Café on St. Armands — Restaurant in Sarasota

Thanks to Andi, the general manager, my birthday dinner was a smashing success! The first good experience, I’ve had there since the restaurant sold out from under all of Sarasotas long time, loyal residents… not only did she turn the music down for me, but she let me select my own birthday dessert on the house. I also chose a different waiter as they won in my section, had all the customers. The service was a bit spotty since he was out of my section but overall very professional… The onion soup was exquisite, the Caesar salad, good dressing on the side, and the Irish coffee was superb. The general manager spent time with me on the future plans and renovations, which were different than “on the street “. I am now convinced the restaurant still has a future that holds substance in the area is had a grand history. I have my fingers crossed for its future because Andi is leaving. She’s needed elsewhere within the company that continues to expand… Well played a decision well done a special birthday memory that is a good one…

UPDATE: I happened in after the annual Jaguar d elegance display on the day of hurricane reopening ‘25, & snagged one of two remaining tables left on patio, my fav location in fact… I pleaded with gen mgr & owner NOT to change the name as did a customer/patent attorney resident of st moritz LB. The new decor is well done, the feel is spacious. the regal bar front fills the room? & thank goodness europa remains on the exterior front wall with the delightful sprays of realistic bougainvillea everywhere…The onion soup was served in an onion - nifty. The CEO is a lovely & inviting personality & waiter was longtime professional with a flair… However, is it the establishment we have known & loved for decades that holds a vast collection of memory treasures. NADA…

there is & was one cafe L Europa & she can no longer embellish us & complete our evening experience par excellence. I understand same recipes have new names, wch is somewhat comforting.

I’m saddened - there’s been a death & the one of a kind jewel & treasure no longer can be found… it’s like a place within me set aside for special occasions evaporated…. It was practically empty as I strolled by following the art festival the following weekend, while the Columbia was jam packed two doors down. Ive lost my one of a kind, seemingly irreplaceable celebration joy nest of 50 years & yearn for the experience…ambience matters as do old world charm,elegance & flair. I don’t mean to be dramatic, but different isn’t always better & I long for our unique treasure to...

Ambience A- Food- B Service- B Customer service- F Made a reservation here for Friday night, Valentines Day, as they had nice reviews, good menu, and a live piano player on Friday and Saturday nights per the internet. Confirmed our res on Fri mid day for 'piano room' And was told yes, is confirmed. Stopped in at 730pm in case anything earlier opened up, was told, no 815pm Piano room is best can do. Was ok, walked around St. Armand's circle, looking forward to dinner with piano music for V day. (Had moved other reservations to other nights as was so pleased to have a res in nice place with live piano music on hand.) Came back 810pm, was seated by 820, but not in piano room. Walked back up to hostess stand, spoke with manager, who then relayed piano player had emergency and no live music tonight, so we opted to keep table in room behind piano room rather than wait, since there was no live music anyway. Decor very nice. Service, good. Food, above average (except lobster tail was a bit dry and chewy). But for the price ($225 couple) would have wanted to know about lack of live music ahead of time, or at time of seating, or at least have gotten a sincere apology, not-"there was an emergency, nothing we could do" Also the menu was not as extensive on internet, as was Valentines day so only an abbreviated menu plus special holiday menu...so no lamb entree that had been looking forward to. No service recovery skills on behalf of manager, who I spoke with on my way out. She was not only unapologetic, but confrontational. I had to assure her I was only leaving my comments, not looking to dispute anything. She was raring to go and I had to walk away.... As an aside, the table behind us has a piece of plastic or something in their mashed potatoes, and she came over and apologized at least to them...offered them desert or drinks or something, but not the case with us. With so many options on the circle, would not return on next visit,...

My father used to take my mother here in the late 70’s so we thought it would be a treat to take her here while we were in town visiting.

Unfortunately, even though the service was polite and thorough, it was also very slow. Our meal took a little over three hours total. We arrived at 4:15pm and didn’t leave until almost 7:30pm. The food was mostly very good, but each course took nearly 45 minutes. We waited half an hour after finishing our entrees to order dessert, then it was another half an hour to get our check processed. All of the tables around us had finished their meals, left, and all new tables were seated having their entrees by the time we were able to leave. I’m not sure why we were looked over so frequently. My husband even had to go out to our vehicle to refill the meter while we ordered dessert to ensure we weren’t ticketed.

As for the food itself, we enjoyed most of it. Their bread was nice, but their butter is very tasty. The escargot was pretty good. Not the best I’ve had but well made yet slightly bland. The onion soup was a star tonight…deep flavors and an instant favorite. The lobster bisque was very thick, and mine had shells and cartilage in every piece of lobster. I’m glad to see that the lobster is fresh, but I’m not a fan of picking large shells out of soup so I can eat it. All of our entrees were good. The duck was flavorful and extremely moist, the veal had great flavor and was perfectly cooked but not very hot, and the osso bucco was perfect with delicious bone marrow.

The desserts were lackluster but just fine. The crème brûlée was not crisp on top, but warm and flavorful. The key lime pie was typical and a good pie.

Overall we enjoyed ourselves, but wish the service was a bit quicker and some of the food was better paid...