Best restaurants in University Town Center area of Sarasota? Here are 10 of my favorites
Just as we were trying to visit our favorite destination restaurants before the snowbirds and tourists landed in Sarasota-Manatee, the holiday season began — on Nov. 11, to be precise.
That's when the bustling University Town Center shopping district hosted a parade starring Santa, who will be available for photos at The Mall at UTC through Christmas Eve, with numerous other holiday events happening through Jan. 2. Chances are, if you live in Sarasota or Manatee counties, you will soon be doing some shopping and dining at University Town Center, which is home to about 75 restaurants.
To help, here are my picks for the 10 best UTC restaurants, which range from fancy to casual. One of the places is located in the actual mall, while eight are found within easy walking distance of the mall in the adjacent West and East Districts at UTC, and another establishment is a short drive away in The Square at UTC. Each spot is a full-service restaurant, with three of them having just opened this year.
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If you're seeking a quick fix, let me recommend Blaze Pizza or Shake Shack, which are among the best fast-casual national chains I've encountered this year. Craving something sweet to eat? I finally tried the cookies at Crumbl the other evening and, yeah, believe the hype. Served fresh, warm and gooey, they were among the four greatest cookies I have ever tasted. (Be warned, though; Crumbl is closed on Sundays.) All three of these places are located in the West District at UTC, with many more options, including the locally owned Five-O Donut Co., found a short drive away.
Really, though, after a long day of shopping, you're going to want to sit down at one of these featured spots and enjoy attentive wait service and perhaps an adult beverage. Presented in alphabetical order, these are the best full-service restaurants that I've visited near The Mall at UTC.
You will find national and local restaurants specializing in everything from steaks and sushi to burgers and tacos. For libations, you will find everything from craft cocktails to craft beers with plenty of wine options. Plus, three of the places offer front-row seats for the nightly holiday light shows happening along Cattlemen Road every 30 minutes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
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The Capital Grille
140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; 941-256-3647; thecapitalgrille.com
In life, you often truly get what you pay for. At least, that was my recent experience at The Capital Grille, located inside the mall but with its own separate entrance and a setting completely removed from the surrounding madness. I've been indulging in steaks at local restaurants recently, and none have matched the quality of the two that I ordered earlier this month at this national steakhouse chain, owned by the Orlando-based Darden restaurant group.
Admittedly, the steaks were pricey. The 10-ounce filet mignon cost $44 (including a choice of side; I opted for grilled asparagus), and the Kona-crusted, bone-in New York strip with shallot butter is $62 (no side included; I ordered potatoes au gratin for $14). However, if you're going to treat yourself to any restaurant near The Mall at UTC, Capital Grille is your destination. Additionally, if you simply wish to drop in for drinks and an excellent appetizer, go for the large plate of pan-fried calamari with hot cherry peppers, which I found to be a good deal at $20.
Not quite dressed for the white-tablecloth setting of the posh dining room and bar? Request a seat on the covered outdoor patio area, where you can enjoy a fabulous feast while observing the masses entering and exiting the mall.
Fat Point Brewing
257 N. Cattlemen Road Unit 90, Sarasota; 941-491-2827; fatpoint.com
Craft beer connoisseurs will want to make a post-shopping beeline for Fat Point Brewing, located on Cattlemen just down the road from the roundabout and giant Christmas tree and within view and earshot of the nightly light shows. Opened this summer, it's the first Sarasota-Manatee location for the brewery from Punta Gorda, which means "Fat Point" in Spanish. Its core beers include popular pours such as my personal favorite, Big Boca, a 5.1% alcohol-by-volume ale with nice hints of spice and citrus.
In addition to being a great destination for beers from Fat Point and guest breweries, the taproom serves liquor and is an excellent place to watch sports or listen to live music, which I observed being hosted on the covered outside patio over the weekend. More importantly, at least for this story, Fat Point serves good pub grub. In particular, I was impressed by the Umami Burger ($18.95 with fries), featuring a juicy hunk of meat enhanced by mushrooms, Swiss, caramelized onions, and a tangy "umami sauce." The chicken tenders, served with an array of sauces and fries ($16.95), were also uncommonly good and paired nicely with my pint of Big Boca ale.
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Ford's Garage
295 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-803-3673; fordsgarageusa.com
Ford's Garage, my favorite restaurant within walking distance of The Mall at University Town Center, excels at classic American comfort food in a fun setting that pays tribute to the American business great Henry Ford. A national chain founded in Fort Myers and headquartered in Tampa, the Ford's Garage in UTC boasts a dazzling build-out featuring vintage Ford automobiles decorating the patio area and hanging from the ceiling, with other perks including the inside bartop lined with frost to keep the bottom of your craft beer or cocktail ice-cold at all times.
The best part about Ford's Garage, though, is the delicious burgers. There are a dozen "Burgers of Fame," featuring a "hand-pattied, never frozen half pound of Black Angus beef" that always hits the spot. My current favorite is the Estate Burger ($16.99), featuring smoked gouda, sweet red onion marmalade, arugula, tomato, fried onion straws, and "white truffle" bacon aioli on the brioche bun branded with the restaurant's name. Yeah, all that sweet and savory marmalade and aioli tends to get a bit messy. But, trust me, it's worth it.
First, though, consider an order of Ford's Classic Wings ($15.99). Cooked to crispy perfection, they can be tossed in Buffalo, bourbon barbecue, or my favorite, Nashville hot sauce. I'm also a big fan of their hand-breaded Claussen pickle spears in a panko crust served with a wasabi cucumber dipping sauce ($10.99). Of course, it's also hard to deny the taste and beauty of the Giant Funnel Tower of Jumbo Piston Onion Rings, which come with house-made chipotle ketchup and Hidden Valley ranch, for $12.99.
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Georgie's
229 N. Cattlemen Road Unit 69, Sarasota; 941-952-5001; georgiesgardencafe.com
For those seeking a delightful brunch destination, let me recommend Georgie's, opened in late 2021 by the team behind Jane's Cafe on 3rd in Naples and the now-closed Lily Cafe in Sarasota. Located near the main UTC roundabout, Georgie's serves brunch Tuesday through Sunday in a setting that reflects the "garden cafe" of the establishment's original name, thanks to the artificial grass and trees that adorn the dining area awash in natural light.
On a recent Saturday, I started off savory with a toasted everything bagel sandwich filled with the winning combination of smoked salmon, herb-whipped cream cheese, arugula and tomatoes, topped by a fried egg, and served with a side of fresh fruit ($19). This was a very good breakfast sandwich. Even better, though, was the sweet dish that I also ordered.
As a child growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1980s, trips to Disney World were the highlight of my youth, including a visit to the Polynesian Village Resort where I can vividly recall eating the most delicious French toast creation of my 8-year-old life. The slices of bread were transformed into gold bars of sugar and cinnamon and for the past three decades ranked as my all-time favorite French toast creation.
Georgie's French toast ($14.50) — consisting of fresh blueberries and lemon, whipped ricotta piped into challah bread, dipped in vanilla cinnamon custard, and served with blueberry maple syrup — comes a very close second and, really, should be experienced by anyone serious about their love for French toast.
Georgie's also serves lunch and dinner and has a handsome bar area ideal for enjoying their happy hour food and drink specials, including the addictive wagyu sliders, offered from 3 to 6:30 p.m. daily.
JPAN Sushi & Grill
229 N. Cattlemen Road Unit 61, Sarasota; 941-960-3997; jpanrestaurant.com
While most of the restaurants in University Town Center are national chains, JPAN stands out as a local brand founded in Sarasota by chef/owner Daniel Dokko in 2008. With another location on Siesta Row, JPAN's UTC spot provides upscale indoor seating, a chic bar area, and a covered patio overlooking the roundabout, offering front-row seats for the giant Christmas tree and nightly holiday light shows.
For starters, be sure to order the sweet and tangy "KFC" (Korean fried chicken) wings or perhaps the steamed pork dumplings ($9). However, the stars at this Japanese restaurant remain the freshly prepared sushi. The most popular item is probably the volcano roll, which includes tuna, asparagus, cream cheese, and avocado, topped with baked shrimp and crab salad ($16). Other specialty rolls include the Sarasota, made with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, avocado, and steamed shrimp ($17). During my visit last week, I enjoyed the Key West roll, which contains avocado, cucumber, cilantro pesto, tomato, spicy salmon, and subtle lime zest ($16).
Craving Korean cuisine? Last year, Dokko opened the upscale Korean barbecue spot Korê Steakhouse. It's located in Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place, which is located about four miles east of University Town Center, and also includes the standout Italian restaurant Osteria 500.
Oak & Stone
5405 University Parkway Unit 101, University Park; 941-225-4590; oakandstone.com
Before Oak & Stone opened locations in Sarasota, Bradenton, Wellen Park, Naples, and St. Petersburg, it debuted in University Town Center in 2016. Located in The Square at UTC, about a mile and a half from the entrance to The Mall at University Town Center, Oak & Stone specializes in craft beer and artisan pizza in a casual tavern setting adorned with plenty of TVs for us sports fans. The brews are offered on an extensive self-serve beer wall, and the thin-crust pizzas are among the best in the region, thanks to dough made fresh daily and cooked in custom-made stone pizza ovens.
