Duval's New World Cafe

On the main street running through the center of downtown Sarasota, amidst the fancy pet boutiques and specialty spice stores, sits Duval's New World Cafe, a hidden gem that I suspect will not be so little for long.  I had first stumbled upon this place one date night with my husband after we had just gotten out of a movie but hadn't eaten yet.  Strolling past numerous closed signs, we worried we would be doomed to fast food when we noticed an open door.  A well-dressed friendly man was by the hostess stand.  We asked if they would be open for a while, not wanting to be "those" customers who come in just before the restaurant closes and keep the wait staff held hostage.  The man smiled, telling us that we had plenty of time, and welcomed us inside.  It turned out they were doing a tasting menu so we were able to try several courses and wine for a great deal.  The food was fabulous but more than that, we were amazed at the service.  The waitress was so patient and accommodating, and the owner was happy to talk to us.  It was such an unexpected pleasure, I made sure to mention it for my turn with the Ladies of Lunch.

I join my other Ladies at their table and after a few minutes of gab, we set our minds to the menu.  There is both a lunch and a brunch menu, so the options are many.  Our waiter quickly comes to see if we are ready and we place our orders.

Rachel goes for the Roasted Chicken Salad with the Creole Slaw.

Kim selects the Eggs Florentine with Home Fries.

I opt for the Soup and Salad combo consisting of their Signature Salad and the Ham and White Bean Soup.

Our waiter expertly jots down our orders and after he leaves, we begin making our notes.  First we comment on the location.

"I understand that it's downtown, so parking can be a problem.  However, thankfully, today it wasn't an issue," Kim said.

Still, we all agreed that being right in the city was nice for the ambiance.  Meanwhile inside, we were all really impressed with the fresh decor.  After undergoing a recent and hefty transformation, trading in their moody and chic dark grey and purple, Duval's now boasts a bright contemporary coastal feel.  The restaurant is halved by a beautiful woodwork that resembles coral or driftwood, while the left wall, which the bar is set upon, is a cool white with wave details.  On the ceiling are light triangles of fabric made to look like sails.  When you walk in, you can't help but breathe deeply and immediately relax.  It's a welcome respite from the neighboring restaurants that emphasize a hard edge and dark city life.  After being shown pictures of what the restaurant looked previously, Rachel remarked that it looked, "like a retirement home.  But now, it is very modern."

Soon our food arrived and we all dove in.  Immediately, Kim noted how tasty her order was.

"Super yummy.  I removed the tomatoes (because I just prefer sandwiches without them) and wish the English muffin was toasted just a BIT more.  But other than that, this is wonderful.  I especially love the home fries."

Rachel tasted her salad.  "This is elegantly delectable.  The chicken salad has good flavoring and tasted fresh rather than pre-made and refrigerated."  As for the Creole Slaw, Rachel said, "It's spicy with a lot of flavors going on.  It might be a little busy."

As for me, I enjoyed my pairing.  The salad was exactly what I was wanting, being light and refreshing.  The greens were coated in a raspberry vinaigrette with a generous topping of crunchy cashews and blue cheese crumbles.  If I had to suggest anything, I would've loved some fruit pieces tossed in, like strawberries or tangerines.  My soup was also what I wanted- light but filling, with tender pieces of ham and white beans soaking in a savory chicken broth.

When we finished up our waiter was quick to return to us and see how we were doing.  He seamlessly gathered the dishes and scraped the tablecloth clean, and since we were celebrating Kim's birthday, we asked about desserts.  And since we are all indecisive women with sweet teeth, we decided to each get one and taste each others'.

He happily and quickly returned with a plate of key lime pie for Kim, chocolate peanut butter swirl cake for Rachel, and guava bread dippers with chocolate hazelnut dipping sauce for me.  We sunk our forks into each other's with gusto and after swallowing mouthfuls of sugar and chocolate, everyone began voicing their opinions.

I loved the toothsome feel of the guava bread, which was sweet but not overly so.  It paired wonderfully with the warm chocolate sauce dolloped with fresh made whipped cream.  Rachel noted the beautiful presentation of the swoops of chocolate and peanut butter, however she commented, "it's hard to rate after that key lime pie."

We all agreed Kim's chosen dessert was absolutely delicious.  It had a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, with a luscious creaminess that complemented the homemade crust. "The BEST key lime pie I have ever had," Kim gushed.

The sous chef stopped by just then and asked how everything was and we were happy to tell him everything was wonderful.  He seemed so genuinely grateful for the positive feedback and happy to be there, it was infectious.  In fact, once again, everyone from the hostess who sat us, the waiter who attended to us, the owner and the sous chef, was warm and welcoming, and I was so glad the other Ladies could experience it.

And now, the scoring breakdown on a 1 - 5 scale:

MENU               TASTE                 LOCATION             PRESENTATION            
4.8                    3.6                           3                              4  

CLEANLINESS                     SERVICE                         DECOR
       5                                    5 (!)                                4

Delivery?   NO
Carry-out?  YES
Outdoor Seating?  YES
Wifi?  YES
Pet-Friendly?  YES (outside)
Refer a Friend?  YES

Final Comments:

Rachel - "This place is classy yet affordable.  The most exceptional aspect was the service.  Starting with the greeting at the front door by the hostess, followed by the attentive, helpful, knowledgeable and professional server.  Even the management was down to earth yet professional."

Kim - "I loved the fresh cream on the desserts and the home fries were great.  I also really liked Rachel's chocolate peanut butter dessert.  Everything tasted fresh and homemade and I really appreciate that.  I couldn't have asked for a better birthday brunch!"

Kristen - "I was glad that the other girls got to have as good an experience as I had my previous visit. The menu was so varied, I can't wait to try more items.  If you are looking for a great relaxed brunch location with your gals or a romantic evening with your significant other, all while being expertly taken care of, give Duval's a try."

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