Beach Scene - Sarasota/Manatee ~ Feb. 2017 by McLean Media

February 2017

Beach Scene BS

Your News & Entertainment Source, Serving the Beaches of Sarasota and Manatee counties

Siesta Key residents trying to stop project

BIG MESS

AMI looking at water taxi service

The Island Spice: Simply Superb

B i g Pa s s d r e d g i n g drama intensifies

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Handmade Antique Rugs Bought & Sold Largest selection of Antique Oriental Rugs

Big Pass dredging drama causing a big mess

Editor and Publisher Adam McLean

Cover Story

Operations Manager Alison McCormick

Art Director Michelle Osment Writers Timothy Anderson Scott Lancaster Ashley Lowe Mark Spaulding

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Community News........................6-9 Entertainment..............................10 Be Scene......................................10 Crossword Puzzle.........................10 Film / Music.................................11

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Food & Drink..........................12-16 Bar & Restaurant Listings...........13 Dining Review...............................15 Home Improvement...............17-19 Real Estate...................................21 Classifieds ...................................22 Service Directory.........................23

Beach Scene is a monthly newspaper distributed to the barrier island communities of Sarasota and Manatee counties, including Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, St. Armand’s Circle, Lido Key, Bird Key and Siesta Key. Editorial content of Beach Scene is the opinion of each writer and is not necessarily the opinion of Beach Scene, its staff, or its advertisers. Beach Scene does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor do the publisher or editors of Beach Scene assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. No content, for example, articles, graphics, designs and information, in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher. Any letters to the Editor may be edited for clarity, space and grammatical considerations. All rights reserved.

John van Zandt

Dining Review 15

For advertising information, please call (727) 400-6209, or email: info@mcleanmedia.net For letters to the editor, please email editor@mcleanmedia.net or mail your submissions to the address below: Beach Scene newspaper is a publication of McLean Media, LLC

Holmes Beach’s The Island Spice is Simply Superb

McLean Media PO Box 44 Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 (727) 400-6209

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In Brief By Timothy Anderson Come on, come on, get happy SARASOTA - The city of Sarasota was recently named the third happiest seaside town in the country by Coastal Living Magazine. Several different factors were included in the decision-making process, such as the number of sunny days, crime data, the walkability of the area and the financial health of residents. Sarasota’s world-class beaches were also mentioned as a key determining factor, as well as the local arts scene. The charming Lake Michigan town of Grand Haven, Mich. took the top honors, followed by Orleans, Mass. Coastal Living readers determined the final rankings via an online poll.

Residents want to stop Siesta Promenade Despite reluctant county approval, Siesta Key residents are trying to band together to halt real estate project. Scott Lancaster

t the corner of Stickney Point Road and U.S. 41 lies a 24acre parcel of land, once the site of a trailer park, that Benderson Development Co. hopes to reinvent as an impressive gateway to Siesta Key. The proposal by Benderson is a mixed-use development that includes 150 hotel rooms, around 500 condo units, including a row of townhouses, and 140,000 square feet of commercial space, with a possible height of up to eight stories. The proposal has been scaled down from one that was unveiled in 2014, but residents are still concerned about traffic problems in the area, including added congestion on the bridge to Siesta Key.

Largest downtown Sarasota project bemoans labor shortage SARASOTA - Vue Sarasota Bay, downtown Sarasota’s largest real estate development to date, was originally slated to be completed by the end of March. However, according to the developer, The Kolter Group, the project has been pushed back at least a few months due to a dearth of qualified labor. The $200 million project will feature 144 luxury condos, plus a 255room Westin Hotel.

