Clasico Italian Chophouse — Restaurant in Sarasota

My friends and I could not have picked a better venue or be more happy with Clasico Cafe and Bar in Sarasota on Main Street! A week ago we called in a rsvp for a large bachelorette/engagement dinner party. Then when I was eating dinner near by I popped in to check on our rsvp and ask basic details (about champagne, balloons, cake, etc) and the owner Ken himself came over to talk to me and was very nice; he gave me his business card for a final headcount later on in the week and even texted me the day of our party to confirm that the champagne we wanted would be chilled and ready and that our table was set and good to go! Unfortunately we had several last min cancellations in our party but they were not upset with us at all and our experience was very enjoyable and not stressful at all. Dale the manager was very nice and took care of everything for us girls the day of our dinner party; he came outside and met us, brought our giant cake inside personally and set it up for us on a beautiful special cake table, let us girls sit and mingle together and chat amongst ourself in the vip lounge couch area where we enjoyed appetizers and champagne, and took it upon himself to help us put finishing touches on our last min decorations (balloons, table favors, confetti decorations, etc.) We had one server for the entire large party named Max and he did an amazing job taking care of us girls; appetizer plates cleared away as soon as we finished, unused glassware and plates cleared as soon as we finished, the champagne was always topped off, helped cut and serve the cake for all of us, and both Dale and our server took care of us the ENTIRE night and were exceptionally attentive. I’ve previously worked in hospitality and the food industry and immediately notice small gestures and dining etiquette from servers every time I dine out, and really appreciate having a good server!!!! We dine out not just for the food, but for an enjoyable experience. :) Not only was it a beautiful, comfortable, perfect venue for our large dinner party, and the service was amazing, but the FOOD was exceptional. Everyone of us loveddd what we ordered! I personally ordered beef carpaccio and the saku tuna and both were delicious as well as had a beautiful presentation from the chefs. I had previously only known of Clasico as a bar/lounge/danceclub later in the evenings, but am so happy and will definitely be back earlier in the daytime to dine in and enjoy their delicious food again! Thank you guys for an...

Found Clasico Italian Chophouse in Sarasota. Sat at the bar, wanted quick service. This bartender lady Johnny dropped menus. I asked for a large Aqua Pana with lemons, no ice.

She came back with my bottle of water and that was it. No ask if I wanted a cocktail, didn’t go over the menu, didn’t mention anything except that they had happy hour. Johnny had zero personality until it suited her.

Every time I wanted something it was as if I had to flag her down. Like for a glass of wine that I ordered and was eventually “lucky” to get.

Some lady, that sat at the bar at least 10 minutes after me, was already enjoying her cocktail long before I got my glass of wine.

Realizing she forgot my glass of wine. Johnny tried to be smooth, with her uncomfortable awkward laugh, offering me a taste before the pour. As if she was hooking me up.

Again, waited forever for my pasta. Johnny eventually comes over and tells me that she’s sorry for the long, long wait for my dish. Johnny went on to blame the kitchen staff telling me they over cooked the steak and are therefore remaking the dish, (hey Johnny, less is more).

The only saving grace, at this point, was that when I finally got my food it was amazing. This was my first visit. Oh how I wanted to love this place.

So I come in a second time. I order a dish to go. Actually the exact same dish, a Cacio E Pepe with steak tips.

It was like night and day, obviously somebody different cooked the dish but there definitely should have been consistency.

First the dish wasn’t even a Cacio E Pepe, it was an Alfredo with over cooked steak that looked like it was left over ends. Very disappointing.

Some advice for ownership. Replace Johnny and re-train your kitchen staff. Johnny is definitely not in the business of hospitality and should find a new job field that’s suits her. Definitely not the service industry!

Why do I say this?? Because besides the fact that I had a stack of dirty plates sitting in front of me for a long time. I had no silverware when a different employee dropped the pasta dish. I had zero silverware, no steak knife. That employee clearly could see I had nothing going on. You should probably train your entire staff on the business of hospitality. I mean who drops a dish in front of a guest with a stack of dirty plates and no silverware to eat? and they are just OK with this!!

A bunch...

Read below for the full review. Follow me for more honest and detailed reviews. Click or Tap my profile picture and then click or tap follow.

Restaurant: Classic Italian Chophouse 1341 Main St. Sarasota FL 34236

Main Question: Is the food worth the price? Answer: Yes, it was delicious. Well worth the higher price of the food.

Food: The food was absolutely delicious. Simply look at the images of the food and it was just as delicious as it appears. I had a custom salad and my son had the Osso Bucco. The mashed potatoes, the meat, and the carrots were delectable. They made me a salad that wasn't on the menu to accommodate a special diet.

Atmosphere: While we were there, it was very loud but they did accommodate us by putting us all the way in the back and I was very happy about that. It was still very loud and difficult to talk to the person right across the table from me. So the atmosphere is going to get a little knock down because of that. If it was a little less loud it would be better.

Cleanliness: 99% of everything was as clean. I will have to knock the cleanliness down on the bathroom although it was after 10:00 p.m. the bathroom could have been a little more clean but the tables were clean, the chairs were clean and I was extremely happy with the cleanliness is overall.

Service: Dalton was our server. If you visit this restaurant, ensure to ask for him. He was fantastic. However, he did make a couple of mistakes on our meal. There was supposed to be red onions on the salad and there was not. There was also supposed to be banana peppers on the salad and he had them put pepperoncinis on the salad. That didn't make the salad any less delicious, because it was. It did make it much spicier than I had intended it.

Price: The price was $88 for two people to eat here including the tip. For the food that was served, this was not expensive.

Recommended: I would most certainly recommend this restaurant. It is a fantastic place to eat and I will be back. I thank them for accommodating our...