious but we were too full. Our first time here although we have been coming to Sarasota for many years. It will not be too long before we return. It is worth the visit.
(5)
Marianne s.
Such a nice place...great food, music, nice bar. BUT if you are not a regular at the bar, forget it. You are invisible! Such a shame. Better service please!
(1)
FoodMaven X.
Lunch & Happy Hour experts. Seafood, Poultry, Pork, & Red Meat will meet your expectations, although it will cost you at dinner. Dense addictive raisin bread rules. Crusty white bread & garlic forward cracker-like rounds are presented with butter. Olive oil is cheerfully substituted. Crispy Duck, fluffy baby Kale & interesting shreds. Get dressing on the side because whatever sweetens this vinaigrette is measured with a long hand. Burgers, Salmon & Bowtie pasta can be fine-tuned to taste, sans any ingredient you desire be omitted. Fried Calamari sport a near perfect light crust, then are over embellished, so get the deconstructed version & dip. Oysters are surprisingly well presented in all forms. Vegetable sides range from good to great. Epicurean Adventure menu is a hit about 60% of the time. Sorry Michael, sandwiches are wasted on me as is anything "blackened". PROTEIN & greens. Now you have my attention. Mustard is pedestrian on a dinner plate; hint, as are beans & cabbage, Brussels sprouts being the exception. Salt is not a food group. Service issues are usually handled tactfully. Taste an unfamiliar wine or liqueur... Did you say Dessert? Don't hesitate: Fresh Fruit & sorbet, Seasonal Mousse, luscious cakes & liquid sweets from the Bar.
(4)
Gabriel M.
Thank you very much for your help figuring things out before the event and for the amazing food and service we got last night... Jackie and I got married in Siesta and then brought everybody for the best food in town at your restaurant... The table was beautiful and everybody went on an on about how amazing the food was... Both our servers where great, they really took personal care of us and made the night even better... They went above and beyond to keep us smiling.... I knew you guys where awesome, I knew your food is amazing and your service spotless, but last night you surprised us one more time. :) Thanks, thanks and more thanks... Gabriel and Jackie
(5)
Linda B.
Great service, food, WINE and ambiance. We started with a beet salad with citrus and toasted hazelnuts, yum. I had the Chilien See Bass, my husband had the duck. We were both very happy with our meals.
(5)
Sara S.
Very disappointed to have to downgrade this restaurant from five to four stars, but I'm still a fan and will return for sure. We came here this Friday night and found some flaws in the dining experience this time. First, the hostess is the first impression point of contact to customers. Rather than greet us, she continued her conversation with one of the servers letting us stand there until I decided to walk away and search for our fellow diners on my own. Unable to locate them, I walked back to the host stand and had to interrupt their conversation to get some help; totally unacceptable for a restaurant of this quality and standards. Greeting and helping guests is Training 101 for hosts. We were a large party with 8 pm reservations, so I didn't expect service to be fast by any means, but it was beyond slow. No exaggeration, it was about 9:30 pm when we finally received our appetizers and soups. Dinner served a half hour later at 10 pm, which is approaching midnight snack hour. We joked it felt like we were at a taping of Hell's Kitchen when diners are waiting and waiting for their meals. Service was utmost professional though and our meals were perfectly prepared. Lamb charred and tender, filets cooked perfect temperature as ordered, truffle aroma and flavor from all the sides. The creamed spinach was inedible though. So, will I come back for dinner there with a large party, no; but, I do plan to come back for lunch or a very early dinner for the irresistible truffle mac and cheese.
(4)
Vic O.
They are famous for their friendly, attentive service, and it was that. But we can't figure out why they have a reputation for very good food. It's just not that great, in fact, the food was so bad, my husband and father are still talking about how bad it was as we go to other restaurants and order similar dishes. This is 'fine dining' circa 1975, back when most people thought if they weren't eating Kraft Mac & Cheese, it must be 'fine dining'. The food is heavy and the flavors are artificial, the servers aren't very knowlegeable about their wares, the whole experience is old school clunky, and the place is packed with the elderly for that reason. We had the December 2012 'Epicurean Adventure' menu. My father and husband's salmon were very overcooked and GRAY. Mine was ok, more pink than gray, although it seemed poached in butter. We couldn't help but notice the drastic difference between these servings of the same entree. It seemed that the first 2 were older and obviously recooked. Shame on MIchael's for serving them. The trifle dessert was supposed to be "Christmas Trifle with Raspberry and Mango Purees, Ladyfingers, Light-Creamy Custard Cream and Fresh Fruit". There was fresh fruit, and a little raspberry puree, but no mango puree. The 'ladyfingers' or cookie-like material had a coffee flavor, like in a tiramisu, which was just wrong and unpleasant. Even more unpleasant was the so-called 'light-creamy custard cream' which was extremely thick, heavy and had a strong artificial vanillin or some kind of odd-ball flavor. The whole thing was unpleasant and 'off'. Coffee was very weak, so weak that my father refused a refill, unusual for him. What was good were the lentil flour popadums and the raisin bread in the bread basket. The fried calimari appetizer was delicious, as were the 2 sauces, olive tapanade and ham that arrived with it. The pork tenderloin entree was delicious. The smoked trout appetizer was lovely. The Crios de Susana Balbo Rose of Malbec was fantastic. Since I wrote this review, my husband has commented several times that Michael's on East was TERRIBLE in his opinion. He can't understand how they get away with charging so much. This place has to be avoided and it needs to hear this kind of commentary. A woman had visited our table and asked about our experience. Our entrees had only just arrived and we hadn't even started them. We mumbled it was 'fine' (little did we know). Her timing was bad. she was in a BIG HURRY and spoke very quickly. That's not exemplary managerial interest in your dining experience. We won't go back. Its style is ancient history, old, very tired and poorly executed.. Spend your money elsewhere.
(1)
Randy S.
Awesome dinner for ourr Sarasota Power & Sail Squadron Change of Watch for Southwest FL. The same quality of food and xlnt service for our 150 people as a table of 6
(5)
Jim N.
Michelle the bartender made us feel extremely welcome. The food was wow especially the calamari. We had sidecars and they were magnificent!
(4)
Austin J.
We went to Michaels on East for my friends birthday early January of 2015. Our reservation was for 7:30 of which we were sat promptly. However, we were dining in the facility until just before 11PM... From the start it took a couple minutes for our server to greet us, once drink orders were placed we waited roughly 15 minutes for waters, cocktails, and wine bottles; All of which came at separate times. Bread was dropped and our server quickly left without taking our orders. Refills on water never happened. In addition, some of us ordered premium water that we paid extra for which was never refilled either. We all ordered appetizers which came out at a decent time but our main courses are what took about two hours. There was 10 of us and I would say each person spent roughly $100. The server paid us no attention and we felt ignored. She never did check back or asked us how we liked our food. Finally, to really ruin the night, our server PERSONALLY wrote in her gratuity at 20% and totaled our checks and asked us to sign. We asked to speak to a manager but apparently no one was there that late at night. We did speak with who I believe was an assistant manager or supervisor that offered us nothing for our frustrations and told us to call back and speak with the morning management. I've resulted to writing a review on trip advisor after calling and trying to speak to the GM.
(1)
michelle l.
We went to Michaels on East for dinner with my parents. We had an early-ish dinner (6:30pm), so when we arrived, the place was mostly empty, and the clientele were of the geriatric variety. As such, the waiters were yelling to be heard. What a funny scene for a place that charges mostly $40+ for their main courses. The hostess offered to seat us by the pianist (who was not yet present). We made the correct choice and declined the offer. The pianist that night was loud and not especially talented. If we had to be right next to him, that would have been torture. Food was fine but not overwhelming. The wine list was varied and a little on the pricy side. My mother and I found a great deal in their prix fixe menu ($29 dollars for a three course meal). I had a beet salad, Venetian styled cod, and the lemon ricotta tart. My husband went a la carte and ordered the fried calamari (very good) and the bowtie pasta (meh). It was my husband's birthday (not really, but this dinner was my parents' birthday treat for my husband), so they surprised him with key lime pie and a few candles. That was a nice touch.
(3)
Karen C.
The food was outstanding. My party left the restaurant overly full, but we weren't complaining. Upon entering it was SO NOISY! They had some event going on at the bar and even I (a young person!) thought it was way too loud. Luckily we got a booth tucked away in the corner which shielded us from it. Anyways, our server was great and told us about the specials and answered my questions about the menu. We started with the fried onions & housemade ketchup which were delicious. Crispy but not greasy and the ketchup was a nice touch. For my entree I went with the scallops which did not disappoint. However, for $36 I expected 4 and only got 3. The ricotta gnocchi, squash, and sage brown butter went perfectly with the scallops. Even though I had the gnocchi as part of the scallop dish I ordered a side of truffled mac & cheese, which I am a sucker for. OMG! You must order this! I have ordered similar dishes before and this one is clearly the best. Creamy, truffley goodness. I had a lot leftover which I happily ate for lunch the next day. My dining companions thoroughly enjoyed their salad and swordfish. This all being said, I find the restaurant to be very overpriced for Sarasota. I think these prices would be acceptable in NYC, but not here. I think most entrees on the menu could stand to be about $5-10 cheaper. Overall a nice meal and I'd come back on a special occassion.
(4)
Shannon C.
