Columbia Restaurant - Sarasotacuban flairGreat restaurant, great food,sangria and history. Get there early to get outside seating5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a great time....goodAlways a great time....good for people watching at one of the hot spots of central FL. Great food, great service...a hopping place!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAuthenic Cuban Food ExperienceWe only visit Florida once a year, now, but always end our week's vacation with a dinner at one of the Columbia Restaurants. Last week, we enjoyed an evening meal at the Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota Saint Armands Circle. The food was prepared perfectly, was hot and tasty. Of course, you must start with a pitcher of Sangria, followed by their 1905 Salad, prepared tableside. I had Chicken Salteado, with yellow rice; the flavors of chicken, chorizo, peppers, onions, and potatoes layered over the yellow rice was delicious.
We have never been disappointed and have enjoyed all the Columbia locations. Each restaurant has its own character. The service staff was courteous, efficient and friendly. We recommend this restaurant and this location.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWait timeMy overall visit was very good, however, with my online reservation I ended up waiting in my opinion too long for my table. It appeared the host was somewhat lost, I had to check on the wait time two different times. After the second time she asked another girl why we had not been seated yet. Once we got our seat it went much better, waiter was friendly and food was wonderful.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a find!I LOVED this restaurant! We sat in the open air area if the dining room it was filled with interesting people
The sangria was the best I have ever had. When you order a pitcher it is made tables use
The menu is extensive with a lovely variety if fish to choose from not just the usual salmon with one whitefish
I had my kids with me (9&12). They had the chicken fingers which were obviously homemade
I had grouper which was prepared perfectly topped with artichokes and sundries tomatoes. The highlight of my meal was the
House salad. I have been thinking about it ever since. Don't miss out on the chance to try it evenif u make a meal out just that
This is by far my favourite restaurant in the area and I have been coming for years!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMNew Server?I have been to the Columbia several times over the years and the service has been overall good. This last time it seemed we got a server in training. She was okay, but never talked about the specials, was clumsy serving, too timid, and never offered us a chance to order dessert or after drinks; just brought the check and that was it. It was my birthday and though the food was great the service really fell flat. I was not expecting any special attention, but I have worked in the industry and know how to be a good server. I will go back to the Columbia because of the reputation and the food.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMI met my neice and 2 of herI met my neice and 2 of her friends for dinner. It was a special occasion since they flew into Ft. Myers from Maine, NH and Mass for a short vacation. I live in Clearwater. I chose St. Armand's Circle as a central place to meet. We had a great dinner and enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. I purchased the Columbia cookbook at the gift shop and gave it as a gift to my neice so she could take a taste of Florida back to Maine.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAccommodAted my handicap withAccommodAted my handicap with compassion and ease . CA guests loved the food and ambiance. Can't beat that 1905 salad and their white Sangria!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMFun Night!What a night! First time to Columbia, and we'll be back. Food was outstanding, sangria was perfect, and service was spectacular. Enjoyed the evening immensely!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe matre d' was especiallyThe matre d' was especially nice to offer us a table in a back room so we could have more privacy.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were there for a 70th BirthdayWe were there for a 70th Birthday celebration. Everyone was friendly and helpful. We shared several tapas, the delicious 1905 salad and a few entrees. For dessert we had the white chocolate bread pudding; which was yummy and a birthday treat from the restaurant, the flan; which was amazing!! We all had a wonderful time and will return again.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWent back for lunch just toWent back for lunch just to have the 1905 salad again!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMLOVE the Columbia! Some dayLOVE the Columbia! Some day I hope to go to the original in Tampa and see the flamenco dancers!!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant is very good.This restaurant is very good. I have eaten here many times. Love the salad. They make great shrimp wrapped with bacon. It is the only place to get an authentic Mojito.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesomeness in food and localeAll of the Columbia restaurants are spectacular in ambiance, food quality, service and of course their Sangria. There is no variance in the excellence of their menu or service. Simply put they are a true gem and a one of a kind eatery that I love to visit as often as possible.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMYummy food, great white sangriaGreat respite in crazy St. Armand's Circle. Love Columbia Restaurants wherever they are. Great white sangria goes with everything!4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingI cannot stress enough how wonderful this experience was. The ambiance, the food.....outstanding!!!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is always good; 1995 Salad theIt was packed due to Spring Breakers! The food is always great; need better staff at desk, though!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been to columbia'sWe have been to columbia's many of times, in the past 15 yrs. This is the second time in a month, we had a reservation & when we arrived, we had to wait for 5 to7 min. It was annoying to me & my friends. Other people were coming & getting to sit right away. I did ask the hostess, what is taking sooo long? she said "oh they have to set the table" I was thinking how long can that take. This past time, I made the reservation for 2. When they seating us, the table was set for 4. Why would they set it for 4, when the reservation was for 2.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMTwo of the particular dishesTwo of the particular dishes our party chose were just rather plain and uninteresting. I had my favourite - Chicken Salteado - which was excellent.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat spot!!!We loved this restaurant! Great food and great service tried to go back a second night and couldn't get in....definitely recommend to anyone!!!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth a visit.We visit Columbia restaurant every year while visiting Sarasota. We always make reservations, as this is a very popular spot. I find it to be very consistent. The menu takes a while to review. Many dishes have a "story" behind them and the titles of dishes are not always intuitive,so give yourself time to read. The sangria is always good, but the Maker's Champion is my favorite drink on the menu. The only issues Ive had are with the hosts/hostesses. They seem to always forget about us and I have to remind them I havent been seated after watching others being seated before us who had later reservations. To their defense the hostess station is always mobbed, but they should be used to that by now.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGroup of 6 of us had a wonderfulGroup of 6 of us had a wonderful dinner. The red snapper was outstanding. Went there for the traditional items like the paella and we were not disappointed. Sangria was a fun way to start the dinner. Our server Lorena was outstanding. Yes a place tourists like to go, but this place is worth it for the menu and quality of the food.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways good food and serviceAlways good food and service here. Great place for lunch and dinner.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the Best in Florida DiningI have been going to the Columbia Restaurant for many years. There are several in Florida owned by the same family and I have eaten in the one in Sarasota and the one in Clearwater. The menu is extensive with Cuban and South American dishes that are unique. You can get grouper, for example, made one of 6 ways. The fish is always excellent. The jumbo stone crab claws are great when they are in season. They have a good wine list including their own private label wine and they make the best Mojitos in Florida! The Sarasota restaurant is located on St. Armonds Circle surrounded by many upscale shops and it is fun to walk around the area before or after dinner. Columbia is a top choice for me and reservations are a must during the high season.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMColumbia is always a highlightColumbia is always a highlight of our visit to Sarasota. And every year surpasses our memories!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Columbia is a mainstayThe Columbia is a mainstay restaurant for the St. Armands circle. The food has always been supurb with attentive wait staff.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AM