Those of us who adore fresh, locally sourced Gulf seafood — perhaps paired with a cold beer or a craft cocktail — will soon have a new dining destination in downtown Sarasota.
Back in early January, I wrote about 10 of the most exciting new restaurants expected to open in Sarasota and Manatee counties during 2025. Two weeks later, I learned that one of those restaurants, located in downtown Sarasota’s burgeoning Rosemary District, was expected to open later this month. Now, we have an official opening date.
Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar — located in the former home of Mandeville Beer Garden at 428 N. Lemon Ave., just a five-minute walk from Main Street — is set to welcome the public on Monday, Jan. 27, following a private event on Friday, Jan. 24.
Anne Rollings, the restaurant’s director of communications and business development, confirmed that Lefty’s will open at 4 p.m. for dinner and added, “They may open for lunch that day, too.”
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Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar is opening Monday in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District
Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar, photographed Jan. 5, is opening Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District at 428 N. Lemon Ave.
Lefty’s is the latest venture by locally based Watershed Hospitality Concepts, whose popular dining and drinking destinations include the nearby Cask & Ale and Pie on Main (both on Main Street), as well as Pi Pizza 3.14 and Blasé Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village.
Lefty’s offers Sarasota a fresh take on coastal seafood in a rustic yet comfortable atmosphere adorned with lush Florida landscaping — including clean, aged oyster shells — designed by local landscape artist Lee Alderman. The restaurant and bar will feature “made-to-order fare and innovative cocktails,” showcasing “locally sourced seafood in an approachable and fun setting,” with “light live music” planned for weekends, according to a press release.
The food menu will follow the seasons and “what’s biting,” with selections such as oyster shooters, steamed and baked oysters, lobster rolls, soft shell crab sandwiches, “salads made with seasonal produce from an organic farm partner, scratch-made chowders, and a Marine Cuisine board featuring rotating specialty oysters and fin fish.”
Items marked as “Lefty’s favorites” on the menu include lobster bites served with their “Piña Tropicale sauce,” seafood ceviche, a fried chicken thigh sandwich, the “Watershed Platter” consisting of shrimp, Bay scallops, clam strips, and Atlantic haddock, as well as a “Tripod Risotto” featuring shrimp, scallops, and lobster.
Lefty’s beverage list includes an assortment of classic and craft cocktails, sparkling wines, domestic and local craft beer, and a selection of wines designed to pair with seafood dishes.
‘We are excited to introduce our innovative menu of coastal seafood’
Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar, which will serve dishes such as this softshell crab sandwich, is opening Monday, Jan. 27, in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District at 428 N. Lemon Ave.
Rebekah Mandeville sold her popular Mandeville Beer Garden restaurant and craft brew spot in 2022 to Watershed Hospitality Concepts (then known as Cask SRQ), which was formed in 2019 by partners Mike Quillen, Chip White, David Sessions, and John LaCivita.
Quillen is the co-founder of the local restaurant empire Gecko’s Hospitality Group, which includes multiple Gecko’s Grill & Pubs as well as Red Barn Bar, Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, Dockside Waterfront Grill in Venice, and Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Longboat Key. Dry Dock easily ranks as one of the most acclaimed seafood restaurants in the Sarasota-Manatee region. Watershed Hospitality Concepts, it should be noted, is a completely separate business venture.
“We are excited to introduce our innovative menu of coastal seafood in a vibrant and lively atmosphere,” said Mike Quillen, president of WHC, in a statement. “There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a freshly shucked, briny gem from the sea.
“The flavor is determined by the water they come from, just as our connection to our coast shapes our lives and, in turn, Lefty’s menu,” Quillen added. “Lefty’s will create new hospitality positions, and we will continue with our long-established culture of giving back to support our community through philanthropic efforts.”
In addition to creating new jobs, Lefty’s has announced that two key employees from Mandeville Beer Garden — General Manager Dan Katz and Kitchen Manager Raul Rodriguez — will be integral members of the Lefty’s team.
Lefty’s is named after a three-legged rescue dog
Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar is opening at 428 N. Lemon Ave., where Mandeville Beer Garden formerly operated, in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District, about a five-minute walk from Main Street.
Lefty’s is named after a beloved three-legged rescue dog adopted by co-owner Chip White.
“She is pleased to welcome canine friends to our covered patio area, where lush Florida foliage, ambient fire pits, TVs and picnic tables beckon friends to enjoy the timeless ritual of sharing a meal,” White said in a statement.
Yes, Lefty’s will likely be on the short list of new restaurants to visit in Sarasota — for foodies and dog lovers (particularly with the recent loss of fellow Rosemary District business Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar) and especially for fans of places like Dry Dock, Cask & Ale, Blasé Martini Bar, and, yes, the beloved old Mandeville Beer Garden.
If you go
Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar is located at 428 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, and is expected to open at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Happy hour is planned for 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, featuring drink specials and “Buck-a-Shucks.” For more information, visit leftysoysterseafood.com.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New seafood restaurant set to open Monday in downtown Sarasota
