Bartender Kayla Graves mixing a drink at Duval's in downtown Sarasota. (STAFF PHOTO/WADE TATANGELO)
Duval’s is back and better than ever. After recently closing for remodeling, the downtown Sarasota restaurant returns with a chic, coastal feel. Most important for us drinkers, it features a full-service bar. But wait, wait, there’s more. Duval’s now has a happy hour that will call to you like a terrible temptress.
Yep, even those desk jockeys who find the movie “Office Space” inspirational for all the wrong reasons will want to leave work early to imbibe and nosh at Duval’s. Do you appreciate a good deal? The happy hour drinks and bar bites menu is so cheap even a college student cut-off from mommy and daddy could afford a good time.
I started my recent happy hour visit with a stiff, nicely mixed Manhattan made with Jim Beam that cost a measly five bucks. For eats, I tried the Chicken Po’ Boy. It’s a big hunk of flash-fried chicken breast on an equally large, fresh baked French baguette with “smoky rajun-cajun remoulade, crisp napa cabbage, and juicy roma tomatoes.” A great deal at five dollars, sure, but, to be honest, the remoulade was more weak sauce than “rajun-cajun.” That’s an easy fix, though, or maybe just an oversight on my particular dish, which, I should note, featured not only a large, but moist and tender breast of fried chicken.
Anyway, I’m stuffing my face with bird and bourbon when the lovely ladies seated a few stools over recognized me. Starting now, I’ve decided if you recognize me and are nice, I will mention you in my column. Just saying.
From left, friends Barbara Silvera, Rose Maria Baldwin and Tricia Dickerson enjoy themselves during a happy hour visit to the freshly remodeled Duval’s in downtown Sarasota, which recently started serving craft cocktails such as the Fashhattan being enjoyed by Ms. Silvera. STAFF PHOTO/WADE TATANGELO
Anyway, Barbara Silvera, Rose Maria Baldwin and Tricia Dickerson (pictured) were sweethearts. Sure, they were disappointed on not getting to meet my amazing wife Kristin – she was back running her business in Bradenton for this one – but most helpful as we discussed the menu and local restaurant and bar scene. Nobody is excited to just see me. It’s either, “Where’s your wife?” Or “Where’s Tucker?” He’s our French bulldog. I’ve learned to accept this.
But let’s get back to the booze. Ms. Silvera convinced me to order the Fashhattan martini that bartender Kayla Graves had crafted her. The Fashhattan ($10) is a winning mix of Knob Creek bourbon, Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, orange, lemon, lime and cherries. It pairs nicely with the grilled cheese and candied pepper bacon sliders served with creamy tomato blue cheese soup. That bar bite is one of the best deals in town at five bucks.
Yeah, Duval’s has now entered the crowded, competitive downtown Sarasota arena of restaurants and bars catering to us martini mavens and cocktailians. Duval’s drinks are solid. The place’s happy hour prices are super. And those same prices come back into play for the late-night party people with happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. daily and then again 9 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Will I be returning with Kristin? Yes. Maybe even Tucker, too. Duval’s also offers al fresco dining.
Duval's Fashhattan is a winning mix of Knob Creek Bourbon, Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, orange, lemon, lime and cherries. It's pairs nicely with the grilled cheese and candied pepper bacon sliders served with creamy tomato blue cheese soup. STAFF PHOTO/WADE TATANGELO
Duval’s
1435 Main St., Sarasota; 312-4001; duvalsfreshlocalseafood.com
Comment below, email to wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com or contact me on Twitter: @wtatangelo For past Bar Tab columns, slideshows and SNN videos visit the archive.
