Libby's Cafe + Bar Awards

Libby's Cafe + Bar Restaurant Review:

The Seidensticker family of Gasparilla Inn fame huddled up to create a restaurant that invites the full gambit of Sarasota denizens, from chic snowbirds during peak season to families and tourists the rest of the year. The menus lean heavily on familiar American staples, many from the aromatic wood grill. From a citrus-chipotle skirt steak with cheddar jalapeño cornbread to devilishly retro deviled eggs (a bonus: they're topped with local Mote Marine Aquarium sturgeon caviar), chef Fran Casciato celebrates simple preparations with gutsy flavor impact. Early-bird dining, an in-and-out quick lunch lineup for business diners and a luxurious weekend brunch add appealing breadth to the options. French doors thrown open to Osprey Avenue give Libby's some of the city's most coveted sidewalk dining. Kids, listen up: don't miss the house-made Key lime pie garnished whimsically with gummi bears, or the big-as-your-head warm chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream.