Savoring Florida's Gulf Islands

By Lynn Waddell
Published: May 2, 2008
Last Updated On: March 11, 2011

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Bradenton

Anna Maria Island

Bradenton Beach

Dining

Cortez

Award-winning beaches and accolade-rich restaurants blend perfectly in the Bradenton area.

Sitting with my toes in the smooth sand, watching the sun set as a waitress delivers a plate of steaming stone crab claws, it is easy to fall in love with the flavors of Florida's Gulf Islands of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and the mainland areas of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. Just a short drive south of Tampa Bay, I come here to enjoy the innocence of Old Florida and feast on the cuisine of highly schooled chefs who call the area home.

It's an eclectic area where small beach communities with retro motels and cottages meet an island of high-end resorts with golf courses, and older quaint downtowns and newer upscale ones on the mainland. Most restaurants are locally owned, offering tastes you won't find anywhere else, and the tropical setting is ideal for many of the open-air culinary events held throughout the year.

It's an eclectic area where small beach communities with retro motels and cottages meet an island of high-end resorts with golf courses, and older quaint downtowns and newer upscale ones on the mainland.

Island Flavor

Once you arrive on Anna Maria Island, you may never want to leave, especially if you like fine food and libations. There are surprisingly many gourmet restaurants on this sliver of land ranging from high-end to beachside casual to those whose décor is as original as their food. You can bicycle or walk (and sometimes boat) and enjoy the tropical blooms and waterfront views en route to most.

One of my favorites is the Waterfront Restaurant tucked away on the island's northern tip in the city of Anna Maria. Not only does it have a stunning view of the towering Sunshine Skyway Bridge, an architectural marvel stretching high above glistening Tampa Bay, but the chef prepares a Grouper Oscar you would walk miles for.

Sit on a deck and dine on fresh grilled Grouper as you watch the waves roll in beneath a sunset at the Sandbar restaurant in the city of Anna Maria, which has been an island hotspot since 1912. Its owners have a penchant for keeping Old Florida alive and also own two other landmark restaurants farther south – the Beach House on Bradenton Beach and the bayside Mar Vista on Longboat Key, which can be reached by boat as well as car.

For special occasions, the Beach Bistro on the Gulf side of Holmes Beach and the Euphemia Haye Restaurant on Longboat Key can't be topped. They offer white linen service and consistently rank among the best restaurants in America by Zagat Survey. They are also in Florida Trend magazine's "Golden Spoon Hall of Fame" (a designation given to those that consistently make their annual top 20).


A Taste of the Mainland

Just across the bridge in the historic fishing village of Cortez, the Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant is a culinary gem that's easily missed by tourists, but never forgotten by those who find it. The rustic waterfront eatery doesn't have special sauces, cushy seats or even ceramic plates – just fresh cooked seafood, plain and simple. Part of the charm is knowing that seafaring history was made all around you.

Farther inland, the options become more diverse for food and fun. You'll find many authentic Mexican and Italian restaurants along with chic American ones. Stop by the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, which focuses on Florida archaeology, and watch Snooty, the museum's famous manatee, smile for the cameras. Nearby on the Manatee River, Mattison's Riverside shows how far we've evolved in culinary skills. Chef Paul Mattison (who also owns Mattison's Steakhouse on Longboat Key) combines a Mediterranean flair with a hint of Asian flavor in his dishes.

Farther east, the master-planned upscale community of Lakewood Ranch is the center of culinary delights such as MacAllisters Grill & Tavern and the new Polo Grill & Bar.


Feasts for the Senses

With the abundance of great restaurants and beautiful settings, the area is a natural choice for national and local culinary events that are often held outdoors.

Several beach restaurants offer culinary events for smaller parties such as cooking classes, wine tastings and creative experiences.

Inland, the Suncoast Wine Festival is held in November at the Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch and features 300 wines and dishes from 20 acclaimed local restaurants. The Taste of Manatee, held the first full weekend in November along the Manatee River in Bradenton, includes about 20 casual restaurants, children's games, cloggers, cheerleaders and local musicians.

Rib masters from around the nation sell their barbecue at the Gulf Coast Rhythm & Rib Fest on April 11-13 at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto. This year, Marshall Tucker Band and contemporary jazz king Najee headline the event.

It makes a trip to Florida's Gulf Islands all the more tempting.

For more information on planning your beach getaway to Florida's Gulf Islands of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and the mainland areas of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, call 941-729-9177 or visit www.floridasgulfislands.com.