The Sarasota County Commission recently gave Benderson approval to move forward with the scope of work for its Critical Area Plan study, which would allow for the higher density. In addition to other requirements, the CAP application involves conducting a study regarding the impact of the project on local traffic, its use of utilities and public land and other parameters. While Todd Mathes, Benderson’s director of development, conceeds that the plans for the property are far from final, he also wanted to stress to residents that the company could easily put other types of housing or businesses on the land, such as up to 300 mobile homes, with no approval needed from the county. Benderson has repeatedly maintained that they only want a project

that will improve the surrounding areas. In response to the furor over the project, Siesta Key resident Russell James recently pitched an idea to the Siesta Key Association that the community should investigate ways to come up with the money to buy the property from Benderson and turn the land into a public park. While some residents urged the county commission to further consider this idea, others deemed it a bit farfetched. Residents did agree that it is important for the county and the community to play hardball with the developer when it comes to what they want and don’t want in the development.

LBK agrees to buy Amore property LONGBOAT KEY - Longboat Key Town commissioners recently agreed to purchase a 2-acre property located at 555 Bay Isles Pkwy. for $2.2 million. The property, owned by local investor Harold Rooks, is currently the home of Longboat’s popular eatery, Amore Restaurant. The land sits adjacent to a 2.8-acre parcel the town bought in 2014 for $1.5 million. Now, the combined parcels will be used to round out the plans for the Longboat Key Center for Arts, Culture and Education, allowing for more parking and water features, with the possibility of including outdoor venue space. The money to purchase the property will come from the $2.7 million that the town currently has in its land acquisiton and improvement fund. Rooks is said to be considering a move for Amore to either St. Armands or downtown Sarasota.

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Cover Story Big Pass dredging drama heats up Siesta Key Association plans to file another lawsuit to try to block the proposal to dredge Big Pass. Timothy Anderson

n the ongoing war over the dredging of Big Pass, there’s a new battle underway. The Siesta Key Association and Siesta Key resident David Patton have vowed to file a lawsuit with the intent to block the plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Sarasota to dredge sand from Big Pass and use it to replenish sand on Lido Key. The proposed plan involves dredging 1.2 million cubic yards of sand from Big Pass to renourish a 1.5 mile stretch of beach on Lido Key.

dredged, the basis of the latest lawsuit rests on the purported violation of the portion of Sarasota County’s comprehensive plan that states new dredgeand-fill projects are not allowed, except for the maintenance of previously dredged canals. Patton, who will be named as a plaintiff in the current lawsuit, has lived at the north end of Siesta Key for 45 years. He says his use and enjoyment of the beach will be infringed upon by the dredging, especially since his property has a Gulffront private deeded beach.

Lido Key

Big Pass Siesta Key

Siesta Key residents have fought this plan for years, saying the dredging will negatively impact the natural drift of sand to Siesta Key’s world-famous beaches, as well as impact the navigation of Big Pass and reduce storm protection for Siesta Key residents and those living along the pass. Meanwhile, Lido Key residents have been forced to sit back and watch multiple storms rob them of their beach, so much so that some areas have water coming right up to the buildings. Because Big Pass has never been

Courtesy Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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News

Don’t Waste Your Island Time Crossing Bridges!

Sticker shock for St. Armands business owners

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espite an overwhelming agreement that more parking options are needed at St. Armands Circle, property owners there have voiced, en masse, concerns about the cost of the special assessment the city of Sarasota is imposing to help pay for a new parking garage. The city will be charging property owners at St. Armands a total of $260,000 a year, for 20 years, to go towards the construction of the parking garage on Adams Drive. The project has an estimated cost of $15 million. St. Armands property owners were not only surprised by the overall cost of the assessment, but also by the manner in which it was determined. The city utilized a two-tier system to calculate each owner’s assessment, wherein the first tier taxes a property owner based the location of his or her business, or

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rather, the distance of the business from the parking garage. Those businesses that are closest to the garage are believed to reap the most benefits from the garage; therefore, they pay the most. The highest Tier 1 fee, for businesses closest to the garage, will be $2,695. The Tier 2 fees are based square footage and the type of business. Restaurants, which have been deemed to benefit the most from more parking, will pay the highest Tier 2 fees, at 98 cents per square foot. In comparison, other types of businesses will only pay 35 cents per square foot. Property owners were previously assessed $100,000 a year for 20 years for the construction of a parking lot on Fillmore Street. That assessment, which was based strictly on square footage, ended in 2015.

