The Columbia Restaurant is a Gem of Spanish and Sarasota Restaurants!Choose indoor or open-air seating at a patio table in this beautiful Mediterranean style restaurant. I’ve had delicious lunches here on St. Armand’s Circle and at the original Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Florida.
Let me give you some tips on what to order so you don’t miss the really “good stuff!” The Columbia Restaurant's 1905 Salad
Your waitress or waiter will arrive at your table, decked out in white long sleeve shirt (even in the steamiest of weather), black slacks and a white apron. He’ll put down his tray containing all the magical ingredients, along side your table and start performing culinary wizardry before your eyes.You’ll be able to witness the “1905 Salad” come to life. With crisp iceberg lettuce, julienne of baked ham, fresh lemon juice, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese, and a 100 year old family garlic dressing recipe, this is one great salad and it’s a “must order.” It’s large enough so that there’s enough, for the $8.95 price, to be a first course for 3-4 diners. Or, a meal all by itself! 
Other recommendations include the “Salteado,” with your choice of either chicken, beef or shrimp ($11.95/lunch - $18.95/dinner w/tenderloin tips). I like the chicken version of this Cuban stir fry dish, inspired by the Chinese who lived in Cuba in the 19th Century. The ingredients are sautéed in olive oil in a hot skillet: onions, green peppers, mushrooms, diced fried potatoes, chorizo (Cuban sausage which tastes like smoked bacon to me); all splashed with a little red wine. This is one good meal. It’s a big enough serving that you may have to take some home with you. Another delicious menu item I’ve enjoyed is the Cannelloni de Langosta “Setes Portes,” which came to them from one of their visits to Barcelona. This delicate creation comes with two tender Cannelloni pastas that are filled with Maine lobster meat, shrimp, pan seared scallops and sautéed shallots in a lobster cherry cream reduction, then covered with a lobster cherry Mornay Sauce. This was an outstanding meal; delicious, tender, delicate and flavorful. The sauce was…mmm! More on the Columbia RestaurantI’ve not experienced bad service here, in fact, quite the contrary, but it can get very busy during lunch and dinner hours. The experienced and professional wait staff have always provided me with the best service.
Traditionally this event takes place on the third Sunday in September, but call to double check, especially if you're coming from great distance solely for this purpose. How far do they roll back the prices? To 1905, when the first Columbia Restaurant opened as a small cafe in Ybor City, Florida (part of Tampa). I arrived with my party of four, picked up our reservation ticket number from the hostess, (#833) at about 2:45 pm and we were informed that the wait at the then current pace was 2 - 2.5 hours. So, we said, "fine," and took off for a walking, shopping and sight-seeing tour around St. Armands Circle for the next two hours, arriving back at the front door of the Columbia Restaurant with about a half hour to spare. While the crowds waiting outside and in the restaurant lobby are large, it's not out of control. Just a lot of happy, hungry people milling around and waiting for their table number to be called! We were seated at 5:15 p.m. and when you do get seated in one of the two dining rooms or at a sidewalk-side table, things settle down and become orderly quickly when your waiter or waitress takes over. There's nothing like getting that first pitcher of Sangria on a hot late September afternoon! At 1905 prices, the top price on the menu is $4.95, for a pitcher of Sangria! There were three Columbia Restaurant, specially selected, menu items on this day from which to choose, all of which were priced at $2.95! (not a typo - yes $2.95) Other 1905 prices on the menu for this special anniversary day were: Coffee, .05, Coca Cola, .10. Iced Tea, .10. Everyone in our party agreed that this was a fun and delicious experience and were glad to have taken advantage of it. Plus, while waiting for a table we had a chance to shop and sight-see around St. Armand's Circle.
With a reputation and tradition for fine food that dates back to 1905, one of many Sarasota restaurants, The Columbia Restaurant will provide you a fine culinary memory. Open for both lunch and dinner, as far as Sarasota restaurants, the Columbia Restaurant is a gem! Include it in your day of shopping and site seeing on St. Armand’s Circle!
Directions: From Sarasota, take Rt. 41 through the Bay front/downtown area of Sarasota over the John Ringling Bridge (southwest) to St. Armand’s Circle. Park in one of the free lots behind the shops on St. Armand’s Circle. (941) 388-3987
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There is an extensive menu, which makes it difficult to choose your Spanish style meal. The menu includes: Tapas, Sopas (Soups), Ensaladas (Salads), Carnes (Meat), Mariscos (Seafood), Pollo (Chicken) and Paella, “The National Dish of Spain.” 
