Really enjoyed Sunday brunch at roast. The fish and chips were awesome. Also a great selection for the kids. We ate outside which was really nice , especially once the sun came round. Very accommodating and friendly. Look forward to going back soon.
(5)
Kathy W.
Went there with 7 people for Sunday brunch and each and every dish was great. Some people had brunch items, others had light fare but everyone was more than pleased with the food and service. I kind of want to keep this place a secret but on the other hand they deserve their success. Menu was very interesting and the atmosphere was comfy downstairs but the upstairs was even better! Nice outdoor courtyard as well.... I don't often give 5 stars but we are definitely headed back there to try it out for dinner. I think they have a real winner in Sarasota...well worth a try!
(5)
Justin S.
Another new restaurant to try in Sarasota! I had walked by the restaurant which previously occupied Roast's space for a while but never paid it any mind. We usually like what we like around here but I checked out their menu and thought it sounded good, so a friend and I stopped in on a Sunday night for a late dinner. Roast touts itself as a "restaurant in the tradition of British roasts [meat]" (or something like that), so yes, the emphasis here is on meat (steak, prime rib, etc.). Think of it as a kind of British steakhouse. Not wanting to deviate from the theme, my friend and I both ordered meat dishes - I, the strip steak and she the rib-eye (which is also a Sunday night special). Both of our dishes were very good and my steak was prepared perfectly, served with delicious pepper sauce and a generous little pail of crisp fries on the side. My friend, however, basically went bonkers over her prime rib to the point that I almost had to quiet her down. Really, I've never heard anyone get so excited about prime rib. It was served very pink and juicy as most people want their prime rib to be, but flavorful and rich at the same time. When served as a special, it comes with a popover (how very British, indeed!) and a couple of other interesting sides to make it a truly grand meal. The prices here are slightly above-average but the food is excellent, the service was solicitous and friendly, and they have a nice offering of wines by the bottle and glass to complete the experience. We sat in the small outdoor courtyard which is beside the restaurant and found it to be a very pleasant spot for an evening meal (it could border on searing in the summer, so keep that in mind). Overall, Roast is yet one more excellent restaurant in Sarasota's wonderful Downtown, and worth a try for a traditional, yet creative meal.
(5)
Ken D.
AVOID, AVOID, AVOID Absolutely terrible, including service. Very slow in getting to the table to take drink order. When finally arrived she left to take other orders before ours. She finally returned and took the drink, a nice bottle of Pinot Noir from Oregon was ordered for approx $60. She delivered a bottle of Cab from France and quickly left to serve others. My guests got tired of waiting for her to return and decided they would drink it. I was finally able to get her attention and explained she brought the wrong wine but we were willing to keep it, simply because it took so long to get it and for her to return. I finally had a taste and it was disgusting which I guess is what one would expect for a $28 bottle of wine. Order was taken and delivered within 5 minutes, but forgot the appetizer. What happened to having a pace that allowed guests to drink, even crapy wine, and chat? We had prime rib roast and steaks. They forgot to give us steak knives and sadly the meat needed them. Once again, waiting for the server to show up was ridiculous, the roast was average at best, the bone in rib eye was terrible, either bad meat or terrible seasoning, I couldn't figure out which one. The other steaks were flavorless. None of the main dishes were finished, even though there were two large hungry men. We live a 20 minute walk to the Roast and have been there three times. The first was average and we decided it wasn't worth going back to. We were guests of friends on the second outing and had a good meal, thus, decided to return. NEVER again, there are so many excellent places to eat in downtown Sarasota, why waste time going to the Roast.
(1)
Dai A.
Excellent lunch - mulligatawny soup was out of this world; catch of day grouper outstanding!
(5)
Maureen V.
Delicious food at surprisingly reasonable prices given the quality and the setting. The deviled eggs were amazing. The duck fat fries decadent. And the cocktails strong. Loved the St. Germaine infused bubbly! We came on a Monday in the late afternoon and were their last customers for lunch but we never felt rushed. On the contrary, they were super accommodating. I want to come back at night and sit on their beautiful patio. Highly recommend.
(5)
JEREMY G.
So right off the bat there are se serious service issues with this restraunt. We waited for almost 10 min prior to being greeted by our server and when she took our drink order she disappeared for almost another 10 minutes until she reappeared at other people's tables. She then came back and dropped our drinks and then proceeded to go back to other tables to take their orders. I could see if the server was exceptionally busy she would be running around like this but she clearly was just not good at her job. Now the food is a different story. Once it finally came out we were treated to some great lunch. My wife had the pork sliders and I have the ham and cheese which sounds pedestrian but was quite complex and really good. There were a lot of other options that I want to go back and try out I'm just not sure if the wait is worth it.
(3)
DeAnna L.
So good, we loved our lunch date here. They are a fresh fine dining hot spot. Love the outdoor patio area. Our waitress was a doll and gave me some wine tasting options. We will be back for sure. The salads are so good, veggies too. My husband had the meat dishes with his friends and they loved it. All our plates were devoured.
(5)
John S.
First time visit to Sarasota restaurants. Awesome food with outstanding ambiance! Will come back in a heartbeat!
(5)
Jim M.
ROAST is a very good experience for a reasonable price. It occupies one of those very cool buildings in Sarasota - a stone's throw from the Opera House. The decor is excellent, with slightly more formal dining downstairs, a welcoming courtyard for outside dining, and a few very cool rooms upstairs for something different. We sat upstairs, and unfortunately sat in one dining room with a group of five cackling women out on the town. I had just dropped off five middle school girls for a dance, and the last thing I wanted to hear was five slightly intoxicated adult women talking loudly all at the same time! Of course, not ROAST's fault. Our server, David, recognized the issue and quietly offered to move us. We took him up on it and went to another room where the noise level was slightly better, though still a little louder than I prefer - between the bar and the serving station. Anyway, the both Linse and I enjoyed the cucumber basil gimlet. The wine selection was also very decent. Service was very good - David was helpful and knowledgeable and the other staff were very accommodating. On the whole, the food was tasty. Linse had an arugula salad that was excellent. The roasted artichoke ravioli was its equal. The grouper sliders were ok - sort of a non-event. I ordered the cornish hen, which was prepared just right. We also had a side of creamed spinach, which was terrific. But I wish I had known that my entree came with spinach already, so I could have chosen a different side. We're going back.
(4)
Lorinn W.
Roast had a nice menu. There are many Sushi and Italian restaurants around the downtown Sarasota area, so it's nice to go somewhere different. The service was good. The waitress was very nice. But there were little things missed. Example---- We asked if a dish had onions. The waitress said no. (We mentioned we did not like onions) Yet there were onions all over! Also, we were asked if we wanted pepper on our salad and replied yes, but pepper was never brought. The portions were fair for the pricing. It was a bit expensive. But, sides came with your meal. It was a more formal atmosphere than we were thinking. I would say dressy-casual. But definitely not casual. It was a very cozy atmosphere however. They had a large wine selection and a good amount of mixed drinks. All and all, it was fun to try, but probably not a repeat.
(3)
Jake W.
I'm going to go through each of the confusing things that happened, and you can judge for yourself whether it sounds like a place you want to go. Waitstaff: Upon entering the restaurant, I was hit square in the chest by the front door flying outward, as a waiter ran outside. He laughed about it and did the same mumbled, informal half-apology that most clueless waitstaff do when they screw up. Once seated, there was a uniform tendency of all the waitstaff to mumble and address us informally. Our main waiter greeted us with a "what's up", then spent at least ten minutes mumbling the menu contents without adding any new info (which we could easily read for ourselves), and adding "it's really good" at the end of every description. Cocktails: I had a Mai Tai and my date had an Old Fashioned. The Mai Tai was ok. The Old Fashioned was not made correctly: an Old Fashioned contains a sugar cube, bitters, bourbon or rye, and (usually) an orange slice and cherry. The menu specifically mentioned inclusion of a Luxardo cherry (an excellent and expensive brand), but there was no cherry, and sugar syrup (rather than cube) was used. Both tasted good, especially the Old Fashioned, but it wasn't a real Old Fashioned and didn't follow what their own menu said. For a second drink, I ordered a bourbon on the menu called "Old Thompson" which I've never seen on bourbon lists, because (as I discovered on Google when the taste confounded me) it is not bourbon. Whiskey cannot legally be called bourbon if it contains ANYTHING other than grain and water... Old Thompson is "blended American whiskey" which can contain any chemical garbage. I got the grouper sliders. The brioche buns were dry and flavorless, and the fish was garnished only with a tiny amount of sauce and a roma tomato that was filled with tiny white bubbles (a telltale sign of over-refrigeration, meaning they weren't fresh). Grouper is already a bland fish, so it makes no sense to garnish it with the blandest of all tomatoes (roma), the tiniest amount of sauce, no heat, no pickles/peppers/acid fruits etc... just bland. We also had the truffle cheese mash which was ok but was served in too large a portion and wasn't very well seasoned, salt and butter were intended to give the dish most of its personality. My date had a salad listed as containing quince, what was included instead was guava paste, no idea why. I was excited to try the BBQ quail listed on their website, but it wasn't on the menu anymore when I came here. My date got the scallops which were paired with a pretty tasty boudin noir (blood sausage), but the scallops themselves had the characteristic ammonia scent of seafood past its prime, and both of us suffered some stomach pains the next morning. We told the waiter about the bad scallops and the dish was not taken off the bill and no freebies (desserts, certificates, drinks) were offered. When reading other Yelp reviews of this place, it seems that Roast treats comping bad items off the bill as an absolute institutional no-no. The deviled eggs were excellent, perfectly seasoned and with nice little additions of greens, caviar, and bacon - a great dish that should serve as a jumping off point to fix the rest of the menu. For the items I've mentioned, we paid $120. I don't see myself revisiting this place until they fix the silly incompetent waitstaff, the bland items, the inaccurate menu descriptions, and the incorrect cocktail preparations.
