TAMPA HOUNDS: NEED HELP! Hungry Brooklyn Foodie inbound
Am taking GF to the area for long weekend and need help on where to find the Good Eats. We're in the reatuarant biz in Brooklyn so are less interested in the "fine dining" options and cheat more towards the "freshest fish and local seafood, grilled outside" kinda vibe. Not that we're against the white tablecloth option, but we get more than the share of that in NYC while the "this was swiming an hour ago and check out that sunset" is bit unusual in the Brooklyn context. So, fellow eaters, sound off. Lemme hear it!
Thanks to all!
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My family used to live on Anna Maria Island and you're in for a treat! Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, very low key vibe. On a visit a couple of years ago, we went, repeatedly, to The Star Fish Market just a few miles away up the Cortez Causeway. It's literally a fish market with food served out back. The conch fritters and chowder were awesome, and the stone crabs, while kind of on the expensive side (which is just how they are) were perfectly fresh! And you don't really see this up North too often but if the pompano is available, get it. Grab a Red Stripe and enjoy. This is SUPER casual and funky, but I lived in Brooklyn and know that you can't really experience anything like it up here.
Though I wouldn't recommend dinner here, don't miss having a sunset drink out on the deck of The Sand Bar. Stunning!
http://www.starfishcompany.com/starfishcompany/rest.html
http://sandbar.groupersandwich.com/
Lastly, I'm not sure it's still open and operating (maybe some locals can help out here), but you used to be able to get a very servicable breakfast at the public beach in Holmes Beach (also on Anna Maria). The food is just ok but there's something about eating a breakfast burrito and pancakes while looking out on the gulf.
These are kind of lowbrow suggestions but you won't be disappointed!
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re: imsohungry
Wow, I can't tell you how much we owe you!!! Starfish was PERFECT. Absolutely perfect. In fact we went twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. It was everything we were looking for and you were SPOT ON. We did Sandbar for sunset as well as lots of other places (Sign of the Mermaid, Beach Bistro,Oystercatchers, The Waterfront). Generally all were ok if a bit over fussy and spendy. But Starfish rocked. I hope it lasts forever. Thanks for saving our bacon. Let me know if you ever need Brooklyn tips!
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re: askdrtodd
Its in Cortez, the last fishing village in Fla (so they told me). It shares a dock with the shrimpers and fisherman, so you're eating what they're catching. We went twice and had stone crabs, blackened mullet, grilled pompano, fried oysters, peel and eat shrimp, cheese grits and hush puppies. Bud on tap. Sat on a dock in the sun and ate it. What more do you want out off life?
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re: askdrtodd
Went this weekend and it was pretty great. Food & selection were both good, and they had Rolling Rock in the bottle! But tables were not easy to come by and the wait was long.
You stand in line to order your food with just one person working the bar/counter and then you get the impression that they cook orders in batches so a bunch come out at once. Not bad, but if you aren't part of one bunch, you end up waiting for the next one.
I talked to someone while in line and he said once "season" passes, the experience is much better.
But us locals know that is true with much here in the Tampa Bay area, right?-
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re: askdrtodd
Funny, Todd.
I was referencing what Nicky Brooklyn said about Bud on tap--didn't want anyone to think the RR was on draft--because that would be too good to be true.
I'm someone who prefers most beer on draft but since the option was Bud tap or Rolling Rock bottle--something I rarely see @ FLA joints, I went with the old 33. -
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If you're on Anna Maria Island, try the Beach Bistro. It's a bit of a splurge, but has great fresh fish and is right on the beach. www.beachbistro.com
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Beach Bistro
6600 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217›1 Reply -
OK, just looked at the online menu for Middle Grounds and I gotta say, I'm a bit frightened! You guys sure??
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re: Nicky Brooklyn
rhnault
Jan 21, 2011 10:42 AM
I am kind of the same way about sauces, etc... but they have a good fresh fish board. My husband had a really great special there one time. Wahoo Oscar with a beautiful piece of grilled wahoo and the crab portion was a tempura soft shell crab. So while it sounded stuffy and old school on the menu, what they served was really good and a little creative.
I am married to a NY native so I am used to "everything is better in NY" . My response is, if that's the case, why do you all move here?! haha
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Delucacheesemonger
Jan 18, 2011 04:47 AM
Try Bern's Steakhouse, yeh little fish, but great steaks and phenomenal wine list. On an even position with Luger's and Keen's for the meat.
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Bern's Steakhouse
1002 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606 -
rhnault
Jan 16, 2011 07:53 AM
What part of town are you staying in? For fresh seafood I would recommend Middle Grounds out on Treasure Island.
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