Baker & Wife — Restaurant in Sarasota

We went for dinner at 8:30 on a Saturday night and were seated promptly with a smile. They were busy, but not a packed house, and it seemed like things were slowing down for the evening, which was our intention on timing. 😀

Service was friendly, answers were spot on, and she made it a point to have good timing.

We heard their pizzas were very good for a starter, but they recently stopped offering them. We had the Brussels Sprouts appetizer that’s served with pickled veggies and the vinegary sauce for the pickling. The Brussels were charred and veggies and vinegar were the perfect complement.

We also had the Spicy Thai Red Curry Seafood & Linguine and the Korean BBQ Meatloaf and both meals were great in their own way. The red curry dish was not “spicy” but had good flavor once you ensured everything was re-coated with the sauce that settled in the bottom of the bowl.

The Korean BBQ Meatloaf is worthy of a re-order and offered a lot of flavors and textures. From the many crunchy onion rings that topped the meatloaf, to the sauce that complemented the meatloaf and mashed potatoes, to the awesome warm serving of Kimchi. The Kimchi is house made and had very nice flavor that went well with the entire dish.

Don’t be scared, this is not my old Korean friends homemade Kimchi, it’s not strongly flavored, not cold and crunchy and not spicy. Those are all the things I love about Kimchi, but this was made to fit with this dish.

Since we were late diners they had sold out of a couple items on the menu, which was fine, and they informed us before ordering. However, they also ran out a dessert right when we ordered, and it sounded fabulous, Bannoffe, banana pudding, graham cracker crust, caramel and chocolate chips. Second choice may be the best cheesecake I have ever eaten. It’s a Basque Cheesecake, so it’s less dense and lighter overall, but very creamy. It was topped with tart cherries and sour cream. WOW!!! Definitely...

My wife and I love this place, we really do. I loved the beef short rib fettuccine entree and really liked the fried Brussel sprout and sweet sausage appetizer. The service (Christian) was outstanding -- efficient, personable, friendly -- and we tipped accordingly. However.....I was really irritated by one of the young hostesses stopping by our table at 6:29 pm to tell us that there was another reservation waiting for our table, so we needed to move along. Our reservation for dinner was at 5:00 pm. By the time the doors opened and we were shown to our table (we were the fourth party to be seated, we were all waiting on the sidewalk prior to the doors being unlocked) it was 5:05 pm. My wife and I each took turns going to the bathroom before our server stopped by for a cocktail order. By the time the cocktails arrived it was 5:15 pm. To be told that we needed to "vacate the premises" (my words, used for effect) at 6:29 pm seems a little extreme to me. I can fully, fully appreciate the pressure on small restauranteurs to turn tables in order to break even or maybe eek out a small profit in this dog-eat-dog world, but I don't want to drop $200 on a dinner and be told to scram. We actually had finished our shared dessert and my wife had maybe two sips of wine left, so we were very close to leaving anyway, so why even come over and leave a bad taste in our mouths? Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I did catch our server on the way out to express my irritation, he apologized, but it wasn't his fault, obviously.

That's all -- I know I wrote more words of complaint than praise, but we really do love this place. A hidden little gem in Sarasota, and we will definitely be back. I would encourage management/ownership to give a second thought to how or when they encourage diners to give up their table. Especially when we've been at our table for well less than an...

Baker and Wife Restaurant is more than just a dining destination; it's a culinary adventure crafted by the talented hands of Chef Isaak, undoubtedly the best chef in Sarasota. The moment you step inside, the European atmosphere embraces you, as the aromas of amazing meals like meatloaf, pizza with prosciutto, Georgian khachapuri with cheese, and perfectly cooked steak fill the air.

The wine list, carefully curated to complement the menu, offers a good choice of wines, from well-known classics to hidden gems. Each bottle has been selected to elevate the dining experience, providing a taste of Europe's finest vineyards.

But it's the food that truly shines, all thanks to Chef Isaak's mastery and creativity. The meatloaf is a homey delight, tender and rich. The pizza with prosciutto is a symphony of flavors, with the salty prosciutto perfectly balanced by the freshness of the toppings. The Georgian khachapuri with cheese is a showstopper, and the steak is grilled to perfection, a testament to the chef's skill.

I find myself drawn back to Baker and Wife Restaurant week after week, embarking on what has become a long but incredibly pleasant journey through the entire menu, including the ever-enticing weekly specials. Chef Isaak's innovative creations never cease to amaze, each dish a new chapter in this delightful culinary exploration.

The staff's friendly and knowledgeable service adds to the overall excellence, ensuring that each visit is a memorable one.

Baker and Wife Restaurant, under the guidance of Chef Isaak, has become a beacon of gastronomic excellence in Sarasota. It's not merely a meal; it's an experience, a European escape right at our doorstep. I look forward to continuing my culinary journey and wholeheartedly recommend this exquisite establishment to all who appreciate the art of fine dining.

See you soon, Baker and Wife, for yet another...