(1)
Jo L.
'Eclectic ' is what comes to mind. The menu is varied with something for everyone 's taste and pocket. When we take our 4 kids, the slider burgers and some of the best duck fries I've ever tasted are great value. When we go alone or with friends it's hard to choose, but the scallop starter is a must. I've tried the mulligatawny soup which has just the kick of spice I need. Suffice to say the food is delicious. The ambience I love too. It's refreshing to see a building that retains character while being tastefully decorated. There is outside seating too, but we prefer the inside seating. We had the Christmas party for our staff (26 people) in the upstairs library and it was perfect for us. Didn't feel we were disturbing the other diners. We love this place and for us it's "well worth" the drive from Lakewood Ranch.
(5)
Andrew N.
The sticky toffee pudding was the only saving grace.... The steak was flavorless, and tasted like the grill needed to be cleaned... The atmosphere was awesome... I really hope they get their food on point. My recommendation at this point: if you must go to Roast do not order steak.
(2)
Jessie T.
The food was delicious, but the kitchen was extremely slow...perhaps because of the extensive menu (?). It took the kitchen over an hour to serve our meals. The waiter was apologetic, but still...the restaurant wasn't overwhelming busy... I got the Cornish Hen with wild mushrooms, potatoes and spinach and the entire dish was awesome, perfect seasoning, and cooked to perfection. The waiter was nice enough and had lots of suggestions and recommendations. I hope they improve the management because this place really could be 5 stars if they speed things up a bit.
(3)
Stephanie S.
AVOID!!!! It's time to roast Roast! I honestly have to say the dining experience I had at Roast may have been the worst I've ever experienced in my 26 years. I'm actually embarrassed for them. Where do I start? My boyfriend and I had reservations for 8pm. When we got there we were immediately seated at a table outside. Strike 1-we should have been given an option inside or outside, you don't immediately just seat outside without checking if it's ok first. Strike 2-We did not see a server for just under 20 minutes. The table we were seated at was not even set. Strike 3-it took far too long to get two simple drinks. Strike 4-when my boyfriend requested a certain side dish with his meal the server stated they were out, but then to make things worse the server then stated it was their best side! So you're not only out of it, but you're saying the rest of the sides aren't as good...wonderful! Strike 5-my dining companion ordered a soda with a lime which came without even ONE ice cube and without the lime. He reminded the server for it, it never came. Strike 6-it took almost an hour for our meals to come out. I'm fine with waiting for good meals, but what came out was a joke. Strike 7-everything we ordered was cold. Not a little warm, actually cold. And my sliders which I ordered medium rare came out hockey puck well done. At this point we were in complete awe. We got the server over and explained our concerns. This is where I am just embarrassed for this establishment. The manager came out and actually suggested we pack up our food to eat at home, we said no. She then asked if we wanted it heated up, we said no again. Then she suggested just two desserts on her, again we said no. She was trying everything in her power not to have to comp anything off the bill after this beyond awful experience. Finally and reluctantly she agreed to take some of the items off the bill. The server came with the check, we paid it, and left. The fact that this establishment is so beyond tacky that they wouldn't just own that they had an awful off night and comp the meal is beyond comprehension to me. If they had any customer service skills I would not be writing this review or telling everyone about it. We would have just chalked it up to an off night. So we left angry and hungry, beyond embarrassed for this establishment, and most importantly our night ruined. My boyfriends and my parents both live down here along with many other friends of theirs and family. We called them both immediately after. They have already vowed never to come back here and to tell everyone they know not to as well. So not only did they lose us as customers but many others as well. I will tell everyone I know to avoid this place at all costs.
(1)
Rose A.
Meal started with us being ignored by who was supposed to be our waiter. After about 20 minutes a different server came over and I mentioned the wait. She replied " well I'm here now." No apologies from either the server or the manager. Regardless...on to the food. Started with the meze platter. It was okay. Pretty flavorless. We had the filet and scallops. The truffle fries were soggy and salty, the steak was great but way too thin. The scallops were cooked well but the dish only had 3 as an entree. I don't think we would go back :(
(2)
Diane H.
The 11/30 article in the Sarasota Harold Tribune got us here, looking to try the pork sliders and duck fat fries. We were not disappointed. We came at noon on a Thursday and the restaurant was empty (cause for a little concern as it opened at 11:30). We were warmly greeted by Victoria who was both the bartender and waitress. 2 of us ordered off the lunch menu and loved the ability to order 1/2 sandwiches-- a Reuben and the other a turkey club with avocado. Both came with a few waffle fries and it was a great serving size for two seniors. They both loved them and said they would order the same again. We also tried the pork and beef sliders. Definitely get the pork--my beef sliders were well done with little evidence of bacon or onion rings. I tried the pork and they were good. By 1 pm at least 3 other tables filled up, but the place was really quiet. Victoria our server was also nice enough to turn down the music so we could hear better. Table #8 is a nice 4 top near the window. I'm pretty sure we will be back!
(4)
Sara S.
It would have been a pretty good meal. The service was pleasant. The restaurant itself is nice. The deviled eggs delicious, truffle parm fries and truffle mash great, BUT I had the most traumatizing experience tasting what was the most foul sewage tasting oyster in my life. It really tasted like what I imagine would be a slime ball from a septic tank. It was so foul I didn't have enough time to even grab my napkin to spit it out. This experience was so bad I can never eat another oyster again or return to this restaurant. The server and manager were apologetic, but what I can't believe is that they only took off $6 for the oyster experience. Not even a free drink or dessert. My whole meal should have been comped or what would have been smart is to give me a gift certificate to return and give the place another try whether I would risk it again or not. They knew how traumatized and disgusted I was. I told them to have a taste for themselves and at least smell it, so they know how bad it is and know not to serve that to anyone else for everyone's sake. Well, there's no chance I'll be back here again to bring a party of six and drop another $325 for a taste of a slimy sewage ball, because that's all I can think about from the experience.
(2)
Jamie P.
We had reservations for 6 and we were blessed to sit outside on a perfect night. There were flame torchlights which made it very romantic and scenic. According to my company, the New York strip and filet were perfect and juicy and they haven't had many comparable (and we're from Mke!) I had a wonderful salad and cocktail. The only complaint was that they didn't allow you to adjust the menu very much which I respect but someone in our party did not like. Great service and reasonable pricing for the taste. Will come here again next time we're in Florida!
(5)
Eric H.
Did not live up to the hype. Lamb shank dish lacked flavor and the swordfish dish was overly fishy. The duck fat fries were very good though. Complex menue, but definitely not up to the level one would expect from this price point.
(3)
Fabiola C.
We had lunch in the patio..beautiful day and great atmosphere! Ordered the Deviled Eggs, Spinach Oysters, & Fish n Chips. The Eggs were amazing!!! 1st time I had oysters... So good! And the Fish m Chips were sooooo good to..huge plate 2 could share! We'll b Back!!!
