Floribbean Restaurant Opens on Main Street

Chicago and Caribbean flavors come together — but not on the same plate — at Floribbean Restaurant & Lounge on Main Street.

The restaurant, 1400 Main St. (Kress International Plaza) will have its grand opening Saturday. Reservations are accepted for that night.

Owner Rafael Perez of Sarasota brings out his childhood in Chicago, his Puerto Rican heritage to his new venture on Main Street.

“I was always looking to do something in a busy strip and offer Caribbean flare of food with a couple of Chicago style dishes,” Perez said. “I offer Vienna products — Chicago style Vienna meats, also Chicago-style steaks, filet mignons and also bring a touch of home cooking to the area.”

His passion for food started in the kitchen with his mother and grandmother in Chicago and the family opened a small restaurant that sat 10 people and focused on takeout and catering orders. His passion resumed after the construction industry dove and he opened up Latin Quarters in Bradenton, which he has since sold.

That’s 12 years of restaurant industry experience “not including growing up in the kitchen with ma’,” he said.

“We did a lot of family meals for people who wanted certain food and we would cook it for them,” he said. “I’m bringing that expertise to the people, teaching them my expectations of what a roast pork should be Puerto Rican style.”

There’s a touch of Cuban on the menu, too, he said, with roasted pork featuring a crusty exterior. Mofongo, ropa vieja (old clothes) featuring skirt steak sautéed in bell peppers, onions, olive oil, garlic and marinade with home style seasoning, are also highlights of the menu, he said. Mofongo is the signature dish.

“Everybody expects Caribbean to be spicy,” he said. “It’s not spicy as Mexican’s are. Caribbean’s more on flavor with natural herbs, garlics, cilantro, onions, peppers. We don’t use hot sauce.”

There’s something for each type of crowd at Floribbean, depending on the time of day.

For the lunch crowd, the restaurant offers $7 specials from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a soup of the day, house salad or coleslaw. On Tuesdays you can get Puerto Rican roast pork with two sides or a half Cuban sandwich.

“I think we’re right in the ballpark, below where everybody’s at,” he said.

For dinner, there’s the full menu plus healthy sandwiches and entertainment. Live jazz will be performed seven days a week from 6 to 9 p.m. No cover is charged.

“We’re trying to keep jazz alive,” he said, as he tries to offer a style of music that retirees appreciate in the area.

After 10 p.m., Floribbean turns into a nightclub with live bands. Wednesdays features a reggae band, Thursdays is urban nights/ladies nights, Fridays is Top 40s music, Latin music for salsa dancers are Saturdays and country music will be Sundays.

“It’s very diverse,” he said. 

Perez is thankful for his location on Main Street, beside the roundabout for Main, Pineapple and Central avenues. 

“It’s just fortunate to God to find a place like this. I guess it’s being at the right place at the right time,” he said. The restaurant is the old site of Patty’s

Floribbean Restaurant & Lounge

1400 W. Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236

941-365-2266

Floribbeanrestaurant.com (under construction)

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. re-opens at 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. as nightclub Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Alcohol: Full bar, liquor, beer and wine

Foursquare Specials: Planned

Facebook page: Search for Floribbean or visit this link.