Inside: Pattigeorge's Restaurant

(Credit: Danielle Hier)

Photos:

Pattigeorge's feels like coming home after a long day, slipping off uncomfortable shoes, and saying, "Ahhhhh....That's better."

Located bayside, about midway on Longboat Key, Pattigeorge's is tucked away just enough so that if you were heading from Anna Maria Island, and crossing over into Sarasota, you might miss it, if you weren't eyeballing the square PG sign on the left.  Not unlike Michael's on East, PG's is another jewel where you'll be surprised at how expansive the hidden restaurant is, once you follow the stone walkway past the black bamboo trees whistling in the wind, and make your way inside.  Both brothers, Tommy and Michael Klauber, have chosen locations that draw you in, with a sudden "Wow!" once inside.

However, the feel of Pattigeorge's is much different from the the vibe you'd get from Michael's on East.  If Michael's is like stepping into a grand cruise ship on a trip through Europe, than Pattigeorge's is more like docking your Sea Pro and sipping a Mango-tini while waiving to the cruise ship in a "I'll catch you later" fashion.

Which is not to say that just because it's unpretentious, it's ultra-casual.  Attire is business casual, so you'll see some guests climbing out of their chartered boat in sundresses, dress slacks and polo shirts.  Once inside, you'll experience cheerful lighting, white table cloths, and fine waterfront dining with walls decorated by the late, French-born artist, Charles Levier.

The Food:  Surprising is the American-Asian fusion when you sit down to a traditional table with sushi chopsticks laid out across your plate.  A unique menu, PG's offers a variety of cuisines, including Pan-Asian, Italian and regional "Floribean" flare.  Beverages are equally exotic, with specialty cocktails that include a selection of tropical martinis, and cozy after dinner coffee drinks.

Summer Price Fix:  The standard menu includes small plates and entrees that will average around $35 a plate.  However, check their website for dinner specials, because the night our group arrived, PG's was offering a $25 Price Fix menu, with a choice of one appetizer, entree' and dessert.

For the appetizers, the Petite Noodle Bowl was served with large pieces of white meat chicken with broccoli, snow peas and green onions in savory broth with sides of mellow coconut milk and a hot sriracha (chile) sauce.  Word to the wise:  Use the sriracha sparingly!  The Pork and Prawn Dim Sum came in a steamed gyoza (dumpling) and a rice vinegar and soy dipping sauce, sufficiently flavorful by itself, I opted to steal some of my boyfriend's sriracha to mix with the dipping sauce for an added "kick".  The final appetizer choice was a simple Insalata Mista, with field greens, pine nuts and a house vinaigrette sauce.

Entree's included four dishes:  Citrus Glazed Wild Scottish Salmon, Striped Lobster Ravioli (in a creamy leek and porcini sauce), Coffee Rubbed Hanger Steak, and a Crispy Chicken & Pineapple Stir Fry (served with a ginger-soy glaze over Jasmine rice).  Of these I sampled the steak and salmon.  The Wild Scottish Salmon was served over a bed of Shittake Risotto mixed with large pieces of shrimp and smothered in a mild citrus marinade.  Probably the biggest surprise of the evening, was the Coffee Rubbed Hanger Steak, served with grilled asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes.  No, they didn't burn or blacken your steak, the crispy-looking entree is tender underneath the deceptive coffee coated surface, with the topping giving the steak an oaky and somewhat earthy flavor, complimented nicely by a bottle of 2008 Coastal Wine pinot noir ($32 a bottle / $8.50 by the glass).

For dessert, diners enjoying the prix fixe menu had a choice of a homemade Mango Sorbet with a pirouette cookie or the dark Chocolate Grenache surrounded by a pool of caramel and topped off with cinnamon and berries, and as a reviewer, I had the "hardship" of sampling both exquisitely wonderful desserts.

In Summary:  Pattigeorge's offers an expansive water view, matched only with great food and service in an upscale-casual kind of way.

Pattigeorge's
4120 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Longboat Key, FL 34228
941-383-5111

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