Last night, April 11, we decided late to go out for supper. Scanning OpenTable, we found a 7pm opening at Roast, and booked it. Arriving on time, we were immediately shown upstairs, past a half-full upstairs dining room, and seated in a smaller room with eight tables. None of the other tables were occupied; three of them were not even set. We spent a few minutes looking at the menu, with wine list on the back, and then ordered. Since it was our first time at Roast, we decided to order all smaller dishes, in order to better survey the kitchen's skills. We ordered Salmon Sashimi and a Charcuterie Plate to begin, followed by Blackened Grouper Sliders, Artichoke Ravioli, Quail with BBQ Sauce, and (of course!) Duck Fat Fries, accompanied by three glasses of red wines we hadn't had: an Oregon pinot noir, an old vines zin, and a central coast red blend. As we nibbled on bread, the maitress d' came into the room three times, each time poaching silverware from one of the tables that was set. My wife gave her a quizzical look, and she smiled in return, but said nothing until the final visit, when she said the others would be seated with us soon. As to the silverware and such, three of our four forks were fish forks, oddly enough. And the wine glasses are thick and crude, with a fully 1/4-inch-thick base and a fat lip that conveys the sensations of drinking from a jelly jar with a stem. The next hint that things weren't going our way was the arrival of our first courses with no wine in sight. We decided to begin on the salmon -- three chunks, roughly 1.25 inches square and 1/2 inch thick, accompanied by soy sauce. Very nice quality, but quite lacking in presentation. A few minutes later, the wines arrived, and we began on the house-made charcuterie: a very hot cappicola, a mild salami, a coarse pork pate, a duck liver mousse, and mortadella. All were excellent, except for the dull mortadella (Bonus points: Why is there mortadella? Does anyone, anywhere ever order mortadella specifically?) As we ate and sipped, we became more and more aware of a pervasive thrumming, a vibration we could feel through our table and the floor, accompanied by a low rumbling varying in a three-second cycle. As the meal progressed, we became more and more aware and distracted by the noise and vibration. Our main course arrived, All were excellent. The ravioli perhaps could have conveyed a bit more flavor of artichoke, but the pasta was tender and supple, almost as fine as that at Baci. The blackened grouper was wonderful, but the buns could be a richer brioche. The quail and duck fat fries were stars -- so delicious that they could not be improved upon. As to the wines, the pinot noir had a slightly skunked odor and taste, not quite bad enough to reject instantly. I let it go, curious whether it was the occasional initial mustiness of a newly-opened bottle, and would dissipate in fifteen minutes, but no such luck (our waitress didn't know if it was from a new bottle.) The zin lacked the dominant characteristic flavor of zinfandel, and the blend was innocuous. Pleasant enough with the food, but not wines we would order again. Nothing on the dessert list interested us, nor were we inclined to continue the thrumming/vibrating thrill ride, so we asked for the check, and discussed the experience with our waitress, who had done the best she could, but we were, of course, her only table in that room, and the service suffered as a result. It turns out that that room is historically significant, since it was John Ringling's personal office. Unfortunately for us, it is right over the kitchen, and the noise and vibration comes from the kitchen exhaust. In the end, the food was simply excellent. The chef has a wonderful hand with spices; we would rate the food only slightly behind Indigenous in the Sarasota area. However, the dining experience was a disaster. No one should ever be asked to dine in that room with its noise and vibration. No one should ever be asked to dine in a room alone, unless specifically requested. No one should ever be asked to dine in a room where all the tables are not set, and do not remain set throughout the meal. It's sad that a kitchen that good cannot possibly overcome the miscues of management and service. We're full-time residents in Lakewood Ranch. The odds of us returning to Roast and bringing foodie friends and visitors along are miniscule.
Overall had a good experience. First off our waiter was excellent, he was very friendly and made us smile through the entire meal. As someone with a food allergy, he was so attentive around making sure I had something to eat and even for the dessert worked with the chef to come up with a tasty alternative. The duck fat fries (gluten free by the way) were the BEST. WOW! Also I had an amazing beet salad. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is the filet mignon I ordered (which was $36.00) was a little dry and chewy and for the amount of money, I expected a much juicier and flavorful type of meat. I think it was the quality of the meat versus the cooking style. My husband said he loved his pork roast. Also if you go late, do NOT get coffee. Mine was fairly old and had grounds in it. My husband and I are willing to give this place another go!
(4)
Joyce C.
Dined here last Saturday night with another couple. I arrived first and was seated at a table with a service station behind it - silverware etc. I asked if we could be moved. Yikes wrong question, got a snarly response that the table I was looking at was specifically requested. Nice waiter, just waited forever for our drinks to arrive. All entrees were good and appropriate temp. No truffle mashed potatoes though. I just don't know what is it but this is the second time I have been here and there is just something off with their customer service. I never feel welcome... I live here 8 months a year and eat out at least twice a week. Most restaurants go out of their way to make your dining experience special. Not here though. Oh, and it is exceptionally noisy.....in our case from all directions.... Probably will not be back before heading north in June....
(3)
Rhett W.
Have been here several times over the past couple months for lunch & happy hour. Really good food, great menu and service has been solid. One of my favorites in downtown Sarasota! Great ambiance and really nice patio dining.
(5)
Sarah W.
So glad we finally tried this restaurant! The food was fantastic: the Mulligatawny soup, chicken liver pate, roast grouper, baked cheesy truffle mash and steaks were amazing! The salmon was good- a tad overcooked, not dry, but not my preferred rare to medium rare. The service was also the best- Rey was on top of things but also very friendly and offered great suggestions on both food and wine. We were too full for dessert, but will try some next time. We will be back.
(4)
Damian T.
Great meal. The first true rare steak I have had in ages and the duckfat fries were awesome. Our waiter Zach was attentive but not always in our face. A nice night out.
(4)
Suzie S.
French fries you could die for, literally. There appeared to be a lot of rust on the bottom of the metal container that the French fries were sitting in. When we pointed it out to the busboy, he took it to the back and later informed us that the cook threw it out immediately. Might have been nice for the cook/manager to apologize or maybe take it off our bill, That said, the french fries were really tasty-maybe it was the rust (lol). The swordfish dish was well cooked, and the wedge salad had a nice blue cheese topping (otherwise run of the mill) The grouper sliders were okay. I wouldn't order them again. My friends really liked the pate. Although we had reservations for five and the restaurant was empty when we arrived, the hostess wanted to place us at a round table which backed into a pillar and was only suited for four. We insisted on a change and eventually were placed at the same size table by the window which was fine.
(2)
Louis R.
This is one of Sarasota'sfinest restaurants. This was our third visit and four of us had perfect dinners. I had the grouper which was exceptional. My wife had the roasted chicken which my wife said was delicious.I heartily recommend the food and the friendly service staff.
(5)
Irwin S.
A party of 5 with reservations seated immediately. The grouper was delicious, pot roast fabulous and the special prime rib was great! The service was a bit slow, but professional. We had a great evening and would definitely return to this beautiful Sarasota restaurant.
(5)
Michele P.
We had dinner at Roast on Saturday night. The menu offered so many choices it was hard to make a decision. Our waiter, Mike, took the time to explain each dish. He patiently answered our many questions and we were not disappointed with our selections. I had the roast special which on that day was roasted pig. It was moist and succulent. So delicious my mouth waters thinking about it. Everyone in our party was more than happy. We were the last to leave the restaurant and Mike never rushed us. I would return to The Roast in a heartbeat. The BEST food and dining experience in Sarasota. Thank you Mike and the chef at Roast!!!!
(5)
MaryAnn C.
What a fun and yummy place! Fantastic wait staff and knowledgeable staff. We had a late lunch so had the place almost to ourselves on a Saturday afternoon and so fast service and well paced. We ordered quit a bit for four people but most of the dishes we shared. The alcoholic beverages were fun, fresh, and refreshing. I really liked the lavender-blueberry martini. The menu is what a foodie would love along with foods for the non adventurous. We had an Indian type soup that was so tasty and only a hint of curry. The bread and pita chip bowl was good for dipping in everything. The chocolate caramel "flan" was to die for. I could have eaten two of them. It had a orange liquor sauce and small slices of orange. Very delicious. Overall, I hope people come and try this place. I was very happy with the food and service and plan to let everyone know.
(5)
Thomas W.
Their herb crusted Scottish salmon is fantastic!!! Waitress was very knowledgeable. Nice courtyard for al fresco dining
(4)
Mare G.
We went today for a late afternoon snack. Sat outside on a gorgeous day and had wonderful service. We decided to share a bunch of different things. We had the deviled eggs, mezze platter, bruschetta, grouper sliders, beet salad and tried a bunch of deserts. It's a fun, cute environment and the food was great!
(5)
Neil D.
Fantastic all around. A really nice addition to the Sarasota restaurant scene. Great food, reasonable prices and great atmosphere. We'll be back for sure.
(5)
Bruce Z.
We were three and all enjoyed very much. Grouper, swordfish and Scottish salmon were all interestingly prepared. We shared a Mediterranean appetizer quite tasty and enough for us all. Service and atmosphere were very pleasant. The restaurant's location has seen many attempts. Being across from the Bijou is hard competition. Still, their interesting menu is hard to categorize but really quite nice. My compliments to the chef.
(4)
Ashley E.
I ate here with my aunt and mother this evening for dinner before a show at the Opera next door. I ended up disappointed and feeling rushed! I made a reservation, which turned out to be for the best. We were the first people seated in a nearly empty restaurant. About 10 minutes later the room was filled and the restaurant couldn't handle the volume. Our server was constantly with other tables around us. She barely spoke to us once the other tables filled in. We watched tables who arrived after us get bread and meals before we finally spoke up. We had to ask for our bread and inquire about our entrees. We reminded out server again that we were going to the opera. We spoke with a manager, noting the discrepancies in our experience versus those around us. She apologized and moved on, assuring us the meals would be out shortly. The food took another 5 minutes or so. The meals were good, with the exception of the scallops. We had heard nothing but good things, only to receive a severely burnt scallop as one of three on the plate. We again spoke to a manager who adjusted our bill and apologized, but noted that the chef assured her a scallop would never have come out burnt. In this case, the chef was wrong. The beignets for dessert tasted more like dry doughnuts and barely had any dipping sauces. We had to wait once more for our bill. Eventually, we got up to find our waitress. When following her to pay, she tried to stop to help other customers again. It was a disappointing experience! The only thing that might tempt me to return was a friendly waiter on our way out. This stranger apologized for our experience and told us to come back and ask for him by name so that we could have a wonderful experience. I'm not sure if we'll try it, but it was one of the only positives of this service disaster.
