Last year, at this time, we were in Sarasota and decided to watch the Super Bowl at Roy's. This year, we started a tradition of going to Roy's on Super Bowl Sunday. Like last year, Roy's was not busy and a reservation was not difficult to make.
One difference from last year is the fact that my wife and I made a comparison visit to the original Roy's in Hawaii (Ko Olina). That gave us a perspective on the "mainland" Roy's. Mr Yamaguchin(Roy) made a good business decision to open on the mainland, because his properties in Hawaii are "truck stops". Case in point the Manager in Sarasota was so engaged with his customers, that everyone in the restaurant were given complimentary appetizers. That wasn't a possibility by the disengaged Hawaiian general manager. The GM in Sarasota was good enough to send us Clams and Mussels. Along with what the manager sent us, we ordered a sushi roll (lailani roll - wygu beef, and tuna). Our main course was Roy's Trio (3 fishes served 3 styles) and a whole snapper (with head and eyes and everything). For dessert we had Pineapple upside down cake and a lemon cheesecake. To a course, it was all great.
There were a couple of irritating issues that kept the score of the visit down. First, was our server. She seemed to be nervous and she rambled on with inane conversation and talk down to us on the menu options like we were 3rd graders. It was unsettling and the care for the table, like pouring wine on a timely manner, was absent. Speaking of wine, that's the 2nd problem with the visit. The wines list is overpriced. "One Hope" chardonnay $36? Really? That bottle retails in the real world for $10. We settled on a $32 bottle of "private label" chardonnay from Rutherford. It was surprisingly good, with a buttery finish.
Next year,If the schedule is right, I'll be back at Roy's having dessert at the bar watching the Super Bowl. You should too, it's not crowded and management treats you right. In fact, management should teach the managers back in Hawaii how to set up and run a restaurant.

This is the best Roy's we have been to. Everyone was really friendly. Julie was our waitress and she was great!!the Calamari was one of the most original and best ever. The Mahi was great. The chicken lacked a little in flavor but was really good.

My husband & I visited Roys last night as were generously given a giftcard by a client of my husband's so we decided to drop in & check out the Happy Hour before heading to the movies. Roys restaurant is very chic & seems to be the place for females to hang out & it wasn't even ladies night!
At the bar I was handed a little yellow flower to tuck behind my ear, left if your heart is taken & right side if not. A sweet gesture I think:) The Happy Hour menu suited my husbands taste but for me being a veggie I had to order from the main menu. There are a few Vegetarian dishes to choose from so I opted for the veggie stirfry which was very good but pricey at $15.00. My husband loved his selections which I think one of them was a beef slider, not sure as I don't take a lot of notice what he orders but as long as he enjoys it that's fine! We had a very nice evening but since he Happy Hour doesn't cater for veggie's I think I would probably return with a girlfiend for a drink at the bar area which is a cool place to be:)

We went for a romantic nigh out & had a great time. The food amazing- it is a mélange of flavors that tickles your taste buds as you chew. Although it's a little pricey, it's worth it for food connoisseurs. My husband is a chef and has some pretty high standards. He was very pleased with our meal. My brother was thrilled just to get the leftovers!