It’s dinnertime, lunchtime, time for breakfast or you’re just plain hungry. On previous vacations you saw many different restaurants and even ate at some. Some time you lucked out and had a good meal or service or maybe even both. Unfortunately, on many occasions you made a bad choice or worse yet, they made a bad choice in even opening and trying to run a restaurant.
You could play it safe and eat at one of those chain locations that are in every town in America with more than 1,000 people or even go all out and eat at the eateries that are only in towns of over 10,000 or even 100,000. Problem is your on vacation and you would much prefer that your travel agent took you by the hand and said, “Here is a list of ten unique locations that you really must try when you are hungry in Sarasota.” Now wake up and realize that you were dreaming and that really didn’t happen.
All is not lost; Nann & I are just like you. We like to sometimes drive on the blue lines and find those quaint and unusual spots that you often read about in novels, but never really get to experience yourself, in person, for the first time. I’m talking the kind of stories you can return home and tell your friends and co-workers about. On the next pages you will find a list of locations in the Sarasota area that we feel you may enjoy visiting. Although most of this is dedicated to food, some are about just plain fun and experience. Some of those locations may mention eating in a unique location such as the Banyan Café that is located on the grounds of the Ringling Museum.
Part of the fun in owning and operating a vacation destination such as “#408 at Sunset Royale” is to live our lives vicariously in yours. We have already experienced all of these locations and like to see and here if you had the same feelings that we did. If the experience was not fun, we really need to hear that and if you found someplace that we have not, please share, we did!
If a location did not make it into our recommendations, we may have just missed it or perhaps have yet to have an experience there that warrants our listing. We are persistent and will keep trying. If a location is lined out it is gone and we are waiting to find a replacement. Sarasota has more restaurants per capita than any other location in the States, but running a good location and economically surviving is not easy, just ask any restaurateur. Last, but not least, we attempted to give you no surprises by picking up carry out menus on many of the locations. If you find a new place or visit one on our list that we have not yet obtained a menu from, please do so for future guests and us. Thanks, Paul & Nann Click here to make your reservations at the Penthouse at Sunset Royale and experience the unique restaurants in person. B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner Blue Restaurant name tells you a menu is in the book.
This is the place to go for breakfast or lunch on Siesta Key. The food is great and the locals’ keep the staff hopping all year long. On many mornings you will see Dick Vitale having breakfast and signing autographs. Local art is for sale along with other items. The Broken Egg was forced to move to a new location in 2008, but you will still be pleased with the food and ambiance it is truly better than ever if that is possible. If you came all the way to Siesta Key, put your bare feet on that incredible powder white sugar sand, walked in the warm therapeutic Gulf of Mexico water along the shore and did not have breakfast or lunch at the Broken Egg while here, you blew it. Come back and try this again!
Oh my. Don’t miss this great little sushi restaurant while on the key. Sushi does not get better than this. Ayako is your hostess and she will guide you through the menu if sushi is not your favorite way of eating fish. They recently expanded an added a Japanese Steak area to their restaurant. This very popular Siesta Key restaurant is tied with the Broken Egg above with our rental guests as the best choice in food, service and ambiance. It is note full that not only are they both closed when the other is open, but they both face very stiff competition from a number of other great Siesta Key restaurants. The owner is actually a commercial fisherman. You can’t get fresher fish than this.
Good food, relaxed atmosphere and liquor. Cindy is your hostess and will make sure you are completely satisfied. This is an island business that takes on the same Bohemian attitude as the Key. Food is wonderful and a dinner in the dining room for two with a bottle of wine is almost as good as the same on your balcony.
Oyster Bar is a great sidewalk café and restaurant with day & evening entertainment to add to your tropical mood. This is a good place to watch and be watched. Very good casual food and raw oysters, of course. Entertainment most of the time. Can you spot the tourist from the locals?
I guess this is the root of the phrase, “Laid back and easy going”. The drinks are large and the entertainment adds to your vacation merriment. They have 420,000 different daiquiri's....uh...make that 4,200 different types of.....sorry....make that 420 types of daiquir........whoops....I believe that should be 42 different daquuiris....I think, but maybe not. Word is they are the kitchens for another restaurant on this side of Ocean Blvd, but I have been told to "speakeasy" about this and right now I need to go sit down, I'm dizzy and maybe sampled too many of those daquiaroos.
Think bar with food, pool tables and entertainment. Oh yeah, think one more thing, cigarettes. This is one of the locations whose menu is the Daiquiri Decks menu.
g. The Beach Club
5151 Ocean Blvd,
Siesta Key, FL 34242
(941) 349-6311
Boy meets girl, girl meets boy and both like to drink. Some bar food, but mostly, "Hi, don't I know you from some place?" Sure. Not a place to plan on eating. If you remember the Beach Club from the past, this is not your same old Beach Club.
Had to include it. Has been here for years and many Siesta Key bohemians originally met here. Catered to the likes of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and more. Recently completely remodeled and lost some of the old worn out charm, but they still serve reasonably priced casual food including the deep fried "salty dog".
If you like northern Italian food, you’ll love this place. You really don’t need to leave the Key to cater to your varied cuisine desires. Don’t look outside and you will think you’re in Little Italy. This very understated restaurant with a very plain website under states on the things that don't count or matter. When it comes to service and cuisine they really, really deliver. Owner -chef Flavio Cristofoli along with his Mama Luisa, who makes her famous gnocchi, ravioli, agnolotto and pasta in kitchen, putting her own special talents to work in making the home made pasta the foundation for the menu and certainly one of the reasons to return to this Siesta Key Restaurant. Everything, including rustic bread and focaccia is made fresh daily. I have never sent anyone here who did not return in a short period of time. Bella Roma is a family run restaurant that knows real well how to take care of customers and have been doing it on Siesta Key since 1991. Not sure you will find many restaurants on Siesta Key or even Sarasota with this kind of staying power.
Not exactly dining, but.....when you are walking around the Key and not sure what to do or where to go, or what the plan is for rest of the day or even lunch or dinner it is probably time to go "Local". We all need to re-group from time to time and this is an ideal place to achieve satisfaction and feed a caffeine, tea, muffin, cookie or other internal beckoning of a need. Nothing wrong with this and lets start to use Local as a resolve to those needs and others. Perhaps you have been on the Key for over a day and are starting to feel Starbucks withdraw, well hear you go, an alternative full of, as the name implies, "locals"! You could not ask for a better north star. Ask questions, meet the regulars and relish in the reality that you have no CD's you need to consider purchasing. Wow, would it not be cool if this Starbucks withdraw therapy could work back home? Well it probably can if you make it happen, but while you are here plan on wake up coffee drinks early and meet back here often to decide to venture off the key or grab a cappuccino and return to condo 408 and take in some more beach or balcony. Life decisions can really be tough, but you can handle this and Local on Siesta Key is so no pressure, so take your time and have another, or maybe that unique green tea this time, I just don't know, but we have another 5 days to think about the big decisions. If you want to really feel like the name, ask if Michael is coming by today. If you happen to be asking Michael, don't get nervous, just tell him Paul at Sunset Royale told you to ask for him to get the first time visitor special! It's so cool to know your way around the system and to be considered a "Visiting Local".
Sure beats having to travel to New England. Lots of charm and again, you’re not leaving the Key. This is authentic New England without snow, ice, driving cold rain and the occasional nor'easter. They are closed during hurricanes.
l. Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill L, D
5253 Ocean Blvd
Siesta Key, FL 34242
(941) 346-8122
Food and service can be pretty inconsistent, but they do use a water fogger in their sidewalk café area and I did use them on the cover of the book so I felt I should include them. We don't do this very often, but we are going to leave this "bar" on our list for a number of reasons that are not very valid. We are adding to our lists of poor performances by this establishment, their website. It is not good and we did not bother linking. Wonder when someone will purchase this ideal location and open something novel like maybe another great grill & bar or even a great bar & grill. This really looks like an opportunity waiting to happen.
Pietro and Susan are your hosts and have been married since June of 2003. The restaurant opened in November of 2003 and I guess you would have to rate this entire operation as “high risk” based on the recent dates of the two items mentioned above. What is for sure are the food, atmosphere and a desire to provide superior service. Can’t wait to see how they do by the time their first tourist season is behind them. Their children are pitching in on making this restaurant successful. We are betting they make it and we know you will like the food and the prices. We’re talking Brooklyn Italian with roots from the beautiful isle of Ischia, Italy. Sooo Gooood. Our earlier review above appears to be intuitive as Café Gabbiano not only made it through the first two years, but has also now expanded into the building next door and this means more seating, less waiting and a veteran staff now available to serve you. We know you will love the experience of dining at this now well-established Siesta Key restaurant.
n. Siesta Smeag's Pizzeria L, D "delivery"
5263 Ocean Blvd,
Siesta Key, FL 34242
941-349-9494
Open noon till 3:00AM in season (it doesn't get better than this!)
OK everyone; you're going to really like this one. We're talking "comfort food" really good comfort food and it gets better. They deliver right to your door and will arrive quickly. This new pizzeria caters to the pickup and delivery crowd. The food is really good and the hamburger and fries delivered is like a dream come true. The fries are the best in all of Sarasota we kid you not. Owner Ryan Smeagel has been a pizza chef for over 20 years. Originally from Worcester, MA he applied his trade up and down the eastern seacoast when not working as a commercial diver in San Diego and Seattle. This is Ryan's first pizzeria. We don't know what took you so long Ryan, but we sure are glad you chose Siesta Key to open shop. You're going to be here a long time. Everyone got that number? 349-9494 and one more thing, your address is 711 Beach Rd, condo #408 at Sunset Royale. Condo phone number is 312-9059 and lunch, dinner or munchies will be here shortly, enjoy.
2. The rest of Siesta Key
a. The Summerhouse D • This is truly the most wonderful ambiance you will experience in any restaurant in the area. They are on the water, but you will not see it. The food is expensive and good not good and expensive. Service is excellent and the Sunday Brunch will take your breath away and make you fat, but who cares, you’re on vacation. Reservations are suggested and you can walk from the condo. Just don’t head toward the Village. Incidentally, this wonderful place will be preserved as a club house after Mothers Day 2005 and a meeting location for special events on the Key. The rest of the property was also purchased and soon condos will be built on this property.
b. Javier’s D • Peruvian food that is served to perfection. This restaurant is a great experience and Javier has been presenting his cuisine on the Key for a long time.
c. City Pizza L, D • Southern Italian Restaurant with a Pizza specialty. Eat in, pick up or deliver. On either of the last two you could also pop a cork off a nice Chianti, sit on the balcony and watch the sun go down as you enjoy your Italian dinner.
d. Turtle Beach Pub and Restaurant L, D • We’re talking bar with outdoor seating, good hamburgers and very good prices. Recently under new management.
e. Turtle’s on Little Sarasota Bay L, D • This is a nice location for a waterside meal on the bay. Food is good and they serve on most holidays.
f. Fandango International Café D • Gone and in their place will be a Martini Bar. Time will tell, stay tuned.
g. Coaster’s at the south bridge D • I know, I know, there not on the Key, but for God’s sake they couldn’t be closer. Owned by the same people who own The Summerhouse. Newest update on this restaurant is that the owner has also sold this location to be replaced in the near future with, you guessed it, more condos!
h. Miguel’s D • They have been on the Key for a long time and serve a memorable French Cuisine. i. Clayton's Siesta Grille L, D • Just when we were lamenting about all of the Siesta Key Restaurants being torn down to make way for a new condominium building we find that an old worn out bar has been resurrected to become a new Paul Mattison culinary experience with Clayton as the owner operator. Recently Clayton put his name on the building and removed Mattison's. They still need to work on a couple of items, but have mastered the parking when little is available and outdoor seating when none seemed to make sense at this location on Old Stickney Point Road. Now Paul and his partner Clayton need to bring the temperature of red wines below the temperature of the kitchen. We are sure this will be worked out soon.
j. The Granary • Of course they’re not on the Key, but your not going to eat here anyway. Just pick up your already prepared health food meal along with a bottle of your favorite organic wine and come back to the condo to enjoy them on the balcony while you watch the sun set. Life really does not get much better than this.