(2)
Steven S.
My wife and I went to Roast as a guest of a friend. The food is OK, but not necessarily worth the money. We were told that the special of the evening was Prime Rib. I ordered the rib, medium rare, but when delivered there were three slices of meet on the plate and closer to medium well. When I told the waiter that I was not satisfied we all noticed a grimace on his face. He did take the meal back to the kitchen and I subsequently ordered something else. At the end of the meal when the check was presented it came along with a take out box., When we inquired what was in the box, the answer was "the chef said that the everything was correct and that we would have to pay for the meal", in addition to the the substitute. We informed him that we would not pay for the roast beef and we would like to see the manager. When she finally showed up, with a sour face, she reluctantly said she would take it off the bill. Not friendly. My wife and I had eaten there before, but this will be the last time. There are so many good restaurants in Sarasota, we do not need to be treated in this manner
(1)
Robert D.
We have been here several times the food is always good, (when they give what you ordered) we were there 2 days ago another terrible service forgot to bring what we ordered. A little tip for the wait staff and owner write down what we want to order your memory stinks..and what is with the orange aprons the wait staff wears I felt like I was eating in Home Depot....the wait staff should be the only one serving not a sweaty dish washer from the back...I will definitely have to give this place break they won't see me for a long while.
(2)
11 B.
My wife and I had dinner there this past weekend and we really enjoyed the atmosphere and the hospitality that we received from the manager and from the multiple servers that catered to us while we were there, was nothing but the best. My wife had the Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta and I had the Baked Oyster Rockafella which both were perfect, for dinner we had the Roasted Grouper and Fillet Mignon and it couldn't have been prepared any other way, Kudos to the chef, I'm not sure what this crazy A@@ Stephanie S. is talking about. We have been there more than a dozen times and the service is nothing but the best. This guest must have been mad at her boyfriend or something. If she had 7 strikes against the ROAST then she should have gotten her crack ass up and went somewhere else. The ROAST is still one of the best places to eat in and around the Sarasota area. Maybe the play place at the McDonalds down the road would have sufficed her with all the at bats she had there. STRIKE #8, YOUR OUT OF HERE GIRL!!!
(5)
Missy E.
We've been 2x in 3 days, need I say more. We've found the food to be excellent and have had a variety of things - first time there were 3 of us, tonight 5. The people go out of their way to be friendly, even if there is a problem. Both times we have sat at the same table and find the restaurant itself to be very quaint and quite inviting. It is not a place I would recommend if in a hurry, but we haven't been either night - but I don't see it as that type of place. My parents knew one of the waiters from another restaurant, Michael and he will take good care of you. The bartender was more then friendly and excellent the first night and certainly remembered us upon our return, although we didn't go to the bar first. Have not been for lunch, but dinner is certainly worth a try!
(4)
Will M.
Had dinner with five others and was a overall good experience. We were not in a rush at all and that was good because service was a bit on the slow side. I thought the drinks were good and if you love black cherry, like I do, the cherry pop cocktail is a must. We shared a couple of apps and really liked the deviled eggs & the duck fat fries. We had a couple of the salads and thought they were outstanding. I got the scallops with thick cut bacon for my dinner and thought it was very good. Others has the beef and pork and were very pleased. My wife had the chicken special and was not overly impressed. She is a mashed potatoes aficionado and thought theirs were bland. We ended with a couple desserts to share and thought all were good. I especially like the key lime. Although there are Lots of good restaurants in Sarasota area to try, I'd definitely come back here again.
(4)
Joel P.
Went for lunch with a friend after hearing many good things among the interwebs. The food was spectacular! I had the diver scallops on top of a thick cut bacon atop a bed of pureed jerusalem artichokes. They were out of the dish but offered to make it without the potato puree which I was not going to turn down the alternative ( I just wanted scallops and bacon by any means!) The scallops were killer but the bacon better... or was it the other way around?Fresh apples, candied pecans... everything about the dish had me in awe. My UK friend is the self appointed Queen of fish an chips and made it clear that she hasn't found it done right in town. When she says done right she means the English way with a light crispy batter, vinegar and smashed peas. Served with their homemade tartar and all the fixings you could tell she was impressed. I didn't order desert but instead tried the liver patte and smoked eel app, both were mind blowing when it comes to presentation and flavor! So many new restaurants have opened up in Sarasota and they all seem to be focused on the night live or any other tricks besides the food. Roast has made their focus on the food and you cant pay enough to get that across.
(5)
Cas B.
My husband made a reservation here for our anniversary. It was POURING out so we pulled up to the valet sign behind 2 other cars and waited and waited and waited! Finally a valet from the restaurant across the street came over and said that we had to make a u turn and that the valet across the street serves both restaurants. Never heard of such a thing or understand why there was a valet sign on this side of the road! VERY confusing. So I got out and went in while my husband turned around and ran across the busy street in the rain. Once inside I waited and waited and you got it!!! waited some more! I finally stopped a server to ask if I was in the right place as there was no hostess stand and was met by an INCREDIBLY rude response of "someone will be with you. Can't you see that we are busy!" Then as he turned to walk away he spotted the hostess and added "oh look there she is now!" Dripping in sarcasm! Well she was just as rude so we walked out! I can't see this place making it past this season without some serious training! We went across the street to The Bijou Cafe and had a WONDERFUL time!
(1)
John A.
ROAST is a great restaurant. I wish it was closer to where I live as it would be a regular spot in my rotation. Great food from appetizers through desserts!!! Service was very good also.
(5)
Jamie G.
The cool building that houses Roast has been many different restaurants and it seems nothing lasts there. I hope this changes as Roast is amazing! It's great that Sarasota has so many new and interesting places opening up and Roast may be the best yet. The food is different from what you'll find at other spots downtown. We had an early Saturday night reservation and were seated upstairs in a cool corner table. Love the decor up there. Now for the food.....get the pecan crusted duck. Holy Toledo its good, seriously some of the best I have had along with what is best described as duck hash that came with. Also had the Mullgatawny soup and the Ahi Tuna Nicoise. The cocktails are inventive, especially the Old Fashioned. The Bijou Cafe across the street does a good Old Fashioned but I think Roast's may be better. Sorry Bijou(I still love you). For desert we had the trio of artisan cheese. Good but could be better. Derek's had an assortment from Artisan Cheese on main and it was crazy good. Maybe Roast could do the same. Good service, Brian and Joe took care of us. Only one complaint and its minor. When bringing out starters the guy bringing them out didn't know who got what. Small thing but at a nicer dining establishment "food calling" is not classy. Loved Roast and will be back.
(4)
Karen H.
I had a lovely dinner at this restaurant with six other friends. It has great indoor patio or indoor dining. Everyone enjoyed their meals, which were a mix of sliders, seafood, chicken, and several very nice salads. Our server was prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable. I would not say the food was exceptional, but it was good. I will return with my husband and another couple to see if the quality and service are maintained.
(4)
Audrey R.
12/31/13 We had our New Year's Eve dinner here and our experience was OK. The waitress, Jamie was very nice and provided good service. Two members of our party had the scallops with bacon, one had the salmon dinner. These meals were all servered with nice presentations and enjoyed by all. I had the 6 oz filet and that's about all I can say about it! It was served on a white plate - THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS ON THE PLATE! No garnish, no drizzled sauce and the potatoes were served on a separate dish. For $26 I would expect the dish to have had a better presentation. An additional vegetable would have been an extra cost and would have also been served on a different dish. I did not get a steak knife with the meal and had to use a regular knife. I will say the steak was done to my request. We complained to the server and to the hostess and we were told the chef is from Europe, and this is the European way. I live in Sarasota - NOT Europe! It was crowded and warm in the dining area. We may be tempted to try the outdoor patio and bar on a warm evening, but will not order a Steak, unless they improve the presentation and add potato and vegetable as part of the meal.
(3)
Em C.
Best food I've had in Sarasota including Michael's and Jack Dustys. Service was attentive and friendly and all food - sliders, scallops, truffle fries, grouper, fish and chips - all cooked beautifully. Prices much better than other places in town. A real keeper.
(5)
Debora B.
A friend and I went there for after dinner drinks and immediately regretted not dining there. The delicious aromas and charming atmosphere will make Roast our first dining choice for our next evening out.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Rob G.
Really enjoyed Sunday brunch at roast. The fish and chips were awesome. Also a great selection for the kids. We ate outside which was really nice , especially once the sun came round. Very accommodating and friendly. Look forward to going back soon.
(5)Kathy W.
Went there with 7 people for Sunday brunch and each and every dish was great. Some people had brunch items, others had light fare but everyone was more than pleased with the food and service. I kind of want to keep this place a secret but on the other hand they deserve their success. Menu was very interesting and the atmosphere was comfy downstairs but the upstairs was even better! Nice outdoor courtyard as well.... I don't often give 5 stars but we are definitely headed back there to try it out for dinner. I think they have a real winner in Sarasota...well worth a try!
(5)Justin S.
