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    Rufa

    4.8 (14 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Rufa Photos

    Business Info

    RUFA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Rufa

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    Al Pastor Chicken Skewers
    Marion H.

    Sooo, Rufa was a perfect spot to chill while waiting for the check-in line at the Ritz to die down. We came while the weather was just right, and the bar's view of the marina made it even better. Our bartender was super sweet and helpful with the menu. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious--we just grabbed a few appetizers to hold us over, and they hit the spot. If you're staying at the hotel, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try! What Was Ordered: Signature Guacamole = Fresh & mixed just right Beef Tenderloin Tacos = Tasty Al Pastor Chicken Skewers = Cooked just right

    Artist
    Sharlene F.

    I was invited to check this place out and it was truly an amazing experience! Such an awesome sunset, the location is so close to the water. The views were immaculate, the drinks were so refreshing and good, I had the guacamole, the birria tacos and the lobster appetizer and it was all a 10. I love the fact that you can visit this location without having to stay at the hotel. They had a live dj that had the tunes and had the place moving with a good time. I cannot wait to come back and experience the service I received again! All the servers were super friendly and helpful with what to order. I will be back!

    Golden eagle
    Jacquie C.

    We finished the day at the main hotel and saw a gorgeous sunset and had some amazing drinks with Jillian at Rufa. My husband loved the "golden eagle" served in a smoked glass case. Everyone was so professional and dedicated. Highly recommend. Advice, make reservations.

    Jill B.

    Amazing drinks (pricey around 20-$30). Amazing guacamole. Seats are very uncomfortable

    Drinks
    Allison G.

    Would 100% recommend this place for cocktails/apps with a fantastic view. I booked this place for some pre-dinner cocktails for my friend's bachelorette and it was the perfect vibe for that with great backdrop for pics too! Employees were all very nice & attentive.

    Mocktail (purple), lobster tostados (3 perfect bite size pieces), and their smoky mezcal drink (falcon)
    Jessica G.

    Amazing cocktails and delicious shareable plates. I had a mocktail and my friend had their smoky mezcal drink (falcon I think)- smelled amazing and fun tableside presentation. We had the lobster tostadas and potato taquitos, but it was so hard to choose. We wanted to try them all! It rained unexpectedly before our reservation so the lounge area was closed, but all of the staff were extremely accommodating in getting us seated at the bar area with blankets. Definitely would return!

    Sunset view from our table
    Breaunna O.

    I absolutely adore this place. We actually took a stop here just for drinks, and it is stunning! The host and the servers are so kind and attentive. It was a bit chilly since the sun was setting, they noticed we were shivering a bit and they even offered blankets! The drinks are very tasty, they love their patron! However, be prepared to spend a few bucks here it's pretty pricey. if you're looking for some snacks, they're guacamole is huge! I am used to spicy guacamole, so I was a bit sad that they didn't have a spicy option. However, the server was so kind to offer us a mango salsa that they usually put on their chicken to add to the guacamole, and it turned out great. I would definitely recommend coming approximately 45 minutes to an hour before sunset so you could have the beautiful Florida sun be on you for the last couple minutes until you see the amazing sunset! If it does get chilly outside, they even have a fire pit in the center to warm things up

    Rufa sign

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    Photo of Beth P.
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    3 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Amazing views and the food was pretty good. Also loved our server, she was so sweet and friendly.

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    Ask the Community - Rufa

    Do they have vegan food options?

    Hey! Their dishes can definitely be modified. For example if you'd like the guacamole, they won't add the cotija cheese on top. They're very accommodating so long as you let the server know when you get there. Hope this helps!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Rufa

    We finished the day at the main hotel and saw a gorgeous sunset and had some amazing drinks with Jillian at Rufa.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Beso

    Beso

    4.5
    (176 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    We celebrated a family birthday dinner at Beso, and it was such a good experience! We did the…read morefamily-style dinner, and there was plenty of food the dishes just kept coming! Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The service was excellent, and the staff kept everything flowing smoothly throughout the evening. And I have to mention the sangria, it was SO good! Definitely a favorite! My personal favorite was the grilled cheese, but honestly, everything we tried was delicious. We also had a private room for our celebration, which made the evening feel extra special and comfortable for our family.