Oak & Stone also excels at many other clever comfort foods, including its burgers, fried chicken sandwich, and slow-roasted oven wings. Soaked overnight and teeming with savory flavor throughout, the original wings are topped with a Buffalo-style wing sauce and a generous serving of blue cheese crumbles, accompanied by a side of ginger honey mustard sauce for dipping. In recent years, Oak & Stone has added five more enticing flavors, including "Sweet Seoul," featuring sweet chili gochujang with green onions and sesame seeds, served with a side of sweet chili sauce for dipping.
Finally, Oak & Stone debuted an exciting new happy hour menu earlier this month. Available from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, it features $7, $8, and $9 specials on everything from pizzas and appetizers to craft cocktails. Plus, you receive a 25 percent discount on all beer, wine, and whiskey, which should come in handy after a long day of shopping.
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Rocco’s Tacos
243 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-477-8226; roccostacos.com
Opened in March, Rocco’s Tacos remains the trendiest restaurant on this list thanks, in large part, to a brilliant build-out only rivaled in the area by Ford's Garage. Located next to JPAN overlooking the roundabout in UTC that serves as the center for the nightly holiday light shows, Rocco's Tacos features an open-air bar teeming with top-shelf tequilas as well as a festive dining area with covered, open-air seating brimming with natural light and upbeat music. Founded in West Palm Beach, where Guy Fieri has been seen joining owner Rocco Mangel to pour tequila shots down the throats of patrons, the restaurant features happy hour, over 300 varieties of tequila, Taco Tuesday, and all-you-can-drink brunch on the weekends.
During my visit, the guacamole prepared tableside proved to be a treat, especially when loaded on Rocco's smartly seasoned chips, but our favorite appetizer turned out to be the grilled wings with chipotle-honey lime barbecue sauce and a side of avocado ranch. Ordered "crispy," the wings arrived moist and tender with a crunchy exterior covered in that tremendously flavorful sweet-heat-with-citrus-kiss sauce that played nicely with the avocado ranch, which you'll also want to try with some of the chips.
Next, came a feast of tacos that included the tasty slow-roasted chicken adobo and carne asada served on flour tortillas with fresh pico de gallo, cilantro, pickled red onions and cotija cheese. The best of the bunch? Probably the birria tacos. The chili braised beef brisket comes in crispy white corn tortillas augmented by pickled red onions, crema, lime and, my favorite part, the caldo “broth” for dipping.
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Rusty Bucket
257 N. Cattlemen Road Unit 81, Sarasota; 941-355-6666; myrustybucket.com
If you appreciate a place with a casual tavern vibe, multiple televisions showing sports, and a menu filled with the kind of comfort food that leaves you feeling deeply satisfied, along with a solid beer and cocktail selection and nice happy hour deals, check out Rusty Bucket. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, along with its sister company Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (which includes the Ocean Prime brand headed to downtown Sarasota), Rusty Bucket's UTC location is right next door to Rocco's Tacos, overlooking the roundabout and giant Christmas tree, with its covered patio offering front-row seats for the nightly holiday light show.
The menu includes basically every comfort food imaginable, from burgers and pizza to meatloaf and beef stroganoff. After dining at Rusty Bucket three times in the past year and twice this month, let me recommend the light, chewy pizza featuring their dough made daily. I enjoyed several of their pizzas, but the one you really want is the Sicilian ($16.79). It's topped with Italian sausage, tavern ham, peppers, caramelized onion, and excellent cup-and-char pepperonis from the Ezzo Sausage Company, which is also based in Columbus, Ohio.
The same quality tavern ham on the Sicilian pizza must also be used in Rusty Bucket's surprisingly good Cuban sandwich ($16.29). Served with a side of tastefully seasoned fries, it pairs the ham with tender braised pork, Swiss, house mustard, and pickles. Yeah, who knew a company from Ohio would serve such a lovingly made rendition of a Florida classic?
Finally, if you're in the mood for quality chicken wings, Rusty Bucket has you covered. Priced at just $7.65 during happy hour, I ordered the Joe's Regular and asked for them crispy. They were perfect, the sauce bringing a medium heat on the back end with plenty of buttery goodness up front and a chunky blue cheese for dipping. Yeah, Rusty Bucket's happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and in addition to the deal on wings, I enjoyed a 20-ounce pour of Samuel Adams Boston Lager for a mere $6.79.
