Dine, dance and enjoy

Specialities:

Dine, dance and enjoy

Pelican Press

by Jay Davis, Novemeber 25, 2009

Elegance and comfort with a fun and friendly, yet decidedly upscale, atmosphere that s what you get at Mattison s Forty One. The south Sarasota iteration of Mattison s collection of restaurants serves Chef Paul Mattison s signature dishes like lamb, aged beef and duck, but also offers a full tapas menu, sushi and pizza. Mattison s Forty One is family-friendly and offers a kids menu featuring classic yet healthy children s choices.

For a lunch date, Mattison s Forty One serves sandwiches, entrées and an extensive variety of salads. From Traditional Caesar (small $4.95; large, $7.95) to Greek Salad with Lamb Chops ($14.95) and everything in between there is something original and appealing for any salad lover. Creatively conceived sandwiches, such as the Chef s Duck Sammy ($9.95) with tender duck, mayo, mozzarella, pickled Thai veggies, fresh cilantro and sweet Thai chili sauce, complement the slightly more traditional City Grill Burger ($9.95) and Crunchy Grouper Sandwich ($14.95). Entrées such as Grilled Salmon Fillet ($12.95), Seafood Gumbo ($13.95) and Chicken Penne Pasta ($11.95) are among many other choices. For those on a tight schedule there is a "Lunch on the Run" special where diners can pick any two items from a list including pizza, soup, salads or half sandwiches for $7.95.

At the end of the day Mattison s Forty One features a Sunset Menu. Between 4 and 6 p.m. diners can enjoy a full three-course dinner for $25. The price covers a choice of appetizer, choice of entrée and choice of dessert. You can also add a flight of wine for $10 more. There are many choices. For appetizers you can try the Artichokes-Esther Style, Crab Cakes, Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Slow Roasted Duck Spring Roll, Shrimp Rangoon, or the Charred Tomato Bisque, a Traditional Caesar Salad or Mattison s House Salad.

Dinner on the Sunset Menu offers Seafood Gumbo, Rosemary and Lemon Honey Glazed Salmon, Cajun Lime Blackened Mahi Mahi, Jumbo Boston Sea Scallops, Grouper Picatta, Pot Roast Forty-One, Chicken Penne Pasta or New Zealand Baby Lamb Chops. And it doesn t stop there. Top it off with a dessert of Torte di Nonna, Chocolate Paté Tahitian or Roasted Pear Bread Pudding.

The regular dinner menu features both seafood and "land food" along with the soups, salads, pizza and many of the sandwiches offered at lunch. Entrees from the sea include Seared Alaskan Halibut served over truffle cream corn with roasted fingerling potatoes ($27.95) and "Boston" Sea Scallops ($23.95) as well as more local favorites such as Grouper Picatta ($26.95). Land fare includes imaginative steak and chicken dishes plus Mattison s signature Rack of Lamb ($29.95 full rack).

The dessert menu tempts the palate with Flourless Chocolate Espresso Torte at $8.95, warm Apple Crisp at $7.95, Carrot Cake with traditional cream cheese icing at $7.95, Crème Brulée at $7.95, Key Lime Cheesecake at $7.95, Fresh Berry Cobbler at $7.95 and Homemade Italian Gelatos at $7.95.

A special time to visit Mattison s Forty One is on Sunday. The bountiful Sunday Brunch Buffet includes Champagne, Mimosas, and Bloody Marys to quench your thirst, plus omelet and crêpe stations, a carving station, smoked Scottish salmon, a variety of fresh seafood, bagels, applewood smoked bacon, special salads, eggs Benedict, stuffed French toast, home baked pastries and a variety of breakfast breads, imported cheese, fruit, antipasta, plus coffee and desserts. The price is $24.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 12 and under.

In addition to what Mattison s cooks up in the kitchen is something special that happens nightly dancing. For those who like to dance the night away after a fine dining experience, this is the place. Step out on the parquet wood dance floor and move to the music provided by a live band. A schedule of entertainment is available on the Mattison s web site.

Whatever the occasion, from a family dinner to a gathering of friends to a romantic night out, Mattison s is the place to dine, dance and enjoy.