The Rosemary District in downtown, Sarasota has morphed over the years into a vibrant and rapidly growing neighborhood.
Once a quiet, somewhat rundown area, the Rosemary District is clearly one of Sarasota’s trendiest neighborhoods in recent years that has a surge of new apartment buildings, condos, townhouses, restaurants, shops, and businesses catering to young professionals and millennials.
While the area still retains some of its original “gritty edge” with a mix of cultures, social issues like homelessness, and affordable housing alongside the new upscale development, it hasn’t deterred patrons from supporting the new, “hipster haven” restaurants that have spawned. One of these is 481 Gourmet.
Please see our one-minute promo video of 481 Gourmet to get a full feel of this fantastic restaurant (and follow us on YouTube so you see all the other Sarasota restaurant video reviews).
With its trendy vibe, 481 Gourmet has it all: a beautiful, inviting, warm interior and a full bar with seating; a sprawling outdoor area for dining with an enormous stone fireplace to warm diners in the winter months; and a spacious private room for events.
This contemporary fine dining restaurant opened in October 2021, and is owned and operated by women. The executive chef is Spenser McKenna who offers a seasonal menu featuring contemporary American, Italian, and European cuisine made with fresh, carefully selected ingredients.
Popular dishes include roasted goat cheese, 481 meatballs, charcuterie board, deviled eggs, scallops and bacon, watermelon salad (THE BEST!), mushroom spinach salad, pear and feta salad, caesar salad, Italian pomodoro pasta, mushroom ravioli, tortellini, seared scallops, salmon, shrimp and grits, duck two ways, ribeye, braised lamb shank, and chicken cordon bleu. It has a full bar with cocktails, wine, and beer and their signature drinks are some of the best I have found in Sarasota.
Sarasota Events Calendar praises 481 Gourmet for its great food, service, and ambiance. Please follow us on our Facebook page.
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If You Go:
Serves happy hour food · Has fireplace · Serves great cocktails (try the “481 Cocktail”)
Address: 481 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
