Here is the short version. 131 Main in Lakewood Ranch gets the night right. At this point I have been almost a dozen times, and everything below is something we actually ordered.
The building shows a clean white stucco exterior with a nod to that relaxed Alys Beach, Florida vibe.
Step in and it feels easy. You see a glow from the bar when you walk in, a clear view of the open kitchen when you enter the main dining area, and you hear soft rock, yacht rock, and familiar hits from the seventies to the nineties on a solid audio system with crisp highs and a notable low end that never takes over the room. Service is dialed in, the food is consistent, and for the quality on the plate and in the glass, prices are totally reasonable.
Ambiance
This room was clearly planned by people who care about comfort. Lighting lands in soft pools so faces look great and plates do too. You have space to talk like a normal person. The bar is inviting without trying too hard. Bottles catch a gentle backlight, bartenders move with calm precision, and every seat feels like the right one whether you are starting the night or winding it down.
Look across and the open kitchen sets the tempo. You can watch steaks meet the hickory wood fire grill, hear that quick sizzle, and see plates finish at the pass. It reads as confidence, not theater.
There is also a patio that opens to the evening breeze or closes when the weather flips, so the mood stays steady from booth to bar to open air.
Starters
Below are some of their startes we’ve tried. Everything begins with a simple approach. All fresh. No freezers. Technique first. The hickory grill adds a quiet thread of smoke that ties the menu together.
Double Dip
Fire roasted pepper dip, guacamole, and salsa with warm, sturdy tortilla chips. Bright, a little smoky, and exactly what you want while you figure out the rest of the order.
Ahi Tuna Stack
Number one sushi grade tuna dressed poke style with mango and a touch of sriracha mayo. Toast points bring the crunch. Clean, lively, and a smart lead in to the mains.
Salads
Here are a couple of the salads we’ve had. Plates arrive cold. Greens stay crisp. Dressings taste crafted, not poured.
Caesar
Garlicky, bright, and evenly dressed. The crunch holds to the last bite.
Ahi Tuna Salad
Seared rare tuna, sliced thick along mixed greens with avocado, mango, and red onion. A ginger vinaigrette ties it all together with lift and clarity. This can be dinner all by itself.
Sandwiches
Here are a couple of the tasty sandwiches I’ve had. Their fries are no joke. Comfort and craft on a plate.
Prime Rib Sandwich
Slow roasted in house, sliced thin, soft bread, a quiet swipe of mayo, and au jus. Fries arrive hot and crisp. Simple, tidy, and very easy to finish.
Classic Cheeseburger
Fully loaded with cheddar, ground fresh in house daily, with fresh fries. The patty picks up a gentle kiss of the grill and the stack is built with care. A reminder that straightforward can still be special.
Entrées
Below are some of the entrees we’ve tried. Steaks here are one hundred percent Black Angus from the upper Midwest plains, wet aged for thirty five days to deepen flavor and tenderness. The grill burns hickory, and that subtle signature shows up from the first bite.
Barrel Cut Filet Mignon
Eight ounces of Certified Angus cut in house. Seasoned with restraint, grilled to a lacquered crust that yields to a tender center, and paired with smashed red potatoes that keep a little texture. Calm, precise, and exactly what you want from a filet.
Southern Shrimp and Grits
A Cajun Creole sauce with measured heat anchors the plate. Corn salsa brings a touch of sweetness, asparagus adds snap, and cured ham builds savory depth. Rich and layered without turning heavy.
Slow Roasted Chicken
Herb rubbed and roasted to golden, finished with a silky demi glace, and served with those same honest smashed potatoes. Familiar and elevated at once.
Blackened Chicken Pasta
Roasted chicken, penne, red peppers, broccoli, and bacon in a creamy Cajun sauce. Smoke and spice are balanced. It reads cozy and still has personality.
Maryland Style Crab Cakes
Two jumbo lump crab cakes with a whole grain mustard sauce and fresh fries. Golden at the edges, delicate within, and seasoned to lift the crab rather than hide it. This is a plate we keep coming back to.
Cedar Plank Salmon
Center cut, cooked to medium, brushed with whole grain mustard butter, and paired with a chilled wild rice salad for nutty contrast. Clean, balanced, and quietly elegant.
Danish Baby Back Ribs
Smoked in house until tender, glazed to a gentle sheen, and paired with a peanut and ginger slaw that brings bright crunch. The shareable plate that rarely stays shared for long.
Grouper special
One visit brought grouper along kale and quinoa with the featured sauce of the night that included lumps of crab. Fresh, bright, and plated with confidence. It felt ready for the permanent lineup.
Kids and Families
Family friendly here means consistent, not compromised. Our daughter has ordered the chicken noodle soup (special), the cheeseburger with fries, and the hot dog with fries on different nights. You can tell the kitchen puts the same amount of love into the kids meals as they do for the adults.
Beverage Program
The list is strong and flexible. Thoughtful beers. A food friendly range of wines. Classic and creative martinis. A cocktail section that respects the standards and keeps things interesting. They also have some creative and tasty mocktails. My go to is the Old Fashioned with Elijah Craig Small Batch, Angostura Bitters, an expressed orange peel, and a Luxardo cherry. It is balanced and aromatic, and it plays well with everything from tuna to filet.
Service and Value
Service runs on a two lane model that works. A main server owns the table and guides the pacing. Alongside that, a coordinated team rotates through to refresh drinks, run plates, clear, and check in at the right moments. You never need to wave anyone down. The evening feels smooth and unforced. Given the fresh only kitchen, the steak program with thirty five days of wet aging, the accuracy on the line, and the quality at the bar, the prices are totally reasonable. You feel the value on the plate, in the glass, and in how relaxed you are by dessert.
Conclusion
131 Main is the kind of place that turns first visits into a habit. The bar sets a warm welcome. The open kitchen sets a steady pace. The patio keeps the mood intact in any season. The soundtrack hums along with the room, and the audio is tuned with care. On the plate you get a clean throughline of craft. Fresh ingredients. A hickory wood fire grill. Black Angus beef aged for thirty five days. Dishes that honor fundamentals and finish with confidence.
131 Main – Lakewood Ranch is located at 6608 University Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34240 and the phone number is (941) 394-0131.
I hope you found this review helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to connect with me on social media. Be sure to check out my other restaurant reviews as well. Thanks for reading!