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News

RESIDENTIAL / COMMERCIAL

Bradenton Beach looking at water taxi service Local boat captain proposes service between Sarasota and AMI.

ollowing the implementation of water taxi services in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Madeira Beach and Tampa, local city officials are now pondering the idea for themselves. Captain Sherman Baldwin, of Paradise Boat Tours, recently pitched the idea to Sarasota city commissioners. His idea is to operate a ferry service between Photo courtesy Paradise Boat Tours downtown Sarasota and the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach, and with a high-speed catamaran in the where Paradise Boat Tours currently future. Baldwin also plans to offer an operates local dolphin and nature tours on-demand water taxi service, similar to Uber, that would utilize smaller boats to along the Intracoastal. Baldwin envisions the service as a ferry passengers to various waterfront convenience for beachgoers and visi- destinations in the area. Local officials, in step with their tors, but also as a real benefit to commuters, who would use the service to Pinellas County counterparts, see a come and go to work instead of driving. water taxi service as a way to help Baldwin’s proposal puts the cost of a combat traffic congestion on the beachroundtrip ticket at $12.50. It would run es and in downtown Sarasota, with seven days a week between the two people leaving their cars in one central destinations, with plans to possibly parking lot. If approved, the service expand the service with other drop-offs could begin as early as this month.

Bradenton Beach jumps on bandwagon, bans marijuana BRADENTON BEACH - Joining a plethora of Florida municipalities, including Sarasota and Longboat Key, Bradenton Beach commissioners recently approved an ordinance that would ban medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. However, most other municipalities have enacted a moratorium on medical marijuana cultivation and sales for a set length of time, say six months, whereas Bradenton Beach’s ordinance is calling for a permanent ban, in compliance with federal law. The proposed ordinance is similar

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By Scott Lancaster to one in place in Anna Maria, but does call for a 180-day moratorium if the outright ban does not hold up legally. Trulieve, the owner of the first Bayarea medical marijuana facilities, has already opened dispensaries in Clearwater and Tampa, and has plans to open additional facilities in St. Petersburg and Bradenton this spring. It is estimated that over 100,000 Floridians will be approved to receive medical marijuana by the end of 2017. Medical marijuana can be prescribed for patients suffering from such illnesses as cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma, ALS and Parkinsons.

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Entertainment

be scene EVERY MONDAY Gentle Yoga and Meditation 10:45 a.m. Cost: $12 The Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd, Holmes Beach Info: www.islandartleague.org/events, 941-778-2099 Clay Impressions Jewelry Making 10am-1pm Cost: Members: $15, Non-Members: $20 The Center of AMI, 407 Magnolia Ave. Info: www.centerami.org, 941-778-1908

Across 1 - Belle or Bart 6 - Gen. Robt. ___ 10 - Out of the wind 14 - Golfer Palmer, to his army 15 - Cordelia's father 16 - Male swine 17 - Radioactive gas 18 - "Jurassic Park" actress 19 - Knowledge 20 - Spring mo. 21 - Australia's ___ Rock 23 - Leaves port 24 - Late bloomer? 26 - Fills to the gills 27 - Dated 29 - Icon 31 - Mother of Hermes 32 - Yoga posture 33 - Sephia maker 36 - In spite of 40 - British verb ending 41 - Article of bedding 42 - Diamond family name 43 - Me too 44 - Crownlike object 46 - World-weariness 48 - Tribal symbol 49 - Sandy bathing beach 50 - Foremost part 52 - Guido's high note 55 - Behind schedule 56 - Change direction 57 - Devoured 59 - List finish 60 - Shipped off 61 - Pee Wee of the Dodgers 62 - Boxer Oscar ___ Hoya 63 - Keats creations 64 - Metal fastener

