Mattison's Riverside
941.748.8087
Mattison's Steakhouse
at The Plaza
941.387.2700
Mattison's City Grille
941.330.0440
Mattison's Forty One
941.921.3400
Mattison's Catering Company
941.387.2700
Mattison's Culinary Outfitters
941.387.2700
Mattison's International
Cookery
941.387.2700
Posted on Fri, Jan. 06, 2006
Mattison's makes trip
worthwhile
The couture was sophisticated. The overheard conversations sounded
smart.
The crowd was mostly single professionals with several young families
in
attendance, plus the occasional "silver fox" trolling for potential
company.
Despite its chic ambience, Mattison's City Grille in Sarasota is free of
the
grating pretentiousness that often accompanies establishments that court
the
trendsetters.
"It has that South Beach feel to it," said my co-worker.
He meant it in a positive way.
Not too long ago we had been sent to Miami for a writing conference and
had
managed to spend an entertaining afternoon on South Beach, sitting at
an
outside table along the pedestrian street Lincoln Road. We sipped
imported
beers, listened to the varying accents and observed the pageantry
of
passers-by. Everything we gazed upon that day smacked of class.
Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota achieves a feel akin to
the
world-renowned bistros and cafes of South Beach. For starters, the
outdoor
covered bar is on a prime chunk of real estate. The al fresco setting
sits
at the corner of North Lemon Avenue and Main Street, in the heart
of
downtown Sarasota.
When we visited last Thursday around 7 p.m., the sidewalks teemed
with
people casually walking to their favorite dining location or perhaps for
a
post-work martini. The city's Christmas tree gleamed on the same
street
corner as did the warm flames of the tiki torches that surround
Mattison's
dining area. Laughter was carried across the cool night air like a
cheerful
invitation.
In fact, my original plan was to visit another Sarasota pub. I did not
call
before making the trek and was surprised and disappointed (as was
the
carload that pulled up at the same time next to us) to find the
tavern
closed, apparently for the holidays. Already in the area, a plan was
hatched
to cruise Main Street and duck in to the most happening spot.
Mattison's won hands down.
We found several stools at the bar near a comforting space heater.
We
scanned the drink menu and found the house wines were in the typical
$6-$8
range - a premium cocktail costs about the same. I realized it had
been
about a week since a vegetable had entered my system so I ordered
the
Antipasta Mista salad.
A $12 salad? Yep. And it was worth every bite. My coworker enjoyed
a
similarly priced sushi dish.
By the time I finished gobbling down my plate of meats, cheese and
veggies,
The Venturas were setting up at the stage right behind us. One of
the area's
top music acts, The Venturas, now with new lead singer Ally, are
skilled
purveyors of swing, jump blues, surf, jazz and everything in between.
They
are typically found at the area's finer bars and eateries in
Bradenton.
"Bradenton has some great places, but it could maybe use a couple more
like
this," my co-worker concluded.
Perhaps someone should drop Paul Mattison a line. That is, when he's not
too
busy with his other Sarasota and Longboat Key eateries, hosting
his
televised cooking program or hawking Cuisinart on Home Shopping
Network.
Mattison's City Grille, 1 North Lemon Ave., Sarasota.
330-0440 or
www.mattisons.com
Wade Tatangelo, features writer/music critic, can be
reached at 745-7051 or
wtatangelo@HeraldToday.com. His blog, "In Tune with
Wade," can be found at
http://blogs.bradenton.com