Another new restaurant to try in Sarasota! I had walked by the restaurant which previously occupied Roast's space for a while but never paid it any mind. We usually like what we like around here but I checked out their menu and thought it sounded good, so a friend and I stopped in on a Sunday night for a late dinner. Roast touts itself as a "restaurant in the tradition of British roasts [meat]" (or something like that), so yes, the emphasis here is on meat (steak, prime rib, etc.). Think of it as a kind of British steakhouse. Not wanting to deviate from the theme, my friend and I both ordered meat dishes - I, the strip steak and she the rib-eye (which is also a Sunday night special). Both of our dishes were very good and my steak was prepared perfectly, served with delicious pepper sauce and a generous little pail of crisp fries on the side. My friend, however, basically went bonkers over her prime rib to the point that I almost had to quiet her down. Really, I've never heard anyone get so excited about prime rib. It was served very pink and juicy as most people want their prime rib to be, but flavorful and rich at the same time. When served as a special, it comes with a popover (how very British, indeed!) and a couple of other interesting sides to make it a truly grand meal. The prices here are slightly above-average but the food is excellent, the service was solicitous and friendly, and they have a nice offering of wines by the bottle and glass to complete the experience. We sat in the small outdoor courtyard which is beside the restaurant and found it to be a very pleasant spot for an evening meal (it could border on searing in the summer, so keep that in mind). Overall, Roast is yet one more excellent restaurant in Sarasota's wonderful Downtown, and worth a try for a traditional, yet creative meal.
(5)Ken D.
AVOID, AVOID, AVOID Absolutely terrible, including service. Very slow in getting to the table to take drink order. When finally arrived she left to take other orders before ours. She finally returned and took the drink, a nice bottle of Pinot Noir from Oregon was ordered for approx $60. She delivered a bottle of Cab from France and quickly left to serve others. My guests got tired of waiting for her to return and decided they would drink it. I was finally able to get her attention and explained she brought the wrong wine but we were willing to keep it, simply because it took so long to get it and for her to return. I finally had a taste and it was disgusting which I guess is what one would expect for a $28 bottle of wine. Order was taken and delivered within 5 minutes, but forgot the appetizer. What happened to having a pace that allowed guests to drink, even crapy wine, and chat? We had prime rib roast and steaks. They forgot to give us steak knives and sadly the meat needed them. Once again, waiting for the server to show up was ridiculous, the roast was average at best, the bone in rib eye was terrible, either bad meat or terrible seasoning, I couldn't figure out which one. The other steaks were flavorless. None of the main dishes were finished, even though there were two large hungry men. We live a 20 minute walk to the Roast and have been there three times. The first was average and we decided it wasn't worth going back to. We were guests of friends on the second outing and had a good meal, thus, decided to return. NEVER again, there are so many excellent places to eat in downtown Sarasota, why waste time going to the Roast.
(1)Dai A.
Excellent lunch - mulligatawny soup was out of this world; catch of day grouper outstanding!
(5)Maureen V.
Delicious food at surprisingly reasonable prices given the quality and the setting. The deviled eggs were amazing. The duck fat fries decadent. And the cocktails strong. Loved the St. Germaine infused bubbly! We came on a Monday in the late afternoon and were their last customers for lunch but we never felt rushed. On the contrary, they were super accommodating. I want to come back at night and sit on their beautiful patio. Highly recommend.
(5)JEREMY G.
So right off the bat there are se serious service issues with this restraunt. We waited for almost 10 min prior to being greeted by our server and when she took our drink order she disappeared for almost another 10 minutes until she reappeared at other people's tables. She then came back and dropped our drinks and then proceeded to go back to other tables to take their orders. I could see if the server was exceptionally busy she would be running around like this but she clearly was just not good at her job. Now the food is a different story. Once it finally came out we were treated to some great lunch. My wife had the pork sliders and I have the ham and cheese which sounds pedestrian but was quite complex and really good. There were a lot of other options that I want to go back and try out I'm just not sure if the wait is worth it.
(3)DeAnna L.
So good, we loved our lunch date here. They are a fresh fine dining hot spot. Love the outdoor patio area. Our waitress was a doll and gave me some wine tasting options. We will be back for sure. The salads are so good, veggies too. My husband had the meat dishes with his friends and they loved it. All our plates were devoured.
(5)John S.
First time visit to Sarasota restaurants. Awesome food with outstanding ambiance! Will come back in a heartbeat!
(5)Jim M.
ROAST is a very good experience for a reasonable price. It occupies one of those very cool buildings in Sarasota - a stone's throw from the Opera House. The decor is excellent, with slightly more formal dining downstairs, a welcoming courtyard for outside dining, and a few very cool rooms upstairs for something different. We sat upstairs, and unfortunately sat in one dining room with a group of five cackling women out on the town. I had just dropped off five middle school girls for a dance, and the last thing I wanted to hear was five slightly intoxicated adult women talking loudly all at the same time! Of course, not ROAST's fault. Our server, David, recognized the issue and quietly offered to move us. We took him up on it and went to another room where the noise level was slightly better, though still a little louder than I prefer - between the bar and the serving station. Anyway, the both Linse and I enjoyed the cucumber basil gimlet. The wine selection was also very decent. Service was very good - David was helpful and knowledgeable and the other staff were very accommodating. On the whole, the food was tasty. Linse had an arugula salad that was excellent. The roasted artichoke ravioli was its equal. The grouper sliders were ok - sort of a non-event. I ordered the cornish hen, which was prepared just right. We also had a side of creamed spinach, which was terrific. But I wish I had known that my entree came with spinach already, so I could have chosen a different side. We're going back.
(4)Lorinn W.
Roast had a nice menu. There are many Sushi and Italian restaurants around the downtown Sarasota area, so it's nice to go somewhere different. The service was good. The waitress was very nice. But there were little things missed. Example---- We asked if a dish had onions. The waitress said no. (We mentioned we did not like onions) Yet there were onions all over! Also, we were asked if we wanted pepper on our salad and replied yes, but pepper was never brought. The portions were fair for the pricing. It was a bit expensive. But, sides came with your meal. It was a more formal atmosphere than we were thinking. I would say dressy-casual. But definitely not casual. It was a very cozy atmosphere however. They had a large wine selection and a good amount of mixed drinks. All and all, it was fun to try, but probably not a repeat.
(3)Jake W.
I'm going to go through each of the confusing things that happened, and you can judge for yourself whether it sounds like a place you want to go. Waitstaff: Upon entering the restaurant, I was hit square in the chest by the front door flying outward, as a waiter ran outside. He laughed about it and did the same mumbled, informal half-apology that most clueless waitstaff do when they screw up. Once seated, there was a uniform tendency of all the waitstaff to mumble and address us informally. Our main waiter greeted us with a "what's up", then spent at least ten minutes mumbling the menu contents without adding any new info (which we could easily read for ourselves), and adding "it's really good" at the end of every description. Cocktails: I had a Mai Tai and my date had an Old Fashioned. The Mai Tai was ok. The Old Fashioned was not made correctly: an Old Fashioned contains a sugar cube, bitters, bourbon or rye, and (usually) an orange slice and cherry. The menu specifically mentioned inclusion of a Luxardo cherry (an excellent and expensive brand), but there was no cherry, and sugar syrup (rather than cube) was used. Both tasted good, especially the Old Fashioned, but it wasn't a real Old Fashioned and didn't follow what their own menu said. For a second drink, I ordered a bourbon on the menu called "Old Thompson" which I've never seen on bourbon lists, because (as I discovered on Google when the taste confounded me) it is not bourbon. Whiskey cannot legally be called bourbon if it contains ANYTHING other than grain and water... Old Thompson is "blended American whiskey" which can contain any chemical garbage. I got the grouper sliders. The brioche buns were dry and flavorless, and the fish was garnished only with a tiny amount of sauce and a roma tomato that was filled with tiny white bubbles (a telltale sign of over-refrigeration, meaning they weren't fresh). Grouper is already a bland fish, so it makes no sense to garnish it with the blandest of all tomatoes (roma), the tiniest amount of sauce, no heat, no pickles/peppers/acid fruits etc... just bland. We also had the truffle cheese mash which was ok but was served in too large a portion and wasn't very well seasoned, salt and butter were intended to give the dish most of its personality. My date had a salad listed as containing quince, what was included instead was guava paste, no idea why. I was excited to try the BBQ quail listed on their website, but it wasn't on the menu anymore when I came here. My date got the scallops which were paired with a pretty tasty boudin noir (blood sausage), but the scallops themselves had the characteristic ammonia scent of seafood past its prime, and both of us suffered some stomach pains the next morning. We told the waiter about the bad scallops and the dish was not taken off the bill and no freebies (desserts, certificates, drinks) were offered. When reading other Yelp reviews of this place, it seems that Roast treats comping bad items off the bill as an absolute institutional no-no. The deviled eggs were excellent, perfectly seasoned and with nice little additions of greens, caviar, and bacon - a great dish that should serve as a jumping off point to fix the rest of the menu. For the items I've mentioned, we paid $120. I don't see myself revisiting this place until they fix the silly incompetent waitstaff, the bland items, the inaccurate menu descriptions, and the incorrect cocktail preparations.
(1)Jo L.
