Selva Downtown Sarasota

My husband and I stopped in to sit at the bar for a late night drink and bite after work. A female bartender dropped off menus for us and we proceeded to go completely unacknowledged by BOTH of the bar employees for 8 minutes. A male made drinks for and greeted three other guests that sat down after us, making direct eye contact with us multiple times. We eventually got up and left because we assumed we weren’t going to be served by the staff present. We frequent the Selva at UTC and have never had any issues there; we will continue to be patrons of that location, but will never return to the Downtown Sarasota Selva.

It’s best to make a reservation for your dinner…we were not that lucky so had to sit at the bar. Their service staff is very good and friendly. We ordered just ceviche appetizers and mine was super spicy, but it was good at the same time so I couldn’t stop till it was gone lol. The only thing I didn’t like is a specific smell when I entered the restaurant, but I am sensitive to smells, perhaps it won’t be an issue to anyone else. Otherwise 5 star!

We are vacationing in Siesta Key and ate here with another couple on their suggestion. We started off with some Lobster Tostados and Ceviche as appetizers. Both were fantastic! For the main course I chose the house special Chili glazed Salmon while my wife had the Chilean Sea Bass. They were delicious, maybe the best Salmon I have had with that glaze. I had a bite of my wife's Sea Bass and it melted in my mouth. For dessert we split the Mousse and that was also very good. A little pricey but we all had cocktails & wine so if you eliminate the alcohol it's pretty reasonable as far as the food goes.

While the food was decent, it lacked seasoning and did not meet my expectations for the price point. My primary issue, however, was with the service. Upon being seated, our server seemed visibly displeased when we opted for water instead of ordering drinks. This set the tone for the rest of our dining experience, as she consistently prioritized the table next to us, who had ordered beverages. Our table was often neglected, with empty glasses and dirty plates left unattended until the arrival of our next course. Additionally, when we asked the server for the Wi-Fi password, she dismissively responded with ‘Jungle,’ which turned out to be incorrect. She never returned to our table to provide the correct password, and we eventually gave up on using the Wi-Fi. The ambiance of the restaurant was also overwhelmingly loud, making conversation difficult. It’s worth noting that the establishment has a camera system in place, which can be used to verify my complaint.

Great food, service staff is attentive and friendly.

The atmosphere is vibrant and chic, perfect for a night out. The food is a culinary masterpiece, with every dish bursting with flavor and artfully presented. Service is top-notch, attentive without being intrusive. Definitely the go-to spot in Sarasota for an unforgettable dining experience. Can't wait to go back!

Glenda our server was amazing! The food and service were beyond expected!

Excellent food, service, and atmosphere!