Best Seasonal Restaurants in Venice

We have eaten at Crow’s Nest many times for both lunch and dinner. We have never been disappointed!

Been a few years since we have had the pleasure of eating here since we live up north. It was the best all-round meal we have had at a restaurant in the last year. The escargot wellington and the lobster bisque to start the meal were packed with flavor and richness. My mother's tiger shrimp and chicken meatballs were delicious. So much good stuff packed in the meatballs with pasta made to perfection. My wife's crusted yellowtail snapper had a good crunch to the outside with flavorful savory fish inside, especially when combined with the tropical fruit jam and the crispy plantains. The paella had so many parts that worked but my favorites were the scallops and the pork belly. To finish the meal, our server recommended a delicious apple galette with a gelato scoop on top and raspberry sauce around thr edge of the plate for extra flavor. It was delightful. The phyllo pastry in both the wellington and galette were well prepared. What a great way to start our Christmas vacation in Sarasota.

The seafood choices are limited compared to our previous visits. Only sole, grouper and salmon was offered. Stuffed sole was good; crab cakes were good; but the orange glazed salmon was not! Had I known that it would not be “glazed” but had a sweet maple and orange liquid poured over it, I would have had it on the side. As it was, it was disgustingly sweet even after scraping the runny sweet liquid off.

Food and service was great as usual. We’ve dined there many times, but the one thing I’ve learned about this place, is to bring a sweater. It’s always like a meat locker in there. Perhaps comfortable for the wait staff, but uncomfortable for most diners.

Great choice for large party of 8 with kids. Broad choices in local seafood. Hog Fish is hard to find. Had very good Stone Crab. Also has a fresh seafood market for take out.