Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar — Restaurant in Sarasota

July 18, 2025 - Two for dinner before Florida Studio Theater Cabaret

This is a little out of my "drop off and go park at FST" range, so we took the chance and parked here. AFTER my last FST show where we parked and stopped for Gelato for 15 minutes with a handicapped placard and got a total cost $350 towing bill from the City of Sarasota predatory parking goons.......this was a welcome and wonderful thing!!!!!!

The decor, design, and layout is very nice! My wife did not enjoy here Water Lily drink and switch to a Tito cosmo. but at $10 and $13 they are both reasonable. I had a Mango Cart N/A for $6 okay but I did not have another.

My wife got the grouper fish taco and a Caesar salad side. She thought the tacos were very good although the tortilla was soggy and fell apart. 6/10. Here salad was fresh and the dressing good. 9/10

I got the Spinach salad and as usually was pushed for the almigthy much needed "protein" as is the commons cry from the add on $$ dining industry these days. So I as usual asked for "BEANS" on my spinach salad as my protein? CRICKETS. My server suggested the beans and rice (which I eventually got and did not eat the rice. They were canned or cooked and gloppy and the rice starchy and clumped) 5/10 Suggest some plain ole beans? The salad was fresh spinach and nice vegetable and I was very happy with it. Dressing ok although very sugary and salty. 8/10

Service by Kenny was VERY good, We were never wanting or needing. the place emptied out significantly approaching 8 pm.

Then we then made the BIGGEST mistake (we in terms of our visit to this establishment) Before the short drive to FST we BOTH hit the bathrooms. (I deleted about a 3 paragraph and discussion I had typed below about how unisex bathrooms and patrons standing in line, and how with this nice decor and all this room they should reconfigure and put a single men and ladies dedicated with two stalls and two urinals and a toilet for the men. ) Both bathrooms (my wife's term) were disgusting and we are not going back. My server was bringing in a trash bag and cleaning supplies into the one I was exiting when I left. This did not weigh on my review rating, just as feedback for the...

This visit was late February 2025. As fans of the Mandeville Beer Garden, we were curious to see how this compared. The service was good with regards to drinks, but all of the fried food came out warm/room temperature. I don't know if that's entirely on the waitstaff/runners. The fried calamari was only rings, no legs, which is always disappointing. The marinara sauce had no seasoning. But the worst part of it was the "lobster bites". It was one tail, maybe 3-5oz, with 4 pieces large enough to be considered a bite. Market price, which ended up being $24 the day we went. Completely unacceptable, I'd say a scam. I doubt a single person has ever ordered it again. We didn't complain because we didn't think it was worth the trouble. The fact that they would send that out and price it like that tells me they don't care about their patrons. I would expect an appetizer of $24, lobster or not, to be able to feed more than one person. It was also barely warm when it came out.

The best part of the experience was the seafood chowder. Hands down one of the best clam chowders I have ever had. If I had to come back, I would definitely order a bowl of that only. The fish and chips were okay, nothing special. Atmosphere was good, I like the space. It is themed very well. I would give it another try some day, if only for...

Friend of mine and I decided to check out the new spot that opened in the old Mandeville spot earlier this week! First I must say the food and drinks were absolutely delicious!! The service was also beyond attentive and helpful with choosing some menu and drink options! The atmosphere is very inviting, and the prices were extremely fair! Food Ordered: Fish dip and Calamari for apps. The fish dip was fresh and flavorful! The calamari was lightly fried and crispy, not chewy like you find in most places! Lobster Roll and combo platter for main course. The lobster was extremely fresh! The bun it was served on was fluffy and lightly toasted! The combo platter consisted of gator bites, shrimp, and clam strips. The gator bites were some of the best if not the best I’ve ever had! Extremely tender! The shrimp and clam strips were also delicious!! I had a Caesar salad as a side, the lettuce was fresh and not wilted! The DRESSING! I would go back just for the dressing alone! We were told they make it in house, and let me tell you what! It was the best Caesar dressing I’ve ever had! DRINKS ORDERED: Neptunes Treasure and Sandia en Fuego! Both were delicious but the Sandia en Fuego was on another level! Tons of flavor! Paired great with seafood!! Overall...