Hotel Indigo’s H20 Bistro can be easily overlooked and forgotten about as a dining destination, but it shouldn’t be. With Culinary Institute of America-trained Chef Solomon “Sol” Shenker  at the helm, this bistro can no longer be ignored. He brings serious skill, creativity and a big personality to this bistro’s menu. The buzz around Chef Sol has been building since the Savor Sarasota launch party, where his 18 Mushroom Bisque and Cheesecake were favorably reviewed and consumed in mass quantity.The recipe for this creamy, smoky and earthy blend of mushrooms has been expertly honed. The bisque is served with crunchy, cheesy crostini and finished with a drizzle of crème fraiche. Next, the chef brought out Seafood Bruschetta, another daily special. Fresh crabmeat and Gulf shrimp are mixed with diced grape tomatoes, hearts of palm, the Chef’s own pesto blend, placed atop a crostini and lovingly drizzled in a balsamic reduction and olive oil.

The main entree was a colorful and aromatic Cioppino. A top seller this summer, the Chef went into detail on the well-roundedness of his extremely flavorful fish stock. This simple yet unforgettable dish is served with fresh shrimp, mussels, clams and sea bass for $28.99. You can also order it with lobster. The stock and seafood are accompanied by fresh tomato, garlic, fresh basil and the always necessary crusty bread for sopping. The Chef also served his phenomenal Chicken Milanese, an excellent alternative for the non-seafood enthusiast.Guests of the hotel special order Chef Sol's cheesecakes, and he will ship them anywhere upon request. The New York Cheesecake is by far the best around and tastes as close to the real deal as you can get, as the Chef has been crafting the recipe since his days in Queens. The Bread Pudding is lethal (in the best possible way), served warm with fresh whipped cream and berries. 

While their dinner menu is loaded with delicious standard fare, let the Chef be your guide for the evening. Missing out on his daily creations would be an injustice to your palate. Dining at the H20 Bistro is very much like staying at this local boutique hotel.  It’s charming, relaxing and promotes the best Sarasota can provide.