The Hubby and I always enjoy dinner here before going to the Sarasota Opera House. We always have reservations so unable to comment on wait time. The ambiance is perfect and one can never go wrong with the epicurean adventure with wine pairing. The wine list is amazing if you want to order a bottle of wine. It can be pricey, but for a special occasion or celebration is well coming here for dinner!!
(4)
Matt O.
Every time I go to Michael's I think to myself "why don't I come here more often"? If I lived within walking distance would be there a lot. It's a good vibe and it's well run with a good menu. Michael is creative and he designs his menu to cater to his patrons. This is another fun spot to overhear deals being made and Sarasota gossip. If you really want a treat check out the Wine Celler and request a private dinner. The staff will hook you up with an amazing experience and your tastebuds will be happy. Anything you order on the menu will make you happy.
(5)
Lorraine C.
Excellent!! Great atmosphere. We have eaten there 3 times and have loved everything we ordered.
(5)
Sal M.
The place has nice decoration. Staff was friendly. Food was quite good. Normally the restaurant is on the pricier side but when we visited, it was a Monday when a prix- fixe dinner was served. We decided to get it and it was very good with very reasonable portions. My only criticism was that the shrimp in the pasta dish that my bf ordered was undercooked. Overall, I recommend this restaurant to any seafood lovers.
(4)
Ken S.
Best swordfish ever! Great service and great food! I'll be back
(4)
Trent E.
Very good food! had the filet and the ribeye. Both were excellent. Service and ambience are both A+ as well. Garlic Mashed were awesome (I love potatoes though) :) Just a little too pricey for me to go there often. :( Great meal though and great service!
(4)
Andy K.
This place rocks out. We went here with my parents and loved the place. Fantastic wine list and lots of interesting wines by the glass. We had several small pours to try some new ones and loved the experience. The food was over the top good. We had the lamb, Veal chop and my wife had a mixed veggy option(special request). The pricing is special occassion but below Ruth Chris, Mortons, and Flemings but of of better quality. Michaels has a top notch place and we joined his wine club. We were a little put off when they set the brochure down but we enjoyed reading it and didnt mind the marketing prefering that to a waiter sales pitch.
(5)
Evanharris H.
Steaks were tasty and cooked exactly as we asked. Caesar salad was tasty but way too much shaved cheese smothered the l Romain lettuce. Also ordered the red bliss potatoes, very deluxe. Asparagus was slightly undercooked. Our server Deborah was very attentive, kitchen had a little delay in getting us desert. Definitely will return, we joined their club which offers some discounts for future visits. I love the personal touch, Michael himself came to our table, as well as the gorgeous hostess. If you want a really great steak in a elegant setting, this is the place for you.
(4)
L L.
Below is the letter I wrote and sent via regular mail to Michael Klauber a month ago. I have not received a reply or acknowledgement. I have since heard from other diners with similar experiences. It is sad to see a once fine establishment in decline. Dear Mr. Klauber, I am writing to report a most unpleasant experience that my wife and I had at your restaurant on January 21. We had just returned to Sarasota for our annual three month visit, and came first to what we considered one of our favorite restaurants. Earlier in the day I had bought a case of fine wine at your Cellar and was now looking forward to a relaxing occasion of fine dining. Instead, we were subjected to an evening of errors, some of which alone might have been excusable but which together created an experience that no respectable restaurant should allow. First, the wine I ordered from the list on the iPad was not available. (I thought one of the advantages of a computerized inventory and a satellite store is that the list would be up to date.) It took ten minutes before I learned that the wine was not available, and by the time we had been served another wine, the appetizer had already arrived. Then after the appetizer was cleared we waited for 50 minutes before the entrees arrived. Our server, Chris Zalopany, said he had been trying to get the attention of the kitchen, but there was a large private party whose orders arrived at about the same time. (I expect a serious restaurant to anticipate and prepare to meet foreseeable demands like this.) Also, one of the entrees showed signs of having been ready well before the other. By the time we finished the main course, it was nearly 10:30, the dining room had emptied, and we did not even order dessert. When I got the check, I told Chris that the performance had been unacceptable, and that while it was not his fault, he should tell the manager. (I emphasize that Chris did his best under difficult circumstances.) We waited for ten more minutes, and finally Jeff Hymel came to the table, said that there were personnel problems with the kitchen staff, and he would apply a discount to our bill. But then when the revised check arrived (another delay), I saw that both wines--the one we ordered but did not receive and the one we drank--were on the new discounted bill. We had been given a discount all right, but partly on an item that we had not ever received. Our server had himself caught the error, and he went to have yet another check prepared. That took more time. Finally, the next day I looked at my credit card statement online and saw that there were two charges, the original check, the discounted one, but not the final correct discounted one. I called Mr. Hymel, who told me he would make sure that we were charged only the correct amount. That seems to have happened now. But even as I write this letter, one of the original bills is still "pending" on my account. I assume that the charge will eventually be removed as a matter of routine. But none of this billing confusion should have happened in the first place. As I hope you will agree, this was not an experience anyone should expect to have in an ordinary restaurant let alone the first class establishment we had always thought you took pride in running.
Terrific food, wonderful upscale ambiance without being stuffy, great service and a nice well-rounded menu. We were here on Christmas Eve, and they had a special, shortened menu, but there was something for everyone, including 3 sizes of Filet. Nice portions, well-presented with tasty sauces. The prices are a little steep for an ala carte menu, but not painfully so. A couple of nits to pick: 1) The sauces were laid on a little thick, especially the herbed tartar sauce with the crab cakes, and 2) Leaving a half dozen empty plastic page protectors in the wine list seems a bit tacky. Other than that, a perfect evening and recommended if you have a few extra bucks to spend...
(4)
Danielle R.
Amazing food! Really nice people. Thumbs up on the salads and the coffee was superb. Anne our server was cute as a button. We went for lunch so prices were very reasonable. Don't miss out!!!!!!
(5)
Linsey S.
The best part of our experience was the service. Our server was more than attentive, funny and just on top of it. The food was okay. We got the tuna cannoli as an appetizer and it wasn't good at all. We saw some other appetizers going to tables that looked better and to be fair, it wasn't one of the suggestions our server had made. The steaks were good but not as good as I would have expected for the price. I have had better key lime pie in many other restaurants. I would love to say I'd go back just for the service but overall it is way too overpriced for what you get.
(3)
David T.
I had a business related dinner tonight with a potential client. I have to admit Michael's truly lived up to the expectation of a fine dining restaurant. The filet mignon was seared to perfection and was cooked to a perfect medium. There was evidence of a dry rub on the clearly aged steak, this allowed the juices to be locked in for every tender bite. The truffle infused mac and cheese was warm and gooey with a nice balance of the truffle flavors that gave one the feeling of elevated comfort food. Potato croquets were also a part of our dish and served warm with a nice crunchy outside crust....delicious! Finally the inside out brownie was simply superb. This was essentially an ice cream cake with the top layer of chocolate and bottom was mint chocolate chip that was surrounded by a moist brownie layer. Dinner was surprisingly well executed and the service was on par with it's status.
(4)
Gracia L.
MoE is the big caterer in town and despite being located in the Midtown Plaza strip mall, their sprawling location lends itself to great parties, most recently the Sarasota Film Festival's A NIght of 1,000 Stars. Phil Mancini, the big cheese, is a doll and he knows how to prepare crowd-pleasing food that's a notch about typical Sarasota fare and their lunch menu is pretty special too. Wendy's Chicken Salad is great and can't be missed.
(4)
Irwin S.
Michaels on East is taken off my list of restaurants. I have gone there a few times and each time I needed to send the fish back to have it cooked. This is not fine dining. They have a real attitude, high prices, and feel that they are they best. Well, they are far from the best, and I refuse to go back.. The first time it could be me, but the second time we know its them. I waited 50 minutes for my table and got practically raw fish. The hostess said "Oh, I forgot about you". So long Michael's, we can easily live without you !!!!!
(3)
Celia B.
Food was good, waitress was good, hostess is RUDE and the owner is not professional. If you are a vegetarian the options are very limited. This seems to be the problem with lots of upscale restaurants, as they mainly serve meat and fish. The only items for you are sides, a salad, or they can prepare a vegetarian dish which is some vegetables and a side of coleslaw. The vegetables were surprisingly delicious, but not very filling. However, they had lots of flavor. The coleslaw that came with it was inedible. It was extremely sour. I think that they add lime to it or maybe lemongrass, but whoever prepared it did not measure it out and it was so sour it tasted like I was eating a lime. I couldn't have more than one bite. Also, like many upscale restaurants, the serving was small (for vegetables). Good thing I ordered a salad and shared a baked potato, otherwise my dish would have been like an appetizer. Other people in our party enjoyed their food. The organic chicken came with very good mashed potatoes and some string beans and was actually filling and delicious (generous portion). The salmon and steak were also well liked, as well as the salads. As for the service, our waitress was great and on top of things. She was kind. As soon as we entered, however, the hostess at the front would NOT make eye contact. At a restaurant this nice and expensive, it is key that they have simple customer service skills down and should always make eye contact with everyone that enters. Its that simple. Then when we talked to her telling her we had a reservation, she still didn't look up at us. She never once smiled or said "welcome to Micheal's" or anything like that. I was shocked and almost wanted to go somewhere else. This is the second time that this has happened and the first time we had to get her attention although we were the only ones standing there. We almost left the first time and probably should have. She then took us to our table which was near the kitchen. When we asked her if we could move to somewhere else, she started arguing with us. Again, good customer service treats the customers with RESPECT and does not argue with them! I was shocked. She sat another group at the table next to us. They were a group of 3 and the table could seat about 7 people. They said "such a big table for 3 people. Do you have any others available?" she said "Well, the reservation said 4" in a rude tone, of course. When they said that they are only 3 and that the table was so big she responded saying "its really not that big once you get your food". She wouldn't even meet their request. On a past visit with a party of 4 they brought everyone's food out except for one person's. We waited about 20 minutes and then once the others were near finished we asked where his meal was. They said "we forgot". It was too late for him to eat now, since by the time his food came out we would have been finished for about 40 minutes. We shared what we had left with him. Then the owner (Michael?) came to our table to ask how everything was. When we told him how one person had to go without a meal because they forgot to make it, he didn't even say sorry or apologize, let alone offer us anything to compensate. He just walked away. Based upon this service I am shocked that this place is so well liked. The owner is extremely unprofessional, and the hostess (tall, skinny, long black hair, heavy on the makeup) literally turns people away. For how much you are paying you can go somewhere else with better food and better service and an owner/hostess who actually appreciates your business. Will not return.
