The Perfect Match: Derek's Culinary Casual and the Rosemary District

Dating back to the late 1800’s the historic roots of the Rosemary District run deep; however one would not consider the area traditional. In fact for many years the entire area just north of downtown was a collection of neglected buildings, and open lots overlooked by locals and visitors. In the late 1990’s efforts were initiated to renovate this historic part of Sarasota and it continues today as a work in progress. (

Today the Rosemary District can be described as edgy, innovative, up and coming, creative, and independent, with an undercurrent of historic significance; the perfect backdrop for Chef Derek Barnes to showcase his talents.

has an understated, casually elegant storefront type exterior. This setting, marked by a simple red sign, provides an interesting contrast to the hip open kitchen, high ceilinged dining space, paneled wall coverings, and candle lit white clothed tables. One step inside and you immediately feel a serious culinary pulse. One look at the menu and your feeling is confirmed.

Derek Barnes bills his cuisine as Progressive American. The menu offers a wide selection of soups, salads, beef, lamb, duck, pork, and seafood. Perhaps the best way to define Progressive American cuisine is by taste which ranges from familiar comfort to sophisticated layers of spice and flavor. In other words, there is something for everyone on the menu!

For our dinners we chose the following:

Gumbo: Pulled pork, Andouille sausage, and duck.  $4.00cup/$6.00 bowl

• Rich and meaty with layers of flavor and a slight hint of spice; delicious.

Country Spinach Salad:  Baby spinach, kiln dried cherries, shaved fennel, and candied pecans, blue cheese dressing.  $9.00

• Fresh, crisp, and sweet a great way to begin a meal

Pan Roasted Calamari: Muffaletta toast, preserved lemon, sweet garlic emulsion.  $12.00

• Sweet, spicy, a mélange of flavor and textures

Pan Roasted American Snapper:  PEI mussels, ginger, braised turtle beans, peanuts, crispy shallots $30.00

• A beautiful presentation of fresh fish, crunch shallots served on a velvety blend of dark beans; lick the plate good!

Grilled Gulf Shrimp:  Aged cheddar ground grits, blue crab ragout, sweet corn and okra piccalilli $28.00

• Creamy, sweet, very satisfying, shrimp were very large and generous.

Frozen Trio:  A daily selection of fresh ice cream, sorbet and granita. Ice cream-Keifer lime, sorbet-balsamic with aged roasted grapes, granita-grapefruit.  $6.00

• Creamy, rich, and colorful, unusual, not sweet but satisfying

Derek’s offers a wide selection of beer and wine to accompany your meal. Their signature bread service is a cheese puff which has a light, smooth, and creamy texture. As one would expect, their wait staff service is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive.

Derek’s Culinary Casual in the Rosemary District, the perfect match, innovative, creative cuisine, in an edgy up and coming part of town.

Derek’s Culinary Casual
514 Central Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-366-6565  

http://www.dereks-sarasota.com/index.html