• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Food Fun & Faraway Places
  • Start Here
  • Food & Drink
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Cocktails
    • Entrees
    • Dessert
    • Weight Watchers Recipes
  • Destinations
    • Florida
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Asia
    • Cruises
  • Work with Us!
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • Food
    • Breakfast
    • Entrees
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
  • Fun
  • Faraway Places
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • Food
      • Breakfast
      • Entrees
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
    • Fun
    • Faraway Places
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Travel » North America

    Sophie's Restaurant and Bar Sarasota's Best Kept Secret

    Published: Aug 10, 2017 · Modified: Mar 11, 2021 by Kelly Stilwell · This post may contain affiliate links 2 Comments

    I've found Sarasota's best kept secret. Last month I made plans to meet a friend for dinner at Sophie's in Sarasota. I hadn't even heard of Sophie's, which was surprising as I'm such a foodie.

    When she told me it was in the University Town Center, I was floored. I eat with my family at UTC three to four times per month. How could I have missed this spot my friend was raving about?

    Here's the scoop, my friends. Sophie's Restaurant and Bar is hidden inside the second floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. With one other location at Saks in Chicago, this little gem has been a secret. Until now. Because once you eat there, you'll want to tell all your friends. It's that good. There's a reason I put it on this list of best restaurants in Sarasota Florida!

    Sophie's Restaurant and Bar is hidden inside Saks Fifth Avenue. With one other location in a Saks in Chicago, this little gem is Sarasota's best-kept secret.

    My friend has a website focused on cocktails, so of course, she started with a specialty cocktail from Sophie's. A Rosemary Cherry Martini inspired by Firehouse cherry limeade, it's made with fresh rosemary from Sophie's garden, 44 North Cherry Vodka, house-made simple syrup, house-made sour-mix, and fresh lime juice. So good.

    I started with a glass of wine and was excited to see such an amazing wine list.

    Bread service is one thing I will sometimes ask to skip because I love it so much and will be full by the time the meal arrives. At Sophie's, the bread was so light and airy I could not stop eating it. 

    Sophie's Restaurant and Bar is hidden inside Saks Fifth Avenue. With one other location in a Saks in Chicago, this little gem is Sarasota's best-kept secret.

    An appetizer of Avocado Fries was next. It was light and crispy and so creamy inside, served with buttermilk ranch dressing. I'm a big avocado fan, but this preparation was new to me.

    I ordered the SFA Salmon Salad and was thrilled that it wasn't just a salad topped with salmon.

    The flavor of the fish was wonderful and that crispy skin to die for. It was served with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, asparagus, and a fabulous avocado dressing.

    Sophie's Restaurant and Bar is hidden inside Saks Fifth Avenue. With one other location in a Saks in Chicago, this little gem is Sarasota's best-kept secret.

    My friend ordered well, too. The Gulf Grouper is pan-roasted and served with shallot purée, jus de viandes (a fancy way to say juices) tomato, and olive oil. It was insanely delicious.

    Sophie's Restaurant and Bar is hidden inside Saks Fifth Avenue. With one other location in a Saks in Chicago, this little gem is Sarasota's best-kept secret.

    We were so full at the end of this meal because everything was so good! And then, they had to do it. They placed the Chef's Tasting of desserts on the table.

    Sophie's Restaurant and Bar is hidden inside Saks Fifth Avenue. With one other location in a Saks in Chicago, this little gem is Sarasota's best-kept secret.

    The Sophie's Coconut Bread Pudding was incredible as was the Flourless Chocolate Cake and Creme Brulee.  You can order this right from the menu, but it does come for two. We couldn't finish it.

    Keep in mind that these dishes were from the Savor Sarasota Menu, which is a promotion done in Sarasota Florida each summer.

    Head to Sophie's when you're in the area and let me know your thoughts. I personally can't wait to go back.

    More Florida Fun

    • 13 Amazing Anna Maria Island Restaurants
    • Things to Do on Anna Maria Island Florida
    • Where to Stay on Anna Maria Island Beaches
    • Top Restaurants in Bradenton FL
    « Where to Stay in Banff for an Unforgettable Getaway
    Get Ready for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival »
    154 shares
    • 54

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Food, Fun & Faraway Places participates in the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim

      August 10, 2017 at 9:01 pm

      So excited to be the friend who introduced you to this gem! Cheers!

      Reply
      • Kelly Stilwell

        August 10, 2017 at 10:33 pm

        I guess that means we should go back soon! Thanks, Kim!

        Reply

    Share your Thoughts! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kelly eating on a cruise ship.

    Welcome! Food, Fun & Faraway Places® is a travel and food blog written by Kelly Stilwell. From delicious recipes to world travel, we’ve got you covered! Contact Kelly at kastilwell@gmail.com.

    More about me →

    More Fall Recipes

    • Easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
    • 27 Homemade Pumpkin Desserts
    • Best Bread for Soup
    • 20 Delicious Soup Recipes

    Travel Ideas

    • Best Restaurants in Disney Springs Florida
    • Costa Smeralda Ship Mediterranean Cruise
    • 20 Best Restaurants in Sarasota Florida
    • Culinary Adventures on Rocky Mountaineer Canada

    Join the Family!





    Footer

    ^ back to top

    as seen in banner

    About

    • Start Here
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Kelly Stilwell