Image courtesy of Columbia Restaurant.

The sounds of clattering silverware, customer chatter and bustling servers fill the dining room. One server walks by with a large wooden bowl, sets it down at the neighboring table and pulls out salad tongs, lemon and cheese, tossing and mixing the bowls contents. That settles it. I’ll have what he’s having. Columbia’s signature 1905 salad cannot be compared to the traditional greens and dressing. Derived from Cuban cuisine and originating in Tampa’s Ybor City, the dish reflects different immigrant backgrounds in Ybor, including Romano cheese from the Sicilians and delicious garlic dressing created by the Cubans. The salad also draws from local ingredients, such as Florida tomatoes and iceberg lettuce. Completing the meal, Swiss cheese, Worcestershire sauce and a choice of shrimp, turkey or baked ham are added, developing an eclectic flavor profile. Unlike most salads, the 1905 does not come to the table fully prepared. Servers bring a bowl full of ingredients and toss the creation before the customer’s eyes, making for not just a great tasting salad but also a much anticipated tableside experience. 

Image courtesy of Columbia Restaurant.

Columbia Restaurant, 411 St Armands Cir., Sarasota, 941-388-3987.