Go sit at the bar with Cody and order one of the specialty drinks! The Siren is beautiful and tastes like the perfect citrus refresher cocktail! My husband had the Smoking Jacket and loved it plus it's an awesome display of craft mixology at its finest. He also had the Over the Barrell and really enjoyed it as well. XL
(5)
Jane H.
Went to dinner there on a Wednesday night with friends. It was fantastic. We had clams, mussels, tomato and watermelon salad, and the ceviche for appetizers. All were fantastic. Kale salad and gazpacho for second course. Tasty and light and refreshing. Filet for entrees and cooked perfectly. We had ice cream cookie sandwiches, bread pudding and the most unbelievable donuts on the planet for dessert. Cocktails were perfectly made, service was attentive, and the chef came to the table multiple times to deliver food and check on us. Fabulous time.
(5)
Brianne F.
Can't go wrong here on a Saturday night. Put on your best cocktail attire or a smart casual piece and enjoy some of the best cocktail creations of sarasota! The bartenders are award winning and for an added bonus, there is always a live mermaid for viewing. Be sure to get there between 9-10 and you'll meet some of the "who's who" of the Sarasota social scene!
(5)
Joey D.
Great place for a late night getaway to escape the crowded bars downtown.The ambience is busily noisy while not overbearing. The staff is courteous & efficient. Jack dusty is not recommended if you are in a hurry. The servers & bar staff are accommodating, while service is subdued & aimed at keeping you in place for a while; like on a Sunday afternoon, when there is no where to be or to go; they are consummate professionals. I recommend Jack dusty as a place to unwind after a hectic work week, or a slow moving Sunday.
(5)
David S.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND. When I make it back to Sarasota this is where I'm going. Great ambience, good views, great food, great service. Yes please. I'd been to Sarasota several times for work and had been out to eat numerous times to numerous restaurants. This place is my favorite. My client, a local, recommended this place and we hung out here, just the two of us, out on the patio overlooking the water one evening. We shut it down actually. So much fun! AMBIANCE ========== The main entrance has a grand feel mainly due to the fact you have to walk through the Ritz Carlton lobby. The interior is large, was tastefully decorated and had a modern steakhouse sort of feel with dark wood and low lighting. It definitely had a newish feel to it. The bar is at the center of the restaurant. They can easily fit large groups as well as small if needed. For the exterior you get to overlook a nice harbor and the Hyatt Regency. They bring out these cool, modern flame heaters. If it's not too hot during the day, I recommend sitting outside. Definitely recommend it at night. RATING: 5/5 FOOD ====== CIOPPINO Large portion and savory. Chunky high quality meats. Rating: 5/5 BREAD Don't normally put the bread down here, but it's certainly noteworthy here. There is a story that goes along with the bread that is baked in a tin can. Have your waiter give it to you. It's good bread, served with a cutting board, a large knife and a selection of warm butters. Rating: 5/5 OYSTERS Got a sampler. Numerous and good. Not very large and not very meaty. Rating: 3/5 PRICE / VALUE ======= Large dinner for two with one person drinking was around $200 USD. About as expected. Rating: 3/5 SERVICE ========== Excellent Service. We had two waiters, both of them were excellent. Rating: 5/5 PRO TIP ======= - Don't expect a fancy restaurant despite the high Yelp rating.
(5)
Sara S.
A nice renovation from the previous restaurant. It's so beautiful, contemporary, and chic. Ritz Sarasota really needed this upgrade. The menu, however, is still very similar to the old restaurant. Not that it's a bad thing, just not a whole newness to the wow factor in food. The crab cakes have improved though. It was fishy the first time I had it there and now it's just right. The bread in the can is a favorite for everyone. The drinks are always great though, and service is attentive. The view is awesome. I love the patio, but what has turned me off was the attack of fire ants on the patio. I am still swollen and itchy from this weekend's attack. I understand it's part of Florida life, but they need to treat the area on occasion to avoid these attacks on diners. We let them know and they brought out an ice pack and capsules of some sort to treat the bites, but half a dozen bites later and I'm still turned off and in fear of attack. Ouch, ouch, itch.
(3)
Diana B.
One of our favorite spots for dinner and drinks! The Siren is a MUST try and the best drink I've ever had! I also love the peppers (app), lobster, and build your own chocolate chip cookie sandwich (amazing).
(5)
Gary E.
We have always liked Jack Dusty's but they have elevated their game. This was the best dining experience we have had in Sarasota - food, presentation, service and atmosphere.
(5)
Elena C.
Jack Dusty was a total mess last Sunday. Had dinner with friends who were staying at the hotel. The food was truly bad, old oysters, chewy clams, terrible crab cakes. The only edible entree was the shrimp and grits. The waiter was clueless. Our experience was beyond terrible, a total disappointment. I do not understand all the great reviews.
(1)
Lawrence C.
This is the dining room of the Ritz, renamed and remodeled from yesteryear. Still, a high level of service and quality of food, as you'd expect, even though it's a more casual setup. Lot's of options on salads makes it easy to order your greens. One diner enjoyed their cioppino, while two loved the grouper etouffee. The 4th diner ordered half plates. Great selections of wines by the glass, and I know we all enjoyed sharing the pudding. PS. Live mermaid on display on weekends!!!
(4)
Jason M.
We were pretty wowed by this place. The decor is very pretty with a modern beach feel. The menu is interesting and we enjoyed reading some history info on the coasters. The bread and the story that goes with it were both very cool. Our table of 4 ordered several small plates. Oysters were good. Gator bites were a bit chewy. Fried green tomatoes were yummy. The Manhattan clam chowder got a rave review. We heard they have a mermaid that comes in on Saturdays so we will try to check that out next time. After dinner we wandered around the garden area and took some pictures. Definitely a great experience. We will be back and will recommend to friends.
(5)
hatmandew h.
Absolutely love this place and I am a total foodie. Nick and Cody were great! Tell them what you want and they will make the drink for you. The best lobster roll I ever had! Breakfast was wonderful. Highly recommend this place. Top notch and top choice for us.
(5)
Shelly W.
I just had an incredible meal at Jack Dusty. No, it's not cheap. But, I've had a lot of meals at places that were almost as expensive, but nowhere as good. The cioppino was very complex, and the seafood was flawlessly cooked. I want to have a bowl of just the broth. The drinks were inventive and very tasty. Yummmmmm
(5)
Tricia R.
We enjoyed our meal at Jack Dusty's. We joined them late at night. Service was not over the top, just right. Good was fabulous. We will return.
(4)
Ani S.
Eh. When you eat at the Ritz, you expect to be in for a gastronomic experience. This was definitely an experience, but not a good one and NOT one I would recommend for dinner. We ate at Jack Dusty for dinner when we ran late for an alternate reservation. Although opentable claimed there were no tables available for the evening, a quick phone call to the restaurant produced prime seating for our party of 9 at our preferred time. The hostess and our server were incredibly sweet. Placed us at a prime table, recording our note that we were here for a birthday dinner, bringing our high chair quickly and some crayons. We ordered almost immediately as we were all starving, placing a request that the kid's meal arrive ASAP. Our server warned us that the portions were huge. With the seafood appetizer, three entrees would be more than enough. We ordered: - Sea Spray (non-alcholic) beverage - Wench's willpower - seafood appetizer for two. (could feed four!) - gator tots (someone was curious to try them). - fried whole fish entree - vegetarian pizza entree - pasta dish for the kids. - steak entree Our drinks and bread were brought out immediately. The maple and corn bread presentation from a can was adorable! And the bread was DELICIOUS!!! Our drinks were FANTASTIC!! The Sea Spray was quite refreshing- loved it! The Wench's Willpower was very good if you like berries. The wine we ordered was delicious! Good wine selections! The ambiance was fabulous. There was a live "mermaid" sitting on top of the bar, waving and interacting from above. Her costume was mostly body paint and tastefully done. Very cool! The seafood appetizer was indeed huge (attached a pic!). It contained an assortment of oysters, clams, lobster tail, bowl of crab meat, shrimp and ceviche. The shrimp, lobster tail and ceviche were delicious. The crab meat was avg. I honestly don't remember anything about the oysters and clams. I heard the gator tots were good, although I declined to try them myself. (I am not as bold as Andrew Zimmerman! ;-)). The Fried Whole Fish was decent. Not as flavorful as others, but good. The vegetarian pizza was fine for a vegetarian entree. The pasta dish was fine for the kids. My steak entree was HORRID! I ordered it medium rare, and it came out well done. Even worse, it looked and tasted like pork or some other meat. I was convinced this was not my order. I called our server who asked me to cut in in several places to examine it before offering to take it back and bring out a new one. Our discussion took so long that I looked over and noticed that everyone was done with their meal. By then I told the server not to bother bringing a new one as the rest of my party had completed their dining and was ready for dessert. (Recall we were here for a birthday!!!). She insisted on bringing out a new steak. I politely thanked her but declined, indicating we were ready for dessert and to celebrate the birthday. She took my plate and vanished. Twenty five minutes later she returned, not with dessert menus, but with a steak. She placed it in front of me and asked me to cut it. I thanked her profusely for her gesture and attentiveness, but asked if we could please get dessert menus as the rest of my party was ready and I was honestly fine and no longer interested in the steak (I was still turned off wondering what kind of meat was placed before me in the first place. Did I mention I am not Andrew Zimmerman?). She insisted so I complied, and yes, this did look like steak medium rare. I didn't want it. Again I asked for the dessert menus and mentioned the birthday. She disappeared again. By the time she returned it was a full hour after my party completed their meal. No dessert menus. I had not touched the steak and indicated so. She left again, returned with a water refill. No dessert refills. I got up to speak to the hostess about our cake. She indicated it would be right out. Twenty minutes go by.... nothing. By now everyone was bored so we asked for the bill. The bill arrived with my steak billed TWICE!!! I brought this to my server's attention. She removed one steak and brought the bill back. My whole party (and those seated at a neighboring table) looked at my untouched steak that I didn't reorder. Whatever. We didn't care anymore and just wanted to get out and try to salvage the birthday celebration elsewhere. We paid and left. For the price and considering the location, this was a HUGE disappointment. **On a side note, it took the valet close to thirty minutes to bring our car. Ridiculous. A huge thank you to Jerry at valet for noticing and fixing the scenario.