3. Gulfgate
a. Howlin Wolf A very small, but tasty location for southwest food. Young owners do a very good job of serving and pleasing their customers. They recently moved from Tamiami Trail to Gulf Gate.
b. Sarasota Brewing Company L, D • Good bar fare, good home brewed beers and lots of satellite TV stations. If it’s a game you want to watch, they can find it.
c. French Affair L, D • You really need to go here to experience this unique French café. You pick the wine from their large supply and pay a very reasonable corkage fee. This restaurant will also gladly prepare their meals for you to take home and worship the sun.
d. Word of Mouth B, L • If you are a snowbird and this place seems crowded anytime you go there for breakfast or lunch, get used to it. This is the way it is all year long. Be happy that you found it and can enjoy what the locals get everyday of the year. Breakfast and lunch specials everyday that you can read off of the traveling board.
e. the Bean Stalk • One of our guests recently tried this location and highly suggested that we add it to our list of good finds. We have not been there yet, but based on their high rating we though we would add it on there say so. All ingredients are fresh and another great take out location to enjoy your balcony and the view. Great prices.
f. Chocolate, nuts & more • This is where they make it. This is where they sell it. This is for chocolate sinners only. This is why they are sinners.
4. Downtown Sarasota
a. Patrick’s L, D • OK, this is what you have been waiting for. This is a very good reasonably priced restaurant, with a GREAT BAR and the BEST HAMBURGER in Florida. Can be crowded on weekends for dinner.
b. Mattison’s City Grill B(Sat), L, D • Not even sure where to begin with this outside restaurant that is owned by the former Chef from The Summerhouse, Paul Mattison. I would recommend breakfast on Saturday mornings after you have walked the farmer’s market on Lemon Street right in front of your table, or lunch any day of the week. If this does not fit your schedule than by all means stop in for dinner and entertainment. While you are sitting in this wonderful location, keep in mind it is where the local bums and hoboes hung out a year ago. Amazing what good management and capitalistic thinking along with a good chef can do.
c. Sports Page Bar & Grille L, D • If you like to smoke, you’ll love this place. Good drinks and bar fare along with a pretty eclectic crowd as well as owners. Try the fish reuben.
d. Mediterraneo D • Continental Cuisine that is served and prepared to your liking. What’s even better are their good drinks and fast gourmet pizzas that you can enjoy before crossing the street to the Hollywood 20 to see your favorite movie. Did we mention it has never snowed here?
e. Marina Jack L, D • Probably not our favorite restaurant, but many of our guests rave about the food, location and they have a dinner cruise. This restaurant actually sits out in the bay in front of the downtown area.
f. Caragiulo’s L, D • Great place for lunch or an early dinner. They are in the heart of the gallery district. Great sidewalk café. g. Le Chang of Boston L, D • We don’t usually recommend Chinese because it usually is not prepared in a fashion that would call for a recommendation. This restaurant hidden behind Caraguilo’s and hidden again in the lower level of an office building in a hidden courtyard is worth looking for. They do know what Chinese food is and prepare it accordingly.
h. El Habenero L, D • Not only is this a wonderful and reasonable Cuban restaurant, but also they are in front of Burns Court and the Burns Court Cinema with the best Art Films in all of Florida. If you go here remember to check the paper and take in a movie. You will be forever in love with the entire area. Pineapple Street has most of the antique shops in the area and the Women’s Exchange, “The consignment shop” is right there on Orange Street.
i. Il Panificio L, D • Super little Italian sandwich shop and deli that I’ll tell you quite a story about some time. Just ask me. Also has Italian deli items, pizza by the piece or whole, calzones and Italian wines.
j. Café Epicure L, D • This is a great location to eat with a deli counter, good wine and street side seating in doors and out. Owned by Mediterraneo, they know how to serve tasty foods with a continental flare.
k. C’est la Vie! B, L,D • A really authentic French café with sidewalk seating and a great breakfast. This in another good location for breakfast on Saturday morning after you walk the farmers’ market a block away. This location has recently opened for dinner also. Must be a sign of the activity that is taking place in downtown Sarasota. l. Selva Grill L, D • So good, so very good. Young couple opened this Latin Asian Bistro with some of the greatest ceviche you will ever experience. Darwin Santa Maria was the souse chef at Michael’s on East. They are into their second year in this great little restaurant. This is my favorite restaurant in the area. And now the rest of the story, like all good things fame has now hit Selva Grill and they have closed the location we wrote about above and Selva Grill is now on lower Main Street. You will need to check the address as Nann and I failed to pick up a new menu for the book. It still is my favorite, but you will notice that when you move the back of a strip mall office to a prime location on Main Street, you leave those strip mall prices at the old location and one must understand the need to pay for the new location with some price increases and the menu has been expanded. Please pick up a menu when go there so we can add it to the “book”.