Down 1 - Franklin D.'s mother 2 - Mouse catcher 3 - Calcium-iron garnet 4 - Carnival site 5 - Soprano Scotto 6 - Born before, senior churchman 7 - Sly look 8 - "…countrymen, lend me your ____" 9 - Sea eagle 10 - Remove by melting 11 - Sarge's superior 12 - Viscounts' superiors 13 - "___ Tu" ('70s hit) 22 - Are we there ___? 23 - Astronomer Carl 25 - "Saint Joan" playwright 26 - Yemen's capital 27 - Prefix with present 28 - Asian country 29 - Japanese immigrant 30 - Damon of "Good Will Hunting" 32 - Excuse me 33 - 0.621 miles 34 - Party to 35 - Juan's water 37 - Magazine copy 38 - Asian cuisine 39 - Be bold 43 - Bassett or Lansbury 44 - Jailbird 45 - Furry swimmers 46 - Tickle pink 47 - Birth-related 48 - Legal wrongs 49 - Answered a charge 50 - Give eats 51 - Actor Auberjonois 53 - ___ majesty 54 - Again 56 - Brandy letters 58 - Former nuclear agcy.

EVERY TUESDAY Chair Yoga 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. The Center of Anna Maria Isla nd 407 Magnolia Ave, Anna Maria Info: 941-778-1908, www.centerami.org/adult-fitness-programs EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY Pilates/Yoga Mix 9:30-10:30 a.m. The Center of Anna Maria Island 407 Magnolia Ave, Anna Maria Info: 941-778-1908, centerami.org/adultfitness-programs

EVERY SUNDAY Siesta Key Farmers Market 8am-2pm Siesta Village Plaza 5124 Ocean Blvd. Info: www.siestafarmersmarket.com Siesta Beach Drum Circle One hour before sunset Siesta Public Beach 948 Beach Rd. FEBRUARY 11 AMI Privateers Thieves Market 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Coquina Beach, Anna Maria Island Info: amiprivateers.org City Island Coastal Clean-up 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy Info: mote.org FEBRUARY 18 Yoga with the Sharks 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy Info: mote.org, 941-388-4441 FEBRUARY 24 & 25 Rita Rudner McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre 1923 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota Cost: $40 Info: 941-925-3869, www.mccurdyscomedy.com THROUGH FEBRUARY 26 “Mermaids” Public Art Show Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach Info: visitbridgestreet.com MARCH 1 Wine & Design: Floral Design Workshop 6:00–8:00 p.m. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota Cost: $50 Info: selby.org, 941-366-5731

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FILM

Coming Soon

Collide

The Great Wall Release Date: Feb 17 Rated PG-13 In this action epic set in 15th century China, a group of British warriors join up with an effort by Chinese forces to defend the Great Wall from a supernatural menace. Starring Matt Damon, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau, Zhang Hanyu, and Eddie Peng.

Before I Fall Release Date: March 3 A popular, selfish teen (Zoey Deutch) tries to become a better person while continuously reliving the day of her death. Directed by Ry Russo-Young, this drama was based on the novel of the same name by Lauren Oliver. Jennifer Beals co-stars.

Collide Release Date: Feb 24 Rated PG-13 After a robbery goes awry, a man (Nicholas Hoult) must call on his former drug-smuggling boss (Ben Kingsley) to protect his girlfriend (Felicity Jones) from mobsters who want to kill both of them and retrieve their cargo. Anthony Hopkins co-stars. Directed by Eran Creevy. Table 19 Release Date: March 3 Rated PG-13 Ex-maid of honor Eloise (Anna

Kendrick) - having been relieved of her duties after being unceremoniously dumped by the best man via text decides to hold her head up high and attend her oldest friend's wedding anyway. She finds herself seated at the 'random' table in the back of the ballroom with a disparate group of strangers, most of whom should have known to just send regrets. As everyone's secrets

are revealed, Eloise learns a thing or two from the denizens of Table 19. T2: Trainspotting Release Date: March 3 Rated R The next chapter in the lives of a quartet of Scottish junkies (Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller and Ewen Bremner) in which they swear off

