Florida Trend - In The Groove

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Florida Trend Magazine - In the Groove
Dining & Spirits - February 2006 Issue

Besides cheffing, Paul Mattison runs a kitchen appliance business and custom-designs kitchens.

Paul Mattison lost no time getting his groove back. The superchef till 2001 of the much-mourned Golden Spoon-winning Summerhouse on Siesta Key which closed in May has enthusiastically mounted a multiple offense and once again covers the culinary landscape around Sarasota with sparkling successes.

The signature restaurant, dinner-only Mattison's Steakhouse at the Plaza on Longboat Key, is already a classic with piano bar and subdued charm in the dining room, where a skilled staff serves much more than just steak on a plate. Unlike the high-flying competition, where top side dishes command top tariffs, all is included, and there's a thousand-bottle wine cellar, a unique site for candlelight winemaker dinners.

Mattison's City Grille takes care of the downtown diners and lunchers, munchers and late-night snackers in an al fresco setting with live music and a full-ranging menu of pizza and pasta, all kinds of freshly assembled salads and seafood treats plus prime meats all prepared with the customary Mattison magic and mastery.

Mattison's dinner-only Siesta Grille, which satisfies his legion of loyal fans on Siesta Key, is mainly Mediterranean with grilled wild salmon and seared duck breast, but there's the cross-culinary variety of fried sushi and spring rolls made with mango.

For more of the same in your home or at another site, there's Mattison's Catering Co. (941/387-2700), and for cutting-edge appliances and artifacts to produce your own, there's Mattison's Culinary Outfitters, located behind the Steakhouse and also online at mattisons.com. Outfitters has a great variety of gift baskets ready to supply picnics and wine tastings or merely to furnish your kitchen. Or if you like, chef Mattison will custom-design a new kitchen for you.