The Hive — Restaurant in Florida

My sister and I went to The Hive for their Friday night seafood dinner. I almost didn’t write a review because I feel as if I’ve found a treasure everyone will want a piece of once word gets out about this special place and their special events. It’s a tiny, reservations-only spot tucked off to one side of Dive Wine and Spirits, which itself has a cozy-but-high-atmosphere bar at the back of the retail store. Two secrets in one unassuming location! We’ve eaten smoked fish dip at five or six restaurants in Sarasota and this was by far the best. We each ordered what I called a miracle crab cake — a thick, chunky, delicious patty that stayed together despite any obvious binder or filler. After drinking two glasses of wine apiece (the first was a very disappointing light pour, the second more generous), the bartender suggested that next time we buy a bottle, pay a corkage fee, and save a few dollars. Which is exactly what we’ll do! Signing up on the Web site for notifications will give you the inside scoop about upcoming menus. Recent offerings have included pasta, tacos and barbecue, all offered with specialty cocktails (or wine). * I went again recently with a friend on Pasta & Wine night and ordered almost half of everything on the menu — grouper bites, appetizer meatballs, Caesar salads, chicken Marsala, shrimp and scallop rigatoni, and garlic bread. Thumbs way...

The food and atmosphere can’t be beat. Unfortunately the service can’t be counted on. A dear friend’s private event that has been planned for weeks has been ruined because the event coordinator double booked the day. We just found out with a week to go and are now scrambling for a new venue. This is not the first time we have had reservation issues here but this was the most important. The importance of the event was understood. Very disappointed. We’d been big advocates for this great little place...

Very cool place to visit. Behind the liquor store is a "speak easy". Very delicious and creative drinks. Connected to the store is the Hive Bar. Again, delicious drinks and the food was fabulous. We went on pasta night....