(2)
Jude J.
Delicious crab cake sandwich. Very Nice selection of local beers and speciality cocktails. Great and friendly service. The only thing that we noticed were untucked button down collared shirts of the staff. While not a big deal, it just seemed a little out of place at the Ritz.
(5)
Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because this is the total package. --- --- --- Jack Dusty is my all-time favorite ambiance at any restaurant that I've ever been to. The deck is nothing but a piece of heaven. It's the kind of place you could just sit and not move for hours. The drinks are superb. I am not even a big cocktail drinker, but the quality here is unmatched. This was where I chose to take my new fiance for our post-engagement dinner. I think that says enough as to my feelings on good ole' JD. Said fiance went with one of the steaks and it was succulent. I wish I could remember if it was the tenderloin or the ribeye... but it was amazing. I went big with the Maine Lobster to celebrate such an occasion, and though lobsters can be a ton of work, it was delicious.
(5)
Mare G.
We stopped in after our spa day and we loved it! Being from Chicago, we sat on their patio even though a major cold front had come in. Beautiful view and fire pits! Their bread is unique and delicious- it comes out in the tin can it was baked in. We tried a bunch of little plates- grouper cake (crab cake but grouper eat), calamari, picked veggies, oysters, watermelon salad with basil, and a few mocktails. Definitely pricey but well worth the experience and yummy food!
(5)
john j.
Enjoying Spring Break with my #1 son and we decided to try the highly recommended Jack Dusty restaurant in our hotel. The reviews were all very complimentary and we had very high expectations. Fortunately, the proof is in the pudding (forgive the pun, however it was our final dessert!). We started with the Red Snapper, excellent fish cooked perfectly with a salt crust accompanied with a refreshing chutney, crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside. Then we were told the Filet Mignon burger was worth dining here for lunch, our waiter Jeff was able to accommodate our lunch request at the dinner time. The signature "soup can" bread as explained by Jeff was the reason for the name of the restaurant, apparently all sailors were called "Jacks" and the bread maker was called a "Dusty" hence the name Jack Dusty, the best friend of all the "Jacks" because of the breads and baked goods he provided. The desserts are not to be missed, we chose the Sticky Toffee Pudding and after much convincing we tried the Doughnut Holes. Jeff said they were not to be missed. I've learned to always trust the waiters and it was the highlight of our meal! Wonderful food, whimsical presentations and exceptional service. A meal my son and I will always remember!
(5)
Mark E.
Again it was great! No special day..., just felt like I wanted a good steak and the red velvet ice cream sundae was not bad either! Lol
(5)
JEREMY G.
Seriously, only come here if you are carrying a wheel barrow of money along with you. I understand that Sarasota is a tourist destination, and that being a hotel bar at a Ritz, you are going to expect running into higher prices, but when your drinks are on average $4 more per, and no happy hour, then I have to say there is a disconnect. Furthermore, no pool bar? I feel like somebody really doesn't understand how to properly run this bar. The only thing that can be said in a positive light is that the place looked nice and the half dozen oysters that were ordered, while vastly over priced, were quite tasty. Unless I hit the lottery, I doubt I will be coming back.
(3)
Jay C.
Excellent. My wife loved her pork chop and I very much enjoyed the seafood special - blackened grouper etouffee. Service by Michael was efficient, friendly and well informed. The decor at Jack Dusty is very nice. Try the Old Fashioned. Be sure to make a reservation.
(4)
Melissa P.
Back again one year later. Service and food still amazing! This year we tried the raw bar seafood platter. The shrimp ceviche was delicious! Then shrimp and grits - best we've had and we were just in Charleston a month ago! We had shrimp and grits three times while there and these are much better!!
(5)
Collin B.
Went to JDs on Wednesday night. My girlfriend and I are locals and the staff made sure to let us know they appreciated the homegrown scene just as much as their hotel guests. Great drinks, great food, fantastic service from Jeremy our server. Chef came out to introduce himself and brought us some wilted peppers that were a nice touch before our entrees came out. We will be back soon. Jeremy - the doughnuts were a great finish, thanks for a great dining experience.
(5)
Chris A.
Was in Sarasota visiting my mother and thought it would be nice to take her here for lunch. I thought going to a RC would be a safe bet but I was wrong. The remodeled restaurant is really pretty with nice views, and we had some excellent cocktails. But the food was a mess. The tomato/watermelon salad wasn't particularly fresh, but not terrible. Then we waited 40 minutes to get two sandwiches, both of which were pretty bad. The chicken club was made with a big chunk of bland chicken breast and hard orange tomatoes, and the crab cake sandwich was a big mushy mess with not very fresh crab. This Ritz Carlton overall comes off as amateurish; restaurant service was lacking and valet parking was so disorganized that all we could do was laugh. So sorry this wasn't better, as the setting is lovely. Might go back for a drink.
(2)
Marre P.
I've been to Jack Dusty multiple times and I would say that I've been consistently happy with both the food and service. My most recent experience was when my sister had her wedding reception at the hotel and the restaurant was able to accommodate our large party the night before at very last minute. To start, I always order their speciality cocktail- the man up. It's delicious and unique. I've had an array of their appetizers. I would say the best value is in the seafood tower. Everything tastes fresh and the portion is sizable. I really enjoy the ceviche. The signature bread is a nice touch and has a nice molasses flavor. I've had quite a few of the entree options. The steak is always done well. I've also enjoyed fish specials which have never disappointed. The desserts are solid. The best one I've had was the pavlova which was on special. Service is usually very good. Looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Virginia G.
Had a great dinner here a couple weeks back. I had been telling my man about it for months and when we decided to do a weekend getaway I knew a dinner here had to be included (we stayed across the marina at the Hyatt) I made a reservation well ahead of time and when arrived they asked if we were staying at the hotel. when I said no they stated they had a nice table outside saved for me. OUtSIDE? in what were literally 40mph wind gusts and about 45degree temp. That got a quick NO. Ok, well we can sit you by the bar at the window, umm, ok,turns out its basically a bar shelf with stools around it and right next to the door. Now I will say, once the crowd thinned, very soon thereafter, we were moved to the other end of the "shelf" with more room. They also graciously brought us an order of fried green tomatoes with crab as an apology for our inconvenience. (a $19 value) Very courteous! Under orders to try a crafted drink my man got the Zaya daiquiri and loved it.($12) I got the siren ($23) and loved it. Why was a drink $23 you ask? Well it was vodka, st germain, fresh lemon juice and prosecco served over grapefruit ice, cranberry ice, and flower ice. So as it melted it became a different flavor. Really good. A great experience to try once. For food we had the clams with Andouille sausage and a chardonnay sauce ($17) really good. the combinations of flavors was spot on. We also had the local caviar, they get it from Mote marine and serve it traditionally with belini, egg whites and yolks, onion and crème freche. Very very good. Also very pricey. Don't ask how much. We then had the Kale and white cheddar salad ($16) kale, bacon, white cheddar, blackberries and almonds. That was one good salad. I'll be stealing that recipe. Being somewhat full we opted to split the cioppino for "dinner" ($28) came with shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, grouper served with orange peel and tomato broth. to die for! The grouper was so good I kept picking it out and let the man have the other seafood. We also tried a couple of their other housemade drinks and had a wonderful oakey chardonnay as well. (Drinks and wine are pricey, but well worth the splurge, you wont find this quality in the tampa area) So yes, it was another $350 dinner but well worth every penny of it! Service was impeccable. There's valet parking which was a blessing on a cold windy night and even with a HUGE event going on it was ran smoothly and promptly,
(4)
MaryAnn C.
Parking is free- don't forget to tip your valet. Staff at The Ritz is always impeccable and amiable- never a disappointment here. Jack Dusty isn't cheap, so beware. It's a gracious and nice atmosphere with delicious food. The pace isn't fast and the portions aren't large. I like it this way when I come with family to relax and talk. I'd like to know where they get their staff, so sweet and accommodating. The "can" molasses bread with rum butter is so good, it's unbelievably good. The silverware is fish design which adds to the atmosphere. The salt and pepper on the table is in a marble container with a little spoon on top. I've been to The Ritz many times and have never been disappointed. Not only do they have sweet staff but the chef is phenomenal- you won't be disappointed. Broke, but, not disappointed.