'Eclectic ' is what comes to mind. The menu is varied with something for everyone 's taste and pocket. When we take our 4 kids, the slider burgers and some of the best duck fries I've ever tasted are great value. When we go alone or with friends it's hard to choose, but the scallop starter is a must. I've tried the mulligatawny soup which has just the kick of spice I need. Suffice to say the food is delicious. The ambience I love too. It's refreshing to see a building that retains character while being tastefully decorated. There is outside seating too, but we prefer the inside seating. We had the Christmas party for our staff (26 people) in the upstairs library and it was perfect for us. Didn't feel we were disturbing the other diners. We love this place and for us it's "well worth" the drive from Lakewood Ranch.
(5)Andrew N.
The sticky toffee pudding was the only saving grace.... The steak was flavorless, and tasted like the grill needed to be cleaned... The atmosphere was awesome... I really hope they get their food on point. My recommendation at this point: if you must go to Roast do not order steak.
(2)Jessie T.
The food was delicious, but the kitchen was extremely slow...perhaps because of the extensive menu (?). It took the kitchen over an hour to serve our meals. The waiter was apologetic, but still...the restaurant wasn't overwhelming busy... I got the Cornish Hen with wild mushrooms, potatoes and spinach and the entire dish was awesome, perfect seasoning, and cooked to perfection. The waiter was nice enough and had lots of suggestions and recommendations. I hope they improve the management because this place really could be 5 stars if they speed things up a bit.
(3)Stephanie S.
AVOID!!!! It's time to roast Roast! I honestly have to say the dining experience I had at Roast may have been the worst I've ever experienced in my 26 years. I'm actually embarrassed for them. Where do I start? My boyfriend and I had reservations for 8pm. When we got there we were immediately seated at a table outside. Strike 1-we should have been given an option inside or outside, you don't immediately just seat outside without checking if it's ok first. Strike 2-We did not see a server for just under 20 minutes. The table we were seated at was not even set. Strike 3-it took far too long to get two simple drinks. Strike 4-when my boyfriend requested a certain side dish with his meal the server stated they were out, but then to make things worse the server then stated it was their best side! So you're not only out of it, but you're saying the rest of the sides aren't as good...wonderful! Strike 5-my dining companion ordered a soda with a lime which came without even ONE ice cube and without the lime. He reminded the server for it, it never came. Strike 6-it took almost an hour for our meals to come out. I'm fine with waiting for good meals, but what came out was a joke. Strike 7-everything we ordered was cold. Not a little warm, actually cold. And my sliders which I ordered medium rare came out hockey puck well done. At this point we were in complete awe. We got the server over and explained our concerns. This is where I am just embarrassed for this establishment. The manager came out and actually suggested we pack up our food to eat at home, we said no. She then asked if we wanted it heated up, we said no again. Then she suggested just two desserts on her, again we said no. She was trying everything in her power not to have to comp anything off the bill after this beyond awful experience. Finally and reluctantly she agreed to take some of the items off the bill. The server came with the check, we paid it, and left. The fact that this establishment is so beyond tacky that they wouldn't just own that they had an awful off night and comp the meal is beyond comprehension to me. If they had any customer service skills I would not be writing this review or telling everyone about it. We would have just chalked it up to an off night. So we left angry and hungry, beyond embarrassed for this establishment, and most importantly our night ruined. My boyfriends and my parents both live down here along with many other friends of theirs and family. We called them both immediately after. They have already vowed never to come back here and to tell everyone they know not to as well. So not only did they lose us as customers but many others as well. I will tell everyone I know to avoid this place at all costs.
(1)Rose A.
Meal started with us being ignored by who was supposed to be our waiter. After about 20 minutes a different server came over and I mentioned the wait. She replied " well I'm here now." No apologies from either the server or the manager. Regardless...on to the food. Started with the meze platter. It was okay. Pretty flavorless. We had the filet and scallops. The truffle fries were soggy and salty, the steak was great but way too thin. The scallops were cooked well but the dish only had 3 as an entree. I don't think we would go back :(
(2)Diane H.
The 11/30 article in the Sarasota Harold Tribune got us here, looking to try the pork sliders and duck fat fries. We were not disappointed. We came at noon on a Thursday and the restaurant was empty (cause for a little concern as it opened at 11:30). We were warmly greeted by Victoria who was both the bartender and waitress. 2 of us ordered off the lunch menu and loved the ability to order 1/2 sandwiches-- a Reuben and the other a turkey club with avocado. Both came with a few waffle fries and it was a great serving size for two seniors. They both loved them and said they would order the same again. We also tried the pork and beef sliders. Definitely get the pork--my beef sliders were well done with little evidence of bacon or onion rings. I tried the pork and they were good. By 1 pm at least 3 other tables filled up, but the place was really quiet. Victoria our server was also nice enough to turn down the music so we could hear better. Table #8 is a nice 4 top near the window. I'm pretty sure we will be back!
(4)Sara S.
It would have been a pretty good meal. The service was pleasant. The restaurant itself is nice. The deviled eggs delicious, truffle parm fries and truffle mash great, BUT I had the most traumatizing experience tasting what was the most foul sewage tasting oyster in my life. It really tasted like what I imagine would be a slime ball from a septic tank. It was so foul I didn't have enough time to even grab my napkin to spit it out. This experience was so bad I can never eat another oyster again or return to this restaurant. The server and manager were apologetic, but what I can't believe is that they only took off $6 for the oyster experience. Not even a free drink or dessert. My whole meal should have been comped or what would have been smart is to give me a gift certificate to return and give the place another try whether I would risk it again or not. They knew how traumatized and disgusted I was. I told them to have a taste for themselves and at least smell it, so they know how bad it is and know not to serve that to anyone else for everyone's sake. Well, there's no chance I'll be back here again to bring a party of six and drop another $325 for a taste of a slimy sewage ball, because that's all I can think about from the experience.
(2)Jamie P.
We had reservations for 6 and we were blessed to sit outside on a perfect night. There were flame torchlights which made it very romantic and scenic. According to my company, the New York strip and filet were perfect and juicy and they haven't had many comparable (and we're from Mke!) I had a wonderful salad and cocktail. The only complaint was that they didn't allow you to adjust the menu very much which I respect but someone in our party did not like. Great service and reasonable pricing for the taste. Will come here again next time we're in Florida!
(5)Eric H.
Did not live up to the hype. Lamb shank dish lacked flavor and the swordfish dish was overly fishy. The duck fat fries were very good though. Complex menue, but definitely not up to the level one would expect from this price point.
(3)Fabiola C.
We had lunch in the patio..beautiful day and great atmosphere! Ordered the Deviled Eggs, Spinach Oysters, & Fish n Chips. The Eggs were amazing!!! 1st time I had oysters... So good! And the Fish m Chips were sooooo good to..huge plate 2 could share! We'll b Back!!!
(5)Sharon H.
Nice, classy restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating located in downtown Sarasota. Great place for both sharing small plates with good entrées as well. I definitely recommend the Roast beet Salad. The Endive salad was good as well. The deviled eggs were good, but has a strong horseradish/mustard taste that I didn't quite like. The Chicken Liver Parfait was good-- it's served with a soft thicker brioche which I think would have been better complimented if it was thinner or baked. I also recommend the Baked truffle cheese mash which was rich & hearty. The burgers and sliders were good as well. Leave room for dessert! The Banoffi pie was delicious. Good assortment of cocktails, wines and beers.
(4)Larry L.
