Shore Longboat Key

"We dined at Shore on Valentines Day after making reservations about a month in advance. We've been here in the past and always valet park the car due to limited parking at and around the restaurant. We were promptly seated at a nice booth close to the water. The wooden seat booth was comfortable and spacious with small cushions to sit on. What's nice about Shore is that no matter where you are seated you'll have a view of the water and boats going by. The roof was closed (yes it's retractable) due to the cool weather but we've been here in the past when it's all opened up with breezes coming through. The noise level is also good here (probably due to the openness) and it was easy to have a conversation. Ryan, our waiter did a good job. He was attentive and knowledgeable (with the exception of where the oysters were from). We were never rushed and he routinely checked up us. They have a nice selection of house cocktails, wines and beers. We started off with a Manhattan and an Old-Fashioned. Both were made very well. The only dig I have is they served the Manhattan in a coupe glass rather than a Martini glass. Portions were as expected. The menu has a fair number of choices but not overwhelming by and means. There was also a Specials menu for the evening. We started with the California Crab Roll & Shrimp Volcano which is a roll stacked in the shape of a volcano and drizzled with a spicy sauce. It was outstanding and perfect for two to share! For entrees we opted for the St Louis Jenga Ribs w/ Chopped Chinese salad and the Black Angus NY Strip (Med-rare) Special that came with an amazing oyster mushroom demi glace and assorted vegetables. I almost opted for the Beluga Black Lentil Ragout w/ Chicken but opted out at the last minute. It looked fabulous coming out of the kitchen - maybe next time! Bothe entrees came out warm and with good presentation. Both were also cooked perfectly and we shared and finished both. My partner kept using the oyster mushroom demi glace as a dipping sauce for her ribs (might be a future menu item?). For desert we shared the Crème Brule Vanilla Cheesecake which came with the smear of toffee sauce on the cold plate. It was a very good combination and my only regret is not getting a coffee to go with it (keeps me up). The cold plate had the added benefit of keeping the desert cold while we savored each and every bite. Overall we were both impressed with the Service, Food, Ambiance and vibe here. It made for a memorable Valentines Day and I'd highly recommend it."

"Where should I begin, the food was great, but the service was absolutely horrible. For a restaurant of this level and reputation, our entire group left disappointed by the service, while impressed by specific entrees. We were dining as a party of 12, with reservations months in advance. Our group consisted of people from 5 states, who were in town for a birthday celebration. We were met at the door and haphazardly rushed in without the entire party even making up the stairs yet. People were wandering around to find the rest of the group. Once seated our drink orders were taken, and then brought out backwards with everyone receiving the wrong items. This was again repeated with our entrees later. The appetizers were brought out, which did not disappoint. The kung pao calamari, almost like a Thai salad had amazing flavor and could have easily been an entrée on its own. The tuna tar-tare was a bit disappointing, lacking in flavor, but the ceviche was decent as well. The wait staff however did not interact with anyone, failed to pick up menu's from half the table once everything was ordered, continually brought out food to the wrong persons, and failed to clear dirty plates. One person in our group ordered an Irish coffee, which was brought out with no cream on top. When asked if they had whipped cream, they said no. Another person asked for a virgin mixed drink, and they were told "we don't do that". You would think for a table that was going to easily spend $600, you could make a virgin drink, especially when its the person paying the bill asking for it, but staff did nothing to please any requests made by anyone at our table. In fact our group was supposed to sit at 2 specific tables facing the water.. But were moved last minute to a single table, despite many months of planning, because we had a few people cancel, and the restaurant wanted to use that space for someone else. I started my meal with an old fashioned, it was decent, but not overly impressive. The item that impressed me the most was the risotto and spinach that came with the shrimp and scallops entrée. The risotto was cooked perfectly, creamy, rich and buttery. The sauce on top brought the items together perfectly, and paired with the spinach was an absolutely amazing. It was the highlight of my meal. The shrimp and scallops were decent, but needed some additional seasoning or charring for flavor, as they were rather plain. I would have never expected rice and spinach to be so flavorful and the highlight of a meal. The calamari and the risotto and spinach were amazing, and items I would love to eat again, but the service received was horrible, and with the added gratuity being over $100, we felt the tip was not deserved. I honestly don't know if I would dine here again, simply because of the service. When you dine somewhere like this you expect excellent service, its part of what your paying for, and no matter how good the food was, they ruined the experience."

"Went here for a late lunch. The weather was great, the views were awesome. It was quick service, included valet parking. Ate calamari salad - great but was slightly sweet, didn’t like the sweet taste. My friend had a shrimp lobster salad and I had a crab cake burger with truffle fries. The food was presented well and it tasted great, no complaints."

"My sisters and I came down from Indiana for a girls trip. Someone recommended that eat here. The food was great, but the attitudes of the employees SUCKED! The valet workers were pleasant and friendly! But, the waitress, hostess and manager were snobby and stuck up! We felt like we were not presented with all of the menu options. We would have loved to have something simple, like fish tacos, which was on the online menu. Our neighboring table were able to have fish tacos, so we were highly disappointed!! The view was outstanding and the openness of the restaurant was inviting. Good place to eat, if you can deal with snobby staff."

"One of the best dining rooms in Sarasota with a great view almost anywhere you sit. Huge fan of Chef Dylan who made me some of the best dishes I have had the privilege to enjoy. His extra detail and effort could be seen and tasted. Must try and worth the drive!"