(5)
Linda Ann R.
What's not to love about the location? Beautiful Ritz-Carlton offering bay breezes and toasty warmers, even blankets if needed! The staff lives up to RC standards, if only everyone everywhere treated guests as well! I played it safe with the menu and got satisfactory results but next time I would like to try local caviar and cioppino! A friend had it and it looked delish!
(4)
Jennifer K.
One of my favorite restaurants. Beautiful views, great decor and fantastic food. Small menu but mostly local catches so it depends on the season. The presentation of the food especially desserts with their impeccable attention to detail. I went for my birthday with a group of friends and arrived early to enjoy a few cocktails and watched the sunset. It was a very enjoyable evening.
(5)
Clarice K.
I was there for dinner and the bread they serve in a can is so delicious! Oysters were great too! If you have an especial ocasion, this is a great place to be!
(5)
Erin D.
Delicious food and great service. The raw bar selection was wonderful. Tomato salad was beautiful! Will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Brian H.
Admittedly we did not have high expectations for this hotel restaurant. Boy, were we wrong. From the decor to the service to the handcrafted cocktails to the meticulously prepared food, this place really was impressive. Let them dispel the myth of the hotel lobby restaurant.
(4)
Shawna H.
The food and the view are fantastic! Ask to be seated outside. The service was wonderful just as you would expect from The Ritz Carlton. We started with Naval Brown Bread brought out, hot, fresh and served in a tin can. Lobster bisque was creamy with large chunks of lobster in it. Red brick chicken was well cooked and seasoned. Lobster was perfectly cooked. The coasters have fun tidbits of information on them explaining how common phrases came from sailing terms.
(5)
Peter S.
Food was less than stellar. Service was worse than a place half the price. Very overpriced and unimpressive
(1)
Connie M.
Thank you Jack Dusty! I won one of your prizes during your grand opening party and had the pure joy of spending the weekend at the hotel. Several times during my stay, we sat outside on the terrace enjoying the music and the view. The customer service is incredible. Every single person that works at the Ritz truly cares that you feel pampered and cared for. No request is to big or too small. After dinner on Saturday night, my friend and I left St. Armands because we thought it was kind of dead down there, and to our surprise, Jack Dusty's was where the crowds were. We still were able to find a seat outside on the terrace and ordered a few drinks. The terrace overlooks the Bay and the swimming pool. It is just scrumptious. Big lounge chairs and couches with candles and music overhead.
(5)
Lance C.
A destination restaurant, for the location, the food, the drink, the service, and the management. If i was going to open a location, I would want this team running it! Food choices are wonderful, drinks are creative and spot on (Jack Tar, I'm talking to you). Service is actually what you would expect from a Ritz-Carlton - and then some. Wish it was closer, but we'll return anyway. Thanks to Gator and Patrick - Great job!
(5)
James P.
The Serious Foodie & Company ( thesesriousfoodie.net ) paid our first visit to Jack Dusty last weekend - and it won't be our last. We decided on the Ritz Carlton venue because of the outstanding al fresco dining, and the reviews of the innovative cocktails. We certainly were delighted with both the drinks and the view, but we were more than pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, and the service. They were close to getting 5 stars from us - probably more like 4.5 stars - we loved the way everything was prepared, from their version of fried green tomatoes, to the fish special (a wonderful triple tail) and a comfortable version of New Orleans styled blackened grouper. We were very surprised at the clever use of local fresh ingredients, especially the fish dishes. The main attraction for us was the promise of innovative craft cocktails and the beautiful al fresco dinning. We experienced three cocktails during our visit: The Siren, Smoking Jacket, and Man Up. We were very impressed, especially with the Smoking Jacket and Man Up. The bartender uses Angel's Envy Rye in the Smoking Jacket, and we requested it also for Man Up (substituting out Maker's Mark) - outstanding combinations, and fun presentations. The team of Lori and Carl was knowledgeable and fun. Be prepared to spend a bit of money, but it is well worth it.
(4)
Megan K.
I usually love the restaurants at Ritz Carlton's but this one....left a little to be desired. My friend and I came here for drinks and a snack. We asked the hostess about sitting outside and she kept blathering on about reservations for dinner, sounding as though space was limited. I'm sorry but the entire time we were there, the patio was only 20% full and the inside of the restaurant was nearly empty. Anyway, we picked a spot and I ordered the Purser's Bane which was soooo delicious. I got the crab cake appetizer. While it was good, the portion was so small for nearly $20. My friend got a beer and a Caesar salad. Our bill was nearly $60. Which would have been fine if everything was worth it but it was just mediocre besides my drink.
(2)
Kaye S.
Enjoyed the raw bar, cocktails, fish and overall atmosphere. We had a wonderful server. I can't remember her name but she was from Traverse City, MI and was so accommodating and friendly. She made our evening very enjoyable.
(4)
B H.
Two dinners there this week. Exemplary service, delicious food ( fish, chicken, desserts) wonderfully prepared. An excellent wine It's and a vibrant dinner atmosphere. Not cheap but a great evening put on the town.
(5)
Riley R.
Stopped into Jack Dusty around 9:30pm on Friday night for dessert and drinks. I wanted to specifically go to Jack Dusty for dessert and drinks to celebrate my birthday. My wedding was at The Ritz-Carlton in March and I love the cool atmosphere of the restaurant. Bottom line, not impressed. Our waitress was less than pleasant. Our desserts were served before our drinks ever came out. This is not the service I would expect from The Ritz. We didn't even receive an apology about the extreme delay in our drink order. Instead the waitress told us that my husbands drink order (which was recommended by the waitress) was a complicated drink to make. Would think twice before spending so much on dessert/drinks to receive such poor service.
(2)
M. M.
Very lively for a hotel bar. Most seats were occupied and there were at least three barkeeps serving. Drinks were good, but of course with an expected $2-3 "resort" premium tagged on.
We were lucky enough to win a free dinner for 2 from yelp, but I think my review would be just as good if we paid for it. For starters, the maple bread they give you per-meal may be the best bread I have ever had. They serve it hot right in the tin can it's baked in - yum! Although we could have just continued eating bread all night, we did order entrees that were equally amazing. My crab cakes were perfect, and my husband's filet was equally amazing. Service was possibly the best I have ever had, including our meet and greet with the chef. Finally, Jack Dusty has an amazing ambience. The lounge is beautifully decorated and comfortable, and the outdoor patio has views that cant be beat. This is a great place for a fun evening out or to celebrate a romantic special occasion.
(5)
Roberta F.
I recently had lunch at Jack Dusty. Everything was very good. We had a very cheerful, courteous waitress, Maggie, who was very helpful describing the items on the menu. One suggestion I'd like to make is the uniforms the staff are required to wear. Not at all attractive or fitting for the atmosphere and weather.
Wow! Amazing. Shrimp and Grits. Fantastic! Purser's Bane, my favorite. Oysters and Calamari! Beignets!!! Rum Bread Soup Can!! This place is classy and modern. It is beautiful inside and beautiful outside on the patio. Comfortable amazing ambiance. The customer service is exceptional. You can't expect anything less from an establishment inside the Ritz Carlton. I came here for an event the night before they opened. Got to meet most of the minds responsible for this dining work of art. They thoroughly impressed me. I live in Tampa, so it will be difficult to frequent this place. A little more than a month after they opened I came back and stayed at the Ritz. I had a terrific time and this dining experience was the icing on the cake. I have been and will continue to recommend Jack Dusty to anyone and everyone. When I have friends and family in from out of town, this is one of the places that I will be very temped the show them. It is more than worth the hour drive. Great fresh seafood. Great drinks. Great service. Great times.
(5)
Amy Z.
loved the view. loved our cocktails. loved our lunch. loved free valet. I don't care for olives, but my friends enjoyed them as an appetizer, along with potato chips. (I'd recommend not ordering the chips because a ton already come with the sandwiches). steak sandwich was cooked perfectly. chicken sandwich was also good.
(4)
Katrina P.
Since being able to attend with the Yelp Elite event this past weekend, I was very impressed with this restaurant attached to the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. The drinks are all made with TLC, including hand carved ice! My drink of choice - the Purser's Bane: a mix of passionfruit, coconut, and rum. Hubby enjoyed the Sanguine Shore - a bit more of a kick and a seashell included! Food: I loved the appetizers we were able to try and mostly loved the fresh oysters, tuna sashimi, and ceviche. Beautiful views, a great terrace, and awesome service!
(4)
Carmen B.
In town for a few weeks with the family and the Ritz is a few blocks from home base. It's in walking distance and I can always use a dependable spot to grab a drink. So... my review is based on evening drinks on the patio and at the bar. As you would expect, all of the servers are friendly and very nice. Very generous Veuve pour and a decent selection of bourbons and whiskey (could use a better rye selection). Love the patio seating next to the fireplace, this is a good spot. The bar is cool too; seems to fill quickly but there is also service at the window with a patio view. I've never been to a Ritz in which I didn't enjoy the atmosphere. I agree that others may have more cache but I don't believe its a detriment to this property. I will return before my stay is over!!