MUSIC

Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs By Daniel Holloway

uring his prolific career, Alan Cumming has done it all. Probably literally. He played an award-winning Hamlet, and had his own talk show. He voiced a Smurf, twice. He recorded a duet with Liza Minnelli. He made back-to-back films with Stanley Kubrick and the Spice Girls. He appeared in a Jay Z video and wrote a #1 New York Times best selling memoir. He’s co-hosted the Tony Awards and appeared in The Good Wife. Born in Scotland, Cumming’s portrait was hung in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in the spot previously occupied by the Queen, who made him an O.B.E. (Officer of the British Empire) in her 2009 Honours List, for both his

heroin in favor of careers in pornography. All four cast members from the 1997 cult hit rejoin original director Danny Boyle (Steve Jobs) for this sequel based on Trainspotting author Irving Welsh's 2002 novel Porno.

work and his commitment to the progression of LGBT rights in both Great Britain and in the U.S.. Now, his highly-acclaimed cabaret show, Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs, is coming to Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on March 5. The show premiered in 2015 at New York’s Café Carlyle and has since toured throughout the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Don’t miss the man Time magazine called one of the three most fun people in show business! Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, near downtown Sarasota. For ticket information, visit www.vanwezel.org or call 941-953-3368.

Trainspotting 2

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Beach Scene’s

February 2017

food & drink section

ITALIAN FUSION CUISINE • NEW MENU • LIVE MUSIC • OUTDOOR DINING 555 Bay Isles Pkwy • Longboat Key • 941-383-1111 • www.amorelbk.com

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bar & restaurant listings LONGBOAT KEY Amore Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway 941-383-1111 The Lazy Lobster of Longboat 5350 Gulf of Mexico Dr. 941-383-0440 Mar Vista Restaurant 760 Broadway St. 941-383-0881 Dry Dock Waterfront Grill 412 Gulf Of Mexico Dr. 941-383-0102 Chart House 201 Gulf of Mexico Dr. 941-383-5593 Longbeach Cafe 6836 Gulf of Mexico Dr. 941-383-7900 Harry's Continental Kitchens 525 Saint Judes Dr. 941-383-0777 Cafe Don Giovanni 5610 Gulf Of Mexico Dr. 941-383-0013 Bayou Tavern 6814 Gulf of Mexico Dr. 941-312-4975

Blue Dolphin Cafe 5370 Gulf Of Mexico Dr. 941-383-3787

Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria 215 Avenida Madera 941-349-2767

Euphemia Haye Restaurant 5540 Gulf Of Mexico Dr. 941-383-3633

Ophelia's on the Bay 9105 Midnight Pass Rd. 941-349-2212

A Taste of Germany 5204 Ocean Blvd. 941-346-1800

Ciao Italia Casual Italian 5370 Gulf Of Mexico Dr. 941-383-0010

The Siesta Key Oyster Bar 5238 Ocean Blvd. 941-346-5443

Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay 8875 Midnight Pass Rd. 941-346-2207

Blu Que Island Grill 149 Avenida Messina 941-346-0738

3.14 Pi Craft Beer & Spirits 5263 Ocean Blvd. 941-346-1188

Maison Blanche Restaurant 2605 Gulf Of Mexico Dr. 941-383-8088 SIESTA KEY Senor Siesta 5110 Ocean Blvd. 941-349-0818

Bonjour French Cafe 5214 Ocean Blvd. 941-346-0600

Miguel's Restaurant 6631 Midnight Pass Rd. 941-349-4024

The Cottage Restaurant 153 Avenida Messina 941-312-9300

Village Cafe 5133 Ocean Blvd. 941-349-2822

Javier's Restaurant and Wine Bar 6621 Midnight Pass Rd. 941-349-1792

Lobster Pot Restaurant 5157 Ocean Blvd. 941-349-2323 The Hub Baja Grill 5148 Ocean Blvd. 941-349-6800

