The Rosemary District is one of Sarasota’s oldest neighborhoods, with a history that dates back to the late 19th century. Over the last fifteen years, the neighborhood has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from an industrial area into a walkable community with an interesting blend of modern and historic architecture, a thriving arts scene and a growing number of local restaurants. The Rosemary District is the perfect backdrop for a unique eatery like Arts and Central, where diverse influences come together to create a dining experience that is as dynamic and inspired as the neighborhood itself.
“Starting a restaurant has been a family conversation as long as I’ve been alive,” says owner Dan Henson Jr. “We’re a family of natural hosts. My dad is one of five brothers and my mom is one of six siblings, so their entire lives revolved around hosting large family events. Every Thanksgiving we had forty people. So we just naturally gravitated toward that.” The restaurant dream wouldn’t be realized right away. Henson went to school for journalism, then worked in commercial real estate for several years. When the COVID pandemic hit and he and his wife felt themselves going “stir-crazy” in their office jobs, they knew it was time to make a change and began conceptualizing a restaurant. They relocated from Houston to Sarasota and Henson would go on to open Arts and Central with his dad, making the family dream a reality.
“We wanted to touch on all the places that we’ve lived,” Henson says. “We lived in the UK, several different states throughout the US, I lived in Texas for 13 years, we lived in Mexico when I was little. So we wanted to pull inspiration from those life experiences while also playing to our chef’s strengths and letting him kind of run wild and design and play with certain aspects of the food and make it fun and inventive.”
That goal has been achieved. The menu that has been developed under the tutelage of executive chef Erik Walker is playful, creative, and eclectic, with influences from all over. At lunchtime the fare trends a little lighter, with an emphasis on Gardens & Greens (salads) and Between the Bread (sandwiches). The Apple & Fennel Salad is light and bright, with arugula, frisee, fennel, and ribbons of apple. It is dressed in a tart citrus vinaigrette and topped with salty feta cheese and buttery Marcona almonds. It’s a satisfying size, filling and flavorful. The Boat Launch Sandwich features responsibly-sourced grilled mahi-mahi that has been lightly seasoned so that the flavor of the fish really shines through. It’s served on an onion roll with iceberg lettuce, tomato, garlic red pepper cucumber, and house-made mustard aioli. It’s an elevated take on a fish sandwich, with an incredibly balanced flavor profile.
These lighter options are available at dinner too, along with an expanded selection of Entrees and Shareable Snacks. Arguably the best way to acquaint yourself with Arts and Central is to come in with a few friends, order a round of cocktails, and try several of the Shareable Snacks to experience some of the more whimsical menu items. In the Piquillo & Goat Cheese snack, roasted sweet and smoky piquillo peppers are stuffed with tangy goat cheese and served with a bourbon reduction. The Lobster Corn Dog is a dish that Walker has been playing with for years. That features a cold water lobster tail fried in a house made corn dog batter and served with mustard aioli. The Poolside Tots are inspired by Henson’s time in Houston and are loaded with tender brisket, scallions, aioli, scallions and a sweet soy glaze. In the mood for something heartier? Turn your attention to the entrees instead. The Wild Mushroom Risotto with Carnaroli rice, chives, and Parmesan is rich, creamy, and earthy. You can even add shaved truffle if you’re feeling particularly indulgent.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert. The Adult Milk & Cookies are deliriously decadent. Three large house-made chocolate chip cookies are served with a cold mug of milk, as well as a shot of amaretto, Bailey’s or Kahlua on the side. Pour the shot into the mug and dunk your cookies into the spiked milk. It’s a great dessert to share with friends, but no judgment if you decide to keep it for yourself once you taste it.
