Coco Grill - Sarasota, Fl - 'Hidden Gem'

by Bill Watts
(Sarasota, Florida)

Coco Grill - Five Stars - Excellent -- My wife and I have visited this new restaurant for the second time today for lunch. I have to recommend it highly for a delightful eating out experience. May be hard to find but very much worth the effort. We plan next to try the dinner menu.

The feeling of "welcome in and have a seat" in a non-formal sitting greets you at the door. The friendly staff is more than willing to explain the menu and suggest just the right dish for you.

But the five star rating is for when your meal arrives. The presentation is fantastic; as if you were in a five star restaurant and the best part is that the quality and Latin flavor of the dishes are superb.

As they used to say "Try it, you'll like it."

This is a first class grill that must have your support to stay open for a long time.

Coco Grill, 2881 Clark Road, Sarasota, Fl.

Thanks Bill & Mary - Sarasota, Fl.

Publisher's note: Coco Grill has been reported as permanently closed now.

We love sushi at Jo-To's on Siesta Key

by Kunikar Stemple
(Sarasota, FL)

My family and I go to Jo-To's Japanese Steakhouse on Siesta Key at least once a month if not more.

They are by far the best in town with reasonable prices for the quality food.

The service is friendly and the restaurant is clean.

We are treated more like family than customers there and that is one of the reasons we are repeat customers.

The sushi is always fresh and delicious but if you don't like sushi, there is also a very delicious Traditional Japanese Cuisine menu.

You can eat at the sushi bar or let the Teppan-yaki chef entertain you at table side.

After dinner you can walk to Siesta Key Beach or just enjoy strolling though the village.

I been going to JoTo's since the 80's but the one on Siesta Key is my favorite for people to chat and dine with.

Jo-To's
5218 Ocean Blvd.
Siesta Key Village, Sarasota

Domo arigato!

Captain Curt's

by Al & Lucy Pola
(Skaneateles, NY)

We first went to this restaurant, located on Midnight Pass Road (just south of Stickney Point Road) on Siesta Key, when it was just a small local place. It has since expanded in a number of ways, but still sits at the same location and still greets you with good food at decent prices.

The seafood is the key here - lunch is the best, but a casual dinner is fine, too. The word you want to concentrate on is 'casual' because it's just that.

Located on the end of a small strip mall, it doesn't look like much from the outside but it fits the causal atmosphere and belies the good food waiting inside; wooden benches or seats and causal dress, but the service is great as is the food (cole slaw and fries accompany many of the meals).

The menu is wide and varied, so everyone should find something to like. They also have their own beer but include a good selection of drinks from the nearby bar.

For the more adult-oriented, their Tiki Bar across the parking lot is the place to be, especially for happy hour.

A long-time establishment, it continues to please us with every visit.

Good Times at Gilligan's Island Bar and Grill - Siesta Key, FL

by RayRay
(Orlando)

This is our second trip to the area. For lunch we went back to a familiar place, Gilligan's. Both times the staff has been great, good live music and great bar style food.

We had fish & chips and a grilled grouper sandwich. Both items were hot, fresh and plenty to eat for lunch!

Mellisa was our waitress and she did a great job!

We will be back!!!

(Editor's note: on Ocean Blvd in Siesta Key Village)

Unsurpassed Burgers!

by Heather
(Bradenton Florida)

Our favorite burger place is relatively new: Square One Burgers, which opened recently opposite the Fresh Market on University Parkway.

They have a diverse menu of just burgers, and one or two hot dog selections. Your burger can also be prepared with Kobe beef if you prefer, for a few dollars extra.

This is the only place in the area that we know of that offers Kobe beef burgers!

I chose the burger with Swiss cheese and mushrooms, and was asked how I liked it cooked, which surprised me since most area restaurants cook burgers well done, not pink. Not here! You can even have one rare if you wish! No bacteria dangers to worry about, the meat is super fresh.

I ordered mine medium rare, and it came perfectly cooked, the Swiss cheese melted to exactly the right consistency: still visible, not transparent.

My husband's was well-done, and lacked the dryness that can occurs with this cooking temperature. He had the cheese and bacon burger with his favorite, Guinness, which he pronounced perfectly made! (The head on it has to be just so...)

They offer the usual array of side dishes, but also offer vegetables, and have delicious french fries.

The prices are moderate, a little more than most burger places, but well worth it!

They have a little side patio, and don't worry about the summer heat, they have misters there that keep you pleasantly cool without being too damp! So do enjoy being outside...even though you look out onto the parking lot, the breeze was enjoyable..

Do try Square One. The burgers are the best we've ever had. They far surpass Five Guys...which was our previous favorite...and Hob Nob, which is a close second.

We love Burritos Mexican Restaurant

by Sandy 'n Bob
(Sarasota)

"Burritos" is our favorite Mexican restaurant in Sarasota. It's not the priciest, flashiest, just the best tasting. We like the fact that we can stop in "Burritos" with our flip flops after a day at Siesta Key Beach.

We've been going here for over ten years and the food is always consistent. The salsa is unique and reminds us of our trip to Mexico many moons ago. Their chicken is seasoned perfectly and no other place in this area has wet burritos that compare.

We really can't think of anything bad to say. It's not overstated and feels just like a little Cantina in Mexico.

(Editor's note: Burritos is at 2700 Stickney Point Road.)

We love Ichiban!

by Tina
(Sarasota, FL)

My bf and I go eat at Ichiban once a month. They have an all-you-can eat sushi for only $20 (if paying with cash). The sushi chefs make them to order so all their food is fresh and delicious.

I enjoy the mexiset, scuba, and spicy tuna rolls, as well as the California rolls. We also get the miso soup and tempuras.

My bf is a chef at the private Oaks Club, so he knows good food when he sees it. He loves Ichiban; it's his favorite restaurant.

The restaurant is located off Stickney Pt and Swift, by the Burritos Mexican Grill restaurant.

If you love sushi, or want to try the best sushi place in town, then go to Ichiban.