Selva Downtown Sarasota
Selva Downtown Sarasota things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Peruvian eatery dishes up inventive ceviches & sizable cocktails in a chic room with elegant decor.
attractions: Bayfront Park, The Westin Sarasota, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Unconditional Surrender - Sarasota, FL, Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection, Aloft Sarasota, voco Sarasota, an IHG Hotel, Sarasota Opera House, Sarasota Farmers Market, restaurants: Marina Jack, O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill, Owen's Fish Camp, Circo, Brick's Smoked Meats, Clasico Italian Chophouse, Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood., Mattison's City Grille, Toasted Mango Cafe, Station 400
Ratings
Description
Peruvian eatery dishes up inventive ceviches & sizable cocktails in a chic room with elegant decor.
Posts
Dinner for four at the downtown location. We’ve eaten here a couple of times over the years and really like the ambience and the food. This time we accompany in town and had made advanced reservations. We were glad to get an outside table under cover (raining) due to a cancellation. The inside can be noisy and hard to have a conversation. Luckily also, the main windows were closed to the outside area also keeping down the inside sound. The ambience outside is nice. Only after we were served the main course, did we realize how small the tables are. The plates barely fit on the table and in most cases hung off the table a little bit. In questioning who I believe was a manager they agreed the tables outside. we’re smaller than tables inside, so something to be aware of. During the meal my wife actually got her sleeve in her sauce. Joanne, our server was prompt, did a good job, was attentive and never rushed us over the course of the meal. They have a pretty good selection on the beverage menu and we opted to share a bottle of wine. We shared the short rib and lobster tostadas appetizers. Just enough for four people to have a nice taste, and not ruin their meal. We were not in a hurry, and Joanne allowed us to just order appetizers and enjoy the time together. The last thing we like is to be in and out of a nice restaurant in less than an hour. We were here to dine not to eat. For a main course I ordered the Sea-bass. The fish was cooked perfectly and arrived warm. It was a 6-8 oz filet and was light and flaky with a nice flavor. Two others ordered the short rib entrée and the third of the chicken. We also ordered a mac & cheese for the table. All of the food came out hot and had good presentation flavor. All around was very good. The short ribs were tender and fell off the bone. Dinner lasted about two hours as it said before we were never rushed. Service was very good and the ambience was nice. Prices are where you would expect from a nice restaurant. I felt our table was a little small and we were cramped throughout the meal. something to think about if you decide to sit outside
Chris AChris A
00
“Treat yo self!” as Donna from parks and recreation, the American political satire mockumentary once said. Selva is a whole experience. I went alone and I can’t recommend that dynamic more. No sharing the beautiful pre app of assorted Latin chips and cancha corn (a Peruvian corn) brought to the table as a beautiful surprise, no fighting over what appetizer to order, the world is your oyster and you can have it in the form of ceviche. Without a partner in crime I committed my own, I felt no shame in ordering a ginger old fashioned which was strong, so tread lightly, (I’m looking at you lighter weights). I ordered the triologia ceviche which was incredibly interesting: a sampler if you will, of three different preparations of ceviche, followed by the sea bass. A buttery, creamy, crunchy cacophony that I will not soon forget. I felt wined and dined by the very very attentive and charismatic servers and manager. They worked together to make sure that I was never for want. Water full, dishes cleared, and food served. My server, Eric, was incredible. So personable, easy going, and fun to talk to. He was exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu. His use of the perfect adjectives to describe the dishes sold me on each one #AdjectivesPersuadePeople Thank you selva for a dining experience I won’t soon forget! P.S. Michael, the general manager takes his job seriously in the best of ways. As someone who just came to Sarasota for the first time 5 hours ago, his kind smile and incredibly hospitable attitude really made me feel welcome. Yeesh, what a guy! P.P.S. The dessert and espresso martini paired. *chefs Kiss*
Hallie GeyhHallie Geyh
20
INSECTS in the restaurant, Food has no Peruvian flavor, Pisco Sour and Maracuya Sour disgusting, Manager not professional, has no management. We arrived from NY and we chose this restaurant because of the reviews but I was mortified. In the restaurant there were animals on the table, two large spiders coming down from the ceiling to the table, I immediately shouted and we changed tables because we were in the middle of dinner, but the manager came to yell at us because we changed tables and he knew there was animals in the restaurant The manager's bad management because he didn't look for any other solution, he just made all the clients uncomfortable because he wanted me to show him the animals and the clients, the employees saw the spiders. Immediately my husband asked for the bill (we only finished the entrees), the manager began to say that we had pending dishes to serve, that he would still charge me. The bill was over $ 200.00. My husband told him that there was no problem but to deliver the food to take away. This is how the night ended, without any apology from the Manager, a bad temper and terrible management. Manager must be gentle and seek solutions to problems without yelling at customers for a lack of cleanliness in the restaurant, I wonder how the kitchen will be with the cleaning? or do they just clean for inspection? The dishes we ordered: Ceviche Selva: Terrible flavor, nothing like Peruvian food, Cuzco corn was hard and tasteless, the ceviche had no lemon, it looked like water with vinegar. Parihuela: It had no seafood flavor, sour, tasteless liquefied tomato. Pisco sour and Maracuya Sour: Terrible when tasting it tastes water, it has a bitter taste, nothing like Peruvian. From my experience the cocktail had NO PISCO, it had no flavor and it only looked like bitter water. In the end we trade it for beer. Lomo saltado: Acceptable but a lot of soy sauce, the meat was not the best, it was tough. "Tuna Tiradito": finally a delicious dish, a good combination of Tuna with watermelon. Also recommended is the "Andean Rack of Lamb". Definitely any other restaurant in Sarasota is better than this. Think before reserving!