(2)
Ari S.
Classy room with a piano player. i stayed at the bar and took advantage of the early bird "vintage cocktail" menu for $5 a piece there was also discounted apps and bar food at that time. The drinks were a great size for the price. I wanted to taste a number of the classic cocktails unfortunately they were missing an ingredient or two for some. What I did have was a "pink lady" which reminds me of a "Washington Apple" and a "Blood and Sand" The "pink lady" was exceptional. The bartender tried to pass off a drink to me that did not have the right ingredients in it according to the menu (she tried to use Limoncello instead of Lillet) i sent the drink back it was not billed to me. I also tried the calamari which was plentiful for the $5 price. It was served in a big salad bowl and was mixed with a kind of creamy Italian dressing and some bitter greens rather then the typical marinara sauce. It was a nice change and one of the best fried calamari dishes I have ever had. They did not overcook the dish which is quite often a problem the ringlets were soft and supple and very fresh. I also tried the "Indian Pork skewer" The flavor was "ok" nothing to go wild over and the portion was quite skimpy for the the $8 price. Since I had a few drinks by this point I ordered a "Truffle Mac and Cheese" this was divine but very, very rich as it should be and full of cheesy flavor and truffle aroma. Delish but it is hard to eat more than a few bites without feeling full. The piano player is a real engaging guy and ties the bar together. After or during drinks people meet chat tell stories by the piano. Very nice touch. I also met the owner and his lovely wife, both class acts. They make you want to come back again and again. If I can only say the same of the bartender.
(4)
Marc J.
After my truly miserable experience at Roy's (see my other reviews), I was in foul spirits but discovered this classic dining establishment, which was exactly what I needed that night. I was alone, and just wanted a spacious, elegant place with good food, cocktails, and relative peace. Since I live in Los Angeles, I'm surrounded by restaurants that are far more sophisticated in the experience and atmosphere, but Michael's has the classic style for comfortable dining for the affluent families, where kids will squirm in their chairs while wearing stiff clothing, and the adults will politely discuss real estate, private schools, and the yacht club. I noticed that MIchael's has been around for twenty years, so that explains the 80s decor which may have been considered avant-garde in Sarasota. In any event, it's comfortable and the martinis are just right. Music from the piano lounge drifted through the restaurant, a schmaltzy singer singing the songs of Neil Diamond and Tony Bennett. He appeared to be a big hit with the older people who looked like regulars, and it was a nice slice of life. When I next visit Sarasota, I'm returning to Michael's.
(4)
James O.
A number a friends suggested my wife try Michael's. Recently, we were in the Sarasota area so we made a reservation and away we went. Our waiter was not shy telling us that Michael's was one of the best restaurants in Florida and listed a number of favorable rankings/reviews they had received. Needless to say we were very excited to order and sample Michael's menu. My wife ordered the pork and I had the scallops and we also shared Michael's renown calamari and caesar salad. Maybe the waiter oversold Michael's or maybe our expectations were too high but overall the dining experience was just OK and maybe even "good." It definitely wasn't great! Considering the prices and fanfare we expected the food to be better. I am not sure how to explain this but the food was comparable to food at other ordinarily priced "run in the mill" type restaurants that have above average reputations. Yet Michael's strives to be more than that; hence, the disappointment.No wow factor here. Frankly if Yelp allowed awarding half stars I would have given Michael's 3 and a half stars. Admittedly, the restaurant shows very well and the waitstaff is attentive, friendly and knowledgable about the menu.
(3)
Wes R.
Michael's is a classic for Sarasotans. It's one of my regulars for business lunches with exceptional clients. Everything on the menu is great-although I miss the now-removed "BLT" with Pork Belly for the B, Arugula for the L and Hot-Pepper Yellow Tomatoes for the T. Awesome and unexpected bite for a classic sandwich. Lots of classic choices with a new spin and the monthly menus are the best. The Indian menu that they offered a few months back was about the most delicious food that I have ever had, and none of it "typical Indian" everything was something that I had never heard of and that the owner had discovered on a trip to India. Order the Rueben if you dare-best version of a Rueben i've ever had. You may never be able to find another that matches it!
(5)
Michael B.
Our prevous visit was a disappointment. I phoned the restaurant and spoke with the manager to let him know our concerns. He listened to what I had to say and told me to return and he would send me a gift card to cover part of the visit. We did return with another couple and the restaurand did not disappoint. The food was excellent as was the service. We will be back.
(4)
Gail L.
My first visit. Service was excellent and what you hope for at a high end restaurant. The owner, Michael, circulated in the dining room making everyone feel welcome. He acknowledged our special occasion and took photos of our table for us. Food was excellent, organic chicken, scallops, swordfish and seafood linguine. Everyone had a great meal and a wonderful experience. One less star because the bar was so noisy that it made it difficult to carry on s conversation.
(4)
Phillip N.
The Epicurean dinner was fantastic and only 25.00.. You get an appetizer. I had the Tri delight, banana leaf wrapped fish, and banana with rum sauce and a small scoop of ice cream was just the right amount. Definitely a place to go
(5)
Q's H.
Fabulous salmon- perfectly prepared. The staff is kind and efficient. I will certainly return to this joint!
(5)
Jay T.
Michael's on East is an overpriced, over-rated, under-performing disappointment. My wife has been suggesting we try it for over three years. Last night we finally did. Horrible. The food is absolutely sub-par. I suspect the positive reviews posted here and elsewhere are either made by friends of Michael or posted by folks "wowed" by the food "experts" critical acclaim. Don't fall for any of it. Chopped salads aren't chopped. Steaks are charred pieces of particle board. Tuna is a fibrous mess. Desserts are purchased at the local grocery store. And at the end of the evening, intoxicated "friends of Michael" loiter around the valet stand like something out of a bad movie. Truly a huge disappointment.
(1)
Naveed K.
It's a surprise to me that Michael's on East hasn't yet been reviewed on Yelp, seeing as though it's been around for quite some time and many old-guard Sarasotans use it as a comfortable, familiar, predictable restaurant. The key words in this review are exactly those: old-guard, comfortable, familiar, and predictable. This food here is good-to-very-good quality. The menu is solid with selections for most palates. Ingredients are fresh, execution is consistent, presentation is appealing. That said, individual items are unsurprising; an urbane palate isn't going to be challenged here. Service is attentive (moreso if you're drinking) and can be helpful if you reach out to the staff. On my second visit here, I ordered a kind of apple tartlette against the waiter's recommendation. Sure enough, it was unappealing - it's hard to make really appealing a dry puff pastry filled with applesauce - and the waiter brought me his favorite dessert gratis. Nice touch. When compared on a national level, Michael's on East is nothing surprising, challenging, or unique. On a local level, it brings big-city New American to an older, more conservative clientele who appreciate consistency. Bring your parents (or grandparents); don't bring a date. Three out of five stars because this restaurant purports to be something it's not. It's solid, predictable, appealing New American. It's not "spectacular... exciting... [or] eclectic."
(3)
Daniel T.
From my research and a friend who grew up in Sarasota I believe this to be the best that Sarasota has to offer. I bellied up to the bar with my friend around 6:30PM. They had happy hour prices until 7:00. The first 7 or 8 minutes were spent waiting on someone to wait on us. We both ordered the house pinot grigio and were pleased. For $5 per glass they were quite good. The food we ordered was Caesar salad (very good!), potato skins (a kind of fried Oysters Rockefeller on a potato chip) which were just OK. The oyster could have been crisper and hotter and there was too much parmesan on the oyster for my taste, especially considering it was not mentioned on the menu. We also ordered the lobster roll for $12 which came with stone-cold super thin fries and a roll that is less than half the size that you would get in Boston and not as good. I sent the fries back. The crab cakes for $12 were good and came with the same fries but these were warm, not hot but at least warm. We also ordered truffle fries (we didn't know that the other items came with fries). These were Sysco standard 1/4 inch shoestring fries and were only very slightly warm and not crisp at all. We sent these back and told them not to replace them. We also ordered another round of wine well prior to the 7 o'clock mark so we could take advantage of the special price. I sat with an empty glass for a long time. We finished the evening with a couple of glasses of a nice Montepulciano which we both enjoyed. In short, I believe there is skill here but they sure had an off night both in the kitchen and service. I am sure that my food sat in the window for some time prior to getting to us. When they brought us fresh fries they were good, hot and crisp. I would give them another shot and hope it was just a bad evening and not a systemic problem.
