Restaurant News: The Table Restaurant is resurrected, Creekside

The lounge at The Table Creekside. (Courtesy Photo)

Rafael Manzano and Pedro Flores have resurrected their long-gone restaurant The Table, with a little help from their current employer. Several years ago, the partners expanded from Hillview Avenue to a second spot in St. Petersburg, only to have both critically acclaimed restaurants collapse thanks to a slew of economic difficulties. Since then, both have worked for Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar in different capacities. Now, with the opening of The Table Creekside (5365 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 921-9465, tablesrq.com), they still do.

Roy Lalone — the man behind Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar — owns the new venture, which is located a few doors down. Rafael Manzano is VP of operations, while Pedro Flores is the executive chef of both restaurants. It’s nice to see this talented chef have an outlet for his interesting cuisine.

Although the restaurant claims that Flores is moving away from his self-des-cribed “Atlantic Rim” fusion cuisine to more classic dishes from around the world, you wouldn’t know it from the menu. An oyster po’ boy comes with kimchi, short rib pot roast is accompanied by Caribbean gnocchi and vidalia onion froth, and cassoulet is made with calamari, edamame and chorizo. Sounds a bit fused, doesn’t it?

The Table Creekside’s elegant dining room and patio seating (no paper towel rolls on those tables, I imagine) is open daily from 4 to 10 p.m. and features a bar menu along with the dinner fare.