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Café L’Europe – Special!

| Sande Caplin |

Like a Visit to An Old-World Restaurant, the Café L’Europe is The Place You Go When You’re Looking for “Special”

Beauty and old-world European charm describe this unique restaurant that is one of Sarasota’s finest dining experiences.  Housed in one of John Ringling’s original offices, Café L’Europe is an example of what European-style fine dining is all about.  The restaurant is located at 431 St. Armand’s Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236.

Atmosphere is everything, and the Café features fresh flowers, original artwork, stained glass windows and terra cotta tiles, offering indoor and outdoor dining for up to 100 people.  Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, you’ll find every day diners as well as visitors and special occasion patrons filling the tables.  

The owner, Betsie Coolidge, is fastidious in making sure each and every bit of ambience, as well as food presentation, is always up to Café L’Europe’s standards.  Fne Dining In SarasotaMany of the choices on the menu are exclusive to the Café, prepared at your tableside, and have won many significant restaurant awards as well as Wine Spectator’s Excellence Awards.  Her favorite entrées from the menu are Brandied Duckling, Dover Sole Meuniere, Chateaubriand and Lobster Bisque.

Betsie Coolidge was married to co-owner and founder of the Café L’Europe, Titus Letschert, who she unfortunately lost to cancer in 2011.  Titus was formally trained in Europe and brought much knowledge and creativity to the menu as well as the restaurant.

Fine Dining, Sarasota FloridaTitus had quite an opportunity to rub elbows with New York upper-echelon society while managing the very trendy Sign of the Dove Restaurant in New York City, a hot spot for the famous and infamous in the 1970’s.  He also was part-owner and manager of the Yellow Finger Discotheque, also in NYC, and during that time made complete arrangements for Tiny Tim to marry on the Johnny Carson show, flying in 20,000 tulips from Holland for the occasion.

One of the finest, most glamorous restaurants in  Sarasota to hold a very special dinner or wedding is the Café L’Europe, who have two beautiful private dining rooms for special occasions.  These are called The Gaslight Room, holding 35 guests, and the Gallery Room, holding up to 65 guests and including paintings of renowned artists on the walls.  The location is convenient to many communities, such as Lido and Longboat Keys and St. Armand’s Circle.  This is definitely THE prestigious location in Sarasota in which to showcase your important party or meeting.

Outdoor Dining in SarasotaThere’s no guesswork in what kind of menu you can choose for your private party.  On their website, one can choose group packages including starter, entrée and dessert, and included soft drinks.  Specialty cocktails can be arranged to be served during your event.  If you aren’t familiar with the special monthly event that happens at the Café L’Europe, let us introduce you to the “40th Anniversary “The Tour of Europe” event or the Café L’Eruope Passport Series”! Each month during the summer, a featured cuisine from the highlighted European Country will be showcased.  $35 includes Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert.   Visit the website, or call 941-388-4415.

Also on the website is an opportunity to join the Café Club.  Simply fill out the online form and receive a coupon for a complimentary bottle of wine at your next Café outing.  Reservations can also be conveniently made online, as well.  The Café L’Europe are esteemed members of the International Barter Exchange in Sarasota, as well.

The Café L’Europe may not be a restaurant you visit every day, but that is what makes it extraordinarily special…it’s the place you go and bring your dearest friends and family when you want to make memories that will last forever.  Come and join us soon! 

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