Gloria TaylorGloria Taylor
80
Experience in short: Non-attentive and impersonal service from waiter. Food presentation is excellent, but some food options may not be as delicious as they look. My Meals: Mixto Ceviche rating: Presentation is a 3 Taste is a 5+ Atun a la Parilla rating: Presentation is a 5+ Taste is a 2 Experience in long: Was given so many good recommendations about this restaurant, and unfortunately, I was disappointed with my experience. To start, the first impression wasn’t a professional one. My friend and I came in for our reservation, and right in front of the hostess stand stood two waiters with their backs to us having casual conversations with the hostesses (in my hostess work experience, the hostess is the first and last face that the customers see, therefore first impressions are always crucial). My friend and I waited, and then after a few awkward glances back and forth, the hostess finally made contact and then took us to our table (of course, one of the waiters whose back was towards us was our waiter). In the beginning, the waiter would come and answer any questions we had about the menu, but then later in the dinner, he would rarely give any attention to our table. He walked past us many times, not checking in or giving any eye contact (yet gave PLENTY of attention to the table with an older couple next to us...hmm coincidence? I think not) After I made several attempts to grab his attention, he finally stopped to the table and my friend and I both could sense from his facial expressions that he was bothered. At this point, we felt slightly discriminated because we could see how he gave so much priority to the tables with older couples and practically zero focus to us. Towards the end of the dinner after paying, the waiter hands me back my credit card and says, “Put this in your purse or somewhere safe.” ...the strangest remark I have ever heard from a waiter at a fine dining restaurant. I know that if my friend and I had different service than this one, I would definitely give a higher rating.
Anna StasAnna Stas
10
We had Saturday night dinner reservations to celebrate our anniversary. We arrived on time and we were seated promptly. Selva offers indoor, patio and outside dining options and has a bar area as well. Very nicely decorated and a nice ambiance. We started with an appetizer, Pulpo al Olivo (Slices of Octopus, Peruvian black olive puree, Salsa criolla, Avocado & Toasted bread). It was amazing with lots of rich flavors and fresh octopus made it an extraordinary experience. Drinks were ordered and we had two Red Sangrias and they offer White Sangria too. They have a good selection of drinks. For our main dishes, my wife ordered the Selva’s Famous Skirt Steak (Served over sweet plantains, topped with beet relish and Selva’s house chimichurri). The steak was cooked to her exact likes and presented perfectly. I ordered 8oz Center Cut Filet Mignon (Topped with Argentinian chimichurri and finished with a fig demi-glace. Served with asparagus and multicolored potato Au Gratin). This plate was also prepared to my liking and presented perfectly. Both plates offered abundant flavor, texture, and complimenting accoutrements. Selva's menu has something for everyone from seafood plates to steak plates and vegetarian plates. The service was perfect and we had a great evening celebrating our anniversary. Located on Main St in downtown Sarasota, Selva is easy to find and parking is fairly easy to find along the surrounding streets. Selva does an excellent job on their cuisine , service and follow-ups. The dining atmosphere serves everyone with both indoor and outdoor dining options. Selva is Zagat rated.
Paul SantosPaul Santos
00
Went tonight while on vacation from Tampa. Is a great restaurant in an excellent location in downtown Sarasota. Conveniently located next to our hotel within walking distance, with other great places all around. My girlfriend and I got the lobster tostada to start which was a little messy but so tasty. For dinner we proceeded to get the two filet minion options. Mine was cooked perfectly however the potatoes lacked a little bit of flavor although I did finish them! My girlfriends steak was a little more disappointing, she had ordered a medium rare plus which came out basically a well done. She would have liked to have it sent back but the server was no where to be found until 11 minutes later and we only had like 3 bites left with our meal at which point she decided to just finish it out and end the meal. The server did have both inside and outside tables so I did cut a little slack, however with such a small restaurant I was disappointed in the time it took to Check back. We also had dirty dishes left on our table for longer than expected. We would have liked to do dessert but after being unhappy with the quality of service provided we decided it best to end out night and head next door for ice cream instead. After finishing our meal the server then decided to randomly pick up the speed of service offering dessert and quickly bringing the check. After taking forever to do everything all night, once finished she seemed happy to shove us out of the door at the end of our meal.
Austin glass-floryAustin glass-flory
00
Nearby Attractions Of Selva Downtown Sarasota
Bayfront Park
The Westin Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
Hyatt Regency Sarasota
Unconditional Surrender - Sarasota, FL
Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection
Aloft Sarasota
voco Sarasota, an IHG Hotel
Sarasota Opera House
Sarasota Farmers Market
Bayfront Park
4.8
(2.4K)Click for details
The Westin Sarasota
4.4
(1.2K)Click for details
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
4.5
(1.1K)Click for details
Hyatt Regency Sarasota
4.2
(977)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Selva Downtown Sarasota
Marina Jack
O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill
Owen's Fish Camp
Circo
Brick's Smoked Meats
Clasico Italian Chophouse
Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.
Mattison's City Grille
Toasted Mango Cafe
Station 400
Marina Jack
4.4
(2.8K)$$
Click for details
O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill
4.4
(2K)$$
Click for details
Owen's Fish Camp
4.6
(1.8K)$$
Click for details
Circo
4.8
(1.5K)$
Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(709 reviews)$$$
Phone
+1 941-362-4427
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Website
selvagrill.com
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Deep Dive
A deep dive into Selva Downtown Sarasota
