Last date I was here: 08/09/2009
Restaurant: Columbia Restaurant (http://columbiarestaurant.com/)
Location: St. Armand’s Circle, Sarasota, FL
Total Rating: 4.55
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4
Summary: The Columbia Restaurant Sarasota is located on St. Armand’s Circle in Lido Key. The Mediterranean style dining rooms and outdoor patio area are both relaxing and elegant. Serving Spanish/Cuban cuisine, Columbia Restaurant serves lunch or dinner while surrounded by the circle's paradise of lush tropical landscaping that create an international atmosphere of friendly warmth, enduring elegance, and timeless style. Columbia Sarasota opened in 1959 on St. Armand’s Circle, and is now the oldest restaurant in Sarasota.
Restaurant: Columbia Restaurant (http://columbiarestaurant.com/)
Location: St. Armand’s Circle, Sarasota, FL
Total Rating: 4.55
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4
Summary: The Columbia Restaurant Sarasota is located on St. Armand’s Circle in Lido Key. The Mediterranean style dining rooms and outdoor patio area are both relaxing and elegant. Serving Spanish/Cuban cuisine, Columbia Restaurant serves lunch or dinner while surrounded by the circle's paradise of lush tropical landscaping that create an international atmosphere of friendly warmth, enduring elegance, and timeless style. Columbia Sarasota opened in 1959 on St. Armand’s Circle, and is now the oldest restaurant in Sarasota.
We stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner on our drive back from Anna Maria Island. Sitting inside was a great relief from the hot summer sun and the simple ice water was so refreshing! Our server was very friendly and if we did not have such a long drive back, I would have liked to have tried the sangria that they made fresh table side and also the lovely traditional dish of paella. Since I was not in really a Spanish cuisine mood, I was relieved see a pasta entrée on the menu and it was delicious! Keith really enjoyed his meal as well. I would definitely recommend this classic place to others.
What I ate:
Pasta con Trufas “Cristalino”
Fresh pasta pockets stuffed with truffles and cheese simmered in a rich creamy sauce made with Spain’s premium Cava sparkling wine, Cristalino.
Choice tenderloin tips are placed in a very hot sauté pan, then we combine Spanish extra virgin olive oil with a touch of fresh garlic then add sliced sweet Spanish onion, green bell pepper, fresh mushrooms, diced potatoes, Spanish sausage (chorizo) and a splash of red wine. Served with yellow rice.