(3)
J T.
While service was pretty good, food was a bit disappointing. Short ribs were a bit dry and we had to send back. Second round was better, but still not as good as some other local places. I had a fish dish and found the sauce way too overpowering with horseradish - took away from the true flavor of the fish. Bartender service was great as well as hostess.
(3)
Pat A.
Had an early dinner before the Beach Boys concert at The Van Wezel. Manhattan Clam Chowder - hands down the best we have had...EVER. And here is a pic of Jack's Catch oh, those sweet, tender scallops enveloped in teriyaki sauce and fresh pasta...Heaven. I am not giving 5 stars because they 1) ran out of the fresh Grouper and it was only 5pm and 2) ran out of the house Napa Cabernet which is our fav
(4)
Susan W.
first the good news....restaurant in beautiful. okay, now the bad....last night my husband and i sat at the bar and had drinks and apps. the bartender was very misinformed (i think i'm being kind) about most everything i asked him. we waited for what seemed like forever for our oysters and when they arrived, they were the wrong ones. we almost had to beg for forks at one point. really, for the $210 (drinks & apps) we spent it was insulting. first week of business or not, this is not what i was expecting at a ritz carlton.
(1)
Aram B.
Let me start by saying the food here was great and the staff was very nice and helpful. However, when you arrive at your hotel at 2 in the morning it's a bit of a drag to be told at 11:08 AM that you can't get anymore breakfast. I heard another table with children complaining about this as well. The kids wanted pancakes. The waitress said something about how it's a small kitchen and they need time to turn over to lunch. That's lame. I really wanted the crab cake Benedict so I ordered the crab cake sandwich with two eggs on the side. It was great actually. Put the eggs on the sandwich and it was delicious. But at a five star hotel I feel like I shouldn't have to rely on my ingenuity to get breakfast between the hours of 11 am and noon.
(3)
Justin P.
Beautiful patio. Decent food. My server had no personality unfortunately. This is not to say he was in anyway a "bad" server. I enjoyed the experience, and will most assuredly be returning!
(3)
Fritz E.
Beautiful location on the water (not facing the gulf but the intra-coastal). Extremely friendly staff with great service from Raul. We ate the following: Tuna sashimi - red eye tuna and as fresh tasting as possible Pork Rinds with a glass of PBR (nice 'redneck' version for an appetizer). Crispy & tasty pork rinds. Not a fan of PBR...hey, c'mon, it is served super cold and with a side of pork rinds... Raw Bar Sea Platter for 2. At $46, an amazing deal at an upscale restaurant. 1 steamed lobster, shrimp ceviche, crab salad, eat & peel seasoned shrimp, a dozen raw clams & oysters, side of crispy plantains. Purser's Bane rum based cocktail - takes 3 minutes to make but very yummy! Jack Tar Apple bourbon based cocktail - very smooth Some cocktail with fresh slices of lemon, lime & orange. Just order it. very YUMMY $100 lunch. It's the Ritz Carlton and not some local yokel place. Expect to pay a little bit more for the scenery, focus on regional products, investment in craft cocktails and very competent service. You could eat slightly cheaper on St. Armand's but let's be honest, not that much cheaper for a full seafood lunch for 2 with several cocktails. Not 5 stars as I reserve that for extremely special, world class restaurants.
(4)
Matt O.
Jack Dusty nailed. Jack Dusty has positioned itself as an indi restaurant that happens to have a Ritz Carlton built on top of it. The good news to this is a wonderful staff with the "as you wish" attitude. I've been in several times and they anticipate my needs. The food is hands down, 100% what I look for in dining. The servers can tell you what came in on a boat this morning, what depth it was caught and the time it was caught. The produce comes from local farms personally walked by the chef. The drinks are hand crafted and the ice is hand cut from 20 pound blocks. Everything is made from scratch. My suggestion is to order the fish of the day, the cheese grits and don't leave without the Watermelon Salad. The bartenders come in 3 hours before the shift starts to pickle veggies, squeeze fresh fruit and make bitters. There are a couple of drinks not on the menu that you have to be "in the know to order". One of those is a $3 PBR. If the weather is nice ask to sit outside.
(5)
Otto A.
Didn't eat here, just stopped for drinks, what a great renovation of the stuffy old place. The servers, bartenders are very nice and attentive. The "ball" ice cube in my drink was unusual and trendy yet filed the tumbler like a baseball. Cool yet would have liked less ice and more booze! The atmosphere and circuses were awesome. Worth a stop even if just for a cocktail.
(4)
D B.
We chose Jack Dusty purely on the Yelp reviews and had a wonderful experience. The prices are very reasonable for a Ritz Carlton restaurant. We were very impressed with our server, Don, and his knowledge of the menu and drinks. The cioppino was phenomenal, family loved the tenderloin, mashed potatoes and mushrooms. Excellent kids menu. We ordered the pizza and the chicken noodle soup. Both were big hits with the kids. Build your own ice cream sandwich was the perfect ending. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Mopsie B.
The space is very pretty, as one might expect. However, as one might also expect, the bar is a theater of the weird. We went for a nightcap last week and of course, all of the drinks were overpriced (also expected), but Jack Dusty is the only bar in the area open late. We were greeted by two bartenders and as we perused the menu, got a good look at the uh, other patrons: a guy who looked like a cadaver in a boating outfit straight out of The Great Gatsby was whispering sweet nothings in the ear of a woman with a great Louise Brooks-style bob. At first I thought it was some kind of May-December type relationship but when she turned her head, I saw that she was about 90, also. Meanwhile, the couple next to us was trying to get everyone to like them, especially their bartender, who told them she would get them her employee discount next time. In turn, the woman told the bartender she could come visit them. After the couple left, the 'tender told her colleague, Cody, that those people were the parents she wishes she had...Meanwhile, the wines by the glass were served. We did not spend much because we did not stay long. When more young people came in from the outside area to gossip with Cody about who was drunk and who was hungover after some event that happened the night before, we knew it was time to go. Unfortunately, we were not gone when some guy ordered 18 year old Scotch with a "Scotch ball" (a giant ice ball that the bartender hand created with a machine). The worst part was that I gave a 20% tip and found out that Cody had already added a gratuity for himself before I had a chance to see the bill (note: he gave himself less than 20%). What happened the next day (per my bank) is that he then charged the difference between the tip he gave himself and my tip to my card. I have literally never had such a thing happen before but it was truly classless. Too bad Sarasota doesn't have a Four Seasons or a Sofitel. This Ritz is proof that money can't buy class!
(2)
Lori J.
For starters, the restaurant that preceded Jack Dusty HAD to go, and Dusty is not just a replacement, but an inspired invention. Far from a silly themed restaurant, it all works perfectly here, incl. the screen above the bar playing "Mutiny On The Bounty" with Charles Laughton. What could be better?! The maple corn/brown bread baked in a can could be eaten--with the rum butter slathered on it--all night, but please don't make that mistake as I almost did, as there are so many wonderful things to be enjoyed! Crab and fried green tomatoes! Shrimp and grits! Whole snapper with saffron and coconut! If only I could've taken the elevator up to one of the rooms at the Ritz Carlton after my dessert (homeade icecream sandwiches), because I sure would've plopped down into one of their luscious beds. Instead I somehow managed to get to the hotel's front door, where valet parking staff had my car waiting--Thank Goodness! Lori M.
(5)
Deanna F.
Inspired, but over-hyped. Food was clever in concept, but over-priced and poorly executed. Atmosphere is unnecessarily pretentious, but that could be a symptom of the Ritz connection. I really really wanted to like this place. I will probably give them another try when the weather is gorgeous, since their water view and patio is arguably Jack Dusty's best feature.
(2)
Jay W.
Absolutely fabulous. Best crab cakes I've ever had, personalized service, adequate wine list. Nothing even average to report.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon Coat Check : Yes Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The Real Foodie Of Orlando L.
Go sit at the bar with Cody and order one of the specialty drinks! The Siren is beautiful and tastes like the perfect citrus refresher cocktail! My husband had the Smoking Jacket and loved it plus it's an awesome display of craft mixology at its finest. He also had the Over the Barrell and really enjoyed it as well. XL
(5)Jane H.
Went to dinner there on a Wednesday night with friends. It was fantastic. We had clams, mussels, tomato and watermelon salad, and the ceviche for appetizers. All were fantastic. Kale salad and gazpacho for second course. Tasty and light and refreshing. Filet for entrees and cooked perfectly. We had ice cream cookie sandwiches, bread pudding and the most unbelievable donuts on the planet for dessert. Cocktails were perfectly made, service was attentive, and the chef came to the table multiple times to deliver food and check on us. Fabulous time.
(5)Brianne F.
Can't go wrong here on a Saturday night. Put on your best cocktail attire or a smart casual piece and enjoy some of the best cocktail creations of sarasota! The bartenders are award winning and for an added bonus, there is always a live mermaid for viewing. Be sure to get there between 9-10 and you'll meet some of the "who's who" of the Sarasota social scene!
(5)Joey D.
