Sarasota’s Island Time Grill delivers award-winning cuisine in an atmosphere where time stands still.
Sarasota, FL – One of
Sarasota’s newest fine dining destinations may be miles from the water,
but its island-themed décor and cuisine suggest otherwise.
Graced with a façade of bay windows and a tropical dining room fitted
with vibrant teal walls, white-washed shutters and African mahogany
hardwood floors and canopies, Island Time Grill has the atmosphere of
an island manor house rather than a restaurant nestled in a quaint
shopping plaza.
Relaxed elegance is just the type of ambience Bruce and Evan Dawson
want to treat their guests to at the 212-seat restaurant that was
conceived by the father-son team during a summer trip to Maui in 2004.
“We believe fine dining can be relaxing,” co-owner Evan Dawson said. “You can dress to unwind or dress to impress.”
Guests looking for stunning sights to compliment their dining
experience will find it on Island Time Grill’s 28-seat covered outdoor
patio, which offers a picturesque view of the sunset.
The vantage point from Island Time Grill’s bar is equally impressive.
The blue-green sand-filled bar top compliments a seven-foot screen that
projects a video of the ocean lapping against a sandy beach. Surrounded
by shutters and curtains, guests feel as if they are gazing out an
oceanfront window.
A three-foot clock that originally hung inside the Paris Railroad
Station stands inside the lobby. Every piece of the clock is intact,
except the hands, which have been intentionally removed.
“We really want our guests to feel relaxed when they come here,” Bruce
Dawson said. “We want them to enjoy the unhurried pace you can only
find in the islands. Our saying here is, ‘Relax, you’re on Island
Time.’”
While Island Time Grill’s tropical surroundings are designed to promote
a care-free climate, its cuisine aims to satisfy the most discerning
tastes.
“From day boat fresh fish to certified Angus beef, all of our dishes
are made fresh daily,” said co-owner Bruce Dawson. “Everything from our
pastas to sauces, and even our ice creams, are made fresh right here on
the premises.”
The chef responsible for creating Island Time Grill’s culinary delights
is regionally-renowned chef Dave McConaghy, the former executive chef
of The Summerhouse Restaurant, a Zagat-rated restaurant on Siesta Key
that closed its doors last May after its owners retired.
A graduate of the prestigious Johnson and Wales University, McConaghy
studied under Sarasota’s premier chefs Heinz Schellenberg and Tim
Carrol.
A Sarasota native, McConaghy specializes in seafood delicacies such as
coconut and curry lobster bisque made with Maine lobster, essence of
coconut and cream, spiced with red curry and lemon grass; a Chilean sea
bass crusted with wild mushrooms, steamed with julienne vegetables and
topped with tangy ginger butter reduction; a grilled center cut salmon
with pine nuts, cranberries and green onions served with a smooth
pistachio polenta wedge.
Island Time Grill’s menu also features several beef and poultry entrées
including free-range lamb rib rack chops that are pan seared with black
pepper and topped with a tangy green herb puree and a slow-roasted duck
served with orange scented ginger cranberry sauce.
Island Time Grill’s eclectic 60-bottle wine list was created by house
manager Doug Valtz, who served in a similar capacity at The
Summerhouse. Valtz brings twenty plus years of management experience to
Island Time Grill.
The 30 red and 30 white wines are on display inside Island Time Grill’s
charming wine cellar that overlooks one of the restaurant’s three
private islands, secluded dining areas that can seat parties of six to
36.
“Our private islands are perfect for business dinners, special
family occasions or maybe even the prefect setting to propose,” Evan
Dawson said.
Island Time Grill mixes a handful of specialty cocktails including the
Key Lime Martini, a blend of Absolut Vodka, Licor 43, lime juice and
cream; the Caribbean Sunset, made with run, melon liqueur, orange and
pineapple juices; and the Island Time Martini, Malibu rum, light rum
and Blue
Curacao topped with a splash of pineapple juice.
Bruce Dawson, former COO for Dean & DeLuca and part owner of the
40s-themed restaurant Blue Mill in Manhattan’s West Greenwich Village,
hopes Island Time Grill will become a dining destination for all
occasions.
“For that special occasion, you can indulge in a bottle from our wine
cellar accompanied by a rack of lamb,” he said. “You can also stop in
for a quick dinner and order from our bar menu. My hope is that
everyone will be able to experience Island Time.”
Island Time Grill is located at 8225 Cooper Creek, Blvd., Sarasota. The
restaurant is open for dinner 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and
4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The bar is open from 4 p.m. to
midnight every day.
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Media Contact:
Krista Zilizi
Quantified Marketing Group
706-627-3204
407-936-1010
kzilizi@quantifiedmarketing.com
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