Indigenous

I went here a few weeks back with two friends. The food was outstanding. I had a burger, which was awesome & giant. My friends each had a fish dish and they loved their meals as well. We all had wines and they were all great offerings. The service is outstanding. This is a small place and they do not at all hurry you out. They take the time to tell you about the restaurant, how it got started, and their concept of food by the chef. I couldn't have enjoyed the experience anymore than I did. The best part of my meal was the pineapple sorbet I had with ginger on it though. The best way I can describe it was "fun". It was so flavorful and with the little bit of salt they added to it, it was something so interesting. We will be going back to try the different seasonal offerings they have. Their menu changes often, from my understanding. Worth the price.

So excited to dine at Indigenous. We were met by a friendly hostess and seated in the cottage quickly. The atmosphere is super, dark with neat lighting. We ordered the beignets and mushroom bisque as starters. The beignets were interesting light puffs of fried dough. We did not have a lot of honey, thought the pears added the sweetness we felt were needed. The bisque was outstanding. This set the tone for the rest of the meal. Our server Gary, was friendly, but he knew some other diners at the bar area and we did not receive the service we expected for the cost of the experience. He was fine, but not exceptional, this was a tad disappointing. Our meals of Queen snapper and Pork Chop were delivered after quite some time, and we both felt the food was warm but not hot. Strange, since it was not overly busy in our area. The dessert was orange honey pie and vanilla ice cream with apple cider drizzle. The ice cream was super where as the pie was, well, not a pie, or cake, or described custard. It was dry and not to our palate at all. So, our first experience here was fine, not great and not exceptional. The wait staff may want to visit Cooper's Hawk, where the staff is so well trained. It showed at Indigenous that it is not what the meal price dictates. Total cost for two with one glass of wine. $169. So happy we tried the restaurant, but not sure if we need to return. Love the atmosphere, but the food we had this evening was not what we had hoped for.

TLDR; sit outside and focus on the main course. Let's start with the great: Red Snapper with bacon braided green beans, buttermilk cornbread puree, pickled nectarines & mustard seeds: new take on classic southern flavors. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the sides were flavorful, but not overpowering. Everything was seasoned perfectly and well balanced. There was always a new combination of flavors to try, and they really complimented each other. The puree could have been hotter. Iberico Pork chop with Dijon hollandaise, caramelized brown sugar (on the chop), back on & broccolini potato hash: Familiar flavors jazzed up with a perfect sauce and high quality meat. Pork chop was about 30 seconds over and hash could have been hotter - but the flavors were perfect and the brulee on the pork chop was memorable. Parmesan Beignets: Wouldn't get this again. They were mostly air on the inside and topped with a ton of honey, which overpowered the salt from the Parmesan on top. The fry was less beignets and more fritter, plus the texture inside was not quite right. Pickled Florida Blueberries with Captain Crunch Berry shortbread and whipped lemon cheesecake: This dessert was one of the worst I've ever ordered at any restaurant and would not recommend it. Blueberries didn't have the burst you get when they are super fresh. Cheesecake was super sweet and heavy. The cake was dense and dry. And the bottom was wet with blueberries that didn't really taste of anything. Presentation was really clunky, and we didn't bother finishing it. Service: Front desk and bussers served with a smile and gave the restaurant a nice welcoming feel. Our waiter felt like he was rushing, didn't explain any of the dishes beyond the plate sizes, didn't check in, gave no recommendations after asking if we had been to the restaurant before, and overall just didn't seem to care. Asked for sweet tea to be given iced tea with brown sugar, which doesn't dissolve. Took 30 mins to get the appetizer. Card was swiped for the wrong check after being given the right check, which was rectified after we watched him and another waiter chat for 5 minutes from our table. Overall not what you'd expect for a meal that cost $150+ for 2. I'd give it another chance because the mains were SO GOOD. Everything else was really sub par, and no one asked us how anything was except for a friendly busser. Definitely not what I was expecting for a neighborhood restaurant, so maybe this was just an off night.

A premier restaurant in Sarasota. Small menu, but all well executed. Not hard to find something you will like, be it red meat, fish or vegetarian. Menu is often changed and focused on sustainable foods. Been here many times and always consistently very good. Service always friendly and attentive. Atmosphere is very nice using an old Florida home/bungalow as the setting. Even mixture of indoor and outdoor seating. Usually need reservations well in advanced to get in.

Indigenous is an excellent local Sarasota restaurant. Its chef-driven menu is exciting and varied. I did try the burger. At $25, it was great but not exquisite. The mushroom soup was the stand-out dish. Gazpacho had a strong roasted pepper vibe vs. a traditional tomato/cucumber base. The parmesan beignets were tasty. If you don't have a reservation, check out the “bar” area where seating is first come, first served.