Great place for a late night getaway to escape the crowded bars downtown.The ambience is busily noisy while not overbearing. The staff is courteous & efficient. Jack dusty is not recommended if you are in a hurry. The servers & bar staff are accommodating, while service is subdued & aimed at keeping you in place for a while; like on a Sunday afternoon, when there is no where to be or to go; they are consummate professionals. I recommend Jack dusty as a place to unwind after a hectic work week, or a slow moving Sunday.
(5)David S.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND. When I make it back to Sarasota this is where I'm going. Great ambience, good views, great food, great service. Yes please. I'd been to Sarasota several times for work and had been out to eat numerous times to numerous restaurants. This place is my favorite. My client, a local, recommended this place and we hung out here, just the two of us, out on the patio overlooking the water one evening. We shut it down actually. So much fun! AMBIANCE ========== The main entrance has a grand feel mainly due to the fact you have to walk through the Ritz Carlton lobby. The interior is large, was tastefully decorated and had a modern steakhouse sort of feel with dark wood and low lighting. It definitely had a newish feel to it. The bar is at the center of the restaurant. They can easily fit large groups as well as small if needed. For the exterior you get to overlook a nice harbor and the Hyatt Regency. They bring out these cool, modern flame heaters. If it's not too hot during the day, I recommend sitting outside. Definitely recommend it at night. RATING: 5/5 FOOD ====== CIOPPINO Large portion and savory. Chunky high quality meats. Rating: 5/5 BREAD Don't normally put the bread down here, but it's certainly noteworthy here. There is a story that goes along with the bread that is baked in a tin can. Have your waiter give it to you. It's good bread, served with a cutting board, a large knife and a selection of warm butters. Rating: 5/5 OYSTERS Got a sampler. Numerous and good. Not very large and not very meaty. Rating: 3/5 PRICE / VALUE ======= Large dinner for two with one person drinking was around $200 USD. About as expected. Rating: 3/5 SERVICE ========== Excellent Service. We had two waiters, both of them were excellent. Rating: 5/5 PRO TIP ======= - Don't expect a fancy restaurant despite the high Yelp rating.
(5)Sara S.
A nice renovation from the previous restaurant. It's so beautiful, contemporary, and chic. Ritz Sarasota really needed this upgrade. The menu, however, is still very similar to the old restaurant. Not that it's a bad thing, just not a whole newness to the wow factor in food. The crab cakes have improved though. It was fishy the first time I had it there and now it's just right. The bread in the can is a favorite for everyone. The drinks are always great though, and service is attentive. The view is awesome. I love the patio, but what has turned me off was the attack of fire ants on the patio. I am still swollen and itchy from this weekend's attack. I understand it's part of Florida life, but they need to treat the area on occasion to avoid these attacks on diners. We let them know and they brought out an ice pack and capsules of some sort to treat the bites, but half a dozen bites later and I'm still turned off and in fear of attack. Ouch, ouch, itch.
(3)Diana B.
One of our favorite spots for dinner and drinks! The Siren is a MUST try and the best drink I've ever had! I also love the peppers (app), lobster, and build your own chocolate chip cookie sandwich (amazing).
(5)Gary E.
We have always liked Jack Dusty's but they have elevated their game. This was the best dining experience we have had in Sarasota - food, presentation, service and atmosphere.
(5)Elena C.
Jack Dusty was a total mess last Sunday. Had dinner with friends who were staying at the hotel. The food was truly bad, old oysters, chewy clams, terrible crab cakes. The only edible entree was the shrimp and grits. The waiter was clueless. Our experience was beyond terrible, a total disappointment. I do not understand all the great reviews.
(1)Lawrence C.
This is the dining room of the Ritz, renamed and remodeled from yesteryear. Still, a high level of service and quality of food, as you'd expect, even though it's a more casual setup. Lot's of options on salads makes it easy to order your greens. One diner enjoyed their cioppino, while two loved the grouper etouffee. The 4th diner ordered half plates. Great selections of wines by the glass, and I know we all enjoyed sharing the pudding. PS. Live mermaid on display on weekends!!!
(4)Jason M.
We were pretty wowed by this place. The decor is very pretty with a modern beach feel. The menu is interesting and we enjoyed reading some history info on the coasters. The bread and the story that goes with it were both very cool. Our table of 4 ordered several small plates. Oysters were good. Gator bites were a bit chewy. Fried green tomatoes were yummy. The Manhattan clam chowder got a rave review. We heard they have a mermaid that comes in on Saturdays so we will try to check that out next time. After dinner we wandered around the garden area and took some pictures. Definitely a great experience. We will be back and will recommend to friends.
(5)hatmandew h.
Absolutely love this place and I am a total foodie. Nick and Cody were great! Tell them what you want and they will make the drink for you. The best lobster roll I ever had! Breakfast was wonderful. Highly recommend this place. Top notch and top choice for us.
(5)Shelly W.
I just had an incredible meal at Jack Dusty. No, it's not cheap. But, I've had a lot of meals at places that were almost as expensive, but nowhere as good. The cioppino was very complex, and the seafood was flawlessly cooked. I want to have a bowl of just the broth. The drinks were inventive and very tasty. Yummmmmm
(5)Tricia R.
We enjoyed our meal at Jack Dusty's. We joined them late at night. Service was not over the top, just right. Good was fabulous. We will return.
(4)Ani S.
Eh. When you eat at the Ritz, you expect to be in for a gastronomic experience. This was definitely an experience, but not a good one and NOT one I would recommend for dinner. We ate at Jack Dusty for dinner when we ran late for an alternate reservation. Although opentable claimed there were no tables available for the evening, a quick phone call to the restaurant produced prime seating for our party of 9 at our preferred time. The hostess and our server were incredibly sweet. Placed us at a prime table, recording our note that we were here for a birthday dinner, bringing our high chair quickly and some crayons. We ordered almost immediately as we were all starving, placing a request that the kid's meal arrive ASAP. Our server warned us that the portions were huge. With the seafood appetizer, three entrees would be more than enough. We ordered: - Sea Spray (non-alcholic) beverage - Wench's willpower - seafood appetizer for two. (could feed four!) - gator tots (someone was curious to try them). - fried whole fish entree - vegetarian pizza entree - pasta dish for the kids. - steak entree Our drinks and bread were brought out immediately. The maple and corn bread presentation from a can was adorable! And the bread was DELICIOUS!!! Our drinks were FANTASTIC!! The Sea Spray was quite refreshing- loved it! The Wench's Willpower was very good if you like berries. The wine we ordered was delicious! Good wine selections! The ambiance was fabulous. There was a live "mermaid" sitting on top of the bar, waving and interacting from above. Her costume was mostly body paint and tastefully done. Very cool! The seafood appetizer was indeed huge (attached a pic!). It contained an assortment of oysters, clams, lobster tail, bowl of crab meat, shrimp and ceviche. The shrimp, lobster tail and ceviche were delicious. The crab meat was avg. I honestly don't remember anything about the oysters and clams. I heard the gator tots were good, although I declined to try them myself. (I am not as bold as Andrew Zimmerman! ;-)). The Fried Whole Fish was decent. Not as flavorful as others, but good. The vegetarian pizza was fine for a vegetarian entree. The pasta dish was fine for the kids. My steak entree was HORRID! I ordered it medium rare, and it came out well done. Even worse, it looked and tasted like pork or some other meat. I was convinced this was not my order. I called our server who asked me to cut in in several places to examine it before offering to take it back and bring out a new one. Our discussion took so long that I looked over and noticed that everyone was done with their meal. By then I told the server not to bother bringing a new one as the rest of my party had completed their dining and was ready for dessert. (Recall we were here for a birthday!!!). She insisted on bringing out a new steak. I politely thanked her but declined, indicating we were ready for dessert and to celebrate the birthday. She took my plate and vanished. Twenty five minutes later she returned, not with dessert menus, but with a steak. She placed it in front of me and asked me to cut it. I thanked her profusely for her gesture and attentiveness, but asked if we could please get dessert menus as the rest of my party was ready and I was honestly fine and no longer interested in the steak (I was still turned off wondering what kind of meat was placed before me in the first place. Did I mention I am not Andrew Zimmerman?). She insisted so I complied, and yes, this did look like steak medium rare. I didn't want it. Again I asked for the dessert menus and mentioned the birthday. She disappeared again. By the time she returned it was a full hour after my party completed their meal. No dessert menus. I had not touched the steak and indicated so. She left again, returned with a water refill. No dessert refills. I got up to speak to the hostess about our cake. She indicated it would be right out. Twenty minutes go by.... nothing. By now everyone was bored so we asked for the bill. The bill arrived with my steak billed TWICE!!! I brought this to my server's attention. She removed one steak and brought the bill back. My whole party (and those seated at a neighboring table) looked at my untouched steak that I didn't reorder. Whatever. We didn't care anymore and just wanted to get out and try to salvage the birthday celebration elsewhere. We paid and left. For the price and considering the location, this was a HUGE disappointment. **On a side note, it took the valet close to thirty minutes to bring our car. Ridiculous. A huge thank you to Jerry at valet for noticing and fixing the scenario.
(2)Jude J.
Delicious crab cake sandwich. Very Nice selection of local beers and speciality cocktails. Great and friendly service. The only thing that we noticed were untucked button down collared shirts of the staff. While not a big deal, it just seemed a little out of place at the Ritz.