5.Hillview Avenue & Osprey (The Street)
a. Chutney’s Etc. D • Indian and Mid Eastern food melded together in a way that no one else can match. This is a real find.
b. Hillview Grill L, D • They have been on this street for a long time and you are going to like what ever you order. This is truly an American Bistro.
c. Zosia D • Great dinner restaurant with interesting preparation.
d. Five O’clock Club • No food just drink and music and drink and music and drink and music. Starts early and goes late. Young and want to meet more like you, go here.
e. Pacific Rim D • Another restaurant with quite a story, but suffice to say that this well run Asian restaurant should be able to quench any Asian cuisine that may be on your mind and you would prefer on your pallet. Complete with Sushi Bar and build your own WOK dishes.
f. Southside Deli B, L • Sandwiches anyway you want them. This place probably feeds more hospital employees everyday than the hospital dining area. Very reasonable and very good.
g. Fred’s L, D • Good food, cigar bar and known as the place to be seen if you are over 35, professional and want to meet someone from the opposite sex who fits the same categories. This place is joined at the hip with JB Ford’s tasting room.
h. Anthony’s L, D • Think real New York Italian diner with fantastic prices and no ambiance other than being it’s self. That being said, they have now changed their name and menu at night. Think of them as Steven’s Fusion Chophouse at Anthony’s and keep in mind that this is a new different way of attempting to do what they tried and failed a year or two ago down the street. This might be the answer as they are not doubling the overhead, just using what they had and keeping it open later. Only the menu has changed.
i. La Fille Du Boulanger B, L, D • We’re talking French countryside cuisine served with just the right amount of accent and a little wine, of course.
j. The Serving Spoon B, L • Great breakfast with homemade muffins to die for. This breakfast and lunch restaurant has now opened a second location in the Shopping center at the corner of Beneva and Clark Rd.
k. Morton’s Market • Not a restaurant, but a gourmet market that has all your cooking needs. I kneaded (sic) some cake flour and none of the markets carry it locally. I drove here to see if they carried it and they didn’t, but they did not hesitate in going into their kitchen to give me the amount I required. No charge. They also carry everything you need to avoid cooking. They make all their own pastries plus many, many prepared meals to take home and, your catching on, eat on the balcony while you watch the sun set. Might spend some time in their wine shop to loosen up your wallet. Morton’s will also cater your party, but please take it easy on the condo!!
6. Up & Down Tamiami Trail (This is the only area of Sarasota where I allowed myself to list chain restaurants. Even then, they have to be worth it to get mentioned.)
a. Phillippi Creek Village Oyster Bar L, D • I am not aware of anyone who comes to Siesta Key and does not eat here at least once during his or her stay. Great seafood cooked any way you can imagine at very reasonable prices on community seating with paper towels on each picnic table. Draft beer and liquor. This is truly where you want to be when they talk about being “Up the Creek”.
b. Bonefish Grill • Like fish? You’ll love Bonefish. This is a chain but worthy of mention because the manager is a part owner along with Outback, Roy’s and Carrabba’s. Not a bad group to have as a partner.
c. Fishtails • Another great seafood restaurant that also has a fish counter for you to take home your favorite fish to cook in the condo tomorrow and serve on the balcony in time to see the sunset. It’s going to be a good night!
d. Oyster Bar of Sarasota • This place is nothing like it sounds, but here goes. Think fried and broiled seafood, cheap drinks that contain lots of liquor and a restaurant full of old folks filling up on very reasonably priced food, cheap generous drinks and before the smoking ban in restaurants, they all lit up while eating. More interesting is that once they were smoked out, full and lit, they venture out to their cars and drive down highway 41. Amazing.
e. Shell’s • This is another chain restaurant, but with great prices and free peanuts. Just remember to throw the shells on the floor. If you don’t the waitress will, unless the ergonomic crowd found a way to ban this tradition.
f. Bay Leaf Café • Hungarian food served in a small little restaurant with great big vegetables on the walls. Painted of course.
g. Carrabba’s Italian Grill • Not exactly on 41 but so close I had to include it because they’re parking lot is always full and it is so close to the condo. They are a chain that consistently serves good food and are worth a try.
