Good eats recommendations near Sarasota?

[kgtest]

Any specific must eat establishments (ole man likes seafood, I prefer American cuisine) south of Tampa?



Will be in Sarasota for a couple weeks. Will be doing a lot of grilling but we do occasionally like to try some of the local fare.



Any must see attraction while I am at it? Plans include relaxing, siesta keys, zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, harley cruise, gulf sail, relaxing and oh...eating!


Also looking at properties with DF.

[COcheesehead]

This recommendation might be too far north of where you will be, but its a destination restaurant for anyone into wine. They have one of the most extensive cellars in America with many of them finely aged. It is a rare place.
https://bernssteakhouse.com/

[kgtest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by COcheesehead This recommendation might be too far north of where you will be, but its a destination restaurant for anyone into wine. They have one of the most extensive cellars in America with many of them finely aged. It is a rare place. https://bernssteakhouse.com/

Thanks CO. We may be meeting in-laws up north closer to the Villages at some point of our stay, and they love their wine along with DW.

[pb4uski]

Ringling Museum of Art is very good and is free on Mondays. Other must sees are Ringling Circus Museum and Ca' d'Zan (pronounced ka-de-zan... the Ringling mansion right on Sarasota Bay).

I can also recommend a tour of the harbor and intercoastal on the Marina Jack II.... they offer lunch and dinner cruises. We've been on the dinner cruise twice but I think I might favor the lunch cruise as I think you'll see more... the return part of the dinner cruise is in the dark but you do get see the sunset.

I can also recommend the Florida Studio Theatre Cabaret shows... we have been to both Unchained Melodies and Guitar Girls this season... both were good but I prefer the former.

Also, check out Owen's Fish Camp for dinner... no reservations but if you get there about 4 pm when they open then you should have no problem.

[kgtest]

.

[kgtest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb4uski Ringling Museum of Art is very good and is free on Mondays. Other must sees are Ringling Circus Museum and Ca' d'Zan (pronounced ka-de-zan... the Ringling mansion right on Sarasota Bay). I can also recommend a tour of the harbor and intercoastal on the Marina Jack II.... they offer lunch and dinner cruises. We've been on the dinner cruise twice but I think I might favor the lunch cruise as I think you'll see more... the return part of the dinner cruise is in the dark but you do get see the sunset. I can also recommend the Florida Studio Theatre Cabaret shows... we have been to both Unchained Melodies and Guitar Girls this season... both were good but I prefer the former. Also, check out Owen's Fish Camp for dinner... no reservations but if you get there about 4 pm when they open then you should have no problem.

Aha! The circus! I was reading how it got it's start down there! Thanks for the tips!

[Nick12]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgtest Any specific must eat establishments (ole man likes seafood, I prefer American cuisine) south of Tampa? Will be in Sarasota for a couple weeks. Will be doing a lot of grilling but we do occasionally like to try some of the local fare. Any must see attraction while I am at it? Plans include relaxing, siesta keys, zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, harley cruise, gulf sail, relaxing and oh...eating! Also looking at properties with DF.

Not many people know that there are a few Amish restaurants in Sarasota. Yoders Restaurant is the best. It is well known and I love it. All American food. If you are looking for their horse and buggy that in Lancaster PA.

[pb4uski]

Another idea is an afternoon visit to Myakka River State Park and a pontoon tour to see alligators...they also rent canoes, kayaks or bikes... or just hike (if you do hike they have an observation tower that is interesting).

The Lipizzaner Stallions winter just outside Sarasota and have practice shows and you can walk the grounds.... bring a chair if you have one.

We took DS to the Big Cat Habitat and enjoyed that... just be careful... DW was walking between two pens and got in the middle of a big cat pissing contest... they were actually pissing at each other across the walkway.... luckily she was not hit.

While Siesta Key is our favorite beach, we also like Lido Beach and sometimes venture north to Fort Desoto State Park... at the north beach there you'll walk in over you head, swim 30' or so and be able to walk again out 400-500 yds or more and still only be slightly above knee deep. We toured the fort. They have lots of great bike trails but the day we were there it was too hot. We had dinner at Billy's Stone Crab in Tierra Verde on our way back to Sarasota.

[latexman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgtest Thanks CO. We may be meeting in-laws up north closer to the Villages at some point of our stay, and they love their wine along with DW.

If you are going to Bern's, plan on about $500 for a party of 4. That was my tab the last time we were there. They have some magnificent ports!

[latexman]

We like The Waterfront Restaurant on Anna Maria Island off Bradenton. Good eats!