(5)Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because this is the total package. --- --- --- Jack Dusty is my all-time favorite ambiance at any restaurant that I've ever been to. The deck is nothing but a piece of heaven. It's the kind of place you could just sit and not move for hours. The drinks are superb. I am not even a big cocktail drinker, but the quality here is unmatched. This was where I chose to take my new fiance for our post-engagement dinner. I think that says enough as to my feelings on good ole' JD. Said fiance went with one of the steaks and it was succulent. I wish I could remember if it was the tenderloin or the ribeye... but it was amazing. I went big with the Maine Lobster to celebrate such an occasion, and though lobsters can be a ton of work, it was delicious.
(5)Mare G.
We stopped in after our spa day and we loved it! Being from Chicago, we sat on their patio even though a major cold front had come in. Beautiful view and fire pits! Their bread is unique and delicious- it comes out in the tin can it was baked in. We tried a bunch of little plates- grouper cake (crab cake but grouper eat), calamari, picked veggies, oysters, watermelon salad with basil, and a few mocktails. Definitely pricey but well worth the experience and yummy food!
(5)john j.
Enjoying Spring Break with my #1 son and we decided to try the highly recommended Jack Dusty restaurant in our hotel. The reviews were all very complimentary and we had very high expectations. Fortunately, the proof is in the pudding (forgive the pun, however it was our final dessert!). We started with the Red Snapper, excellent fish cooked perfectly with a salt crust accompanied with a refreshing chutney, crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside. Then we were told the Filet Mignon burger was worth dining here for lunch, our waiter Jeff was able to accommodate our lunch request at the dinner time. The signature "soup can" bread as explained by Jeff was the reason for the name of the restaurant, apparently all sailors were called "Jacks" and the bread maker was called a "Dusty" hence the name Jack Dusty, the best friend of all the "Jacks" because of the breads and baked goods he provided. The desserts are not to be missed, we chose the Sticky Toffee Pudding and after much convincing we tried the Doughnut Holes. Jeff said they were not to be missed. I've learned to always trust the waiters and it was the highlight of our meal! Wonderful food, whimsical presentations and exceptional service. A meal my son and I will always remember!
(5)Mark E.
Again it was great! No special day..., just felt like I wanted a good steak and the red velvet ice cream sundae was not bad either! Lol
(5)JEREMY G.
Seriously, only come here if you are carrying a wheel barrow of money along with you. I understand that Sarasota is a tourist destination, and that being a hotel bar at a Ritz, you are going to expect running into higher prices, but when your drinks are on average $4 more per, and no happy hour, then I have to say there is a disconnect. Furthermore, no pool bar? I feel like somebody really doesn't understand how to properly run this bar. The only thing that can be said in a positive light is that the place looked nice and the half dozen oysters that were ordered, while vastly over priced, were quite tasty. Unless I hit the lottery, I doubt I will be coming back.
(3)Jay C.
Excellent. My wife loved her pork chop and I very much enjoyed the seafood special - blackened grouper etouffee. Service by Michael was efficient, friendly and well informed. The decor at Jack Dusty is very nice. Try the Old Fashioned. Be sure to make a reservation.
(4)Melissa P.
Back again one year later. Service and food still amazing! This year we tried the raw bar seafood platter. The shrimp ceviche was delicious! Then shrimp and grits - best we've had and we were just in Charleston a month ago! We had shrimp and grits three times while there and these are much better!!
(5)Collin B.
Went to JDs on Wednesday night. My girlfriend and I are locals and the staff made sure to let us know they appreciated the homegrown scene just as much as their hotel guests. Great drinks, great food, fantastic service from Jeremy our server. Chef came out to introduce himself and brought us some wilted peppers that were a nice touch before our entrees came out. We will be back soon. Jeremy - the doughnuts were a great finish, thanks for a great dining experience.
(5)Chris A.
Was in Sarasota visiting my mother and thought it would be nice to take her here for lunch. I thought going to a RC would be a safe bet but I was wrong. The remodeled restaurant is really pretty with nice views, and we had some excellent cocktails. But the food was a mess. The tomato/watermelon salad wasn't particularly fresh, but not terrible. Then we waited 40 minutes to get two sandwiches, both of which were pretty bad. The chicken club was made with a big chunk of bland chicken breast and hard orange tomatoes, and the crab cake sandwich was a big mushy mess with not very fresh crab. This Ritz Carlton overall comes off as amateurish; restaurant service was lacking and valet parking was so disorganized that all we could do was laugh. So sorry this wasn't better, as the setting is lovely. Might go back for a drink.
(2)Marre P.
I've been to Jack Dusty multiple times and I would say that I've been consistently happy with both the food and service. My most recent experience was when my sister had her wedding reception at the hotel and the restaurant was able to accommodate our large party the night before at very last minute. To start, I always order their speciality cocktail- the man up. It's delicious and unique. I've had an array of their appetizers. I would say the best value is in the seafood tower. Everything tastes fresh and the portion is sizable. I really enjoy the ceviche. The signature bread is a nice touch and has a nice molasses flavor. I've had quite a few of the entree options. The steak is always done well. I've also enjoyed fish specials which have never disappointed. The desserts are solid. The best one I've had was the pavlova which was on special. Service is usually very good. Looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Virginia G.
Had a great dinner here a couple weeks back. I had been telling my man about it for months and when we decided to do a weekend getaway I knew a dinner here had to be included (we stayed across the marina at the Hyatt) I made a reservation well ahead of time and when arrived they asked if we were staying at the hotel. when I said no they stated they had a nice table outside saved for me. OUtSIDE? in what were literally 40mph wind gusts and about 45degree temp. That got a quick NO. Ok, well we can sit you by the bar at the window, umm, ok,turns out its basically a bar shelf with stools around it and right next to the door. Now I will say, once the crowd thinned, very soon thereafter, we were moved to the other end of the "shelf" with more room. They also graciously brought us an order of fried green tomatoes with crab as an apology for our inconvenience. (a $19 value) Very courteous! Under orders to try a crafted drink my man got the Zaya daiquiri and loved it.($12) I got the siren ($23) and loved it. Why was a drink $23 you ask? Well it was vodka, st germain, fresh lemon juice and prosecco served over grapefruit ice, cranberry ice, and flower ice. So as it melted it became a different flavor. Really good. A great experience to try once. For food we had the clams with Andouille sausage and a chardonnay sauce ($17) really good. the combinations of flavors was spot on. We also had the local caviar, they get it from Mote marine and serve it traditionally with belini, egg whites and yolks, onion and crème freche. Very very good. Also very pricey. Don't ask how much. We then had the Kale and white cheddar salad ($16) kale, bacon, white cheddar, blackberries and almonds. That was one good salad. I'll be stealing that recipe. Being somewhat full we opted to split the cioppino for "dinner" ($28) came with shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, grouper served with orange peel and tomato broth. to die for! The grouper was so good I kept picking it out and let the man have the other seafood. We also tried a couple of their other housemade drinks and had a wonderful oakey chardonnay as well. (Drinks and wine are pricey, but well worth the splurge, you wont find this quality in the tampa area) So yes, it was another $350 dinner but well worth every penny of it! Service was impeccable. There's valet parking which was a blessing on a cold windy night and even with a HUGE event going on it was ran smoothly and promptly,
(4)MaryAnn C.
Parking is free- don't forget to tip your valet. Staff at The Ritz is always impeccable and amiable- never a disappointment here. Jack Dusty isn't cheap, so beware. It's a gracious and nice atmosphere with delicious food. The pace isn't fast and the portions aren't large. I like it this way when I come with family to relax and talk. I'd like to know where they get their staff, so sweet and accommodating. The "can" molasses bread with rum butter is so good, it's unbelievably good. The silverware is fish design which adds to the atmosphere. The salt and pepper on the table is in a marble container with a little spoon on top. I've been to The Ritz many times and have never been disappointed. Not only do they have sweet staff but the chef is phenomenal- you won't be disappointed. Broke, but, not disappointed.
(5)Linda Ann R.
What's not to love about the location? Beautiful Ritz-Carlton offering bay breezes and toasty warmers, even blankets if needed! The staff lives up to RC standards, if only everyone everywhere treated guests as well! I played it safe with the menu and got satisfactory results but next time I would like to try local caviar and cioppino! A friend had it and it looked delish!
(4)Jennifer K.
One of my favorite restaurants. Beautiful views, great decor and fantastic food. Small menu but mostly local catches so it depends on the season. The presentation of the food especially desserts with their impeccable attention to detail. I went for my birthday with a group of friends and arrived early to enjoy a few cocktails and watched the sunset. It was a very enjoyable evening.
(5)Clarice K.
I was there for dinner and the bread they serve in a can is so delicious! Oysters were great too! If you have an especial ocasion, this is a great place to be!
(5)Erin D.
Delicious food and great service. The raw bar selection was wonderful. Tomato salad was beautiful! Will definitely be coming back.
(4)Brian H.
Admittedly we did not have high expectations for this hotel restaurant. Boy, were we wrong. From the decor to the service to the handcrafted cocktails to the meticulously prepared food, this place really was impressive. Let them dispel the myth of the hotel lobby restaurant.
(4)Shawna H.
