Sarasota Florida...early March

We are planning a 2 day trip to west coast (of Florida!) in early March. Have been poking around on the net and came across an Amish place called: "Sugar and Spice" sounds great! Homemade food and pies and breads etc. Prices sound good too! It's located at 4000 Cattlemen Drive, Sarasota, FL which is just west of I75. And if you have heard of this place...comments please? Also anything else not to miss in Sarasota area? We'll be exploring for 2 days! Happy eating! KokomoJoe

When we were in Sarasota a few years ago, we did go to a Pa. Dutch place in Bradenton--d/r the name--there are a couple. Lunch was more than decent, and then we ordered dessert--peanut butter cream pie that was awesome! We bought a pie from the restaurant's bakery and brought it back to our motel room where we kept it on the a/c because the room had no fridge. We could have left it out in the sun--it didn't stay around long enough to spoil.

But the real deal is south of Sarasota on the main highway--a very unfancy indoor/outdoor seafood place called the Phillippi Creek--we went there several times--to this day it remains one of the best quality and best value seafood restaurants we ever went to. Everything we tried was fresh and expertly prepared. Don't miss it.

Charlie

quote:

Originally posted by albinoni

When we were in Sarasota a few years ago, we did go to a Pa. Dutch place in Bradenton--d/r the name--there are a couple. Lunch was more than decent, and then we ordered dessert--peanut butter cream pie that was awesome! We bought a pie from the restaurant's bakery and brought it back to our motel room where we kept it on the a/c because the room had no fridge. We could have left it out in the sun--it didn't stay around long enough to spoil.

But the real deal is south of Sarasota on the main highway--a very unfancy indoor/outdoor seafood place called the Phillippi Creek--we went there several times--to this day it remains one of the best quality and best value seafood restaurants we ever went to. Everything we tried was fresh and expertly prepared. Don't miss it.

Charlie

You might be thinking of Miller's Dutch Kitch'n at 3401 14th St. W in Bradenton. Been a while since I was there but I remember good things about it.

John

Ditto on Philippi Creek, we go there every visit (Once or twice a year). The PA Dutch place on Cattleman is OK but is a little bit lacking to this "Amishman." I like the one in Bradenton better, but we usually go for the seafood when around Sarasota. I'm still trying to find the best hamburger in Sarasota. Any help?

For good seafood in a casual and relaxed atmosphere try Captain Eddie's in Nokomis. Prices are good -- a husband and wife joint. Nokomis is just north of Sarasota if memory serves me correctly. If you want the beer commercial experience (I say this because this place has been used in a beer commercial) of a bar, try Sharkey's. Bar looks out over the ocean and those awesome Florida west coast sunsets. Food is ok, however, and would not recommend as Roadfood. Have a great trip!

Sarasota is home to a rather large Mennonite colony and therefore there are a number of good Amish restaurants. I don't frequent them and therefore cannot comment on them.

Phillipi Creek Oyster Bar is a good place to go.

Nokomis (no ko' mis) is south of Sarasota. About 15 miles or so.

There is a funky little drive in at 17th street and hwy 301 in Sarasota called the Hob Nob that has been here since the 50's. Actually it is not a drive-in, dining is El Fresco which should be just fine in March. Breakfast is good and cheap. They have the best patti melt I have ever had. Their house burger, the Hob Nob is good and they have an upscale lunch menu that is excellent. Blackened snapper sandwiches, great salads, and specials such as roast beef plates or meat ball subs. You will find me there almost every Friday noon along with most of our engineering staff and company management. They also have pitcher beer.

Moving north we have a very nice Cuban restaurant, Cafe Havana. It is on the SW corner of 15 St East and 63 Ave East in Bradenton. I highly recommend it.

Barnacle Bill's. Good seafood. Great crab cakes and fresh fish prepared in many different ways. 3 locations.

One of the local seafoods is stone crab claws which rank right up there with lobster in my book. The only place I will spend my money (as opposed to the company's money) for stone crab is at Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant on Long Boat Key. Drive all the way north on LBK until you cross the bridge to the next key. Turn around, go back across the bridge and take the first left. Long Boat Key is 15 miles long and landmarks are hard to define. Do not speed. There is only one road and they have a lot of cops. Moore's is at the end of the road. Moore's is boatfood. They didn't even used to have a sign facing the road. They do not take reservations. Get yourself a drink and go out on the docks and enjoy Florida.

This is a little sketchy, I can supply more details.

Cakes

Sugar and Spice has proven itself over and over as an excellent Amish/Mennonite restaurant. We live in Fort Myers and often stop there to eat as it is mid-way when we travel to Tampa. We've also purchased to take home their delicious pies and apple butter. If they have a waiting period, they have small hand-held pagers that light and vibrate when your table is ready.

There are other Amish/Mennonite restaurants close by: Der Dutchman and Yoders.

If you are a lover of barbeque, there is a Woody's Bar-B-Que in the same shopping center where Sugar and Spice is located. It is a franchise but the best one they have in Florida.

Welcome to the Sunshine State.

For burgers and atmosphere, I second Hob Nob Drive-In. If you're there for baseball, it's just a stones throw from Ed Smith Stadium.

WE have just returned from St Peteand want to report on some very good BBQ.