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Selva Grill
67 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-358-6272; selvagrill.com
Selva Grill, which serves cuisine with a Peruvian emphasis, has a rich history dating back about two decades at its downtown Sarasota location, where it earned national acclaim in 2007 when the New York Times, in a Sarasota travel piece, described it as serving "quite possibly the best food in town." While gifted chef/founder Darwin Santa Maria has been gone from Selva Grill for many years (he now operates Almazónica Cervecería & Peruvian Eatery on South Tamiami Trail), his recipes remain crowd-pleasers at both the Selva Grill in downtown Sarasota as well as the one at that opened in the West District of UTC in 2021.
While I had dined numerous times at Selva Grill downtown, mostly while Santa Maria helmed the kitchen, my first Selva Grill experience at the UTC location took place this month. Like The Capital Grille, it's an upscale restaurant with prices to match and, by and large, cuisine worthy of the cost, which totaled about $157 for two entrees, two appetizers, and a couple of beers from Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton.
Ceviche is a big part of the menu at Selva Grill, and the Tuna Tiradito ($20), recommended by our server, did not disappoint. It featured some of the best raw tuna I've tasted in recent memory, marinated with ginger, sesame, and soy sauce, and stacked between slabs of fresh watermelon, served with a brilliant, citrus-laced dipping sauce for all occasions.
Our other appetizer was Selva Grill's take on the traditional Peruvian dish aji de gallina, which translates to "creamed spicy chicken" in English. At Selva, the creamy pulled chicken is served in a crispy spring roll with pecans and presented in a martini glass atop a bed of fresh avocado aioli ($13). Like the Tuna Tiradito, it's both aesthetically pleasing and yummy.
Selva Grill serves four rather distinctive steaks, including the restaurant's Famous Skirt Steak ($42) served over sweet plantains, topped with beet relish, and accompanied by Selva’s house chimichurri. The chimichurri also graces Selva's eight-ounce center-cut filet ($48), finished with a sweet fig demi-glace and served on multi-colored potato au gratin, reminiscent of a square of lasagna, with a side of roasted asparagus. I enjoyed the filet, especially the plating and preparation.
In addition to serving steak and seafood entrees, I learned Selva Grill offers a New Zealand rack of lamb ($52). Cooked to a nice medium rare plus, it features a macadamia nut herb pesto crust and a rosemary demi-glace and comes with a neat pile of tasty "truffle chive risotto" and roasted asparagus. Yes, if you're craving a luxury post-shopping meal of ceviche or a fresh take on steak or lamb, Selva Grill has you covered.
Keep in mind, though, you might want to change your clothes before stopping by Selva Grill's UTC location for dinner, served daily, or lunch, which is offered 12-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There's a sign outside the door with the dress code: "Thank you for not wearing beach attire, gym-wear (or) ball caps in the main dining room." In addition to the main dining room, Selva Grill has a handsome bar area, as well as outdoor seating, which I enjoyed on a recent Friday afternoon while wearing a ball cap to protect my head from the Florida sun.
Yard House
115 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; 941-536-0778; yardhouse.com
Founded in Long Beach, California, and now operated by the Orlando-based Darden Restaurants that also owns The Capital Grille, Yard House made its Sarasota-Manatee debut in April with a massive, standalone location in University Town Center's East District, just across from the UTC Mall. Yard House always seems to be packed — classic rock blaring and sports on the many TVs — but during each of my multiple visits, the service has always been superb, despite the large crowds ordering food from the huge menu as well as beverages from the "world's largest selection of draft beer with 130 taps."
Seated at the covered open-air area during a visit late last month, I gleefully feasted on the juicy, tender and deftly seasoned Thai Grilled Pork Chop ($25.49) that comes with a pile of basil cilantro cauliflower “fried rice” with mushrooms, snap peas, bok choy, carrots, red onion, baby broccoli, crispy garlic, and an irresistible spicy honey sauce. And for those seeking to revisit the joys of childhood, order the mac and cheese ($19.99) elevated with "white truffle" flavoring, bacon, chicken, mushrooms, parmesan, and a panko cheddar crust.
Previously, I raved about The Kurobuta Pork burger ($14.49). It features a slab of juicy, flame-kissed Snake River Farms Berkshire pork topped with thick, crunchy cuts of "spicy" candied bacon, white American cheese, arugula, and house-made "blueberry ketchup." I would've liked some more heat on the "spicy" bacon to offset the sweet blueberry sauce, but all in all, it's one of the more deliciously distinctive handhelds I've had this year.
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Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.??????
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best restaurants in University Town Center area of Sarasota