The food and the view are fantastic! Ask to be seated outside. The service was wonderful just as you would expect from The Ritz Carlton. We started with Naval Brown Bread brought out, hot, fresh and served in a tin can. Lobster bisque was creamy with large chunks of lobster in it. Red brick chicken was well cooked and seasoned. Lobster was perfectly cooked. The coasters have fun tidbits of information on them explaining how common phrases came from sailing terms.
(5)Peter S.
Food was less than stellar. Service was worse than a place half the price. Very overpriced and unimpressive
(1)Connie M.
Thank you Jack Dusty! I won one of your prizes during your grand opening party and had the pure joy of spending the weekend at the hotel. Several times during my stay, we sat outside on the terrace enjoying the music and the view. The customer service is incredible. Every single person that works at the Ritz truly cares that you feel pampered and cared for. No request is to big or too small. After dinner on Saturday night, my friend and I left St. Armands because we thought it was kind of dead down there, and to our surprise, Jack Dusty's was where the crowds were. We still were able to find a seat outside on the terrace and ordered a few drinks. The terrace overlooks the Bay and the swimming pool. It is just scrumptious. Big lounge chairs and couches with candles and music overhead.
(5)Lance C.
A destination restaurant, for the location, the food, the drink, the service, and the management. If i was going to open a location, I would want this team running it! Food choices are wonderful, drinks are creative and spot on (Jack Tar, I'm talking to you). Service is actually what you would expect from a Ritz-Carlton - and then some. Wish it was closer, but we'll return anyway. Thanks to Gator and Patrick - Great job!
(5)James P.
The Serious Foodie & Company ( thesesriousfoodie.net ) paid our first visit to Jack Dusty last weekend - and it won't be our last. We decided on the Ritz Carlton venue because of the outstanding al fresco dining, and the reviews of the innovative cocktails. We certainly were delighted with both the drinks and the view, but we were more than pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, and the service. They were close to getting 5 stars from us - probably more like 4.5 stars - we loved the way everything was prepared, from their version of fried green tomatoes, to the fish special (a wonderful triple tail) and a comfortable version of New Orleans styled blackened grouper. We were very surprised at the clever use of local fresh ingredients, especially the fish dishes. The main attraction for us was the promise of innovative craft cocktails and the beautiful al fresco dinning. We experienced three cocktails during our visit: The Siren, Smoking Jacket, and Man Up. We were very impressed, especially with the Smoking Jacket and Man Up. The bartender uses Angel's Envy Rye in the Smoking Jacket, and we requested it also for Man Up (substituting out Maker's Mark) - outstanding combinations, and fun presentations. The team of Lori and Carl was knowledgeable and fun. Be prepared to spend a bit of money, but it is well worth it.
(4)Megan K.
I usually love the restaurants at Ritz Carlton's but this one....left a little to be desired. My friend and I came here for drinks and a snack. We asked the hostess about sitting outside and she kept blathering on about reservations for dinner, sounding as though space was limited. I'm sorry but the entire time we were there, the patio was only 20% full and the inside of the restaurant was nearly empty. Anyway, we picked a spot and I ordered the Purser's Bane which was soooo delicious. I got the crab cake appetizer. While it was good, the portion was so small for nearly $20. My friend got a beer and a Caesar salad. Our bill was nearly $60. Which would have been fine if everything was worth it but it was just mediocre besides my drink.
(2)Kaye S.
Enjoyed the raw bar, cocktails, fish and overall atmosphere. We had a wonderful server. I can't remember her name but she was from Traverse City, MI and was so accommodating and friendly. She made our evening very enjoyable.
(4)B H.
Two dinners there this week. Exemplary service, delicious food ( fish, chicken, desserts) wonderfully prepared. An excellent wine It's and a vibrant dinner atmosphere. Not cheap but a great evening put on the town.
(5)Riley R.
Stopped into Jack Dusty around 9:30pm on Friday night for dessert and drinks. I wanted to specifically go to Jack Dusty for dessert and drinks to celebrate my birthday. My wedding was at The Ritz-Carlton in March and I love the cool atmosphere of the restaurant. Bottom line, not impressed. Our waitress was less than pleasant. Our desserts were served before our drinks ever came out. This is not the service I would expect from The Ritz. We didn't even receive an apology about the extreme delay in our drink order. Instead the waitress told us that my husbands drink order (which was recommended by the waitress) was a complicated drink to make. Would think twice before spending so much on dessert/drinks to receive such poor service.
(2)M. M.
Very lively for a hotel bar. Most seats were occupied and there were at least three barkeeps serving. Drinks were good, but of course with an expected $2-3 "resort" premium tagged on.
(3)Justin S.
At the risk of sounding mean, I kinda rolled my eyes when my friends suggested we dine at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. On the other hand, I had read a more-or-less rave review of Jack Dusty in Saveur Magazine a couple of months ago, so my interest had been piqued anyway. Having been once bitten by a Ritz-Carlton Sarasota establishment before (do see my review of the late Ca D'Zan Lounge: goo.gl/PVKad ), I agreed that Jack Dusty would likely be a different type of place, and off we went. I stopped in with three friends on a recent Sunday night to find a veritable breath of fresh air, both in terms of Sarasota dining and in terms of the downright awesome cuisine presented here. Jack Dusty's emphasis is on seafood, and that's where they shine. My friends and I enjoyed an incredible variety of fresh, thoughtfully-prepared and presented seafood dishes that I would look forward to returning for. We started with a raw oyster sampler which included oysters from the Pacific Northwest, Connecticut and New York (why no Gulf Coast oysters, guys!), and the fried calamari which was fresh and coated in a lightly crunchy batter. For the main, I broke the seafood mold, and went with the pork chop (served with an enormous heap of mashed potatoes and seasonal sautéed greens). This went over tremendously with the table and we all ended up sharing. Others I was with went for seafood specialties, which were all exquisite. Also worth mentioning was the Tidewrack Martini (of which I enjoyed two), an herbal, bracing elixir, impeccably suited for seafood. Service was doting and pleasant, and we loved the "can bread" served at the start of the meal, a slightly sweet, warm and light quick bread. I look forward to subsequent returns to Jack Dusty to enjoy and explore their unique, interesting menu further.
(5)Angela S.
We were lucky enough to win a free dinner for 2 from yelp, but I think my review would be just as good if we paid for it. For starters, the maple bread they give you per-meal may be the best bread I have ever had. They serve it hot right in the tin can it's baked in - yum! Although we could have just continued eating bread all night, we did order entrees that were equally amazing. My crab cakes were perfect, and my husband's filet was equally amazing. Service was possibly the best I have ever had, including our meet and greet with the chef. Finally, Jack Dusty has an amazing ambience. The lounge is beautifully decorated and comfortable, and the outdoor patio has views that cant be beat. This is a great place for a fun evening out or to celebrate a romantic special occasion.
(5)Roberta F.
I recently had lunch at Jack Dusty. Everything was very good. We had a very cheerful, courteous waitress, Maggie, who was very helpful describing the items on the menu. One suggestion I'd like to make is the uniforms the staff are required to wear. Not at all attractive or fitting for the atmosphere and weather.
(5)Rafael F.
Whilst staying at the Ritz, we thought it nice to check out Jack Dusty on the eve of my guy's big 30. Jack did not disappoint. What a hip place, with a laid back vibe, and the tastiest of eats! I started the evening with 'Jack's Tiki Punch'. I'm a sucker for presentation so the unique baby blue ceramic glass emblazoned with a sultry belly dancer made me smile. One sip and I was smitten. This is a hand crafted cocktail that will put hair on your chest. Cherry, coconut, a little lemon, a hint of bitters, and lots of rum and port. I'll have another! I'm feeling great, and our server, clad in khakis, and a chic denim apron with leather detailing (where can I get one), saunters over with a tin can brimming with a golden muffin top. Wait a minute, are they serving me Pannatone? No sir! What we have is the most delicious bread crafted of rum and an old sailor recipe. It was devoured with fresh butter. Delicious! Lobster bisque follows and its perfect. Main course Cioppino brings the flavor with a local caught mélange of seafood and a red sauce worthy of licking the bowl. And just when I thought it couldn't get better, the Key Lime Pie arrives in the most unconventional of manners: a mason jar. Perfectly tangy sweet with a perfect crumb base worth diving for. An absolutely perfect evening!
(5)Ross M.
Wow! Amazing. Shrimp and Grits. Fantastic! Purser's Bane, my favorite. Oysters and Calamari! Beignets!!! Rum Bread Soup Can!! This place is classy and modern. It is beautiful inside and beautiful outside on the patio. Comfortable amazing ambiance. The customer service is exceptional. You can't expect anything less from an establishment inside the Ritz Carlton. I came here for an event the night before they opened. Got to meet most of the minds responsible for this dining work of art. They thoroughly impressed me. I live in Tampa, so it will be difficult to frequent this place. A little more than a month after they opened I came back and stayed at the Ritz. I had a terrific time and this dining experience was the icing on the cake. I have been and will continue to recommend Jack Dusty to anyone and everyone. When I have friends and family in from out of town, this is one of the places that I will be very temped the show them. It is more than worth the hour drive. Great fresh seafood. Great drinks. Great service. Great times.
