Courtesy The Francis
In downtown Sarasota, a group of local restaurateurs opened the Francis in August. The boutique special-events venue is two blocks from the bayfront and on the street level of the modernistic, award-winning Palm Avenue Garage complex.
The location gives clients and their parties access to 700 covered parking spaces, free of charge.
The Francis’ owners and operators are Steve, Joe and Pat Seidensticker and partner Jeff Greco, known for their Libby’s Cafe and Bar, also recently opened Louies Modern, a restaurant next door to the Francis.
Because of their backgrounds in food service, the partners are emphasizing food at the Francis. They say the venue will focus on freshness, simplicity and quality, with local produce, handmade pastas and top quality meats and seafood.
Examples of some offerings are a butternut squash puree topped with lentils and cinnamon-cardamom creme fraîche; gnocci and Maine lobster in lobster cream; and peppercorn-seared beef striploin with Maytag mac ‘n’ cheese.
The Francis’ 3,600-square-foot contemporary style ballroom, with subtle Florida accents like natural wood shutters, can be divided in two parts. A private dining room will seat 10 to 25 guests for meals and small meetings. The venue also has a prefunction area and a rooftop event area. The facility handles audiovisual needs.
There is also an adjacent indoor/outdoor Barista bar that features wines and handcrafted cocktails.
941-552-9650
www.thefrancisevents.com