(3)
Michael A.
It's surprising to me that we've lived in Sarasota four years and this the first time we've eaten at Michael's on East. What a jem! HIdden away in an unassuming strip mall, this restaurant's interior decor jumps out and screams "cosmopolitan." If you can get past that and focus on the food, you're in good shape. It is true, the meals are your typical, better restaurant standard fare: Crispy calamari, duck eggrolls, shrimp tempura, steaks, fish dishes, etc. The "innovative" dishes on tonight's menu were created by a displaced New Orleans chef ("rescued from Katrina" according to our waiter). We steered clear of these creations, which seemed a little too basic for the price (jambalaya-style fish, dishes served with collard greens, black bean soup, etc.) Study in foie gras excellent if that's your sort of thing. We've had the candied pecan & gorgonzola salad many other places, but probably never as well prepared. I like a restaurant not afraid to serve medium rare rack of lamb. It was certainly pink throughout the middle and delicious. The filet was well-prepared. Ala carte sides a little pricey ($8 for three spoonfuls of potatoes?) Deserts were excellent. We followed our waiter's cues and went with the chocolate cake. Great balance and artfully adorned. BTW, our waiter was excellent as well: very informative and attentive without coming off as insincere. Overall this was a terrific dining experience. There doesn't seem to be a myriad of fine dining experiences in Sarasota which prepare each meal so consistently well. Would recommend this restaurant, but bring your wallet.
(4)
Katie H.
The first time I went here it was a shot in the dark to find a romantic place to have dinner with my husband. As it turned out I picked a great place! (The week before my husband picked a place from the yellow pages that turned out to be in the food court at the mall- it was hilarious and I still joke about it to this day- but he was very embarrassed about it). I had filet mignon and it was great! Our waiter was very friendly and helped us chose a wine since we are trying to be wine snobs but are in our mid-20s so have little experience. The atmosphere is very romantic. I have since been there for an MCC party and a company christmas party. Large parties are held in a different ballroom than the regular dining area. All the food was great, and it was buffet so I went back for seconds on the steak. I was so full but then they brought out desert and it was too good so I had to eat it. Conveniently, I was in the second trimester of my pregnancy so I didn't hold back on calories - I got to enjoy all the great food at Michaels on East.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lorinn W.
When we arrived, the first thing is the hostess to us was, we are having issues because people called off today. One person had a death in the family and another person is sick. So can you wait? We asked if we could go sit at the bar while we waited, and she told us the same thing again. Finally after a couple of asking, she said yes we can go to the bar. Luckily, we did. Our waiter at the bar was phenomenal. The food was outstanding. It was so good, that we even stayed for dessert. Luckily, we didn't leave when we arrived. It was worth our stay. The food was worthwhile, but our waiter's service made the difference. So, ask for Ian. We will come back because of him.
(4)Jim M.
Excellent Service, along with a great menu. Michaels has a terrific wine menu as well. I've been in most often for brunch or lunch. Michaels also is a longtime favorite destination for conferences and fundraisers - the banquet facilities and personnel are outstanding.
(4)Cami W.
Graduation dinner for my son Saturday night! Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner we had on Saturday evening. Cloe did a wonderful job putting the event together for me!!! This was my first time to Michael's, but have heard so much about it and it was the only place Jacob requested to go for his graduation dinner. I was happy to meet Michael and have his son Max join us as well. I cannot say enough about the ambiance and service!!! We were so so so lucky to have Shannon be our head waiter, I cannot remember the gentleman who assisted her, but he was great as well. Shannon met me promptly when I arrived and offered to help me set up the few balloons and extras that I had with me. Shannon frequently called me and both of my sons by name, such a nice touch, and made sure that we were comfortable and felt extra special. I honestly cannot speak highly enough of her!!! She is caring and over above a waiter, I felt like she was a friend of the family. The food was wonderful and all of the guests raved and cleaned their plates, even my boys two little sisters, 5 & 7 years old!! Thank you so much for having us and taking such wonderful care of all of us. I was nervous about hosting an event so far away from New Orleans, at a place I had never been to, but it far exceeded my expectations!! Next time I am in Sarasota, I will be back for dinner where I can sample more of the elaborate menu. Great, FANTASTIC place to have a special event!! Made me feel like family!
(5)Marc G.
Every course was beautiful and flavorful. Excellent chef. Great wine list, and fantastic service. Hits all points. Ask for Kimberly to be your server and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Shlamie G.
Heard great things about Michaels. Was there many years ago and needed to check it out again. Last minute on a Saturday, but called and got a table. Waitress, Kimberly, was the highlight of the evening. Food was good, but not sure we'll rush back since it was extremely pricy. Never pay much attention to cost, but for a bowl of pasta and chicken @ $26, found it good, but not exceptional. All in all, it is a well thought of establishment in town, but not my "go to" place when I want a "cut above" food. Pompano fish was good and Romaine Wedge for $12 was good, but really!!! Again, service is the key for us and Kimberly was the best !
(3)S H.
Went there for our anniversary dinner. Food was excellent; calamari appetizer with two dipping sauces, rack of lamb for my wife, and two very delicious crab cakes for me, best I've ever had. The only down side was the noise level. We arrived during happy-hour and we were seated close to the bar which was quite noisy. Next time we will request seats in a quieter location.
(5)Jennifer K.
Have dined here for many years. Mostly in the wine cellar. Great ambiance, service and food. If you done in the wine cellar you are surrounded by their collection of wine bottle and candles. The grape, fig salad is the best. I really can't pick a favorite dish but my most current meal I had the filet. So juicy and cooked to perfection. Service is always superb. You can sign up for their wine tastings.... So much fun.
(5)Jay K.
We eat here pretty regularly. Most of the time it is everything you'd expect from a fine dining establishment. Occasionally though, the food has disappointed. Ok, that happens. A restaurant can't be on all the time. What *is* 100% within their control is how you deal with things when it doesn't go right. On this note, Michael's on East, and Michael specifically, fail. The last time we went, there was an issue with my wife's meal. Michael was patrolling the restaurant as he usually does. He stopped by our table to ask how everything was (this was before our server returned for the first time, so Michael was the first to ask). My wife raised her issues with her dish, a dish she had ordered there probably 15 times before with no issue. Michael, in typical German fashion immediately adopted an attitude and basically told my wife she was wrong and that she didn't know food. Um, yeah, we've dined all over the world, at holes in the wall to Michelin 5 Diamond restaurants. We know food. My wife's complaint was legitimate. But instead of making the customer feel appreciated and making things right, Michael berated her and put her down. Sorry, that was our last time there as a result. We'd been semi-regulars there, spending several thousand dollars a month there (we usually always order premium champagne or wine), but as a result of the owner's actions, we won't return. Michael seems to think he can ride on the laurels of his community involvement and his usually good food, but I guarantee you, if he has treated other patrons the way we were treated, he is losing business as a result of his attitude and would be best served keeping customer interactions to a minimum.
(3)Gaetano E.
What an excellent restaurant! An unexpected find. A true gem. I had the recommended rack of lamb omg so delicious! My date had the recommended scallops and were also excellent! Also a great wine list and beautiful decor. If your in Sarasota this place is a must!
(5)Tony S.
Two of the four of us had a very unsatisfactory meal Christmas Eve. My two daughters wisely selected fish - Chilean Sea Bass and Salmon and enjoyed their meals. My wife and I ordered Pork Chops and Confit of Veal and were wildly disappointed. I ordered the lobster bisque to start. It was a tasty soup but the hunks of lobster and crab, indistinguishable from one another, were rubbery and seemed like an afterthought dropped into the liquid. My wife's confit was super fatty and sparce. My Pork Chop was barely edible with fatty gristle for over half of it. The few bites I was able to surgically separate from the bone and swallow were meaty but entirely flavorless. The cranberry chutney was needed to make anything of this mess. I was close to sending it back but my two girls were fine with their fish and I didn't want to have to wait for another dish to be prepared. I just wanted to get out of there. $400 later, we did. Too bad this restaurant has such a nice dining room because our expectations were as high as the prices. The service was barely adequate - the waitress highly recommended the Pork Chop, delivered the wrong glass of wine to my wife and didn't bother to ask how our dinners were. We now know one restaurant to avoid like the plague in the future.
(1)James H.
My wife and I ate here during a Wednesday night in November. This place is not cheap, if your looking for a fancy dinner. The dining doesn't open till around 5:30pm but that's not a problem. The only thing I wasn't really a fan of was the valet parking. We got seated about 10 mins early which was great. We started off with sharing a Cesar salad and a calamari. Cesar was greatly tossed with dressing on each piece and great cheese with it as well. The calamari was really fresh and crispy with a great tangy sauce. Make sure you get the distilled water for only $2 a person. We then got our entrées; she got the salmon which was a big piece. I got the fillet migion which was amazing! The only thing it doesn't come with sides. we had the truffle Mac and cheese which was alright a little too much cheese and truffles. Everything was great including the service, would go back again if in sarasota..
(5)Jenny A.
