ItÂ’s not easy to create a restaurant that both locals and visitors will love.
ThereÂ’s something about new. The new car smell. New, never worn clothes. The feeling of new. ItÂ’s knowing that youÂ’ve never experienced this EXACT thing before. ThatÂ’s what new is all about. Anticipation, surprise (maybe good, maybe less than good) and the promise of something a little different. New.
Restaurants open around this town all the time. That’s nothing new. But, a Sarasota hotel landmark opening a “local” restaurant. That IS new.
Let me be one of the first to introduce you to Jack Dusty.
Well, thatÂ’s what it will look like when they open their doors in late January 2013. This is what it looks like now.
Oh, boy! I think thereÂ’s still some work to do. DonÂ’t worry, theyÂ’ll get it done.
In case you’re wondering, “what in the world…”. Let me bring you up to speed.
Vernona is gone. Completely gone. And, in its place, or more accurately in its space, is the brand new, Jack Dusty. This is not a restaurant re-do. This is restaurant reinvention. The folks at the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton, started with a blank canvas and are creating an approachable work of culinary art that the whole community will love.
What is Jack Dusty? Well, I’ll tell you what it isnÂ’t. ItÂ’s not your run of the mill, standard hotel restaurant. Jack Dusty strives to bring a local, upscale dining experience and feel inside the doors of the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton. Serving an American seafood menu, the restaurant is sure to attract a loyal local following. This place is going to leave its unique stamp on our Sarasota dining scene.
What can you expect when you finally get an opportunity to crack open a menu? Here are some tasty samples. Have a look.
RAW BAR
Six Oysters
Northwest: Kumomoto Oyster
Northeast: Wellfleet
Local: Apalachicola
Seafood Platter
For Two or Four
whole lobster, whole crab, peel & eat shrimp, oysters , jacks civiche, drawn butter, cajun remoulade
Mote Marine Caviar
johnny cake, citrus cream, chives, cured egg yolk
STARTERS
Steamed Clams & Mussels
chorizo, leeks, chardonnay, grilled bread
Local Crab Cake
citrus mayonnaise, charred lemon
BY LAND
Pork Belly
smoked & braised, black eyed peas, braised seasonal greens, grilled garlic bread, pot liquor
Red Brick Chicken
anson mills grits, seasonal mushrooms, market vegetables, pan sauce
BY SEA
Local “Claypot”
bay scallops, gulf shrimp, clams, mussels, rocoto pepper, red curry, kaffir leaves, lemongrass, coconut broth
Sarasota Cioppino
gulf shrimp, bay scallops, clams, mussels, grouper, orange peel, tomato broth, garlic crostini
Seafood Boil
For Two or Four
seasonal crab, gulf shrimp, clams, mussels, corizo, oysters, potatoes, corn
And, of course, a variety of amazing sweets to finish your meal.
With stunning views of the Sarasota waterfront and an elegant, comfortable interior, Jack DustyÂ’s is sure to be a place to be and be scene (Sarasotans love that!). A place locals will love! Most importantly, diners will be treated to a fantastic meal.
LetÂ’s just come out and say it. The Ritz always does things first class. Period. Jack DustyÂ’s is just another example of that. From the fresh raw bar to the handcrafted cocktails to the complimentary valet parking. This is really a canÂ’t miss addition to our local dining landscape.
How will you know when they open? Just listen for the buzz. ItÂ’s sure to be loud!
Jack Dusty
Ritz – Carlton Sarasota
1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34236
Certainly isn’t “Ritzy” anymore!
After enjoying many wonderful afternoons for tea in the Lobby and exceptional evenings for dinner at both the Ca d’Zan Bar and the Vernona Dining Room at what used to be a lovely hotel I had the unfortunate experience of dining at the newly renovated restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. All I can say is that their new General Manager must have come from Motel 6 is he thinks there is anything appropriate with their redo for a Ritz-Carlton Inappropriate, incongruous, ill-conceived, disgusting all come to mind. If it isn’t bad enough that they ruined a perfectly beautiful hotel – dessert came on a baking pan in a pint Mason jar – at the Ritz-Carlton! – the Cracker Barrel does better than that! Even if the Ritz was a place for “cute” there isn’t anything appealing about dessert in a Mason jar. I read in the newspaper that they were creating “casual elegance” – with Mason jars? What they have done just doesn’t fit the place inside or out. Oh and the food is just so-so. Their GM should go back home to Hawaii – maybe the gullible there would accept his idea of “the New Gold Standard” and the “Ladies and Gentlemen” of the Ritz! I threw away my copy of Mr. Michelli’s book “The New Gold Standard” this afternoon – just more meaningless corporate hogwash.
I wonÂ’t be going back and I would encourage you to NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR YOUR MONEY!