[Nick12]

RJ Gators in Bradenton. Steak, seafood, burgers and the best gator tail appetizer around!

[pb4uski]

Linger Lodge Restaurant in Bradenton is a hoot... and the food is good and affordable.

[Moemg]

Check out this website .It is for locally owned restaurants & most are very good

https://www.eatlikealocal.com/

[Dtail]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgtest Thanks CO. We may be meeting in-laws up north closer to the Villages at some point of our stay, and they love their wine along with DW.

Just to note that Bern's is probably around 90 miles away from the Villages.

[pb4uski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg Check out this website .It is for locally owned restaurants & most are very good https://www.eatlikealocal.com/

Great site. That is one of the problems that I have with the Sarasota/Bradenton area... there are so many good places to go that we have a hard time deciding.

[kgtest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb4uski Great site. That is one of the problems that I have with the Sarasota/Bradenton area... there are so many good places to go that we have a hard time deciding.

This is a good problem to have. Thanks for the link!

[Lewis Clark]

I created this list for some family visiting Anna Maria Island later this year. Much of this list is focused on Anna Maria Island and Bradenton, both of which are pretty close to Sarasota.

Attractions:
* Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota
https://mote.org/

* Save Our Seabirds. Educational displays featuring live birds that have been injured and treated, but are unable to be returned to the wild. Adjacent to Mote Aquarium.
https://www.saveourseabirds.org/

* St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. Lots of shopping and restaurants.

* South Florida Museum in Bradenton (contains a Florida history museum, Bishop Planetarium, and Parker Manatee Aquarium)
Home - South Florida Museum

* Ringling Museum in Sarasota
https://www.ringling.org

* Several places in the area to rent kayaks, go parasailing, and other water sports equipment.

* Robinson Preserve is a nice place to walk, and has a lookout tower to climb stars to see the area.
https://www.mymanatee.org/department...inson_preserve

* General information about Manatee County:
https://www.mymanatee.org/department...ves___beaches/

If you are interested in concerts or community theater check out these venues:
* Van Wezel Auditorium in Sarasota
www.vanwezel.org

* Asolo Repertory Theater in Sarasota
www.asolorep.org

* Florida Studio Theater in Sarasota
https://www.floridastudiotheatre.org/

* Anna Maria Island Players in Anna Maria
https://www.theislandplayers.org/

* Manatee Performing Ars Center in Bradenton
http://www.manateeperformingartscenter.com/

* The Players Center for Performing Arts in Sarasota
https://www.theplayers.org/

Lots of things to do in St Petersburg/Tampa areas if you want to drive that far.

Restaurants (Reservations are recommended).

* The Columbia (on St. Armands Circle). Small Florida chain of Spanish cuisine. One of our favorite eateries. Be sure to get the 1905 Salad and sangria, both of which they make tableside.
Columbia Restaurant

The Columbia has another sort of nearby location on Sand Key, north of Sarasota and a bit south of Clearwater Beach. A few other locations sprinkled around Florida that are farther away.

* Lazy Lobster on Longboat Key
https://www.lazylobsteroflongboat.com

* The Feast Restaurant in Holmes Beach
http://thefeastrestaurantami.com/

* Sign of the Mermaid in Anna Maria
https://www.signofthemermaids.com/

* Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant in Bradenton Beach. They have live music on their outside porch. The menu is small, so check it out before going there.
Blue Marlin Grill

* Euphemia Haye on Longboat Key
http://www.euphemiahaye.com/

* Manatee County Public Beach in Holmes Beach. You will pass this as you drive out to Anna Maria Island. Their snack bar is well know for all-you-can-eat pancakes for breakfast. Parking can be difficult here.
https://www.amibeachcafe.com/

* Pier 22 Restaurant in Bradenton
https://pier22dining.com

* Yoder's Restaurant and Amish Village (If you like this type of cuisine they are very popular.)
https://www.yodersrestaurant.com/

Lots of good restaurants around University Town Center Mall, University Boulevard and I-75.

[Nick12]

+1 for Yoders! Andrew Zimmern the food guy even did a segment from the restaurant. The Amish people and very kind and down to earth people. Come hungry!

[pb4uski]

Another staple in that area is Miller's Ale House.... simple food and generous portions.

[socca]

The Marina Jack Dining Room (on the 2nd floor) has floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows with pleasant water and sunset views. This is a good place for a romantic dinner with your spouse or SO.

http://www.marinajacks.com/water-fro...ning-room.html