Baker's Hogly Wogly , 49th st. and 9th ave. S, takeout only. I had an excelent BBQ pork sandwich slathered with mustard sauce and my wife had a BBQ rib sandwich. The BBQ rib was a little different than she had
expected. It was about six ribs slathered with mustard sauce between two slices of plain white bread . The ribs were delicious, but how can one by any stretch of the imagination eat that as a sandwich? We recomment this place to anyone for lunch - we took our takeout to a nearby park in Gulfport and enjoyed the sun and the gulls and the food

The Butler's Real Eastern North Carolina BBQ, 9th st and Frontage Rd.
Eat in , take out. The Butler family are the genuine article from eastern NC , it appears to be family operated with father and son running the kitchen and smokers parked next to the restaurant. They have an extensive menu of chicken, pork, and pork ribs all seved with a typical Eastern NC vinegar, hot pepper sauce. (They also provide a pretty good red sauce on the side ."Can't stay in business around here without that damn red sauce", one of the Butlers told me.) . The ribs and the pulled pork sandwich are excellent as is the chicken. They have the usual sides of beans and cole slaw and a lot more. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone who might find himself in northeast St Pete.

Connie's BBQ, 16th st and 17th ave.S. Takeout only. This is a tough neighborhood as evidenced by Connie's chin high counter and steel mesh and bars all over the room. The BBQ chopped ( read finely shredded) pork sandwich was excellent - the real thing with an excellent S. Carolina mustard sauce served on a very large bun. The sign says they are open every day , but the fine print says that may be closed on any day the owner feels like it. This place is dark dank and dingy and in a bad neighborhod but certainly worth the trip - excelent!

Welcome back Seafarer! You have been missed in these parts. Glad to hear you had a great time.

There's a few other places in St Pete I think you guys might be interested in. La Habana Cafe in Gulfport ( half the place is a laundromat!) serves an excellent Cuban Sandwich but I usualy go for some kind of pork dish and lots of black beans and rice, and top it off with a very nice flan and coffee. And there's an art gallery on the balcony overlooking the dining room...

Fred Flemings Award Winning BBQ on 4th St N. was pretty good a few years ago. But this is the sad story of a fast growing chain losing its soul. The service is unpredictable and the BBQ is a faint echo of what it could be.

The Fourth Street Shrimp Store on 4th St N. This place is busy busy busy. Dont go there between 4:30 and 7:30 - its liable to be host to tour busses of seniors. The service is fast and friendly and they offer a very good grouper sandwich, shell your own shrimp, fried shrimp, and a lot of other seafood goodies. And dont miss the Red Bliss Potatoes!

The Outback Steak House (there's one on Tyrone and another on 4th St N). As far as I'm concerned they can keep their steak, but I like the fries,
the blooming onion, and the rack of lamb ribs done medium rare. The service is overly chummy, but it is efficient. The interminable wait for a table is a real drawback.

Crabby Bill's (there's one on Tyrone and another out on St Pete Beach).
Freshly shucked oysters from Galveston Bay or Apalachacola are
$2.99 / dozen- sometimes they are a little too small, but in two visits this Winter they were plump and sweet. Steamed shrimp and grouper are also good here. Good service at the tables, but the bar is the place to sit and the guys opening oyster might throw you an extra or two to go with the beer.

El Cap Sports Bar on 4th St N. This is an old St Pete institution with the best hamburger you are ever likely to eat. The place is busy and usually crowded and there are about a dozen huge TV screens looming over you wherever you sit. The service is fast and friendly.

quote:

Originally posted by marberthenad

For good seafood in a casual and relaxed atmosphere try Captain Eddie's in Nokomis. Prices are good -- a husband and wife joint. Nokomis is just north of Sarasota if memory serves me correctly. If you want the beer commercial experience (I say this because this place has been used in a beer commercial) of a bar, try Sharkey's. Bar looks out over the ocean and those awesome Florida west coast sunsets. Food is ok, however, and would not recommend as Roadfood. Have a great trip!

Captain Eddie's IS in Nokomis, but is just SOUTH of Sarasota, on US 41 before Venice, FL. Also, Sharkey's is on the Gulf, in VENICE. Hope this helps!

Lots to see & do in Sarasota, but 2 days is waaay too short a time to see it properly! You MUST hit the beach @ Siesta Key...1 of the top 5 whitest,softest sand beaches in the good ol' USA! While there, check out Siesta Village nearby...great shops & food! Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar on the east US 41 between the North(Siesta Dr) & South(Stickney Point) Bridges has great food, as does Shells Reataurant, also on 41, a bit further south on the same side of the highway. St Armands Circle on Lido Key is great for strolling/shopping/eating. Enjoy your vacation!

Planning a trip from Laughlin Nevada to Grove OK. need good eats for breakfast and dinner on the way. Will travel on highway 40.Stops in Gallup,Amirallo,and Ok city.

quote:

Originally posted by treeclimber

Planning a trip from Laughlin Nevada to Grove OK. need good eats for breakfast and dinner on the way. Will travel on highway 40.Stops in Gallup,Amirallo,and Ok city.

Ummm, if you're planning to go from Laughlin to OK, via Sarasota, you'll have a mighty l-o-n-g road trip!! THIS particular forum is for SRQ which has highway41, not highway 40. Get our your maps again!

quote:

Originally posted by The Great John L

Sugar and Spice has proven itself over and over as an excellent Amish/Mennonite restaurant. We live in Fort Myers and often stop there to eat as it is mid-way when we travel to Tampa. We've also purchased to take home their delicious pies and apple butter. If they have a waiting period, they have small hand-held pagers that light and vibrate when your table is ready.

There are other Amish/Mennonite restaurants close by: Der Dutchman and Yoders.

If you are a lover of barbeque, there is a Woody's Bar-B-Que in the same shopping center where Sugar and Spice is located. It is a franchise but the best one they have in Florida.

Welcome to the Sunshine State.

Another vote for Sugar and Spice -- my wife just returned from Sarasota and raved about the chicken.