Each year, the state of Florida welcomes around 900,000 snowbirds, many of whom flock to the Sarasota area. A significant number of these snowbirds come from New England states like Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. While there is no shortage of fantastic restaurants serving up fresh Florida seafood in Sarasota and the surrounding areas, sometimes it’s nice to indulge in the ingredients and flavors you’re most familiar with. Visitors from New England who are longing for a taste of home will find it at Claw & Co. in Downtown Wellen Park.

Claw & Co. is the brainchild of brothers David and Dennis Valentino and their business partner Mark Costanzo. The trio own several successful restaurant brands in south Florida, but Claw & Co. is particularly personal. All three men are married to women from New England, and they wanted to create a menu that was authentic and nostalgic.

“It’s always challenging when you step into something that is so well-known and so beloved to a region,” says David Valentino. “I own three pizzerias and believe me, people have very strong ideas of what pizza is or what it should be. Lobster rolls are no different.”

Lobster rolls can be a hot-button topic in the New England seafood world. Some diners fervently believe that Maine-style lobster rolls are superior, while others insist that Connecticut-style lobster rolls are the best. Claw & Co. keeps everyone happy by offering both variations on their menu, both of which feature fresh, unsalted lobster brought in from New England. On the Cold Lobster Roll (Maine-style), the lobster is lightly dressed in lemon juice, homemade mayonnaise and finely-shaved celery and served chilled on a toasted New England-style brioche bun. On the Hot Lobster Roll (Connecticut-style), the lobster is tossed in clarified butter and served warm on that same toasted split-top brioche bun.

That same level of care and attention to detail has gone into every menu item. The crispy, battered Fish and Chips are made with haddock, a mild and flaky white fish that is commonly used in New England cuisine. The New England Clam Chowder is creamy, thick, and hearty. The Clam Strips, a New England specialty particularly associated with Maine and Massachusetts, are dredged in perfectly seasoned flour and fried. The side order of Onion Rings is actually prepared more along the lines of traditional New England onion straws. In this preparation, the onions are sliced extremely thin before being battered and fried to create a lighter, crispier texture.

Claw & Co. has a small footprint and a small kitchen which has kept the menu streamlined: this has allowed the restaurant to really focus on creating authentic New England seafood. Whether you’re a New Englander looking for familiar food or a Floridian looking to try something a little different, Claw & Co. is bound to offer you a delightful dining experience.

Claw & Co, 19777 Wellen Park Blvd., North Port, 941-206-9657, clawandcompany.com.