Sun Garden Cafe 210 Avenida Madera 941-346-7170 Beach Bites 217 Avenida Madera 941-706-3421

Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar 1200 Old Stickney Point Rd. 941-349-3885 ANNA MARIA ISLAND The Island Spice 1701 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-527-0123 Lobstahs 5337 Gulf Dr. Holmes Beach 941-779-1000 The Feast Restaurant 5406 Marina Dr. Holmes Beach 941-778-5092

Duffy's Tavern 5808 Marina Dr. Holmes Beach 941-778-2501

Sandbar Restaurant 100 Spring Ave. Anna Maria 941-778-0444

Hurricane Hank's 5346 Gulf Dr. Holmes Beach 941-778-5788

City Pier Restaurant 100 S Bay Blvd. Anna Maria 941-779-1667

Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe 4000 Gulf Dr. Holmes Beach 941-778-0784

BeacHhouse Restaurant 200 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-779-2222

Mr. Bones 3007 Gulf Dr. Holmes Beach 941-778-6614 The Waterfront Restaurant 111 Bay Blvd. S. Anna Maria 941-778-1515 Harry's Grill 9903 Gulf Dr. Anna Maria 941-896-7879 Rod & Reel Pier 875 N Shore Dr. Anna Maria 941-778-1885

Island Time Bar and Grill 111 Gulf Dr. S. Bradenton Beach 941-782-1122 Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar 135 Bridge St. Bradenton Beach 941-778-4849 Blue Marlin Grill 121 Bridge St. Bradenton Beach 941-896-9737 Eat Here 5315 Gulf Dr. Anna Maria 941-778-0411

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Food & Drink best waterfront drinking & dining If you are visiting our beaches or are lucky enough to be a beach local, we all face the same dilemma: where to eat? Have no fear, my feisty and finicky diners. We have selected the restaurants we feel are some of the best waterfront places to go for tasty food, an ice-cold adult beverage or just a cool place for some vittles. longboat key Dry Dock Waterfront Grill 412 Gulf of Mexico Dr. 941-383-0102 Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub 760 Broadway St. 941-383-0881 The Chart House 201 Gulf of Mexico Dr. 941-383-5593 Portofino Restaurant & Grill 2600 Harbourside Dr. 941-383-1900

bradenton beach The BeacHhouse Restaurant 200 Gulf Dr. N. 941-779-2222 Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar 135 Bridge St. 941-778-4849 Bridge Street Bistro 111 Gulf Dr S, 3rd FL 941-782-1122

holmes beach

anna maria The Waterfront Restaurant 111 South Bay Blvd. 941-778-1515

Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe 4000 Gulf Dr. 941-778-0784

Sandbar Restaurant 100 Spring Ave. 941-778-0444

Beach Bistro 6600 Gulf Dr. 941-778-6444

Rod & Reel Pier 875 N Shore Dr. 941-778-1885

siesta key

City Pier Restaurant 100 S Bay Blvd. 941-779-1667

< Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay

Ophelia's on the Bay 9105 Midnight Pass Rd. 941-349-2212 Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay 8875 Midnight Pass Rd. 941-346-2207 The Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill 1500 Stickney Point Rd. 941-921-6200

