Vernona is The Ritz-Carlton’s Four-Star signature restaurant offering some fabulous organic dishes.

I had a wonderful dinner here watching the sun go down on the bay.  We decided to try the Savor Sarasota menu, which runs throughout June and is very good value at $25 offering a choice of two dishes from their à la carte menu.  I went for the Duet of Foi Gras which came with seaweed, ice cream and toasted pistachios and was delicious!  My dinner partner had the excellent Tuna Salad.  Other choices included a market Asparagus Salad, Scallops, local Mackerel and Duck breast.

I then had the Petite Filet Mignon which came with gnocchi, asparagus and wild mushrooms – wow – absolutely fabulous!  My dining partner had the excellent Ellensburg Farm Lamb with herbed Spätzle and Olives.  Another tempting choice was the Olive Oil Poached Beef Tenderloin.

To give you an idea of what else was on the regular à la carte menu, appetizers included a Popcorn Bisque, Lobster “Macaroni and Cheese” and Duck Liver Mousse, starting at $14.  They had a nice range of 4 salads and Seafood entrées such as Maine Diver Scallops and Alaskan Coho Salmon from $28 and in addition to what we had there was a Carnaroli Risotto and Braised Short Ribs from $28.

You will not be disappointed in their desserts, with temptations such as Warm Center Chocolate Cake, Crème Brulée, Key Lime Pie, Home Made ice creams and sorbets.

If you are in need of a speedy Business lunch I so like what they call their ‘Executive Service Lunch’, where you get a three-course meal served all together in less than 15 minutes.  I have only been to one other restaurant in London that offered something similar. They do offer a Prix Fixe menu at lunch during the week.