(5)Amy Z.
loved the view. loved our cocktails. loved our lunch. loved free valet. I don't care for olives, but my friends enjoyed them as an appetizer, along with potato chips. (I'd recommend not ordering the chips because a ton already come with the sandwiches). steak sandwich was cooked perfectly. chicken sandwich was also good.
(4)Katrina P.
Since being able to attend with the Yelp Elite event this past weekend, I was very impressed with this restaurant attached to the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. The drinks are all made with TLC, including hand carved ice! My drink of choice - the Purser's Bane: a mix of passionfruit, coconut, and rum. Hubby enjoyed the Sanguine Shore - a bit more of a kick and a seashell included! Food: I loved the appetizers we were able to try and mostly loved the fresh oysters, tuna sashimi, and ceviche. Beautiful views, a great terrace, and awesome service!
(4)Carmen B.
In town for a few weeks with the family and the Ritz is a few blocks from home base. It's in walking distance and I can always use a dependable spot to grab a drink. So... my review is based on evening drinks on the patio and at the bar. As you would expect, all of the servers are friendly and very nice. Very generous Veuve pour and a decent selection of bourbons and whiskey (could use a better rye selection). Love the patio seating next to the fireplace, this is a good spot. The bar is cool too; seems to fill quickly but there is also service at the window with a patio view. I've never been to a Ritz in which I didn't enjoy the atmosphere. I agree that others may have more cache but I don't believe its a detriment to this property. I will return before my stay is over!!
(3)J T.
While service was pretty good, food was a bit disappointing. Short ribs were a bit dry and we had to send back. Second round was better, but still not as good as some other local places. I had a fish dish and found the sauce way too overpowering with horseradish - took away from the true flavor of the fish. Bartender service was great as well as hostess.
(3)Pat A.
Had an early dinner before the Beach Boys concert at The Van Wezel. Manhattan Clam Chowder - hands down the best we have had...EVER. And here is a pic of Jack's Catch oh, those sweet, tender scallops enveloped in teriyaki sauce and fresh pasta...Heaven. I am not giving 5 stars because they 1) ran out of the fresh Grouper and it was only 5pm and 2) ran out of the house Napa Cabernet which is our fav
(4)Susan W.
first the good news....restaurant in beautiful. okay, now the bad....last night my husband and i sat at the bar and had drinks and apps. the bartender was very misinformed (i think i'm being kind) about most everything i asked him. we waited for what seemed like forever for our oysters and when they arrived, they were the wrong ones. we almost had to beg for forks at one point. really, for the $210 (drinks & apps) we spent it was insulting. first week of business or not, this is not what i was expecting at a ritz carlton.
(1)Aram B.
Let me start by saying the food here was great and the staff was very nice and helpful. However, when you arrive at your hotel at 2 in the morning it's a bit of a drag to be told at 11:08 AM that you can't get anymore breakfast. I heard another table with children complaining about this as well. The kids wanted pancakes. The waitress said something about how it's a small kitchen and they need time to turn over to lunch. That's lame. I really wanted the crab cake Benedict so I ordered the crab cake sandwich with two eggs on the side. It was great actually. Put the eggs on the sandwich and it was delicious. But at a five star hotel I feel like I shouldn't have to rely on my ingenuity to get breakfast between the hours of 11 am and noon.
(3)Justin P.
Beautiful patio. Decent food. My server had no personality unfortunately. This is not to say he was in anyway a "bad" server. I enjoyed the experience, and will most assuredly be returning!
(3)Fritz E.
Beautiful location on the water (not facing the gulf but the intra-coastal). Extremely friendly staff with great service from Raul. We ate the following: Tuna sashimi - red eye tuna and as fresh tasting as possible Pork Rinds with a glass of PBR (nice 'redneck' version for an appetizer). Crispy & tasty pork rinds. Not a fan of PBR...hey, c'mon, it is served super cold and with a side of pork rinds... Raw Bar Sea Platter for 2. At $46, an amazing deal at an upscale restaurant. 1 steamed lobster, shrimp ceviche, crab salad, eat & peel seasoned shrimp, a dozen raw clams & oysters, side of crispy plantains. Purser's Bane rum based cocktail - takes 3 minutes to make but very yummy! Jack Tar Apple bourbon based cocktail - very smooth Some cocktail with fresh slices of lemon, lime & orange. Just order it. very YUMMY $100 lunch. It's the Ritz Carlton and not some local yokel place. Expect to pay a little bit more for the scenery, focus on regional products, investment in craft cocktails and very competent service. You could eat slightly cheaper on St. Armand's but let's be honest, not that much cheaper for a full seafood lunch for 2 with several cocktails. Not 5 stars as I reserve that for extremely special, world class restaurants.
(4)Matt O.
Jack Dusty nailed. Jack Dusty has positioned itself as an indi restaurant that happens to have a Ritz Carlton built on top of it. The good news to this is a wonderful staff with the "as you wish" attitude. I've been in several times and they anticipate my needs. The food is hands down, 100% what I look for in dining. The servers can tell you what came in on a boat this morning, what depth it was caught and the time it was caught. The produce comes from local farms personally walked by the chef. The drinks are hand crafted and the ice is hand cut from 20 pound blocks. Everything is made from scratch. My suggestion is to order the fish of the day, the cheese grits and don't leave without the Watermelon Salad. The bartenders come in 3 hours before the shift starts to pickle veggies, squeeze fresh fruit and make bitters. There are a couple of drinks not on the menu that you have to be "in the know to order". One of those is a $3 PBR. If the weather is nice ask to sit outside.
(5)Otto A.
Didn't eat here, just stopped for drinks, what a great renovation of the stuffy old place. The servers, bartenders are very nice and attentive. The "ball" ice cube in my drink was unusual and trendy yet filed the tumbler like a baseball. Cool yet would have liked less ice and more booze! The atmosphere and circuses were awesome. Worth a stop even if just for a cocktail.
(4)D B.
We chose Jack Dusty purely on the Yelp reviews and had a wonderful experience. The prices are very reasonable for a Ritz Carlton restaurant. We were very impressed with our server, Don, and his knowledge of the menu and drinks. The cioppino was phenomenal, family loved the tenderloin, mashed potatoes and mushrooms. Excellent kids menu. We ordered the pizza and the chicken noodle soup. Both were big hits with the kids. Build your own ice cream sandwich was the perfect ending. We will definitely be back.
(5)Mopsie B.
The space is very pretty, as one might expect. However, as one might also expect, the bar is a theater of the weird. We went for a nightcap last week and of course, all of the drinks were overpriced (also expected), but Jack Dusty is the only bar in the area open late. We were greeted by two bartenders and as we perused the menu, got a good look at the uh, other patrons: a guy who looked like a cadaver in a boating outfit straight out of The Great Gatsby was whispering sweet nothings in the ear of a woman with a great Louise Brooks-style bob. At first I thought it was some kind of May-December type relationship but when she turned her head, I saw that she was about 90, also. Meanwhile, the couple next to us was trying to get everyone to like them, especially their bartender, who told them she would get them her employee discount next time. In turn, the woman told the bartender she could come visit them. After the couple left, the 'tender told her colleague, Cody, that those people were the parents she wishes she had...Meanwhile, the wines by the glass were served. We did not spend much because we did not stay long. When more young people came in from the outside area to gossip with Cody about who was drunk and who was hungover after some event that happened the night before, we knew it was time to go. Unfortunately, we were not gone when some guy ordered 18 year old Scotch with a "Scotch ball" (a giant ice ball that the bartender hand created with a machine). The worst part was that I gave a 20% tip and found out that Cody had already added a gratuity for himself before I had a chance to see the bill (note: he gave himself less than 20%). What happened the next day (per my bank) is that he then charged the difference between the tip he gave himself and my tip to my card. I have literally never had such a thing happen before but it was truly classless. Too bad Sarasota doesn't have a Four Seasons or a Sofitel. This Ritz is proof that money can't buy class!
(2)Lori J.
For starters, the restaurant that preceded Jack Dusty HAD to go, and Dusty is not just a replacement, but an inspired invention. Far from a silly themed restaurant, it all works perfectly here, incl. the screen above the bar playing "Mutiny On The Bounty" with Charles Laughton. What could be better?! The maple corn/brown bread baked in a can could be eaten--with the rum butter slathered on it--all night, but please don't make that mistake as I almost did, as there are so many wonderful things to be enjoyed! Crab and fried green tomatoes! Shrimp and grits! Whole snapper with saffron and coconut! If only I could've taken the elevator up to one of the rooms at the Ritz Carlton after my dessert (homeade icecream sandwiches), because I sure would've plopped down into one of their luscious beds. Instead I somehow managed to get to the hotel's front door, where valet parking staff had my car waiting--Thank Goodness! Lori M.
(5)Deanna F.
Inspired, but over-hyped. Food was clever in concept, but over-priced and poorly executed. Atmosphere is unnecessarily pretentious, but that could be a symptom of the Ritz connection. I really really wanted to like this place. I will probably give them another try when the weather is gorgeous, since their water view and patio is arguably Jack Dusty's best feature.
(2)Jay W.
Absolutely fabulous. Best crab cakes I've ever had, personalized service, adequate wine list. Nothing even average to report.
(5)