1. Im always the yongest patron by at least 30 years 2. Chicken Cesaer is my go-to every time 3. Must try the Passion Tea (and it even comes in a fancy goblet!) 4. The Boy gets the thai chicken dish, says it's awesome. Clean plate to prove! 5. Overall, I'm a fan of MOE, especially when it's a midday lunch break, just don't expect to leave in under an hour.
(4)Seth F.
Honestly, this place would've easily gotten a 5 had it not been for the service. It didn't start out horrible, but we sat with finished plates in front of us for 20 minutes and the time between ordering dessert and receiving dessert was literally an hour. I would definitely like to go back in the hopes it was a one time fluke, but can't in good conscience give it an above average review for fear that my infallible credibility in the Yelp community would propel somebody into a similar experience. With great Yelping comes great responsibility. For documentation's sake, the Scallops and Porcini Rubbed Colorado Rack of Lamb were outstanding.
(3)rhonda d.
I have been wanting to go here for years and after going there this past week for lunch, I am upset that I didn't do it sooner. It was one of the best places we ladies have been to in this area. The service was outstanding and the food was amazing The owner Michael even came over to our table to meet us and I got to hear about his latest travels. This is a MUST go to restaurant. Lunch prices are very good. I am a huge foodie and this restaurant exceeded my expectations.
(5)Erin B.
Pleasantly surprised! The shrimp tacos not so much. The shrimp was frozen and very small but everything after that was great! They have wine half off any bottle on Thursday sweet!! The red snapper was so good it had crab meat and in a bisque that was so tasty. The duck was not too fatty and the blueberry reduction was delicious. The icebox chocolate cake had a mint top and the flavor was great. Great experience.
(5)Mike P.
Great date place. Great place for a nice evening out. Food was excellent , Service excellent ambiance was excellent. This place deserves all the high praises.
(4)Tingting H.
Service was good but food just so so... I had a shrimp tempura for starter... it was the worst ever! The batter was so thick like a comforter...
(2)Letitia S.
One of the worst meals ever! Uninspired dishes that were poorly presented. An iPad wine list that didn't work. SLOW service.
(1)Nic W.
Be prepared to spend some time and some money here. Its definitely an experience but one worth having. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is good. I always order the Filet Mignon and Molly's Truffled Macaroni and Cheese mac and cheese. My wife loves the Pan-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass and the Phil's Chopped Salad. For dessert you cant go wrong with the Crème Brûlée. My only disappointment is that serving sizes have definitely seemed to have gotten smaller recently at the same prices. The constantly are adding specials to the menu and even serve lunch I hear. Definitely check them out when you get a chance.
(5)M R.
OMG! This place is fantastic! The calamari are to die for, the filet mignon with the different sauces on the side are amazing (especially the horseradish one which didn't taste like horseradish but pure deliciousness in a bowl), the walnut raisin cinnamon bread is SO SO SO good that I dream about it when I am home and I lament not having the recipe so that I can make it myself for breakfast every day. What can I say? The ambiance is fantastic, the piano guy is GREAT, the service is THE BEST! Go to Michael's. THE END! :)
(5)John D.
4 STAR FOOD IN A 5 STAR JOINT We had a lovely lunch here. Our drinks (sodas & iced tea) were bottomless and cheerfully refilled. Two different types of bread plus poppadoms were served as a part of the meal and they were fantastic - the very best part of the meal, really. The food? A touch above ordinary/ho-hum. Between the three of us we had the Chicken Caesar Salad and two combos: spring roll & soup and spring roll & calamari. The chicken was dry and overcooked, the spring rolls had little flavor, the soup was very good and the calamari was okay but was too soft, I think, and needed something to spice it up a bit. So, overall, I'd say: Ambiance/Decor - 5 stars Service - 5 stars Food - 3 1/2 stars So there you are...
(4)Richard H.
I don't know. We went there with high expectations and indeed ambiance and service were very good and my wife's epicurean menus for $30 was good. However the calamari I had to start with were totally average and the NY strip was virtually inedible due to the excessive amount of salt they put on it. Extremely expensive too. I might go back for the epicurean which is good value for money, but would stay away from the menu and especially the steak.
(3)J R.
The food was pretty good. The Prix-fixe was a great deal and good portions. The atmosphere is super 80s...which I found amusing, but doesn't inspire a sense of fine dining if you are trying to do a fancy date night. The piano bar was fun.
(3)Arlene A.
Lunch at Michael's is an experience not to be missed. The food is par excellent, the decor, although intimate, is remininent of a luxury liner of the 30's and the staff more than helpful without being obsequiece. The ambience of Michael's plus the unique menu choices, make this a restaurant one must return to as often as possible. I had a delicious Thai chicken paillard and my companion had a flounder dish that was equally as succulent, plus the presentations were outstanding. We visited Michael's the day before we left Sarsota, but we will certainly make it one of our first stops when we return next year.
(5)Ed W.
had reservations for 6:00 PM today (Dec. 25, 2014) as the time was selected by restaurant. Arrived a few minutes before 6:00 and was told our table would be ready in about 10 minutes and we could wait in the bar. Waited 45 minutes to be seated at our table and this was after 2 visits to the front desk. No reasonable explanation was provided. Although our drinks were provided on the restaurant, I would say the service was only mediocre. My wife order a non alcoholic drink and after repeating the drink twice it still came with vodka. I have to say that the food was excellent, but at those prices you should be able to expect good service and that was not there. Not sure if Christmas dinner was too much for them to handle, but I was disappointed that a place with the reputation that Michael's has could not provide service commensurate with the cost of the meal. Not sure I will be returning anytime soon. Sorry for such a review, but they should do better.
(3)David B.
thank you for hiring the new piano player mr. gould. that is an incredible story of giving back to the community!!!
(5)Jack B.
Went here for Christmas (dunch or linner 3:30 in the afternoon between both dinner and lunch). Hostess friendly and seated immediately upon arrival, we did have a reservation. Great table even dining with both our girls (10 and 13). Server Danielle was friendly, courteous and knew the menu making strong recommendations, all were delicious. Butter nut bisque great. Angel hair onion rings with homemade ketchup everyone liked very much. We had sea bass, rack of lamb, filet and salmon with side of the mac and cheese we shared. Everyone was pleased and had very happy plates upon leaving. Desserts sounded delicious but we were too full. Our first time here although we have been coming to Sarasota for many years. It will not be too long before we return. It is worth the visit.
(5)Marianne s.
Such a nice place...great food, music, nice bar. BUT if you are not a regular at the bar, forget it. You are invisible! Such a shame. Better service please!
(1)FoodMaven X.
Lunch & Happy Hour experts. Seafood, Poultry, Pork, & Red Meat will meet your expectations, although it will cost you at dinner. Dense addictive raisin bread rules. Crusty white bread & garlic forward cracker-like rounds are presented with butter. Olive oil is cheerfully substituted. Crispy Duck, fluffy baby Kale & interesting shreds. Get dressing on the side because whatever sweetens this vinaigrette is measured with a long hand. Burgers, Salmon & Bowtie pasta can be fine-tuned to taste, sans any ingredient you desire be omitted. Fried Calamari sport a near perfect light crust, then are over embellished, so get the deconstructed version & dip. Oysters are surprisingly well presented in all forms. Vegetable sides range from good to great. Epicurean Adventure menu is a hit about 60% of the time. Sorry Michael, sandwiches are wasted on me as is anything "blackened". PROTEIN & greens. Now you have my attention. Mustard is pedestrian on a dinner plate; hint, as are beans & cabbage, Brussels sprouts being the exception. Salt is not a food group. Service issues are usually handled tactfully. Taste an unfamiliar wine or liqueur... Did you say Dessert? Don't hesitate: Fresh Fruit & sorbet, Seasonal Mousse, luscious cakes & liquid sweets from the Bar.
(4)Gabriel M.
Thank you very much for your help figuring things out before the event and for the amazing food and service we got last night... Jackie and I got married in Siesta and then brought everybody for the best food in town at your restaurant... The table was beautiful and everybody went on an on about how amazing the food was... Both our servers where great, they really took personal care of us and made the night even better... They went above and beyond to keep us smiling.... I knew you guys where awesome, I knew your food is amazing and your service spotless, but last night you surprised us one more time. :) Thanks, thanks and more thanks... Gabriel and Jackie
(5)Linda B.
Great service, food, WINE and ambiance. We started with a beet salad with citrus and toasted hazelnuts, yum. I had the Chilien See Bass, my husband had the duck. We were both very happy with our meals.
(5)Sara S.
Very disappointed to have to downgrade this restaurant from five to four stars, but I'm still a fan and will return for sure. We came here this Friday night and found some flaws in the dining experience this time. First, the hostess is the first impression point of contact to customers. Rather than greet us, she continued her conversation with one of the servers letting us stand there until I decided to walk away and search for our fellow diners on my own. Unable to locate them, I walked back to the host stand and had to interrupt their conversation to get some help; totally unacceptable for a restaurant of this quality and standards. Greeting and helping guests is Training 101 for hosts. We were a large party with 8 pm reservations, so I didn't expect service to be fast by any means, but it was beyond slow. No exaggeration, it was about 9:30 pm when we finally received our appetizers and soups. Dinner served a half hour later at 10 pm, which is approaching midnight snack hour. We joked it felt like we were at a taping of Hell's Kitchen when diners are waiting and waiting for their meals. Service was utmost professional though and our meals were perfectly prepared. Lamb charred and tender, filets cooked perfect temperature as ordered, truffle aroma and flavor from all the sides. The creamed spinach was inedible though. So, will I come back for dinner there with a large party, no; but, I do plan to come back for lunch or a very early dinner for the irresistible truffle mac and cheese.