    Beso Sarasota was a really great dinner with our close friends and our kids, and it ended up being…read morea very smooth and enjoyable experience. Service was excellent--the pacing of the food was especially well done, with dishes coming out at just the right intervals so we could actually enjoy everything as it arrived. Cocktails were well made, and our friends were very happy with the wine selection. We ordered a large portion of the menu, and most dishes were really flavorful and well executed, very true to what tapas dining should feel like. The only two things that didn't quite work for me were the vegetable paella and the mushroom toast, but everything else was solid to excellent. They also did a great job accommodating us with kids. We had a nice semi-private table upstairs, which made the whole dinner feel comfortable and easy for a group. Overall, it's a great place for both groups and date nights, and I'd happily return.

    Photos
    Modern bar display.
    Modern bar display.
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    The Lounge at element

    The Lounge at element

    5.0
    (10 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    We heard from the grapevine, Element had a good happy hour. Our group consisted of two couples. We…read morewere early enough to snag seats at the bar. Wine and martinis were priced at $7.00 ($10 for espresso martinis) and appetizers were priced at $7.00 and they were very tasty, especially the steak tacos and chicken parm sliders. Bar service was outstanding, our bar tender, Faith never allowed us to run empty!

    George was the best bartender, so much so I went 2x in a week. The first night, he was so welcoming…read moreand such a great conversationalist, I had to go back ! On Wednesday night, I woke up from a nap and found myself in downtown sarasota looking for a late night snack, and what I found was my new favorite spot. George was not only personable, but he makes excellent drinks. I had a fantastic smoked old fashion with Jameson. The whole presentation was so beautiful. George also recommended the Brasstown Dry Aged Burger. It was so delicious! Even though I was one of the last people to order for the night, the presentation and temperature of the Burger were simply perfect!!! I had a whole potato cut into quarters as my side , an awesome version of fries , they were seasoned so well too. The quality of the ingredients made my taste buds tingle!!! On Friday, I stopped in for a drink and once again was delivered impeccable service! George made me fantastic tequila drinks with fresh ingredients like blueberries! He has a way of bringing drinks and people together, and the whole bar was lively filled with strangers laughing and talking with each other. I also enjoyed the steak toast , it was so flavorfu! As a solo traveler, I love such a lively place where everyone was chatting and having a good time, and the food is absolutely out of this world!!

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    The Lounge
    The Lounge
    The Lounge
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    State Street Eating House + Cocktails

    State Street Eating House + Cocktails

    4.0
    (299 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    This place is great. They have an awesome bar on one side and restaurant on the other. We sat in…read morethe private room with our larger group. All of the drinks are great and interesting (shout out to Diors, the bartender!). For apps, we had the mussels, bread service, and duck wings. Do not skip the duck wings - they were a great portion, the meat fell off the bone, and the flavor was phenomenal! For dinner, the group ordered the ribeye, shrimp and grits, chicken sandwich, pork ragu, and fish sandwich. The crowd favorites were the fish sandwich, chicken sandwich, and shrimp and grits. Great spot in downtown Sarasota!

    Took a group of friends visiting from Jax for a girls' night out and definitely picked the right…read moreplace. Food: delicious and creative. Every one of the five different entrees merits the five-star rating. Service: exceptional. Our server, Mr. Lenza, was beyond what even the most demanding of customer could want. Engaging, knowledgeable (about many, many things that extended beyond entree questions), fun, and attentive (but not overly so; he hit the perfect mark). Ambiance: upscale-fun meets modern-artisan. Bonus was meeting one of the owners who entertained us with hidden "duck" tales [lol; intrigue intended]. This will be my go-to spot for guests in the future (as well as for me when I'm craving creative & tasty cuisine). Well done, SSEH, well done (& I'm not just talking how to prep my burger )!

