Pictured: The presentation of The Scarlet shareable cocktail perfectly encapsulates the whimsy and inventiveness you can expect to find at Rufa. Photo courtesy of Rufa.

The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota is known for providing an elevated guest experience, and that tradition continues with Rufa, the resort’s new al fresco dining concept. The inventive cocktails and shareable plates at Rufa are as vibrant and unique as the sunset views you can take in while enjoying a cool and laid-back dining experience.

The eatery is named for a shorebird called the Rufa Red Knot which has one of the longest migrations of any bird species, summering in the Arctic tundra and wintering in South America. They often stop along the east coast during their migration, and can be found in Sarasota at certain points of the year. When executive chef Yann Chupin designed the menu, he was inspired by the thought of bringing in Latin flavors from areas where the Rufa might travel and incorporating them with familiar local ingredients. The result is a playful and inventive menu that is a departure from the typical Ritz-Carlton dining experience. The shareable plates are interactive, and many are intended to be eaten with your hands, like the al pastor chicken skewers with local mango salsa and cilantro cream.

The cocktails at Rufa are the creation of lead bartender Heidi Finley. Finley recently won the prestigious Masters of the Craft beverage award from Marriott International, and she truly takes craft cocktails to a new level. Ingredients like simple syrups and purees are always made in-house, and the spirits in each cocktail are often infused to add more complexity. Even the ice cubes are carefully considered, with cocktails featuring unique elements like strawberry ice or citrus hibiscus ice. The alcohol-free cocktails get in on the fun, too - the pina colada-inspired Dove zero-proof cocktail features shell-shaped ice cubes made from coconut milk.

“I love creating zero-proof cocktails because we always want to include everybody,” says Finley. “Sometimes people want to come out and socialize and they don’t want to drink but they want something fun.”

One cocktail that’s not zero-proof but is still plenty of fun is the scarlet. This herbaceous cocktail is crafted from goji green tea-infused tequila, bergamot liqueur and a housemade citrus elixir with lemon, lime, orange and agave. The Scarlet is a shareable cocktail and can be ordered for two or four people. It arrives at your table in a teapot where it is poured into coupe glasses over pomegranate flower ice.

“Since all of our plates are shareable I also wanted to make a shareable cocktail,” Finley explains. “When I was creating all the cocktails I was thinking about all of the gardens surrounding us and I thought this was very Mad Hatter-ish.”

It’s the perfect encapsulation of the kind of whimsy and inventiveness you can find at Rufa.

If you’re ready to give this exciting new eatery a try, be sure to check out Rufa’s Soaring Sundays promotion which runs through December 29th, 2024. Every Sunday, guests who purchase the scarlet shareable cocktail will receive one of three complimentary shareable plates. The crispy potato flautitas have a little heat from guajillo oil that is beautifully balanced by fresh pomegranate salsa, creamy avocado puree and tangy queso fresco. The signature guacamole gets that elevated Ritz-Carlton twist from smoked avocado, while Rufa’s tuna crudo comes with an addictive housemade sauce featuring notes of chili and citrus among other flavors.

Rufa is open from 4pm-10pm Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and from 4pm-11pm Friday and Saturday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Rufa, 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, Sarasota, 941-309-2000.

Pictured: The presentation of The Scarlet shareable cocktail perfectly encapsulates the whimsy and inventiveness you can expect to find at Rufa. Photo courtesy of Rufa.