My spouse and I
dined with one family member for brunch on a Monday morning in late December
2016. (We visited C’est la Vie on previous occasions because we have
family who live in the area.) The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and
dinner on Mondays through Saturdays (closed on Sundays). On Mondays and Tuesdays,
the restaurant closes at 6:00 pm, with extended hours until 9:30 pm on the other
days of the week (except Sundays).
A French expat couple opened C’est la Vie (which means
“that’s life” or “such is life” in French) in 1997. The restaurant and bakery is
located on Main Street (near the intersection of South Orange Avenue) in
Downtown Sarasota. C’est la Vie offers indoor seating towards the rear of the
space past a glass-fronted bakery display case, and outdoor sidewalk seating at
small round tables under the shade of a few large umbrellas.
C’est la Vie serves authentic French cuisine, including
bakery items (like baguettes and croissants), crepes, quiches, and sandwiches. We
have tried a variety of their menu options such as omelets, crepes, baguette sandwiches,
toasted sandwiches, and house specialties like the Croque Madame (toasted ham
and cheese with a sunny-side-up egg and béchamel sauce). The restaurant also
serves soup and salads if you want something lighter. Service outdoors is a bit
slow and spotty, but it reminds us of the typical service that we have received
in France.
It has become our tradition to dine at C’est la Vie each
time that we visit Sarasota. It feels a bit like Paris in Sarasota!