h. Stonewood • This is another recent addition to the Siesta Key area and another chain restaurant, but just like Carrrabba’s they do a very good job of delivering a cuisine that provides a good dining experience.
i. Howlin Wolf • A very small, but tasty location for southwest food. Young owners do a very good job of serving and pleasing their customers.
j. Mama Leone’s • This just has to be the best pizza in the entire area. Little bit of drive, but if you are going to or coming from Venice and want to taste some really good pizza, you won’t be disappointed. The rest of the menu is also very good and very Italian. In 2004 this restaurant was torn down and replaced with a much larger location directly behind the old location. New location is in an office building.
k. Rosebuds • As you drive up the place looks pretty nondescript, but once you see the menu and taste your meal, you’ll understand why the parking lot fills up every night for happy hour and the early bird special. Higher-level clientele than the Oyster Bar of Sarasota, but the same drill when they get in their cars and head home.
l. Ruth’s Chris Steak House • If you have never eaten at one and you love steak, try it. Steaks are wonderful and prices are expensive. This is a chain restaurant. If expensive is not what you are looking for, go across the street to the next restaurant.
m. Sam Seltzer’s • If you have never eaten at one and you love steak, try it. Steaks are good and prices are cheap. If you want to know how much better a steak might taste, go across the street to the previous restaurant.
n. Sahara Café & Mediterranean Food • Mideastern Lebanese food served simply and cheaply, but very tasty.
o. Tijuana Flats • This is a fast food Mexican restaurant that has the most diversified array of hot sauces that you will ever find in any restaurant. If you are one who has never found a hot sauce that was hot enough for you, you’re about to meet your match. This restaurant is also a chain recently created in Florida.
p. Leftcoast Seafood • This is a fairly new restaurant with good seafood at very good prices. This is just outside of Venice. q. Bavarian Bread • This is just a bakery, not a restaurant. Matter of fact it is just a bread bakery. On the other hand saying that it is just a bread bakery does not do this little find justice. They usually start selling bread at about 7:00 AM Monday through Saturday. Many area restaurants use their bread. Enjoy and don’t eat more than one loaf per sitting. See map on bread menu to find this bakery.
7. Sarasota off the Beaten Track
a. Café Campestre L, D • A very good Mexican restaurant that caters to the locals. You will not be disappointed in the menu, service or ambiance. May now have a different name, but still Mexican cuisine. We will revisit soon. b. El Tora Bravo L, D • Mexican cuisine from New Mexico. How fortunate Sarasota is to have Reuben open his restaurant on Clark Rd. on the back side of Gulf Gate. The fresh made food and salsa is a real treat and the Chile Rellenos don't get any better. Reuben is usually walking around the restaurant when not in the kitchen and loves to ask you how much you really like his food. The answer will come easy and even in season Reuben attempts to always find room for regulars. c. Casey Key Fishhouse • Not your average place. No air conditioning and sits just over the bridge to Casey Key on the Intra Coastal waterway. Tiki Bar in parking lot. Great find. (On going battle with county may have closed the Tiki Bar.) d. Hob Nob Drive in Restaurant B, L, • Breakfast or lunch. This is a landmark in Sarasota. You need to experience it at least once. I believe it opened in the 50’s and is modeled after your basic southern drive in restaurant, but with good food, beer and wine.
e. Rick’s Cafe L, D • This family from Paris will serve you a wonderful dinner or lunch. Truly a family affair with pictures of the grand children and children on the walls. Dad does the cooking and mom the serving. Prices are very good, as is the fare. Le Francilien was the name when review was originally written. We have not tried this restaurant under the new name and owners.
f. Classic Wax • Don’t eat the food because this is a bar with live music about 5 nights per week. We’re talking 60’s R & B. If this is your kind of music and you don’t mind the smoke, you will love this bar and it is located right on Siesta Drive just past 41. Beer and wine.
g. Mel’s Diner B, L, D • There are about five of these throughout this part of Florida and they are truly the diners of old with reasonably good food at very reasonable prices coupled with very good service. No alcohol.
h. Miss Saigon L, D • Now were talking Vietnamese food the way it tasted in Nam. The spring rolls are a must and the wait staff will explain the menu in detail.
