Chef Antonio of The Reserve has quietly established his restaurant as a true hidden gem in Sarasota. He crafts Italian, Mediterranean, and Southern European cuisine meticulously. The Reserve is inside The Reserve Retreat, a boutique hotel at 1322 N Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Hailing from Anzio, Italy, a beach town 35 miles south of Rome, Chef Antonio brings authentic coastal flavors to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The Reserve is discreetly located on the grounds of The Reserve Retreat, a premier boutique hotel that once served as the Ringling family’s residence in the 1920s. The restaurant maintains the original charm of a Northern cottage, enhanced with refined elegance. “Everything we do inside—tables, glasses, silverware, tablecloths, lamps, flowers—looks elegant,” says Chef Antonio. “We made it to be fine dining.”
“Traditional with a touch of innovation”
Chef Antonio, who grew up in the restaurant business, comes from a family that operates two seaside restaurants in Anzio. His expertise shines through in menu items like Pork Osso Bucco, Veal Chop with Mushrooms, and Duck à L’Orange, which have delighted diners. Chef Antonio describes his cuisine as “traditional with a touch of innovation,” a philosophy also reflected in his pasta dishes, including gnocchi, linguine, fettuccine, and ravioli, all prepared with a unique twist on tradition.
In addition to its high-end cuisine, The Reserve offers a selection of over 150 wines from Italy, France, the U.S., and beyond. While Chef Antonio doesn’t curate wine pairings for his menu, the staff is happy to offer recommendations. As he puts it with humor, “People who drink wine usually know what they want to drink, but maybe not what they are going to eat.” With Chef Antonio’s words in mind, enjoy perusing the menu for The Reserve.
