The Scenestress

There’s another new kid on the block of the downtown Sarasota dining scene….and this one may have a chance. On Wednesday I attended the media preview launch of the First Street Chop House, formerly Arosa, on the corner of First Street and Pineapple, and was pleased with what I saw.

Upon arrival a nice young man led me upstairs to the reception while sharing a little history about the building, which was actually built in 1926 and was at one time, among other things, a gentlemen’s club. A server greeted me promptly to offer a drink, after which I greeted a few other Loaf-ers and played spot-the-rival-media-groups (I tallied a few from SRQ Magazine and The Observer, with whom I very politely shook hands when introduced).

Well-dressed Manager Amanda Kastor stopped to welcome us as we enjoyed some fruit and cheese and to tell us a little more about the restuarant’s entertainment plans, including monthly theme parties as well as live pianists and full bands performing on the weekends in the courtyard and/or upstairs.

If you can, take advantage of their almost-all-day Happy Hour, which runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and picks up again from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. (the kitchen is open late, too). With what looks to be a strong team in the front of the house, and a capable crew in the kitchen, the First Street Chop House is on its way.