Tzeva — Restaurant in Sarasota

Some restaurants serve food. Tzeva serves something rarer: a feeling.

I walked in carrying the weight of a lost day—one of those heavy, no-good, soul-thinning ones. I must’ve said as much to the radiant woman at the front, because without a moment’s pause, she opened her arms and wrapped me in a long, grounding hug. Just like that, the day tilted back toward the light. I never caught her name (I’m terrible with names), but I won’t forget that moment.

And the warmth didn’t end there. Our waiter, Pietro, was everything you hope for and so rarely get—attuned, honest, no script. He told us what he loved on the menu, and we followed his lead: a bowl of hummus that could’ve been flown in from the Levant, earthy and elegant. My friend had the lamb shank—fall-apart tender. I had the snapper, fresh and perfectly balanced. We shared a bottle of wine, grateful for a meal that felt like an offering, not a transaction.

But Tzeva isn’t just about what’s on the plate.

It’s the hush of the dining room, glowing softly under city light. The way the windows frame the world like a painting. The unexpected thrill of a belly dancer weaving magic between tables. The feeling that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, if only for a night.

And yes, we did think about getting a room—Tzeva sits in the heart of the Art Ovation Hotel, after all. But we floated out instead, full in...

I was very much looking forward to trying a middle eastern restaurant in Florida. I suggested to a group of 7 people to make a reservation on a Friday night. The atmosphere was bland and had no life. I am thinking a different might have gone out of business and this one moved in and used the same decor. Our waiter definitely had no training and had been there three months. He left glasses and dishes all night, our food was served without serving utensils, and he would set the bottom of the tray down right on the table to serve the drinks. He was overwhelmed from lack of training. I had the short ribs. The meat was tender but devoid of flavor. The mashed potatoes were runny and honestly tasted as if boiled in bleach water. My friend had the snapper and it was cold and brittle. My other friend had the lamb kabob and chewed and chewed but it was so tough she could barely swallow. I think this place is a shame and I will not be surprised if it goes out of business quickly. I feel ripped off and cheated by...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Tzeva, the Mediterranean restaurant at the Sarasota Art Ovation Marriott hotel, and I cannot speak highly enough of my server, Batu. From the moment I sat down, Batu was gracious and attentive, ensuring I had everything I needed for a fantastic dining experience.

His recommendations were spot-on! I started with the toasted feta cheese appetizer, which was simply outstanding—crispy, herby and sweet on the outside and perfectly creamy inside. For the main course, Batu suggested the Lamb Shaslik dish that truly showcased the traditional flavors of the Mediterranean, and it did not disappoint. To top it all off, he recommended the baklava for dessert, which was the perfect sweet ending to my meal.

Batu's exceptional service, combined with his knowledge of the menu, and friendly demeanor made my dinner memorable. If you find yourself at Tzeva, be sure to ask for Batu; you...