Adrian’s guidebook
Places to Eat
OK, our property has a full kitchen...but sometimes you will want to eat out! Here are a few pointers:
On top of menu prices, you will pay 7% tax. You will then be expected to tip (servers don’t even earn minimum wage and make their living from tips). The norm is 20% but lower this if the service is bad.
It’s always worth registering yourself on company websites as many, especially the chains, will email you offers/vouchers.
Appetiser - starter
Entree- main
Some mid and high end entrees include a salad, look out for this on menus
Portions are big. We often share an appetizer.
Cooking descriptions
Broiled- our grilled
Grilled - our barbecued
Blackened- spicy barbecued
Local fish- Grouper is wonderful, a mild white fish. Mahi Mahi is more meaty, a bit like a mild swordfish.
Probably our favourite high end restaurant at the moment. The ceviche is excellent as is the Crab Napoleon. The short ribs are to die for!
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Downtown Sarasota
1383 Main StProbably our favourite high end restaurant at the moment. The ceviche is excellent as is the Crab Napoleon. The short ribs are to die for!
This place gets busy! Excellent fresh fish in a great lively atmosphere.
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Walt's Fish Market Restaurant
4144 S Tamiami TrailThis place gets busy! Excellent fresh fish in a great lively atmosphere.
Reasonably priced seafood with an all day Happy Hour on some beers wines and well drinks. The grouper platter is excellent (sign up for vouchers). Perfect place to eat while attending Friday Night on Main.
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Pinchers
900 Venetia Bay BlvdReasonably priced seafood with an all day Happy Hour on some beers wines and well drinks. The grouper platter is excellent (sign up for vouchers). Perfect place to eat while attending Friday Night on Main.
5 minutes walk and probably the best fish sandwich on the Key! Not posh, but give it a try!
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Big Water Fish Market
6639 Midnight Pass Rd5 minutes walk and probably the best fish sandwich on the Key! Not posh, but give it a try!
Best high end steak house in the area, great for that special occasion. Very good Happy Hour offerings in the bar.
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Ruth's Chris Steak House
6700 S Tamiami TrailBest high end steak house in the area, great for that special occasion. Very good Happy Hour offerings in the bar.
THE place to eat a traditional American breakfast. Sundays get ridiculously busy.
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Dutch Valley Restaurant
6721 S Tamiami TrailTHE place to eat a traditional American breakfast. Sundays get ridiculously busy.
Same as the one at Lakewood. This site projects into a lake which contains alligators. Sometimes they swim right up to the outside bar seating area!
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Pinchers
900 Venetia Bay BlvdSame as the one at Lakewood. This site projects into a lake which contains alligators. Sometimes they swim right up to the outside bar seating area!
Mid range fish chain. Look out for special offers eg Hooked on Tuesdays and Martini Mondays!
Best Bang Bang Shrimp in the area! (Sometimes at a reduced price on Wednesdays)
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Bonefish Grill
8101 Cooper Creek BlvdMid range fish chain. Look out for special offers eg Hooked on Tuesdays and Martini Mondays!
Best Bang Bang Shrimp in the area! (Sometimes at a reduced price on Wednesdays)
A Siesta Key tradition and within easy walking distance. Traditional Floridian seafood. Try a cup of the Clam Chowder as an appetiser, you wont be disappointed.
The Sniki Tiki outside bar has regular live music and is a good place for a few drinks after the meal.
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Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar
1200 Old Stickney Point RdA Siesta Key tradition and within easy walking distance. Traditional Floridian seafood. Try a cup of the Clam Chowder as an appetiser, you wont be disappointed.
The Sniki Tiki outside bar has regular live music and is a good place for a few drinks after the meal.
I cant believe why this place doesn't get more busy! A great old style Thai restaurant. Fantastic fresh food at reasonable prices.
Thailand Restaurant Gulf Gate
2238 Gulf Gate DrI cant believe why this place doesn't get more busy! A great old style Thai restaurant. Fantastic fresh food at reasonable prices.
Mexican food in the heart of the village. Catch the trolley and enjoy a pitcher or two of their excellent margarita's! Often has live music and a great atmosphere.
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The Hub Baja Grill
5148 Ocean BlvdMexican food in the heart of the village. Catch the trolley and enjoy a pitcher or two of their excellent margarita's! Often has live music and a great atmosphere.
Many people will tell you that an ice-cream from Big Olaf's Creamery in the village, is an essential part of any trip to Siesta Key. You only have to look at the queues there each night to confirm this. Personally, I prefer our local creamery, Orange Octopus which can be found behind Captain Curt's. A great way to end a day on the beach!
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Orange Octopus
1220 Old Stickney Point RdMany people will tell you that an ice-cream from Big Olaf's Creamery in the village, is an essential part of any trip to Siesta Key. You only have to look at the queues there each night to confirm this. Personally, I prefer our local creamery, Orange Octopus which can be found behind Captain Curt's. A great way to end a day on the beach!
