I normally do not write negative reviews, but this experience was disappointing enough that I feel it’s important to share for others considering similar events. We attended the Caymus wine dinner, priced at $99 per person for a four-course meal. Unfortunately, the food execution fell far short of expectations for a restaurant hosting a premium wine pairing dinner. The first course, a snapper crudo, was visually appealing but largely tasteless and lacked the brightness and balance one would expect from a dish of that nature. The second course was an unappetizing pork dish that failed to deliver on flavor or presentation. The third course—a duck breast—was extremely tough, chewy, and served cold. The final course, advertised as a Wagyu picanha steak, was also chewy, served cold, and accompanied by potatoes that did little to improve the dish. I politely asked the waiter if it was possible to receive a piece of steak that was at least warm. My plate was taken to the kitchen and returned with the steak simply cooked longer, resulting in a well-done, tougher piece of meat. I was then told there was no more steak available. For a ticketed wine dinner, it is concerning that the kitchen could not accommodate such a basic request or have adequate portions available. The only bright spots of the evening were the wines themselves—though pours were very limited—and one well-made cocktail from the bartender. Unfortunately, the food overall was overly seasoned with garlic, lacked depth of flavor, and was consistently served cold. When I expressed my dissatisfaction, the waiter stated that the owner and chef were not interested and did not seem to care about the experience. No attempt was made to speak with us, offer a resolution, or provide even a basic gesture of hospitality. This dinner was meant to celebrate my wife’s birthday, and instead the experience was so poor that we had to go elsewhere afterward to eat. We also attended with friends who had never been here before, and they were equally disappointed. Had ownership or management taken a moment to acknowledge the issues, this may have ended differently. Unfortunately, the lack of accountability and concern made the experience even worse. I will not return, nor would I recommend this restaurant—especially for special events or wine dinners.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Bernie Clark
We have been here twice now and brought friends this time. All 4 of us had a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
PENNY MITCHELL
Michael was amazing! Best espresso Martini ever!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Stephanie Church
We went on Smashburger night. A dark and cozy atmosphere inside the wine shop with a full bar. A great alternative to the normal restaurants. Very friendly and attentive staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Deana Sparling
The food and atmosphere can’t be beat. Unfortunately the service can’t be counted on. A dear friend’s private event that has been planned for weeks has been ruined because the event coordinator double booked the day. We just found out with a week to go and are now scrambling for a new venue. This is not the first time we have had reservation issues here but this was the most important. The importance of the event was understood. Very disappointed. We’d been big advocates for this great little place but no more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Chris Amstutz
Another unique find!
Located in a strip center inside a liquor store (Dive wine & Spirits) this was easily the most unique location we’ve dined in over the last several months. We’re always looking for small owner operated restaurants and this one fit the bill with 5 tables seating 32 and a bar that seats 10. The menu varies day-to-day quite a bit and we came on wine & pasta night.
We arrived a little bit early and decided to have a pre-dinner cocktail in the Dive bar. The Dive bar is located in the back of the liquor store and accessed through a sliding freezer door. The bar seats about 10 and there is also a couch and some seating off to the side. It’s a bit dark in the bar, but the boxes stacked floor to ceiling give it a special ambiance and it almost feels like you’re sitting in a speakeasy room that’s a half bar - half storage. The bar menu had a good deal of craft cocktails - pretty unique stuff.
We eventually moved to the Hive which is the restaurant. It’s accessed through a different part of the liquor store and didn’t open till 6 PM. All five tables are high tops with chairs that had backs. Table spacing was good and the noise level was never loud due our meal. Because it was pasta night there were scenes of Italy scrolling on TV screens.
On arrival we were warmly greeted and seated by Michael who would be our waiter. We were never rushed throughout the meal and he would check back often to make sure we’re doing OK.
The menu was one page long and printed for the night. Between the four of us we ordered two appetizers and three different entrées.
The peaches & whipped ricotta was served with focaccia bread. The peaches gave the ricotta a nice flavor. Portion was shareable.
The burrata and prosciutto appetizer came out on a bed of arugula. Nice presentation, good portion and good flavor throughout. also shareable.
I find it hard to pass up a good Bolognese, and this one was unique in that it was cream-based with malfadine pasta. Portion was good and the flavor was outstanding. I finished the entire bowl. Should be noted they make all their own pastas.
Two others ordered the shrimp and scallop Florentine. The portion was nice with lots of shrimp and scallops. Great flavor that we accentuated with some red pepper seeds to give it a little kick.
The last entrée was chicken Milanese with shrimp substituted for the chicken. Great flavor and lots of shrimp.