i. Old Packinghouse Café L, D • This place is not on Nann’s list of a place to go. I put in on because it is such a hoot. Tons of food, not necessarily that good, but the crowd is worth watching and floors are about to give way. On most evenings they have entertainment. Don’t forget, Nann does not recommend this place.
j. Spanish Pointe Marina L, D • Talk about not obvious, this place is truly not obvious, but once you find it you will have pitcher beer or any other type of alcohol you may want and a pretty cheap dinner that you get yourself from the window when they call your name. This place sits on the edge of the Intra Coastal.
k. Two Amigo’s Restaurant L, D • We’re talking local Mexican café. Not sure a tourist has ever been here.
l. Linger Lodge L, D • To start with this will not be easy to find and it sits on the River in a RV resort. They also have lots of taxidermy reptiles around the bar. I guess you would classify this as shabby chic and somewhat heavier on the shabby. Make sure you pay attention to the directions on the enclosed before you attempt to find this well hidden location.
m. 4 & 20 Pasty Company • English bangers and much more. This is a great carry out location to get your dinner and come back to the condo and ------
n. Cantina Latina L, D • Local little café hidden behind Publix and 41. Latin food and beer so cheap you shake your head in disbelief.
8. Venice a. Sharky’s on the Pier L, D • Good food, on the water while you watch the ongoing sifting of the sand by the tourist looking for sharks teeth that are common in this area.
b. Crow’s Nest Marina Restaurant and Tavern L, D • Nice restaurant and bar where you can watch the boats pull into the Intra Coastal.
c. Luna’s L, D • Prepare to be served more food than you can possibly eat. Pasta, pizza and sandwiches. All bigger than hell.
d. T. J. Carney’s L, D • Wonderful place to sit and watch the old people of Venice. Average age in this growing town is 69 ½. Located on Venice Avenue in the heart of downtown Venice. The sidewalk traffic is usually non-existent by about 7:15 PM. Story is the old people live in Sarasota and their parents live in Venice.
e. Bogey’s L, D • Good sports bar with a fair amount of U Of M items. Good hamburgers and sausage soup. Owned by the same person who owns the Crow’s Nest Marina.
9. Things • Amish Restaurants They’re all over the place, especially on Bahai Vista Street. They serve you lots of food and many people love to eat here. I am not one of those people. Despite my and Nann’s feelings we are sure that many of you would like to experience one of these locations so we have added the four most popular below. Three of the four are very close to each other in an area that is populated by the Amish. Sugar and Spice is near the freeway and Bee Ridge Rd. No matter which location you choose we will guarantee you are not going to leave hungry.
1. Sugar and Spice at 4000 Cattlemen Rd, 342-1649. 2. Mom’s Amish Country Cooking at 1247 Beneva Rd., 954-4287 3. Troyer’s Dutch Heritage at 3713 Bahia Vista St., 955-8007 4. Yoder’s Restaurant at 3434 Bahia Vista St., 955-7771
• The Things To Do List If I didn’t already send you this I’m slipping
• St Armand and Longboat Key One is for shopping and the other for eating. Either one will attempt to take most of your money. Enjoy.
• Anna Marie Island and Holmes Beach These two areas are the opposite of the two above and have some especially good restaurants along the water. • Orlando
Yellow Dog Eats
This town has more theme parks and restaurants then any other area of Florida and probably the rest of the country. Hidden away in the nearby country from Mickey Mouse Park and the rest of Orlando’s tinsel town is a great little café, Yellow Dog Eats, that creates it’s own environment in it’s backyard, provides wonderful wines to choose from with your meal and casual food that is unique from the chef/owner, Fish Morgan. This restaurant will not be advertised in the places to go at your hotel or be listed in restaurants in the Orlando area. Yellow Dog is one of those places that someone has to tell you about and insist you try it when visiting the area. Well, you have been told and I insist. Call for directions while you are in Orlando.
• Tampa/St Pete
Ted Peters Smoke House
Located on Pasadena Ave. in St Petersburg, this great fish smoke house has become an institution to all who have been fortunate enough to eat here. Very limited menu and don’t take your American Express or any other credit card for that matter, don’t even bother taking your check book, as this place takes E Pluribus Unum. Smoked Mackerel, Mullet or Mahi-Mahi. You won’t forget this place and you will return for more. As long as you came this far, you might as well take in Bush Gardens.
