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Treviso, The Ringling Museum, Sarasota, Florida

When you think of a museum, it conjures up images of fine art, gilded frames and statues. Treviso, located in the John M. McKay Visitors Pavilion at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art continues the artistic theme with its serving of 'art on a plate.'

The modern dining room presents a minimalist design including a large wall engraving of the city of Asolo. Marble floors, dark wood tabletops, chairs and banquette seating complete the layout. A spiral staircase leads to the restaurant’s second floor dining room, a favorite spot for winemaker dinners, private parties, rehearsal dinners and business meetings. The patio dining area boasts one of the best views of any outdoor eating venue in Sarasota. Dining is also available on the patio overlooking the museum’s pristine grounds.

Offering one of Sarasota’s finest dining experiences, Treviso redefines the idea of museum dining with a unique and fresh approach to lunch and dinner. The restaurant, helmed by Executive Chef Jeff Trefry, features a blend of classic Italian and American favorites using the freshest ingredients of the season to please every palate. Treviso’s culinary delights are available beyond normal museum hours.

Recently the restaurant brought on Executive Chef Jeff Trefry, who left his General Manager/Executive Chef position with Cork Restaurant which was voted one of Forida's Best New Restaurants in 2008 by Florida Trend Magazine. Prior to that Trefry helmed the opening of the Kansas City Ritz-Carlton after being promoted from a stint at Chef Tournant at the Ritz's Flagship location in Naples, Florida where he was part of the team that achieved a AAA 5 Diamond Award in 1988. On the night we were there, Chef Trefry served us up an 8 course retrospective extravaganza, recreating a menu that was first presented on March 4, 1893 at the famed Lotos Club in NYC. You can read our interview with Jeff in this month's Chef to Chef.