Michelin-trained chef Drew Adams moved to Sarasota from Washington, D.C. in 2021 to open his own restaurant, Meliora on Hillview Street. Shortly after, we confirmed the buzz it brought and wrote about it as one of Sarasota’s Best New Restaurants. In 2024, Adams rebranded Meliora to Adeline (named for Adams’ daughter) when he joined forces with Edward Zaki, who also owns 1592 Wood Fired Grill and Lucky 8. Then, earlier this month, the restaurant officially closed its doors (Zaki will open Mimi’s Brasserie & Speakeasy at the same address later this year).
Now, Adams has a new title at the five-star St. Regis Longboat Key Resort as head chef at its swanky steakhouse: CW Prime. We spoke with Adams about his plans for the waterfront restaurant.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Why did you decide to stay in Sarasota?
“I moved here for a change of pace, and really, to live by the beach. I met the St. Regis’ general manager, Winfred van Workum, while working at Adeline, and we got along great. When I found out we were closing the restaurant, I thought about the many jobs I had had, and working at Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons in Washington, D.C. was one of the best jobs of my career. I think a lot of it was because it was at a hotel. I just wasn’t ready to leave Sarasota and felt like this was a good opportunity, working at this new hotel with all of its really cool outlets. It’s beautiful here. I mean, it’s right on that beach we moved here for.”
How does it feel to return to a hotel outlet?
“There’s a lot of freedom when working in a hotel. I’m excited.
Privately owned restaurants aren’t always able to emphasize theatricality, whereas in hotels, that’s what it’s all about. Everything’s taken out of a guest’s hands when they walk into this hotel and restaurant. From the second you step foot in the hotel, and the second you come into the restaurant, all of your thoughts, needs, and worries are taken care of.
Our entire job is to create memorable experiences. That’s the goal all the time, to have a guest walk out of our restaurant and out of our hotel with a bigger smile on their face than when they walked in. And at a hotel, with all of its support staff across so many departments, that makes it a thousand times easier. Together we’re able to create a memory that people will talk about for a lifetime.”
How is running a hotel restaurant different from owning your own?
“At the hotel, versus a privately-owned restaurant, I have all the things I need in order to create those special experiences. I have more access to product because we have several restaurants on the property, and if I don’t have a certain ingredient I know a specific guest might want, I know it’s probably somewhere here at the St. Regis.
We also have a large collection of guest information, like where they’ve stayed previously and what their preferences are. You don’t have all of that information at a standalone restaurant.
For example, if a guest told me how much they loved our bread during one stay, I can have it sent up to their room shortly after they arrive for their next visit. I might even make a sandwich with that bread and send that, unprompted, all because we have those little details on file that remind me what they love. It’s those theatrical experiences from the last stay, to dinner, and over to the next day that drive someone to both want to stay at the St. Regis again, and come back to CW Prime while they’re staying.”
How do you plan to put your stamp on CW Prime?
“I want to highlight working with smaller farms and also elevating the steak program by making sure we have the best product we can serve. We’ll be doing blind tastings to make sure our steaks are the best we can find.
With elevating the steak program comes stepping up the steak sauce game, too. I’m really good at sauce work. I think if I were to say I excel at one thing, it would be sauce work, and that’s because I love making them. Everybody wants sauces. Everybody wants five sauces with their meal, and I’m going to be the guy to make them.
I think we’re going to do some really cool stuff here, I really do.”
CW Prime is located inside the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort at 1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. For more information, call (941) 233-9036, or click here.
