Columbia Restaurant is a chain of small, Florida-based Cuban and Spanish restaurants with a location in Sarasota, Florida, about 20 miles from Lakewood Ranch. The restaurant held "Zagat" dining guide ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food, decor and service. The Distinguished Restaurants of North America also awarded Columbia its DiRONA award for the quality of its food, wine and service.
The restaurant offers an extensive gluten-free menu, and its two signature dishes, the seafood paella and the 1905 Salad, are included among its options. Made table-side, the salad consists of julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives and grated Romano cheese in a house garlic dressing. Highlighting Spanish whites and reds, the wine list is a past recipient of "Wine Spectator" magazine's "Best of Award of Excellence," the second highest honor awarded by the magazine.
Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota serves lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are highly recommended. Ask for seating on the restaurant's outdoor patio for views of the tropical gardens and of Sarasota Bay. Casual attire is appropriate. The restaurant has a children's menu available.
Columbia Restaurant
411 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota, Fla. 34236
941-388-3987
columbiarestaurant.com
Owned by local celebrity chef Paul Mattison, Mattison's Forty-One is on South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, approximately 22 miles from Lakewood Ranch. The restaurant is a past recipient of the "Golden Fork Award" from "Florida Trend Magazine" for its cuisine.
The gluten-free menu includes the restaurant's signature "Deadliest Catch" Alaskan crab legs, which come with a vegetable risotto. Another of the restaurant's most well-known entrees is appropriate for a gluten free-diet--the steak topped with Gorgonzola cheese and applewood smoked bacon. The wine list consists of more than 160 selections from around the world.
Mattison's Forty-One serves brunch on Sundays, lunch Mondays through Fridays, and dinner nightly. Reservations are highly recommended and taken online and by phone. Business casual attire is the norm. The restaurant features live Latin music and dancing at least one night per week, and regularly hosts other events like wine tastings. Outdoor seating is available on the restaurant's patio, weather permitting.
Mattison's Forty-One
7275 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Fla. 34231
941-921-3400
mattisons.com
Lee Roy Selmon's is on Cooper Creek Boulevard in Sarasota, about nine miles from Lakewood Ranch. Named in honor of retired football player Lee Roy Selmon, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the restaurant features sports memorabilia sure to delight NFL fans. Televisions in the dining room also show live sporting events.
The gluten-free menu features salads, burgers and sandwiches modified to replace bread with lettuce. Items from Lee Roy Selmon's signature series of dishes are also featured, such as the pulled pork and the barbecue chicken breast. The restaurant has a full bar and even features a gluten-free beer.
Lee Roy Selmon's is open for lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are accepted. Casual attire is appropriate. A children's menu is available for young diners, with high chairs and booster seats available.
Lee Roy Selmon's
8253 Cooper Creek Blvd.
Sarasota, Fla. 34201
941-360-3287
leeroyselmons.com