We did not order dessert. Between the appetizers and the entrées, we were all full. In the future, we would split the appetizers.
Between the unique atmosphere, great service and excellent food we had an enjoyable and memorable evening here at the Hive. I feel like we were lucky to get a reservation. Although the restaurant was not crowded when we were there, I think in the future it will be based on our experience. We also like the fact that the menu varies.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greg Dixon
Drinks are superb and educational. Atmosphere wonderful with a very low volume electronic music in the background. Relaxing and up beat at the same time. Great atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Christian Higgins
Was wondering where the feed was coming from...AhHa!
Jessica
Almost hesitant to leave a review and give out this hidden gem, but this place is worth it. We came across an event for taco Tuesday on a whim and were pleasantly surprised with the service, drinks and food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Mulone
Happening, fun crowds at this pop-up themed nights.Taco Tuesday is a hit.
Very cool place to visit. Behind the liquor store is a "speak easy". Very delicious and creative drinks. Connected to the store is the Hive Bar. Again, delicious drinks and the food was fabulous. We went on pasta night. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
mymother thestar
My sister and I went to The Hive for their Friday night seafood dinner. I almost didn’t write a review because I feel as if I’ve found a treasure everyone will want a piece of once word gets out about this special place and their special events. It’s a tiny, reservations-only spot tucked off to one side of Dive Wine and Spirits, which itself has a cozy-but-high-atmosphere bar at the back of the retail store. Two secrets in one unassuming location! We’ve eaten smoked fish dip at five or six restaurants in Sarasota and this was by far the best. We each ordered what I called a miracle crab cake — a thick, chunky, delicious patty that stayed together despite any obvious binder or filler. After drinking two glasses of wine apiece (the first was a very disappointing light pour, the second more generous), the bartender suggested that next time we buy a bottle, pay a corkage fee, and save a few dollars. Which is exactly what we’ll do! Signing up on the Web site for notifications will give you the inside scoop about upcoming menus. Recent offerings have included pasta, tacos and barbecue, all offered with specialty cocktails (or wine). *** I went again recently with a friend on Pasta & Wine night and ordered almost half of everything on the menu — grouper bites, appetizer meatballs, Caesar salads, chicken Marsala, shrimp and scallop rigatoni, and garlic bread. Thumbs way up all around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
roger sebring
Huge selection of spirits and wine. Helpful staff and good prices. It's bigger inside than it looks! I recommend that you check it out!!
I normally do not write negative reviews, but this experience was disappointing enough that I feel it’s important to share for others considering similar events.
We attended the Caymus wine dinner, priced at $99 per person for a four-course meal. Unfortunately, the food execution fell far short of expectations for a restaurant hosting a premium wine pairing dinner.
The first course, a snapper crudo, was visually appealing but largely tasteless and lacked the brightness and balance one would expect from a dish of that nature. The second course was an unappetizing pork dish that failed to deliver on flavor or presentation. The third course—a duck breast—was extremely tough, chewy, and served cold. The final course, advertised as a Wagyu picanha steak, was also chewy, served cold, and accompanied by potatoes that did little to improve the dish.
I politely asked the waiter if it was possible to receive a piece of steak that was at least warm. My plate was taken to the kitchen and returned with the steak simply cooked longer, resulting in a well-done, tougher piece of meat. I was then told there was no more steak available. For a ticketed wine dinner, it is concerning that the kitchen could not accommodate such a basic request or have adequate portions available.
The only bright spots of the evening were the wines themselves—though pours were very limited—and one well-made cocktail from the bartender. Unfortunately, the food overall was overly seasoned with garlic, lacked depth of flavor, and was consistently served cold.
When I expressed my dissatisfaction, the waiter stated that the owner and chef were not interested and did not seem to care about the experience. No attempt was made to speak with us, offer a resolution, or provide even a basic gesture of hospitality.
This dinner was meant to celebrate my wife’s birthday, and instead the experience was so poor that we had to go elsewhere afterward to eat. We also attended with friends who had never been here before, and they were equally disappointed.
Had ownership or management taken a moment to acknowledge the issues, this may have ended differently. Unfortunately, the lack of accountability and concern made the experience even worse.
I will not return, nor would I recommend this restaurant—especially for special events or wine dinners.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
We have been here twice now and brought friends this time. All 4 of us had a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael was amazing! Best espresso Martini ever!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
We went on Smashburger night. A dark and cozy atmosphere inside the wine shop with a full bar. A great alternative to the normal restaurants. Very friendly and attentive staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The food and atmosphere can’t be beat. Unfortunately the service can’t be counted on. A dear friend’s private event that has been planned for weeks has been ruined because the event coordinator double booked the day. We just found out with a week to go and are now scrambling for a new venue. This is not the first time we have had reservation issues here but this was the most important. The importance of the event was understood. Very disappointed. We’d been big advocates for this great little place but no more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Another unique find!