(4)Vic O.
They are famous for their friendly, attentive service, and it was that. But we can't figure out why they have a reputation for very good food. It's just not that great, in fact, the food was so bad, my husband and father are still talking about how bad it was as we go to other restaurants and order similar dishes. This is 'fine dining' circa 1975, back when most people thought if they weren't eating Kraft Mac & Cheese, it must be 'fine dining'. The food is heavy and the flavors are artificial, the servers aren't very knowlegeable about their wares, the whole experience is old school clunky, and the place is packed with the elderly for that reason. We had the December 2012 'Epicurean Adventure' menu. My father and husband's salmon were very overcooked and GRAY. Mine was ok, more pink than gray, although it seemed poached in butter. We couldn't help but notice the drastic difference between these servings of the same entree. It seemed that the first 2 were older and obviously recooked. Shame on MIchael's for serving them. The trifle dessert was supposed to be "Christmas Trifle with Raspberry and Mango Purees, Ladyfingers, Light-Creamy Custard Cream and Fresh Fruit". There was fresh fruit, and a little raspberry puree, but no mango puree. The 'ladyfingers' or cookie-like material had a coffee flavor, like in a tiramisu, which was just wrong and unpleasant. Even more unpleasant was the so-called 'light-creamy custard cream' which was extremely thick, heavy and had a strong artificial vanillin or some kind of odd-ball flavor. The whole thing was unpleasant and 'off'. Coffee was very weak, so weak that my father refused a refill, unusual for him. What was good were the lentil flour popadums and the raisin bread in the bread basket. The fried calimari appetizer was delicious, as were the 2 sauces, olive tapanade and ham that arrived with it. The pork tenderloin entree was delicious. The smoked trout appetizer was lovely. The Crios de Susana Balbo Rose of Malbec was fantastic. Since I wrote this review, my husband has commented several times that Michael's on East was TERRIBLE in his opinion. He can't understand how they get away with charging so much. This place has to be avoided and it needs to hear this kind of commentary. A woman had visited our table and asked about our experience. Our entrees had only just arrived and we hadn't even started them. We mumbled it was 'fine' (little did we know). Her timing was bad. she was in a BIG HURRY and spoke very quickly. That's not exemplary managerial interest in your dining experience. We won't go back. Its style is ancient history, old, very tired and poorly executed.. Spend your money elsewhere.
(1)Randy S.
Awesome dinner for ourr Sarasota Power & Sail Squadron Change of Watch for Southwest FL. The same quality of food and xlnt service for our 150 people as a table of 6
(5)Jim N.
Michelle the bartender made us feel extremely welcome. The food was wow especially the calamari. We had sidecars and they were magnificent!
(4)Austin J.
We went to Michaels on East for my friends birthday early January of 2015. Our reservation was for 7:30 of which we were sat promptly. However, we were dining in the facility until just before 11PM... From the start it took a couple minutes for our server to greet us, once drink orders were placed we waited roughly 15 minutes for waters, cocktails, and wine bottles; All of which came at separate times. Bread was dropped and our server quickly left without taking our orders. Refills on water never happened. In addition, some of us ordered premium water that we paid extra for which was never refilled either. We all ordered appetizers which came out at a decent time but our main courses are what took about two hours. There was 10 of us and I would say each person spent roughly $100. The server paid us no attention and we felt ignored. She never did check back or asked us how we liked our food. Finally, to really ruin the night, our server PERSONALLY wrote in her gratuity at 20% and totaled our checks and asked us to sign. We asked to speak to a manager but apparently no one was there that late at night. We did speak with who I believe was an assistant manager or supervisor that offered us nothing for our frustrations and told us to call back and speak with the morning management. I've resulted to writing a review on trip advisor after calling and trying to speak to the GM.
(1)michelle l.
We went to Michaels on East for dinner with my parents. We had an early-ish dinner (6:30pm), so when we arrived, the place was mostly empty, and the clientele were of the geriatric variety. As such, the waiters were yelling to be heard. What a funny scene for a place that charges mostly $40+ for their main courses. The hostess offered to seat us by the pianist (who was not yet present). We made the correct choice and declined the offer. The pianist that night was loud and not especially talented. If we had to be right next to him, that would have been torture. Food was fine but not overwhelming. The wine list was varied and a little on the pricy side. My mother and I found a great deal in their prix fixe menu ($29 dollars for a three course meal). I had a beet salad, Venetian styled cod, and the lemon ricotta tart. My husband went a la carte and ordered the fried calamari (very good) and the bowtie pasta (meh). It was my husband's birthday (not really, but this dinner was my parents' birthday treat for my husband), so they surprised him with key lime pie and a few candles. That was a nice touch.
(3)Karen C.
The food was outstanding. My party left the restaurant overly full, but we weren't complaining. Upon entering it was SO NOISY! They had some event going on at the bar and even I (a young person!) thought it was way too loud. Luckily we got a booth tucked away in the corner which shielded us from it. Anyways, our server was great and told us about the specials and answered my questions about the menu. We started with the fried onions & housemade ketchup which were delicious. Crispy but not greasy and the ketchup was a nice touch. For my entree I went with the scallops which did not disappoint. However, for $36 I expected 4 and only got 3. The ricotta gnocchi, squash, and sage brown butter went perfectly with the scallops. Even though I had the gnocchi as part of the scallop dish I ordered a side of truffled mac & cheese, which I am a sucker for. OMG! You must order this! I have ordered similar dishes before and this one is clearly the best. Creamy, truffley goodness. I had a lot leftover which I happily ate for lunch the next day. My dining companions thoroughly enjoyed their salad and swordfish. This all being said, I find the restaurant to be very overpriced for Sarasota. I think these prices would be acceptable in NYC, but not here. I think most entrees on the menu could stand to be about $5-10 cheaper. Overall a nice meal and I'd come back on a special occassion.
(4)Shannon C.
The Hubby and I always enjoy dinner here before going to the Sarasota Opera House. We always have reservations so unable to comment on wait time. The ambiance is perfect and one can never go wrong with the epicurean adventure with wine pairing. The wine list is amazing if you want to order a bottle of wine. It can be pricey, but for a special occasion or celebration is well coming here for dinner!!
(4)Matt O.
Every time I go to Michael's I think to myself "why don't I come here more often"? If I lived within walking distance would be there a lot. It's a good vibe and it's well run with a good menu. Michael is creative and he designs his menu to cater to his patrons. This is another fun spot to overhear deals being made and Sarasota gossip. If you really want a treat check out the Wine Celler and request a private dinner. The staff will hook you up with an amazing experience and your tastebuds will be happy. Anything you order on the menu will make you happy.
(5)Lorraine C.
Excellent!! Great atmosphere. We have eaten there 3 times and have loved everything we ordered.
(5)Sal M.
The place has nice decoration. Staff was friendly. Food was quite good. Normally the restaurant is on the pricier side but when we visited, it was a Monday when a prix- fixe dinner was served. We decided to get it and it was very good with very reasonable portions. My only criticism was that the shrimp in the pasta dish that my bf ordered was undercooked. Overall, I recommend this restaurant to any seafood lovers.
(4)Ken S.
Best swordfish ever! Great service and great food! I'll be back
(4)Trent E.
Very good food! had the filet and the ribeye. Both were excellent. Service and ambience are both A+ as well. Garlic Mashed were awesome (I love potatoes though) :) Just a little too pricey for me to go there often. :( Great meal though and great service!
(4)Andy K.
This place rocks out. We went here with my parents and loved the place. Fantastic wine list and lots of interesting wines by the glass. We had several small pours to try some new ones and loved the experience. The food was over the top good. We had the lamb, Veal chop and my wife had a mixed veggy option(special request). The pricing is special occassion but below Ruth Chris, Mortons, and Flemings but of of better quality. Michaels has a top notch place and we joined his wine club. We were a little put off when they set the brochure down but we enjoyed reading it and didnt mind the marketing prefering that to a waiter sales pitch.
(5)Evanharris H.
Steaks were tasty and cooked exactly as we asked. Caesar salad was tasty but way too much shaved cheese smothered the l Romain lettuce. Also ordered the red bliss potatoes, very deluxe. Asparagus was slightly undercooked. Our server Deborah was very attentive, kitchen had a little delay in getting us desert. Definitely will return, we joined their club which offers some discounts for future visits. I love the personal touch, Michael himself came to our table, as well as the gorgeous hostess. If you want a really great steak in a elegant setting, this is the place for you.
(4)L L.
