Le Mans Kitchen
Getting your car serviced or your oil changed is probably not one of your favorite activities. It’s an obtrusive errand that often requires blocking out a couple of precious hours, not to mention what it could cost. But what if your car care could also include fine dining—FOR FREE?! I suspect we all would be more motivated to tackle the task. So pull up to the service side of Sarasota Ford and get ready to be surprised and satiated.
“I first thought ‘What are you talking about,’ when it was explained to me,” jokes Joel Casillas, executive chef of Le Mans Kitchen. “I thought it was kind of crazy.”
It does sound crazy: a high-end restaurant inside of a car dealership, with a French-inspired menu designed by Michelin-star chef Jose Martinez, best known in Sarasota for Maison Blanche on Longboat Key.
“But the reaction you see from the guests and the clients, it is so great,” continues Casillas. “This is easing up the monotony of waiting and so much more.”
Instead of sitting impatiently in hard plastic chairs, customers are invited into a French country eatery, decorated with warm wood and chic white and blue tile. The vibe is relaxing and quiet, with small private tables divided by frosted glass, as well as cushy side chairs. On a recent day people were working on laptops, reading, and enjoying lunch.
But the biggest surprise of all was the culinary complexity of the Le Mans menu: Spring pea shrimp risotto. Pan-seared salmon with heirloom tomato and corn beurre blanc. A petite filet mignon with a potato pave. And for a simpler snack, there are salads, smoothies, and croissants, plus a breakfast menu for earlier appointments.
“I’m trying to be creative with something you don’t see everywhere else. The pave has 10 thin layers of potato and takes 12 hours to prepare. The filet is described as better than steakhouses around town,” Casillas says proudly.
After its first six months, the 38-seat restaurant with its open kitchen is serving close to 150 meals a day. Automotive service customers get a free food and drink voucher valid just for the day, and the dealership services all makes and models of cars. Sarasota Ford car buyers and their guests receive a free first-visit voucher but are welcome to return to dine anytime. It’s an unusual business model, but one Sarasota Ford management is proud to have initiated.
“Owner Matt Buchanan wanted to expand the previous café and decided to just go all in and create this restaurant,” explains Le Mans manager Blake Campbell. “We have so much commitment from our clientele. This is an expression of our gratitude for their loyalty.”
So at Sarasota Ford, there is still such thing as a free lunch. And it’s a really, really good one.
Le Mans Kitchen: 707 S. Washington Blvd, Sarasota; lemanskitchen.com
