Figaro Bistro & Wine Bar

Figaro Bistro & Wine Bar at 1944 Hillview Street is the kind of European bistro Sarasota is lucky to have — intimate, wine-forward, and cooking food that doesn't chase trends. The kitchen leans French with Italian soul: cassoulet, escargot, boeuf bourguignon, and moules frites share the menu with frutti di mare and pasta that owes something to both traditions.

Signature dishes worth knowing before you go:

• Chilean seabass with tomato cognac sauce
• Short ribs in a four-wine reduction
• Dover sole and filet mignon in pepper cognac sauce
• Escargot done classically right

The wine bar component is integral, not an afterthought — this is a place to linger over a good bottle. The room is small and reservations are a smart idea. Open Tue–Thu 4–9pm, Fri–Sat 4–9:30pm, closed Sun–Mon.