Below is the letter I wrote and sent via regular mail to Michael Klauber a month ago. I have not received a reply or acknowledgement. I have since heard from other diners with similar experiences. It is sad to see a once fine establishment in decline. Dear Mr. Klauber, I am writing to report a most unpleasant experience that my wife and I had at your restaurant on January 21. We had just returned to Sarasota for our annual three month visit, and came first to what we considered one of our favorite restaurants. Earlier in the day I had bought a case of fine wine at your Cellar and was now looking forward to a relaxing occasion of fine dining. Instead, we were subjected to an evening of errors, some of which alone might have been excusable but which together created an experience that no respectable restaurant should allow. First, the wine I ordered from the list on the iPad was not available. (I thought one of the advantages of a computerized inventory and a satellite store is that the list would be up to date.) It took ten minutes before I learned that the wine was not available, and by the time we had been served another wine, the appetizer had already arrived. Then after the appetizer was cleared we waited for 50 minutes before the entrees arrived. Our server, Chris Zalopany, said he had been trying to get the attention of the kitchen, but there was a large private party whose orders arrived at about the same time. (I expect a serious restaurant to anticipate and prepare to meet foreseeable demands like this.) Also, one of the entrees showed signs of having been ready well before the other. By the time we finished the main course, it was nearly 10:30, the dining room had emptied, and we did not even order dessert. When I got the check, I told Chris that the performance had been unacceptable, and that while it was not his fault, he should tell the manager. (I emphasize that Chris did his best under difficult circumstances.) We waited for ten more minutes, and finally Jeff Hymel came to the table, said that there were personnel problems with the kitchen staff, and he would apply a discount to our bill. But then when the revised check arrived (another delay), I saw that both wines--the one we ordered but did not receive and the one we drank--were on the new discounted bill. We had been given a discount all right, but partly on an item that we had not ever received. Our server had himself caught the error, and he went to have yet another check prepared. That took more time. Finally, the next day I looked at my credit card statement online and saw that there were two charges, the original check, the discounted one, but not the final correct discounted one. I called Mr. Hymel, who told me he would make sure that we were charged only the correct amount. That seems to have happened now. But even as I write this letter, one of the original bills is still "pending" on my account. I assume that the charge will eventually be removed as a matter of routine. But none of this billing confusion should have happened in the first place. As I hope you will agree, this was not an experience anyone should expect to have in an ordinary restaurant let alone the first class establishment we had always thought you took pride in running.
(1)Bruce Z.
As usual we had a delicious dinner from their monthly Epicurean menu. Three course for $29.95. Have a happy hour cocktail for $5 in the bar and then do the dinner. We had La Jolla Crispy Oyster Cocktail, Kalbi Kui Grilled Short Ribs topped with Scallions and Asian Slaw. For entrees we had herbed Salmon Roulade with Corn-Lobster Broth and Asian Barbeque Grilled Quail with Figs, Baby Arugula, Roasted Red Pepper and Parsnip Salad. Delicious! Deserts were excellent as well Mission Fig and Frangipane Galette, and White Chocolate Panna Cotta Tangerine Gelée. Service as usual was excellent though I have to say we always eat early which certainly reduces the pressure on staff. Their monthly menu always has some very interesting dishes. You can see and taste the adventure the Chef is having. Oh, Mondays, Italian night, is also a special treat. Not your typical Italian so check out the menu for Mondays.
(4)Steve G.
Terrific food, wonderful upscale ambiance without being stuffy, great service and a nice well-rounded menu. We were here on Christmas Eve, and they had a special, shortened menu, but there was something for everyone, including 3 sizes of Filet. Nice portions, well-presented with tasty sauces. The prices are a little steep for an ala carte menu, but not painfully so. A couple of nits to pick: 1) The sauces were laid on a little thick, especially the herbed tartar sauce with the crab cakes, and 2) Leaving a half dozen empty plastic page protectors in the wine list seems a bit tacky. Other than that, a perfect evening and recommended if you have a few extra bucks to spend...
(4)Danielle R.
Amazing food! Really nice people. Thumbs up on the salads and the coffee was superb. Anne our server was cute as a button. We went for lunch so prices were very reasonable. Don't miss out!!!!!!
(5)Linsey S.
The best part of our experience was the service. Our server was more than attentive, funny and just on top of it. The food was okay. We got the tuna cannoli as an appetizer and it wasn't good at all. We saw some other appetizers going to tables that looked better and to be fair, it wasn't one of the suggestions our server had made. The steaks were good but not as good as I would have expected for the price. I have had better key lime pie in many other restaurants. I would love to say I'd go back just for the service but overall it is way too overpriced for what you get.
(3)David T.
I had a business related dinner tonight with a potential client. I have to admit Michael's truly lived up to the expectation of a fine dining restaurant. The filet mignon was seared to perfection and was cooked to a perfect medium. There was evidence of a dry rub on the clearly aged steak, this allowed the juices to be locked in for every tender bite. The truffle infused mac and cheese was warm and gooey with a nice balance of the truffle flavors that gave one the feeling of elevated comfort food. Potato croquets were also a part of our dish and served warm with a nice crunchy outside crust....delicious! Finally the inside out brownie was simply superb. This was essentially an ice cream cake with the top layer of chocolate and bottom was mint chocolate chip that was surrounded by a moist brownie layer. Dinner was surprisingly well executed and the service was on par with it's status.
(4)Gracia L.
MoE is the big caterer in town and despite being located in the Midtown Plaza strip mall, their sprawling location lends itself to great parties, most recently the Sarasota Film Festival's A NIght of 1,000 Stars. Phil Mancini, the big cheese, is a doll and he knows how to prepare crowd-pleasing food that's a notch about typical Sarasota fare and their lunch menu is pretty special too. Wendy's Chicken Salad is great and can't be missed.
(4)Irwin S.
Michaels on East is taken off my list of restaurants. I have gone there a few times and each time I needed to send the fish back to have it cooked. This is not fine dining. They have a real attitude, high prices, and feel that they are they best. Well, they are far from the best, and I refuse to go back.. The first time it could be me, but the second time we know its them. I waited 50 minutes for my table and got practically raw fish. The hostess said "Oh, I forgot about you". So long Michael's, we can easily live without you !!!!!
(3)Celia B.
Food was good, waitress was good, hostess is RUDE and the owner is not professional. If you are a vegetarian the options are very limited. This seems to be the problem with lots of upscale restaurants, as they mainly serve meat and fish. The only items for you are sides, a salad, or they can prepare a vegetarian dish which is some vegetables and a side of coleslaw. The vegetables were surprisingly delicious, but not very filling. However, they had lots of flavor. The coleslaw that came with it was inedible. It was extremely sour. I think that they add lime to it or maybe lemongrass, but whoever prepared it did not measure it out and it was so sour it tasted like I was eating a lime. I couldn't have more than one bite. Also, like many upscale restaurants, the serving was small (for vegetables). Good thing I ordered a salad and shared a baked potato, otherwise my dish would have been like an appetizer. Other people in our party enjoyed their food. The organic chicken came with very good mashed potatoes and some string beans and was actually filling and delicious (generous portion). The salmon and steak were also well liked, as well as the salads. As for the service, our waitress was great and on top of things. She was kind. As soon as we entered, however, the hostess at the front would NOT make eye contact. At a restaurant this nice and expensive, it is key that they have simple customer service skills down and should always make eye contact with everyone that enters. Its that simple. Then when we talked to her telling her we had a reservation, she still didn't look up at us. She never once smiled or said "welcome to Micheal's" or anything like that. I was shocked and almost wanted to go somewhere else. This is the second time that this has happened and the first time we had to get her attention although we were the only ones standing there. We almost left the first time and probably should have. She then took us to our table which was near the kitchen. When we asked her if we could move to somewhere else, she started arguing with us. Again, good customer service treats the customers with RESPECT and does not argue with them! I was shocked. She sat another group at the table next to us. They were a group of 3 and the table could seat about 7 people. They said "such a big table for 3 people. Do you have any others available?" she said "Well, the reservation said 4" in a rude tone, of course. When they said that they are only 3 and that the table was so big she responded saying "its really not that big once you get your food". She wouldn't even meet their request. On a past visit with a party of 4 they brought everyone's food out except for one person's. We waited about 20 minutes and then once the others were near finished we asked where his meal was. They said "we forgot". It was too late for him to eat now, since by the time his food came out we would have been finished for about 40 minutes. We shared what we had left with him. Then the owner (Michael?) came to our table to ask how everything was. When we told him how one person had to go without a meal because they forgot to make it, he didn't even say sorry or apologize, let alone offer us anything to compensate. He just walked away. Based upon this service I am shocked that this place is so well liked. The owner is extremely unprofessional, and the hostess (tall, skinny, long black hair, heavy on the makeup) literally turns people away. For how much you are paying you can go somewhere else with better food and better service and an owner/hostess who actually appreciates your business. Will not return.
(2)Ari S.
Classy room with a piano player. i stayed at the bar and took advantage of the early bird "vintage cocktail" menu for $5 a piece there was also discounted apps and bar food at that time. The drinks were a great size for the price. I wanted to taste a number of the classic cocktails unfortunately they were missing an ingredient or two for some. What I did have was a "pink lady" which reminds me of a "Washington Apple" and a "Blood and Sand" The "pink lady" was exceptional. The bartender tried to pass off a drink to me that did not have the right ingredients in it according to the menu (she tried to use Limoncello instead of Lillet) i sent the drink back it was not billed to me. I also tried the calamari which was plentiful for the $5 price. It was served in a big salad bowl and was mixed with a kind of creamy Italian dressing and some bitter greens rather then the typical marinara sauce. It was a nice change and one of the best fried calamari dishes I have ever had. They did not overcook the dish which is quite often a problem the ringlets were soft and supple and very fresh. I also tried the "Indian Pork skewer" The flavor was "ok" nothing to go wild over and the portion was quite skimpy for the the $8 price. Since I had a few drinks by this point I ordered a "Truffle Mac and Cheese" this was divine but very, very rich as it should be and full of cheesy flavor and truffle aroma. Delish but it is hard to eat more than a few bites without feeling full. The piano player is a real engaging guy and ties the bar together. After or during drinks people meet chat tell stories by the piano. Very nice touch. I also met the owner and his lovely wife, both class acts. They make you want to come back again and again. If I can only say the same of the bartender.