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Dining Feature The Island Spice: Simply Superb

f there is one thing I have learned in life, it is that looks are deceiving. On my latest jaunt to the beach, I spotted an eatery called The Island Spice. From the exterior, the place looked like almost every other beach joint. Truthfully, nothing about the place stuck out. No offense. But what I found interesting was that it said Indian cuisine on the sign. Hmmm, really? I love Indian food. It's probably one of my favorite types of cuisine. OK, food. But will the typical beachgoer, local or tourist, want Indian cuisine? I mean, let's face facts. The majority of tourists want seafood. Three words: fried grouper sandwich. You get my point. So, I had to scratch my head as to why someone would open an Indian restaurant on the beach. Well, read on, my dear friends, and I'll tell you why, because I stopped in to try it out and oh my God, what? The food was AMAZING. Let me tell you something. My wife and I dined at Euphemia Haye because everyone talked about how great it is. Truthfully, I wasn't impressed. I had to send my steak back, if that tells you anything. But

perhaps they deserve another shot. But moving on…. At The Island Spice, I tried a couple of items. First up was the Masala Dosa, an enormous footand-a-half sized crepe filled with potato and spices and served with Sambar coconut and tomato chutney for dipping. It was delicious and very clever, perfect for two or more

The Island Spice 3608 E. Bay Dr. Holmes Beach 941-527-0123

people to start out with. Way too much for one person, unless you make it a meal with the vegetable option. I also sampled the Lamb Curry, which was tender, boneless lamb cubes cooked in aromatic Indian spices, and the Butter Chicken, roasted marinated boneless chicken breast cooked in mild spices. The lamb was delicious, but the Butter Chicken was seriously the best chicken I have ever had in my life. I honestly didn't believe it was chicken. It was so moist, it was crazy. I asked how they get the chicken so moist and I was interested to learn that they cook it very slowly in a clay oven. What? IKR? It's like a very large clay pot for slow roasting. And, yes, I just kept eating. The food was so damn good, it was amazing. To close out my meal, I had the Tandoori Chicken, half a chicken served with rice, prepared again in the clay oven with Makhani sauce. Seriously, this was the best food I have had in a long time. In addition to my meal, I had a mint cooler to drink, which was made with fresh lemon juice and mint. I wrapped up everything with a Mango Lassi. I'm not going to say anything about this drink. Just go to The Island Spice and order one and you will see

what I mean. I don't care where you live. You have to go to The Island Spice for lunch or dinner. Or lunch and dinner. It is hands-down one of the best restaurants in the area. The exterior is your typical strip plaza, but the interior is well designed and comfortable. I was there during the day and they had the local news station on the television. I can only hope the owners turn it off at night and dim the lights to give their diners one of the best dining experiences they will ever have. I freakin' loved the joint. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was its name. The Clay Oven would be better suited. On a side note, The Island Spice has a large gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan offering and an array of Indian beers to choose from. Overall, my grade for The Island Spice is an A. No question! Also, you can go to page 16 for a $5 off coupon, so there’s another reason to try The Island Spice.

Bon Appétit!

Food & Drink come on, get happy TOP 5 RESTAURANTS Picked

on the Beach Beach Scene ~ 2015

the Sceneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best happy hours longboat key The Lazy Lobster of Longboat 5350 Gulf of Mexico Dr., 941-383-0440 Happy Hour, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Domestic Beers, $2.50, House wine, $3.25 Call brands, martinis & Manhattans, $5.25 Dry Dock Waterfront Grill 412 Gulf Of Mexico Dr., 941-383-0102 Happy Hour, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Reduced Drink Prices Chart House 201 Gulf of Mexico Dr., 941-383-5593 Happy Hour, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Reduced Drinks and Appetizers Bayou Tavern 6814 Gulf of Mexico Dr., 941-312-4975 Happy Hour, 4:30 - 6 p.m. House wines - $4, Well cocktails - $5 Select Beer - $2.50

siesta key The Siesta Key Oyster Bar 5238 Ocean Blvd., 941-346-5443 Oysters & Crawfish, 1/2 price from 3-6pm The Hub Baja Grill 5148 Ocean Blvd., 941-349-6800 Happy Hour, M-F, 11am - 6 p.m., & 10 p.m. to close $6.50 Margaritas on the rocks $4 House wines, $3 Well drinks $2 Domestic drafts

$5.00 OFF Any order of $30 or more. Not valid with other offers. Expires 3/15/17.

