Savor Sarasota Al Fresco on the Bay at Rufa

SARASOTA — Having not been to the Ritz-Carlton since it added Rufa, an al fresco eatery on the veranda that serves as a more casual alternative to Jack Dusty, I took Savor Sarasota as the perfect opportunity to sample the fare in the serene bayfront setting.

During Savor Sarasota, participating restaurants offer exclusively crafted prix fixe menus featuring a three-course dinner for just $45, and Rufa's was the perfect complement to the sunset we enjoyed.

Course one consisted of two delectable rock shrimp tacos, topped with pickled red onion, pico de gallo, cilantro, and smoked chipotle aioli. They proved to be a perfectly refreshing starter on a sweltering hot evening.

My guest had the hand-held Rufa Salad, a sturdy stack of avocado, plantain chips, heirloom tomatoes, red onions, toasted pepitas, white anchovies, baby gem lettuce, with traditional Caesar dressing that was likewise suited to the balmy weather. The signature guacamole was available as a third option.

I couldn't help but go for a double dose of tacos for the second course, and had zero regrets over the Braised Short Rib Birria tacos with caramelized onion, Chihuahua cheese, and cilantro, with beef broth on the side.

My guest enjoyed the Al Pastor Chicken Skewers (pictured above), a hearty offering featuring achiote marinade, local mango salsa, cilantro cream, and flour tortillas, providing yet another taco option. Potato Flautitas were the third offering.

Decadent desserts rounded out the evening, and the Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème proved to be a sinfully delicious showstopper, while Dulce de Leche Ice Cream provided a cool treat perfectly suited to the warm night. Spicy Mango was the third option.

Rufa is a craft cocktail lover's dream, and in an age where that term is used very loosely, you can expect an artisan experience worthy of the moniker. Once again, the menu seemed curated with libations meant to counter the sultry weather.

I found the Swan to be the most refreshing of the bird-themed drinks. Cucumber-infused vodka, St. Germain, Lemon, Rosemary, Mint, and Agave, cold, shaken, and strained, is the perfect cure for the parched throat. The Scarlet blends tropical tea-infused tequila, fresh citrus mix, genepy, and agave, with pomegranate flower ice to similarly exquisite effect.

The star of the cocktail menu is the Golden Eagle, which uses Ritz-Carlton Select Barrel Angel's Envy Bourbon, with coconut wash, sherry, banana oleo, tiki bitters, and gold-infused ice (yes, you read that correctly), brought to the table in a glass box that it was then smoked in, was strong in both presentation and performance.

Overall, Rufa is a tropical dining experience that feels much more Biscayne Bay than Sarasota, injecting a much-welcomed Miami nights type of experience into our local food scene. Savor Sarasota continues through Sunday, so you still have time to make reservations.

Mitch Maley is the editor of the Bradenton Times. In addition to his weekly political column, he does occasional features on local theater, food & wine, travel, and music. Click here for his bio. Mitch's latest novel, Fish Kill, was recently released and is available here.