Alfred L.
Yelp
Dear Indigenous Sarasota Team,
I hope this message finds you well. My fiancé and I dined at your restaurant last Friday evening, December 6th. This visit was something my partner had been eagerly anticipating for over a year, and we were excited to experience the highly regarded cuisine and atmosphere. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of expectations, and I wanted to provide feedback with the hope it might be helpful for your team.
We were seated as the final table of the evening at 8:15 PM and started with the Lemon Pickled Shrimp. Unfortunately, the shrimp were overwhelmed by an excessively strong citrus flavor, which masked the intended balance of the dish. The accompanying chips, however, were fresh and enjoyable.
Next, we tried the Roasted Mushrooms. Regrettably, the mushrooms were cut too finely and served in a manner that made them soggy and unappealing. This preparation detracted significantly from the dish.
When our entrees arrived, the issues persisted. My fiancé ordered the recommended salmon, which was overly salted to the point of being inedible. I chose the Beef Pappardelle, which had promising elements like the noodles but was marred by the addition of raw panko and a presentation that felt unrefined.
Throughout the meal, our server did not check in to ask how we were enjoying the food, nor were we offered the option to take any leftovers home. This lack of engagement added to our disappointment, as it felt like there was little care for the guest experience. We left
In total, we had only a few bites of our meal, which came to over $240. While we appreciate the effort that goes into your menu, the overall experience left us deeply disheartened. When we shared a brief review on OpenTable, the response we received from your team, "We will be sure to keep an eye out for you, and share this with all the restaurants in town," felt unprofessional and dismissive. Constructive feedback should be an opportunity for growth, not a reason for retaliation.
We wanted to share this feedback not out of malice, but in the hope that it can be used to enhance future guest experiences. We admire the vision behind your restaurant and hope that with some attention to these areas, others can have the exceptional dining experience we had anticipated.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely,
AJ