    Photos
    State Street Eating House + Cocktails
    State Street Eating House + Cocktails
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    The Doctor’s Office

    The Doctor’s Office

    3.9
    (295 reviews)
    15.4 mi
    $$$

    5 Star update- same great craft cocktails but adding that they have wonderful outdoor seating and…read moresome lovely dishes. We grabbed reservations for the outdoor area to enjoy the weather and were thankful for the shady tree cover. This time we opted for some bites and though the menus change seasonally, I would recommend anything featuring tomatoes. They use truly fantastic heirloom tomatoes that remind you what you're missing with the watery ones we get at the grocery store. Also recommend the Mediterranean Platter. It's full of veggies and the dips are YUM. As usual, the cocktails didn't disappoint. It's never a weekend in AMI without a visit here! Previous Review: 5 Stars for the best cocktails on AMI, and a craft cocktail bar vibe you wouldn't necessarily expect here. (Plus, the service is AMAZING) We walked in (no reservation) after dinner one weekend evening and we were greeted by Matt, who found us a spot at the bar. He gave us menus and a "wellness shot" -- delicious little concoction to wet your palate! Right away I was blown away by the interior and the menu. This looked like it belonged somewhere in Denver or Chicago, but I was thrilled to find it on the island! Matt helped guide us to drinks we'd like on the menu. I ordered the Purgatory, made up of Bourbon, chocolate bitters, agave and premium mezcal. It was divine!! We also ordered some warmed olives, and they were hot and so fragrant. Definitely something I'd order again at the bar. I was stoked to see they have a veggie-specific section on the food menu and can't wait to go back for dinner. I'll definitely make a reservation though, as it was pretty full. Next time, in terms of drinks, I have my eyes on the espresso martini (off menu, but saw a pic on Yelp), and the kiss kiss bang bang. Thanks to Matt and Emily who helped us with our drinks along the way. Sometimes these fabulous craft bars can be pretentious, but the service here was a huge standout. Can't wait to return!

    Wow. I am impressed. I think I'm coming back for dinner tomorrow. This has by far been the best…read moremeal I've had on the island in a while. We have a house here and are here a few times a year. Lobstercargot was so good and the bread they serve with it is amazing. The chicken special I had was also so fresh and flavorful. Pineapple martini was so yummy. Cannot wait to come back.

    Photos
    Dude who stayed too long
    Dude who stayed too long
    Duck tacos - blackberry BBQ to die for!
    Duck tacos - blackberry BBQ to die for!
    Old fashioned, cinnamon stick that looks like a cigarette

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    Wink Wink Food & Drink

    Wink Wink Food & Drink

    4.3
    (54 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    What an absolute gem of a restaurant. The ambiance is artsy, whimsical, fun--and it all just works…read more Really well. Our server, Juliana, provided absolute perfection. She was bright, effervescent, eager to please, extremely knowledgeable about every drink and food item on the menu, always present when needed but never hovering. She has perfected her craft and it made for a wonderful experience. The menu is written with flair and verve, and every offering seems irresistible. We wanted to try everything, but of course couldn't, so we made do with a couple of their signature cocktails (wonderful), a flatbread appetizer (also wonderful) and the very delicious meat loaf and the gemelli pasta entrees. I 10 out of 10 in every respect. We were quite concerned that we were the only patrons in the restaurant during our entire meal. It was early on a Tuesday evening in low season, but still. I hope more folks discover Wink Wink as it would be a shame to lose such a treasure. I would think they might want to consider offering a happy hour to boost things a bit. On the other hand, they could be doing very well and we just hit an off night. Go. Try it. The whole experience will be very entertaining with the art and whimsy of the decor and the menu. Great vibes. and the service and food were wonderful.

    There's a floral pop up event of some sort going on The food…read morewas great! And the drinks were unique and tasted even better! The charcuterie was like a dream, and the Popsicle champagne drink wasn't too shabby! The service was good, and it wasn't too busy when I went. There's definitely photo ops for days for all my fellow content creators! The manger was friendly as well, and was nice enough to check in on all the guests here and there. Will def come back soon!

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    Inside restaurant
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    Pickled Eggs
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