Beso

Beso On yet another rainy Florida night, my husband and I, along with two other couples, headed to Beso in downtown Sarasota. We’ve been several times, but couldn’t wait to introduce our friends to one of our favorite tapas spots. If you’ve never had tapas before, it’s the perfect way to eat…you get to try a little bit of everything without committing to one giant entrée. We were seated immediately, and I was reminded why I love this place. The restaurant feels open and inviting with bohemian décor and romantic lighting, never cramped or noisy. Then our server, Alara, introduced herself. Cue the table-wide, “Ooooh… we love your name!” She told us it’s Turkish for “water fairy,” and a table full of fantasy-loving women immediately decided she was our favorite person. She was funny and incredibly knowledgeable. If it’s your first visit, trust your server’s recommendations. The menu can be intimidating if you’re unfamiliar with Spanish cuisine, and dishes arrive as they’re ready, making it a fun, shareable experience. Our favorite bites? Queso de Cabra, Alcachofas Fritas, Patatas Bravas (which we mostly ordered because it’s fun to say), Carrillada de Ternera, Picanha, Almejas de Iberia with the most incredible wine sauce, and the Pinchos Morunos lamb skewers. The only dish that missed the mark for us was the Gambas al Ajillo, the shrimp were a little chewy and the garlic overpowered everything else. The Sangria Robesto was the unanimous winner of the night, and when the rain somehow got even worse, we did the only reasonable thing… ordered another pitcher and several orders of churros. They have the slightest citrus twist, and I’m convinced Alara sprinkled a little water fairy magic on them. We left completely stuffed, appropriately over-served on sangria, and with our abs hurting from laughing. Our friends absolutely loved Beso, and it reminded us why we keep coming back. Fantastic food. Wonderful atmosphere. Outstanding service. If you go, do yourself a favor and ask for our favorite water fairy, Alara. 🧚

BESO is an absolute gem! Everything from start to finish was amazing. The drinks alone were worth the visit we had sangrias, a mojito, and a citrus cocktail, all beautifully done. The food was incredible across the board. The gazpacho was stunning, the spicy braised meat dish was rich and bold, the garlic shrimp and the white fish tapas were perfectly cooked, the whole roasted fish with olives, capers, and roasted peppers was a showstopper, and the salmon with white beans in a savory tomato broth was pure comfort on a plate. And to finish the flan, topped with edible flowers and a gorgeous caramel glaze, was one of the best desserts I’ve had in a long time. But what really elevated the whole experience was our server absolutely phenomenal (he was from Madrid, España), attentive, and made us feel so well taken care of all night. BESO is a must if you love tapas. We will 100% be back!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Beso was hands down one of the best meals we’ve had in Sarasota. Every single dish was insanely delicious and perfectly executed. We ordered the Sandía de Jerez, Alcachofas Fritas, Croquetas, Patatas Bravas, and the Picanha, and honestly, there wasn’t one thing we wouldn’t order again. The flavors, presentation, and overall experience were incredible. And then came dessert… the flan that’s supposedly rated the best dessert in Sarasota. It absolutely lived up to the hype. My husband doesn’t even typically like flan and he could not stop talking about how good it was. That alone says everything. Can’t wait to come back. Truly such a special spot.