Last night, April 11, we decided late to go out for supper. Scanning OpenTable, we found a 7pm opening at Roast, and booked it. Arriving on time, we were immediately shown upstairs, past a half-full upstairs dining room, and seated in a smaller room with eight tables. None of the other tables were occupied; three of them were not even set. We spent a few minutes looking at the menu, with wine list on the back, and then ordered. Since it was our first time at Roast, we decided to order all smaller dishes, in order to better survey the kitchen's skills. We ordered Salmon Sashimi and a Charcuterie Plate to begin, followed by Blackened Grouper Sliders, Artichoke Ravioli, Quail with BBQ Sauce, and (of course!) Duck Fat Fries, accompanied by three glasses of red wines we hadn't had: an Oregon pinot noir, an old vines zin, and a central coast red blend. As we nibbled on bread, the maitress d' came into the room three times, each time poaching silverware from one of the tables that was set. My wife gave her a quizzical look, and she smiled in return, but said nothing until the final visit, when she said the others would be seated with us soon. As to the silverware and such, three of our four forks were fish forks, oddly enough. And the wine glasses are thick and crude, with a fully 1/4-inch-thick base and a fat lip that conveys the sensations of drinking from a jelly jar with a stem. The next hint that things weren't going our way was the arrival of our first courses with no wine in sight. We decided to begin on the salmon -- three chunks, roughly 1.25 inches square and 1/2 inch thick, accompanied by soy sauce. Very nice quality, but quite lacking in presentation. A few minutes later, the wines arrived, and we began on the house-made charcuterie: a very hot cappicola, a mild salami, a coarse pork pate, a duck liver mousse, and mortadella. All were excellent, except for the dull mortadella (Bonus points: Why is there mortadella? Does anyone, anywhere ever order mortadella specifically?) As we ate and sipped, we became more and more aware of a pervasive thrumming, a vibration we could feel through our table and the floor, accompanied by a low rumbling varying in a three-second cycle. As the meal progressed, we became more and more aware and distracted by the noise and vibration. Our main course arrived, All were excellent. The ravioli perhaps could have conveyed a bit more flavor of artichoke, but the pasta was tender and supple, almost as fine as that at Baci. The blackened grouper was wonderful, but the buns could be a richer brioche. The quail and duck fat fries were stars -- so delicious that they could not be improved upon. As to the wines, the pinot noir had a slightly skunked odor and taste, not quite bad enough to reject instantly. I let it go, curious whether it was the occasional initial mustiness of a newly-opened bottle, and would dissipate in fifteen minutes, but no such luck (our waitress didn't know if it was from a new bottle.) The zin lacked the dominant characteristic flavor of zinfandel, and the blend was innocuous. Pleasant enough with the food, but not wines we would order again. Nothing on the dessert list interested us, nor were we inclined to continue the thrumming/vibrating thrill ride, so we asked for the check, and discussed the experience with our waitress, who had done the best she could, but we were, of course, her only table in that room, and the service suffered as a result. It turns out that that room is historically significant, since it was John Ringling's personal office. Unfortunately for us, it is right over the kitchen, and the noise and vibration comes from the kitchen exhaust. In the end, the food was simply excellent. The chef has a wonderful hand with spices; we would rate the food only slightly behind Indigenous in the Sarasota area. However, the dining experience was a disaster. No one should ever be asked to dine in that room with its noise and vibration. No one should ever be asked to dine in a room alone, unless specifically requested. No one should ever be asked to dine in a room where all the tables are not set, and do not remain set throughout the meal. It's sad that a kitchen that good cannot possibly overcome the miscues of management and service. We're full-time residents in Lakewood Ranch. The odds of us returning to Roast and bringing foodie friends and visitors along are miniscule.
(1)Renae T.
Took a large group of customers to dinner here while attending a conference in Sarasota. So, we were all from out of town and had only read the reviews on Yelp! Here is a quick rundown of the finer things to know: Service was good - Ray was our server and very informative. He knew the menu but was also serving other tables and we had to wait for drinks and food for longer than I would normally like at a client dinner. Drinks were good - the Russian Mule is served in a cold copper mug and was really good. Their wine selection is fine, not huge, but big enough to find something that you will like. They also have a small bar with a great bartender. The Appetizers are not great. Try to order an Entrée instead. Food was good to great - The Pot Roast was Awesome and is a Must Try! That is really where the name Roast is reflected. The rest of their entrees are Not Roasted, so don't think that you are going to a roasted-everything kind of place! The Lamb was Awesome and the Duck Fat Fries as well as the Parmesan Fries were To Die For! There is also a Mashed Potato side dish that is cooked and served in a small cast iron skillet. It was very good. They push the bread pudding for dessert, which they have a special name for that I do not remember. Get it. It is really great and you will be happy that you did. Overall, this was good place. A bit small for a group of 11 and very noisy because the place is so small. But a good choice and my clients enjoyed their food and drinks. I would go back.
(3)Jessica K.
Overall had a good experience. First off our waiter was excellent, he was very friendly and made us smile through the entire meal. As someone with a food allergy, he was so attentive around making sure I had something to eat and even for the dessert worked with the chef to come up with a tasty alternative. The duck fat fries (gluten free by the way) were the BEST. WOW! Also I had an amazing beet salad. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is the filet mignon I ordered (which was $36.00) was a little dry and chewy and for the amount of money, I expected a much juicier and flavorful type of meat. I think it was the quality of the meat versus the cooking style. My husband said he loved his pork roast. Also if you go late, do NOT get coffee. Mine was fairly old and had grounds in it. My husband and I are willing to give this place another go!
(4)Joyce C.
Dined here last Saturday night with another couple. I arrived first and was seated at a table with a service station behind it - silverware etc. I asked if we could be moved. Yikes wrong question, got a snarly response that the table I was looking at was specifically requested. Nice waiter, just waited forever for our drinks to arrive. All entrees were good and appropriate temp. No truffle mashed potatoes though. I just don't know what is it but this is the second time I have been here and there is just something off with their customer service. I never feel welcome... I live here 8 months a year and eat out at least twice a week. Most restaurants go out of their way to make your dining experience special. Not here though. Oh, and it is exceptionally noisy.....in our case from all directions.... Probably will not be back before heading north in June....
(3)Rhett W.
Have been here several times over the past couple months for lunch & happy hour. Really good food, great menu and service has been solid. One of my favorites in downtown Sarasota! Great ambiance and really nice patio dining.
(5)Sarah W.
So glad we finally tried this restaurant! The food was fantastic: the Mulligatawny soup, chicken liver pate, roast grouper, baked cheesy truffle mash and steaks were amazing! The salmon was good- a tad overcooked, not dry, but not my preferred rare to medium rare. The service was also the best- Rey was on top of things but also very friendly and offered great suggestions on both food and wine. We were too full for dessert, but will try some next time. We will be back.
(4)Damian T.
Great meal. The first true rare steak I have had in ages and the duckfat fries were awesome. Our waiter Zach was attentive but not always in our face. A nice night out.
(4)Suzie S.
French fries you could die for, literally. There appeared to be a lot of rust on the bottom of the metal container that the French fries were sitting in. When we pointed it out to the busboy, he took it to the back and later informed us that the cook threw it out immediately. Might have been nice for the cook/manager to apologize or maybe take it off our bill, That said, the french fries were really tasty-maybe it was the rust (lol). The swordfish dish was well cooked, and the wedge salad had a nice blue cheese topping (otherwise run of the mill) The grouper sliders were okay. I wouldn't order them again. My friends really liked the pate. Although we had reservations for five and the restaurant was empty when we arrived, the hostess wanted to place us at a round table which backed into a pillar and was only suited for four. We insisted on a change and eventually were placed at the same size table by the window which was fine.
(2)Louis R.
This is one of Sarasota'sfinest restaurants. This was our third visit and four of us had perfect dinners. I had the grouper which was exceptional. My wife had the roasted chicken which my wife said was delicious.I heartily recommend the food and the friendly service staff.
(5)Irwin S.
A party of 5 with reservations seated immediately. The grouper was delicious, pot roast fabulous and the special prime rib was great! The service was a bit slow, but professional. We had a great evening and would definitely return to this beautiful Sarasota restaurant.
(5)Michele P.
We had dinner at Roast on Saturday night. The menu offered so many choices it was hard to make a decision. Our waiter, Mike, took the time to explain each dish. He patiently answered our many questions and we were not disappointed with our selections. I had the roast special which on that day was roasted pig. It was moist and succulent. So delicious my mouth waters thinking about it. Everyone in our party was more than happy. We were the last to leave the restaurant and Mike never rushed us. I would return to The Roast in a heartbeat. The BEST food and dining experience in Sarasota. Thank you Mike and the chef at Roast!!!!
(5)MaryAnn C.
What a fun and yummy place! Fantastic wait staff and knowledgeable staff. We had a late lunch so had the place almost to ourselves on a Saturday afternoon and so fast service and well paced. We ordered quit a bit for four people but most of the dishes we shared. The alcoholic beverages were fun, fresh, and refreshing. I really liked the lavender-blueberry martini. The menu is what a foodie would love along with foods for the non adventurous. We had an Indian type soup that was so tasty and only a hint of curry. The bread and pita chip bowl was good for dipping in everything. The chocolate caramel "flan" was to die for. I could have eaten two of them. It had a orange liquor sauce and small slices of orange. Very delicious. Overall, I hope people come and try this place. I was very happy with the food and service and plan to let everyone know.
(5)Thomas W.
Their herb crusted Scottish salmon is fantastic!!! Waitress was very knowledgeable. Nice courtyard for al fresco dining
(4)Mare G.
We went today for a late afternoon snack. Sat outside on a gorgeous day and had wonderful service. We decided to share a bunch of different things. We had the deviled eggs, mezze platter, bruschetta, grouper sliders, beet salad and tried a bunch of deserts. It's a fun, cute environment and the food was great!
(5)Neil D.
Fantastic all around. A really nice addition to the Sarasota restaurant scene. Great food, reasonable prices and great atmosphere. We'll be back for sure.
(5)Bruce Z.
We were three and all enjoyed very much. Grouper, swordfish and Scottish salmon were all interestingly prepared. We shared a Mediterranean appetizer quite tasty and enough for us all. Service and atmosphere were very pleasant. The restaurant's location has seen many attempts. Being across from the Bijou is hard competition. Still, their interesting menu is hard to categorize but really quite nice. My compliments to the chef.
(4)Ashley E.
