Ritz-Carlton adds alfresco restaurant in Sarasota

A new restaurant is opening this week at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Called Rufa, the outdoor dining experience will welcome diners for tapas and drinks starting Oct. 3. 

Named for a shore bird that winters in the Sarasota area and travels from Canada to South America called the rufa red knot, Rufa is adjacent to the hotel’s signature Jack Dusty restaurant. The main seating area is on the ground floor near the resort’s lawn, with a winding staircase leading to an elevated bar.

Rufa will feature shareable items as well as an extensive wine list and tequila and mezcal menu, according to a statement from The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

Image courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Here is a sample of the tapas menu:

• Al pastor chicken skewers with achiote marinade, mango salsa, cilantro cream and flour tortillas
• Lobster tostada bites with Maine lobster, roasted corn puree, grapefruit, cilantro and black lava salt
• Beef tenderloin tacos with red onion, peppers, roasted corn salsa, chihuahua cheese, charred habanero sauce and flour tortillas
• Grilled octopus with Mexican chorizo, roasted potatoes, chipotle sauce, lime cream sauce and pea shoots

To complement the bright flavors on the shareables menu, lead bartender Heidi Finley will join Rufa’s mixologists in serving up an array of cocktails inspired by birds. The restaurant also offers a "Soaring To Paradise" top-shelf tequila flight featuring Patrón El Cielo, Patrón El Alto and Patrón Burdeos.

Here are a few drinks that will be available:

• Bird of Paradise: Strawberry-infused Jose Cuervo Plata tequila, rosewater, crème de pêche, rosemary simple, citrus, hibiscus ice, strawberry ice and sparkling rosé
• Falcon: Illegal Mezcal, Patrón Reposado tequila, Amaro Averna liqueur, caramelized pineapple syrup, coconut cream, house-made citrus elixir with burlesque bitters, smoked and served tableside
• Golden Eagle: The Ritz-Carlton private select barrel Angel’s Envy bourbon, coconut wash, sherry, banana olio, tiki bitters and gold-infused ice, smoked and served tableside

“We are thrilled to welcome both our hotel guests and locals to indulge at Rufa this fall,” Mark Sherwin, general manager at the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton, says in the statement. “With impeccable design exuding luxury, a Baja, California-inspired menu perfectly prepared with fresh, local ingredients and outdoor seating boasting the best sunset views in Sarasota, it is the ideal addition to our current dining concepts.”

Other dining options at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, include Jack Dusty, Ridley’s Porch at The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club and the Lido Key Tiki Bar.

The opening of Rufa is part of the ongoing revitalization efforts at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, which has already seen a floor-to-ceiling renovation of The Ritz-Carlton Spa and a refresh of the artwork, tableware and menu at Jack Dusty, according to the statement from the luxury resort.

Starting Oct. 3, Rufa will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with the bar open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.