(4)Marc J.
After my truly miserable experience at Roy's (see my other reviews), I was in foul spirits but discovered this classic dining establishment, which was exactly what I needed that night. I was alone, and just wanted a spacious, elegant place with good food, cocktails, and relative peace. Since I live in Los Angeles, I'm surrounded by restaurants that are far more sophisticated in the experience and atmosphere, but Michael's has the classic style for comfortable dining for the affluent families, where kids will squirm in their chairs while wearing stiff clothing, and the adults will politely discuss real estate, private schools, and the yacht club. I noticed that MIchael's has been around for twenty years, so that explains the 80s decor which may have been considered avant-garde in Sarasota. In any event, it's comfortable and the martinis are just right. Music from the piano lounge drifted through the restaurant, a schmaltzy singer singing the songs of Neil Diamond and Tony Bennett. He appeared to be a big hit with the older people who looked like regulars, and it was a nice slice of life. When I next visit Sarasota, I'm returning to Michael's.
(4)James O.
A number a friends suggested my wife try Michael's. Recently, we were in the Sarasota area so we made a reservation and away we went. Our waiter was not shy telling us that Michael's was one of the best restaurants in Florida and listed a number of favorable rankings/reviews they had received. Needless to say we were very excited to order and sample Michael's menu. My wife ordered the pork and I had the scallops and we also shared Michael's renown calamari and caesar salad. Maybe the waiter oversold Michael's or maybe our expectations were too high but overall the dining experience was just OK and maybe even "good." It definitely wasn't great! Considering the prices and fanfare we expected the food to be better. I am not sure how to explain this but the food was comparable to food at other ordinarily priced "run in the mill" type restaurants that have above average reputations. Yet Michael's strives to be more than that; hence, the disappointment.No wow factor here. Frankly if Yelp allowed awarding half stars I would have given Michael's 3 and a half stars. Admittedly, the restaurant shows very well and the waitstaff is attentive, friendly and knowledgable about the menu.
(3)Wes R.
Michael's is a classic for Sarasotans. It's one of my regulars for business lunches with exceptional clients. Everything on the menu is great-although I miss the now-removed "BLT" with Pork Belly for the B, Arugula for the L and Hot-Pepper Yellow Tomatoes for the T. Awesome and unexpected bite for a classic sandwich. Lots of classic choices with a new spin and the monthly menus are the best. The Indian menu that they offered a few months back was about the most delicious food that I have ever had, and none of it "typical Indian" everything was something that I had never heard of and that the owner had discovered on a trip to India. Order the Rueben if you dare-best version of a Rueben i've ever had. You may never be able to find another that matches it!
(5)Michael B.
Our prevous visit was a disappointment. I phoned the restaurant and spoke with the manager to let him know our concerns. He listened to what I had to say and told me to return and he would send me a gift card to cover part of the visit. We did return with another couple and the restaurand did not disappoint. The food was excellent as was the service. We will be back.
(4)Gail L.
My first visit. Service was excellent and what you hope for at a high end restaurant. The owner, Michael, circulated in the dining room making everyone feel welcome. He acknowledged our special occasion and took photos of our table for us. Food was excellent, organic chicken, scallops, swordfish and seafood linguine. Everyone had a great meal and a wonderful experience. One less star because the bar was so noisy that it made it difficult to carry on s conversation.
(4)Phillip N.
The Epicurean dinner was fantastic and only 25.00.. You get an appetizer. I had the Tri delight, banana leaf wrapped fish, and banana with rum sauce and a small scoop of ice cream was just the right amount. Definitely a place to go
(5)Q's H.
Fabulous salmon- perfectly prepared. The staff is kind and efficient. I will certainly return to this joint!
(5)Jay T.
Michael's on East is an overpriced, over-rated, under-performing disappointment. My wife has been suggesting we try it for over three years. Last night we finally did. Horrible. The food is absolutely sub-par. I suspect the positive reviews posted here and elsewhere are either made by friends of Michael or posted by folks "wowed" by the food "experts" critical acclaim. Don't fall for any of it. Chopped salads aren't chopped. Steaks are charred pieces of particle board. Tuna is a fibrous mess. Desserts are purchased at the local grocery store. And at the end of the evening, intoxicated "friends of Michael" loiter around the valet stand like something out of a bad movie. Truly a huge disappointment.
(1)Naveed K.
It's a surprise to me that Michael's on East hasn't yet been reviewed on Yelp, seeing as though it's been around for quite some time and many old-guard Sarasotans use it as a comfortable, familiar, predictable restaurant. The key words in this review are exactly those: old-guard, comfortable, familiar, and predictable. This food here is good-to-very-good quality. The menu is solid with selections for most palates. Ingredients are fresh, execution is consistent, presentation is appealing. That said, individual items are unsurprising; an urbane palate isn't going to be challenged here. Service is attentive (moreso if you're drinking) and can be helpful if you reach out to the staff. On my second visit here, I ordered a kind of apple tartlette against the waiter's recommendation. Sure enough, it was unappealing - it's hard to make really appealing a dry puff pastry filled with applesauce - and the waiter brought me his favorite dessert gratis. Nice touch. When compared on a national level, Michael's on East is nothing surprising, challenging, or unique. On a local level, it brings big-city New American to an older, more conservative clientele who appreciate consistency. Bring your parents (or grandparents); don't bring a date. Three out of five stars because this restaurant purports to be something it's not. It's solid, predictable, appealing New American. It's not "spectacular... exciting... [or] eclectic."
(3)Daniel T.
From my research and a friend who grew up in Sarasota I believe this to be the best that Sarasota has to offer. I bellied up to the bar with my friend around 6:30PM. They had happy hour prices until 7:00. The first 7 or 8 minutes were spent waiting on someone to wait on us. We both ordered the house pinot grigio and were pleased. For $5 per glass they were quite good. The food we ordered was Caesar salad (very good!), potato skins (a kind of fried Oysters Rockefeller on a potato chip) which were just OK. The oyster could have been crisper and hotter and there was too much parmesan on the oyster for my taste, especially considering it was not mentioned on the menu. We also ordered the lobster roll for $12 which came with stone-cold super thin fries and a roll that is less than half the size that you would get in Boston and not as good. I sent the fries back. The crab cakes for $12 were good and came with the same fries but these were warm, not hot but at least warm. We also ordered truffle fries (we didn't know that the other items came with fries). These were Sysco standard 1/4 inch shoestring fries and were only very slightly warm and not crisp at all. We sent these back and told them not to replace them. We also ordered another round of wine well prior to the 7 o'clock mark so we could take advantage of the special price. I sat with an empty glass for a long time. We finished the evening with a couple of glasses of a nice Montepulciano which we both enjoyed. In short, I believe there is skill here but they sure had an off night both in the kitchen and service. I am sure that my food sat in the window for some time prior to getting to us. When they brought us fresh fries they were good, hot and crisp. I would give them another shot and hope it was just a bad evening and not a systemic problem.
(3)Michael A.
It's surprising to me that we've lived in Sarasota four years and this the first time we've eaten at Michael's on East. What a jem! HIdden away in an unassuming strip mall, this restaurant's interior decor jumps out and screams "cosmopolitan." If you can get past that and focus on the food, you're in good shape. It is true, the meals are your typical, better restaurant standard fare: Crispy calamari, duck eggrolls, shrimp tempura, steaks, fish dishes, etc. The "innovative" dishes on tonight's menu were created by a displaced New Orleans chef ("rescued from Katrina" according to our waiter). We steered clear of these creations, which seemed a little too basic for the price (jambalaya-style fish, dishes served with collard greens, black bean soup, etc.) Study in foie gras excellent if that's your sort of thing. We've had the candied pecan & gorgonzola salad many other places, but probably never as well prepared. I like a restaurant not afraid to serve medium rare rack of lamb. It was certainly pink throughout the middle and delicious. The filet was well-prepared. Ala carte sides a little pricey ($8 for three spoonfuls of potatoes?) Deserts were excellent. We followed our waiter's cues and went with the chocolate cake. Great balance and artfully adorned. BTW, our waiter was excellent as well: very informative and attentive without coming off as insincere. Overall this was a terrific dining experience. There doesn't seem to be a myriad of fine dining experiences in Sarasota which prepare each meal so consistently well. Would recommend this restaurant, but bring your wallet.
(4)Katie H.
The first time I went here it was a shot in the dark to find a romantic place to have dinner with my husband. As it turned out I picked a great place! (The week before my husband picked a place from the yellow pages that turned out to be in the food court at the mall- it was hilarious and I still joke about it to this day- but he was very embarrassed about it). I had filet mignon and it was great! Our waiter was very friendly and helped us chose a wine since we are trying to be wine snobs but are in our mid-20s so have little experience. The atmosphere is very romantic. I have since been there for an MCC party and a company christmas party. Large parties are held in a different ballroom than the regular dining area. All the food was great, and it was buffet so I went back for seconds on the steak. I was so full but then they brought out desert and it was too good so I had to eat it. Conveniently, I was in the second trimester of my pregnancy so I didn't hold back on calories - I got to enjoy all the great food at Michaels on East.
(5)