Mattisons City Grille in Downtown Sarasota

Mattisons City Grille in Downtown Sarasota is one of several local eateries owned by local celebrity and executive Chef Paul Mattison.

The Mattisons location in downtown Sarasota is an open air, under roof, dining room with a bar, live music(evenings), and a menu with numerous options with dishes that include American, Mediterranean, Asian, Caribbean, and Italian cuisines.

Mattisons City Grille 4Mattisons City Grille


As I've written elsewhere in my restaurant reviews I tend to go out to dine in "off season" when I can walk in and be seated virtually immediately. This was a late Friday in July with outside temperatures about 94 degrees so there were fans all over the room keeping the air moving and it wasn't uncomfortable.

Remember, this is basically an outdoor restaurant but with a roof over it. So, seating was prompt for me a buddy who turned out for lunch at about 1 p.m.

Mattisons City Grille BarMattisons City Grille Bar

Mattisons City Grille

Drinks came quickly (Yeungling drafts $7) along with menus and the decision making process began.

My buddy, Steve, chose Fish Tacos ($15) and I selected a Turkey Wrap ($17) that sounded delicious: Swiss cheese / tomato cherry wood bacon / buttermilk ranch / avocado / mixed greens

I thought the prices were somewhat high for a lunch menu but I also realized that we were dining in downtown Sarasota with its high commercial properly taxes; and with the inflation of the past couple of years everything, everywhere has increased in price.



Mattisons City Grille Dining areaMattisons City Grille Dining Area

Mattisons City Grille

Mattisons City Grille Turkey WrapMattisons City Grille Turkey Wrap

So it was: A Turky Wrap and Fish Tacos.

My Turkey Wrap came with 2 side dishes. I selected a house salad and French fries.

Both orders showed up pretty quickly and it was a good thing because I was hungry now. The fresh house salad with spring greens and ranch dressing was cool and refreshing and hit the spot.

The Turkey Wrap came with a nice buttermilk ranch sauce in it and the fries were crispy, seasoned and tasty. Very good fries.

It worked together fine and there was music plying from a music service of some kind, no live music until later.



Mattisons City Grill Fish TacosMattisons City Grill Fish Tacos

The overall menu is quite varied and includes a BBQ Beef Brisket sandwich and a Caprese Foccacia that sounded delicious.

Something you don't see often on menus us Fried Green Tomatoes ($12) and Calamari ($14) both grace the list of appetizers at this writing.

For lighter fare there's a soup and salad menu section with New England Clam Chowder and a Greek Salad with New Zealand Lamb Chops!

The Mattisons City Grille menu also features about a dozen Lunch/Brunch items from a Mediterranean Frittata and Stuffed French Toast to a Pork Belly Rice Bowl and Fish & Chips.

Also, at the time of this review, on their Lunch & Brunch menu you can fiind a Steak & Eggs Bowl which is marinated bistro steak / fried egg / caramelized onions / cheesy scallion potatoes / peppers / mushroom gravy ($18)

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There's also a dessert menu with Key Lime Pie and brunch cocktails are also offered including Mimosas and Bloody Marys. There's also Champaegne and Sparkling Wine from which to choose as well as white, red and and house wines plus draft beer as well as bottled and canned beer plus holiday and specialty cocktaills and soft drinks

Happy hour is daily from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. and features house wine, well drinks and doemestic bottled beer for $4 (at this writing).

To sum it up, service was fast and friendly, however, it was "off season" and after the lunch hour when I was there, so during peak season it would be hard to predict how fast seating and service might be. 

It's a fine establishment to dine at and enjoy a cokctail at in the open air atmosphere or to enjoy live music with your friends or family in downtwon Sarasota, Florida. . 

Mattisons City Grille is definately a casual place to relax with a cocktail or lunch or dinner, jeans and shorts are common here.

Overall, I had a nice experience and lunch on a hot summer Sarasota afternoon. 

(Prices and menu items subject to change over time.)

LOCATION: downtown Sarasota right on Main Street at Lemon Avenue, 1 North Lemon Ave.

Mattisons City Grille Sarasota, FLMattisons City Grille, Downtown Sarasota, FL

HOURS: Monday: 11:00am – 10:00pm. Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00am – 11:00pm. Friday: 11:00am – 12:00am. Saturday: 11:00am – 12:00am. Sunday: 11:00am – 10:00pm

Other Mattison’s locations include Mattisons Riverwalk Grille, Downtown Bradenton, 101 Riverfront Blvd #120, Bradenton, FL and Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 S Tamiami Tr., Sarasota, FL.







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