Located in a strip center inside a liquor store (Dive wine & Spirits) this was easily the most unique location we’ve dined in over the last several months. We’re always looking for small owner operated restaurants and this one fit the bill with 5 tables seating 32 and a bar that seats 10. The menu varies day-to-day quite a bit and we came on wine & pasta night.
We arrived a little bit early and decided to have a pre-dinner cocktail in the Dive bar. The Dive bar is located in the back of the liquor store and accessed through a sliding freezer door. The bar seats about 10 and there is also a couch and some seating off to the side. It’s a bit dark in the bar, but the boxes stacked floor to ceiling give it a special ambiance and it almost feels like you’re sitting in a speakeasy room that’s a half bar - half storage. The bar menu had a good deal of craft cocktails - pretty unique stuff.
We eventually moved to the Hive which is the restaurant. It’s accessed through a different part of the liquor store and didn’t open till 6 PM. All five tables are high tops with chairs that had backs. Table spacing was good and the noise level was never loud due our meal. Because it was pasta night there were scenes of Italy scrolling on TV screens.
On arrival we were warmly greeted and seated by Michael who would be our waiter. We were never rushed throughout the meal and he would check back often to make sure we’re doing OK.
The menu was one page long and printed for the night. Between the four of us we ordered two appetizers and three different entrées.
The peaches & whipped ricotta was served with focaccia bread. The peaches gave the ricotta a nice flavor. Portion was shareable.
The burrata and prosciutto appetizer came out on a bed of arugula. Nice presentation, good portion and good flavor throughout. also shareable.
I find it hard to pass up a good Bolognese, and this one was unique in that it was cream-based with malfadine pasta. Portion was good and the flavor was outstanding. I finished the entire bowl. Should be noted they make all their own pastas.
Two others ordered the shrimp and scallop Florentine. The portion was nice with lots of shrimp and scallops. Great flavor that we accentuated with some red pepper seeds to give it a little kick.
The last entrée was chicken Milanese with shrimp substituted for the chicken. Great flavor and lots of shrimp.
We did not order dessert. Between the appetizers and the entrées, we were all full. In the future, we would split the appetizers.
Between the unique atmosphere, great service and excellent food we had an enjoyable and memorable evening here at the Hive. I feel like we were lucky to get a reservation. Although the restaurant was not crowded when we were there, I think in the future it will be based on our experience. We also like the fact that the menu varies.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drinks are superb and educational. Atmosphere wonderful with a very low volume electronic music in the background. Relaxing and up beat at the same time. Great atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Was wondering where the feed was coming from...AhHa!
Almost hesitant to leave a review and give out this hidden gem, but this place is worth it. We came across an event for taco Tuesday on a whim and were pleasantly surprised with the service, drinks and food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Happening, fun crowds at this pop-up themed nights.Taco Tuesday is a hit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Very cool place to visit. Behind the liquor store is a "speak easy". Very delicious and creative drinks. Connected to the store is the Hive Bar. Again, delicious drinks and the food was fabulous. We went on pasta night. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
My sister and I went to The Hive for their Friday night seafood dinner. I almost didn’t write a review because I feel as if I’ve found a treasure everyone will want a piece of once word gets out about this special place and their special events. It’s a tiny, reservations-only spot tucked off to one side of Dive Wine and Spirits, which itself has a cozy-but-high-atmosphere bar at the back of the retail store. Two secrets in one unassuming location! We’ve eaten smoked fish dip at five or six restaurants in Sarasota and this was by far the best. We each ordered what I called a miracle crab cake — a thick, chunky, delicious patty that stayed together despite any obvious binder or filler. After drinking two glasses of wine apiece (the first was a very disappointing light pour, the second more generous), the bartender suggested that next time we buy a bottle, pay a corkage fee, and save a few dollars. Which is exactly what we’ll do! Signing up on the Web site for notifications will give you the inside scoop about upcoming menus. Recent offerings have included pasta, tacos and barbecue, all offered with specialty cocktails (or wine). *** I went again recently with a friend on Pasta & Wine night and ordered almost half of everything on the menu — grouper bites, appetizer meatballs, Caesar salads, chicken Marsala, shrimp and scallop rigatoni, and garlic bread. Thumbs way up all around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Huge selection of spirits and wine. Helpful staff and good prices. It's bigger inside than it looks! I recommend that you check it out!!
The best cocktails in town!
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