Bridges Restaurant — Restaurant in Sarasota

Not worth the money!

My family and I were excited to check into the Embassy Suites in downtown Sarasota, as we were just starting our vacation here. We thought that by making reservations for Bridges, we would not have to worry about getting checked in and looking around for somewhere to eat.

The restaurant is pretty. The view is very nice. The charcuterie board appetizer was also very nice. Those are the good things.

My wife had the Caprese sandwich. She said that it was not very flavorful and that the chicken was tough.

I had the shrimp and chorizo. Once again, not very flavorful. It was about as good as I would imagine a college student without a recipe would prepare. The presentation certainly left something to be desired.

My daughter had the salmon scototto. Again, not very flavorful.

My son had a mezzi rigatoni. I tasted it. It reminded me of the beef and noodles I had in Boot Camp in the Navy in 1996.

My wife and daughter had cocktails, which they thought were good. I had an old-fashioned which I had to ask for additional simple syrup because I could not detect any.

The bartender was my waitress, and she was fine (except for my drink).

When they brought out our food, three plates came out at the same time, but my plate came out about five minutes later. The waiter joked that he had eaten my meal when he brought out the first three plates. I fake laughed.

We were surprised at the bill and that it was around $220 for that. With the tip, the bill came to about $260 total.

If I had known that the quality of the food would be so underwhelming, and that the bill would come out to $260, I would never have come there in the first place. I can think of numerous restaurants that I could spend $260 at in Sarasota, which would be far superior. And as a matter, fact, I did, and all of them were better.

Long story, short, don’t expect much, and expect to pay a lot for it. I highly recommend looking for another restaurant to spend your hard...

The hotel is great, the restaurant is not. They are rude and they don’t answer the phone. I even went to the 8th floor after attempting to call and the waiter seen me and acted like he didn’t, it is a very slow time on a Sunday. I must have interrupted his down time. I stood at the bar-still ignored no one came over. They are open, for a little side note. A family was eating. I had to call the front desk of the hotel for them to get ahold of someone. When it was transferred, the man was questioning me based off of my phone number because it was my cell phone and not my room, maybe? Then kept cutting me off and talking over me “mhm uh huh mhm” as if I was talking too much while explaining my number with only one sentence, took my little single appetizer order, responded with “30 minutes” and hung up the phone. Lacks manners, menu is limited and overpriced with bad customer service. A big thank you to the hotel though and their services. Just don’t waste time or money on the 8th floor restaurant. Also, just an FYI the hours and prices are listed...

As many of you may have heard, the Embassy Suites Hotel and Bridges Restaurant will be changing ownership on April 20th. I am so grateful to have worked for Innisfree Hotels and Mr. & Mrs. Bridges for several years. I have had the opportunity to offer my Sol's NYC Cheesecake and Deli Corner at both the Hotel Indigo and for the last couple of years at Bridges Restaurant. It has been my pleasure to serve everyone that has made the trip to the eighth floor to enjoy great views and great dining. Effective April 17th, Sol's Deli Corner and SOL's NYC Cheesecake will no longer be available. On April 20th, I will be taking much-needed time to relax and do some projects that have been put on the back burner while working many hours over the last couple of years. I can assure you that I will be back, and when I do, I will let you all know where.

My SOl's NYC Cheesecake is available at a few local restaurants at this time, and more to follow. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support...