I ate here with my aunt and mother this evening for dinner before a show at the Opera next door. I ended up disappointed and feeling rushed! I made a reservation, which turned out to be for the best. We were the first people seated in a nearly empty restaurant. About 10 minutes later the room was filled and the restaurant couldn't handle the volume. Our server was constantly with other tables around us. She barely spoke to us once the other tables filled in. We watched tables who arrived after us get bread and meals before we finally spoke up. We had to ask for our bread and inquire about our entrees. We reminded out server again that we were going to the opera. We spoke with a manager, noting the discrepancies in our experience versus those around us. She apologized and moved on, assuring us the meals would be out shortly. The food took another 5 minutes or so. The meals were good, with the exception of the scallops. We had heard nothing but good things, only to receive a severely burnt scallop as one of three on the plate. We again spoke to a manager who adjusted our bill and apologized, but noted that the chef assured her a scallop would never have come out burnt. In this case, the chef was wrong. The beignets for dessert tasted more like dry doughnuts and barely had any dipping sauces. We had to wait once more for our bill. Eventually, we got up to find our waitress. When following her to pay, she tried to stop to help other customers again. It was a disappointing experience! The only thing that might tempt me to return was a friendly waiter on our way out. This stranger apologized for our experience and told us to come back and ask for him by name so that we could have a wonderful experience. I'm not sure if we'll try it, but it was one of the only positives of this service disaster.
(2)Steven S.
My wife and I went to Roast as a guest of a friend. The food is OK, but not necessarily worth the money. We were told that the special of the evening was Prime Rib. I ordered the rib, medium rare, but when delivered there were three slices of meet on the plate and closer to medium well. When I told the waiter that I was not satisfied we all noticed a grimace on his face. He did take the meal back to the kitchen and I subsequently ordered something else. At the end of the meal when the check was presented it came along with a take out box., When we inquired what was in the box, the answer was "the chef said that the everything was correct and that we would have to pay for the meal", in addition to the the substitute. We informed him that we would not pay for the roast beef and we would like to see the manager. When she finally showed up, with a sour face, she reluctantly said she would take it off the bill. Not friendly. My wife and I had eaten there before, but this will be the last time. There are so many good restaurants in Sarasota, we do not need to be treated in this manner
(1)Robert D.
We have been here several times the food is always good, (when they give what you ordered) we were there 2 days ago another terrible service forgot to bring what we ordered. A little tip for the wait staff and owner write down what we want to order your memory stinks..and what is with the orange aprons the wait staff wears I felt like I was eating in Home Depot....the wait staff should be the only one serving not a sweaty dish washer from the back...I will definitely have to give this place break they won't see me for a long while.
(2)11 B.
My wife and I had dinner there this past weekend and we really enjoyed the atmosphere and the hospitality that we received from the manager and from the multiple servers that catered to us while we were there, was nothing but the best. My wife had the Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta and I had the Baked Oyster Rockafella which both were perfect, for dinner we had the Roasted Grouper and Fillet Mignon and it couldn't have been prepared any other way, Kudos to the chef, I'm not sure what this crazy A@@ Stephanie S. is talking about. We have been there more than a dozen times and the service is nothing but the best. This guest must have been mad at her boyfriend or something. If she had 7 strikes against the ROAST then she should have gotten her crack ass up and went somewhere else. The ROAST is still one of the best places to eat in and around the Sarasota area. Maybe the play place at the McDonalds down the road would have sufficed her with all the at bats she had there. STRIKE #8, YOUR OUT OF HERE GIRL!!!
(5)Missy E.
We've been 2x in 3 days, need I say more. We've found the food to be excellent and have had a variety of things - first time there were 3 of us, tonight 5. The people go out of their way to be friendly, even if there is a problem. Both times we have sat at the same table and find the restaurant itself to be very quaint and quite inviting. It is not a place I would recommend if in a hurry, but we haven't been either night - but I don't see it as that type of place. My parents knew one of the waiters from another restaurant, Michael and he will take good care of you. The bartender was more then friendly and excellent the first night and certainly remembered us upon our return, although we didn't go to the bar first. Have not been for lunch, but dinner is certainly worth a try!
(4)Will M.
Had dinner with five others and was a overall good experience. We were not in a rush at all and that was good because service was a bit on the slow side. I thought the drinks were good and if you love black cherry, like I do, the cherry pop cocktail is a must. We shared a couple of apps and really liked the deviled eggs & the duck fat fries. We had a couple of the salads and thought they were outstanding. I got the scallops with thick cut bacon for my dinner and thought it was very good. Others has the beef and pork and were very pleased. My wife had the chicken special and was not overly impressed. She is a mashed potatoes aficionado and thought theirs were bland. We ended with a couple desserts to share and thought all were good. I especially like the key lime. Although there are Lots of good restaurants in Sarasota area to try, I'd definitely come back here again.
(4)Joel P.
Went for lunch with a friend after hearing many good things among the interwebs. The food was spectacular! I had the diver scallops on top of a thick cut bacon atop a bed of pureed jerusalem artichokes. They were out of the dish but offered to make it without the potato puree which I was not going to turn down the alternative ( I just wanted scallops and bacon by any means!) The scallops were killer but the bacon better... or was it the other way around?Fresh apples, candied pecans... everything about the dish had me in awe. My UK friend is the self appointed Queen of fish an chips and made it clear that she hasn't found it done right in town. When she says done right she means the English way with a light crispy batter, vinegar and smashed peas. Served with their homemade tartar and all the fixings you could tell she was impressed. I didn't order desert but instead tried the liver patte and smoked eel app, both were mind blowing when it comes to presentation and flavor! So many new restaurants have opened up in Sarasota and they all seem to be focused on the night live or any other tricks besides the food. Roast has made their focus on the food and you cant pay enough to get that across.
(5)Cas B.
My husband made a reservation here for our anniversary. It was POURING out so we pulled up to the valet sign behind 2 other cars and waited and waited and waited! Finally a valet from the restaurant across the street came over and said that we had to make a u turn and that the valet across the street serves both restaurants. Never heard of such a thing or understand why there was a valet sign on this side of the road! VERY confusing. So I got out and went in while my husband turned around and ran across the busy street in the rain. Once inside I waited and waited and you got it!!! waited some more! I finally stopped a server to ask if I was in the right place as there was no hostess stand and was met by an INCREDIBLY rude response of "someone will be with you. Can't you see that we are busy!" Then as he turned to walk away he spotted the hostess and added "oh look there she is now!" Dripping in sarcasm! Well she was just as rude so we walked out! I can't see this place making it past this season without some serious training! We went across the street to The Bijou Cafe and had a WONDERFUL time!
(1)John A.
ROAST is a great restaurant. I wish it was closer to where I live as it would be a regular spot in my rotation. Great food from appetizers through desserts!!! Service was very good also.
(5)Jamie G.
The cool building that houses Roast has been many different restaurants and it seems nothing lasts there. I hope this changes as Roast is amazing! It's great that Sarasota has so many new and interesting places opening up and Roast may be the best yet. The food is different from what you'll find at other spots downtown. We had an early Saturday night reservation and were seated upstairs in a cool corner table. Love the decor up there. Now for the food.....get the pecan crusted duck. Holy Toledo its good, seriously some of the best I have had along with what is best described as duck hash that came with. Also had the Mullgatawny soup and the Ahi Tuna Nicoise. The cocktails are inventive, especially the Old Fashioned. The Bijou Cafe across the street does a good Old Fashioned but I think Roast's may be better. Sorry Bijou(I still love you). For desert we had the trio of artisan cheese. Good but could be better. Derek's had an assortment from Artisan Cheese on main and it was crazy good. Maybe Roast could do the same. Good service, Brian and Joe took care of us. Only one complaint and its minor. When bringing out starters the guy bringing them out didn't know who got what. Small thing but at a nicer dining establishment "food calling" is not classy. Loved Roast and will be back.
(4)Karen H.
I had a lovely dinner at this restaurant with six other friends. It has great indoor patio or indoor dining. Everyone enjoyed their meals, which were a mix of sliders, seafood, chicken, and several very nice salads. Our server was prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable. I would not say the food was exceptional, but it was good. I will return with my husband and another couple to see if the quality and service are maintained.
(4)Audrey R.
12/31/13 We had our New Year's Eve dinner here and our experience was OK. The waitress, Jamie was very nice and provided good service. Two members of our party had the scallops with bacon, one had the salmon dinner. These meals were all servered with nice presentations and enjoyed by all. I had the 6 oz filet and that's about all I can say about it! It was served on a white plate - THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS ON THE PLATE! No garnish, no drizzled sauce and the potatoes were served on a separate dish. For $26 I would expect the dish to have had a better presentation. An additional vegetable would have been an extra cost and would have also been served on a different dish. I did not get a steak knife with the meal and had to use a regular knife. I will say the steak was done to my request. We complained to the server and to the hostess and we were told the chef is from Europe, and this is the European way. I live in Sarasota - NOT Europe! It was crowded and warm in the dining area. We may be tempted to try the outdoor patio and bar on a warm evening, but will not order a Steak, unless they improve the presentation and add potato and vegetable as part of the meal.
(3)Em C.
Best food I've had in Sarasota including Michael's and Jack Dustys. Service was attentive and friendly and all food - sliders, scallops, truffle fries, grouper, fish and chips - all cooked beautifully. Prices much better than other places in town. A real keeper.
(5)Debora B.
A friend and I went there for after dinner drinks and immediately regretted not dining there. The delicious aromas and charming atmosphere will make Roast our first dining choice for our next evening out.
(4)