Ophelia's on the Bay 9105 Midnight Pass Rd., 941-349-2212 Happy Hour, 5 - 6 p.m. Bar & Lounge Only $7 Martinis, $3 Domestic Drafts $6 Well Drinks, $5 House Wines $4 Bottles Beers 3.14 Pi Craft Beer & Spirits 5263 Ocean Blvd., 941-346-1188 Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m. at the restaurant only. Buy one, get one Wells, Martinis & House Wine

anna maria island Lobstahs 5337 Gulf Dr., Holmes Beach 941-779-1000 Happy Hour, 3 - 6 p.m. $4 Well Drinks, $3 House Wines $2.50 Domestic Drafts & Bottles Sharky's Seagrill 2519 Gulf Dr N., Holmes Beach 941-779-9151 Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m. every day 2-for-1 house cocktails and wine $2 Bud Light/Miller Light Island Time Bar and Grill 111 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach 941-782-1122 Happy Hour, 11:30 - 5 p.m. (Mon.-Sat.) $4 Captain Morgan, $3 Wells $2.50 Bud Lite The Waterfront Restaurant 111 Bay Blvd. S., Anna Maria 941-778-1515 Happy Hour, M-F, at the bar $3-4 select drafts and wine by the glass $1 off well and specialty drinks Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach 941-778-4849 Happy Hour, 3-6pm Monday through Friday Botttle Beers $2.50, Draft beer $3.50 pint Well drinks $3.50, Discounted house wine Harry's Grill 9903 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria 941-567-5999 Harry Hour, 3-6 p.m. Buy One, Get One Draft Beer $1 Off House Wine Slim's Place 9701 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria 941-567-4056 M-F, 3-5 p.m. $3 Bud Lite and Yuengling $2.50 Domestic Bottles $3 Sangria & House Wine City Pier Restaurant 100 S Bay Blvd., Anna Maria 941-779-1667 Happy Hour, 3-6 p.m. Draft Beer, $1.50 $3.50 House Wine

Indian & American Multi-Cuisine VISIT OUR NEW

LOCATION!

3608 E. Bay Dr. Holmes Beach 941-527-0123 theislandspice.com

Did we miss your restaurant? Send us an email at info@mcleanmedia.net and let us know about your Happy Hour specials!

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Beach Scene’s

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realestate

The Roe Report

By Cliff Roe

ince 2005, I have offered my views on the status of our local real estate market. I have also presented my forecast and my rationale. I am proud to say I have been much more accurate than the media. This year should be a banner year for real estate. Mortgage rates are going up. People tend to buy when interest rates are rising to beat the next increase. People wait when rates are falling, hoping to capture the bottom. This is very bullish for real estate. The government has been selling non-performing loans to investors at a deep discount, always the same investors (Goldman Saks, etc.). Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be going private, putting an end to the discounted sales. This is very bullish for real estate. In 2016, Florida saw an 8.1 percent increase in home prices. Unit sales declined largely due to shrinking

My conclusion is a better and more stable real estate market for several years to come. At Roe Rentals, we have already seen an increase in investor interest toward owning rental property. We are averaging 45 days to contract and 102 percent of asking price due to having more buyers than we have properties to sell.

inventory, which helped push prices up. Very bullish for anyone wanting to sell real estate. I'm predicting inflation in the area of 23 percent annually. This will enable real estate prices to increase 5-7 percent. Retirees will benefit from higher interest rates, giving them more money to spend. Florida will return to a pattern of

R rapid population growth, and housing prices will keep pace with or exceed the national average. Our younger generations, who have only seen wars, stock market crashes and a housing bubble, will notice the value of home ownership and return to the market. This is very bullish for real estate.

eal estate has historically been the safest way to leverage debt and build equity, and that stability combined with the above factors will make 2017 an excellent year in real estate.

Cliff Roe is the Broker/Owner at Roe Realty. Cliff@Roe-Realty.com www.Roe-Realty.com

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