Grocery Shopping
The closest mainstream (reasonably priced) super market
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Publix Super Market at Sarasota Pavilion
6543 S Tamiami TrailThe closest mainstream (reasonably priced) super market
A little bit further than Publix but growing in popularity due to its ethical stand.
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Trader Joe's
4101 S Tamiami TrailA little bit further than Publix but growing in popularity due to its ethical stand.
Another super market which is growing in popularity particularly with wholefood lovers.
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Sprouts Farmers Market
8330 S Tamiami TrailAnother super market which is growing in popularity particularly with wholefood lovers.
Walmart Supercenter
13140 S Tamiami TrailThe closest Supercenter Walmart
The closest grocery shop to our place. Generally open 24 hrs and stocks all the essentials. Convenience doesn't always sit easily alongside cost!
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7-Eleven
6619 Midnight Pass RdThe closest grocery shop to our place. Generally open 24 hrs and stocks all the essentials. Convenience doesn't always sit easily alongside cost!
Want to treat yourself? This deli has it all! Beautiful food prepared in store. Well worth a visit just to breath in the atmosphere.
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Morton's Gourmet Market
1924 S Osprey AveWant to treat yourself? This deli has it all! Beautiful food prepared in store. Well worth a visit just to breath in the atmosphere.
If you are a member, bring along your card! Has the cheapest gas in the area.
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Costco Wholesale
8201 S Tamiami TrailIf you are a member, bring along your card! Has the cheapest gas in the area.
Fun place to shop north on 41. Sometimes has live music in the cafe.... ands who can’t help but be impressed with a store which has beverage holders fitted to the shopping cart!
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Lucky's Market
3501 S Tamiami TrailFun place to shop north on 41. Sometimes has live music in the cafe.... ands who can’t help but be impressed with a store which has beverage holders fitted to the shopping cart!
Fantastic range of fresh produce at very competitive prices.
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Detwiler’s Farm Market
2881 Clark RdFantastic range of fresh produce at very competitive prices.
Things to Do
The great thing about visiting a new place, is discovering what the local area has to offer. My personal favourite is to load up the cooler and head over to the beach. However, if you want to explore a little further, here are a few other things you might want to try.
Held every Saturday in the centre of Sarasota. Fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, plants and flowers and local craft make this bustling venue a must see. Live music often plays throughout the morning. Go early to pick up the best produce.
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Mercato degli agricoltori di Sarasota
North Lemon AvenueHeld every Saturday in the centre of Sarasota. Fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, plants and flowers and local craft make this bustling venue a must see. Live music often plays throughout the morning. Go early to pick up the best produce.
A small market held every Sunday down in the village. Well worth a ride down on the Siesta Breeze Trolley.
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Siesta Key Farmers Market
5211 Ocean BlvdA small market held every Sunday down in the village. Well worth a ride down on the Siesta Breeze Trolley.
For those who want the upmarket shopping experience. Macy's, Dillard's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Apple to name but a few. Also has some great eateries such as The Cheesecake Factory.
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The Mall at University Town Center
140 University Town Center DrFor those who want the upmarket shopping experience. Macy's, Dillard's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Apple to name but a few. Also has some great eateries such as The Cheesecake Factory.
An excellent place to learn about local sea life. Touch pools and interactive displays make this a great place for children. Remember to visit the rescue centre across the road to see Manatee and turtles close up.
Book yourself onto the guided boat tour for an excellent waters view of Sarasota Bay. Children will love the chance to touch animals collected during the trip while adults can marvel at some of the water front properties!
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Laboratorio Marino Mote
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyAn excellent place to learn about local sea life. Touch pools and interactive displays make this a great place for children. Remember to visit the rescue centre across the road to see Manatee and turtles close up.
Book yourself onto the guided boat tour for an excellent waters view of Sarasota Bay. Children will love the chance to touch animals collected during the trip while adults can marvel at some of the water front properties!
A 30 minute drive away, but the best place in the area to see wild alligators . Either walk the trails or book yourself onto the guided boat tour.
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Parco Statale del Fiume Myakka
13208 State Rd 72A 30 minute drive away, but the best place in the area to see wild alligators . Either walk the trails or book yourself onto the guided boat tour.
A Sunday tradition! As the sun begins to set, the locals arrive with their drums and other instruments to "jam" together. Take along a cooler with a few cans (no glass permitted on the beach) and either chill, taking in the ever changing rhythms, or get up and join in the dancing. Head to the main beach pavilion and follow the sound of the drums.
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Siesta Key Drum Circle
948 Beach RdA Sunday tradition! As the sun begins to set, the locals arrive with their drums and other instruments to "jam" together. Take along a cooler with a few cans (no glass permitted on the beach) and either chill, taking in the ever changing rhythms, or get up and join in the dancing. Head to the main beach pavilion and follow the sound of the drums.
Perhaps my favourite beach in the area. The park is situated on the southern tip of Lido Key. A walk from the bay to the ocean provides wonderful views of the city, Siesta Key and the beautiful gulf. There is ample free parking, picnic/grilling facilities and a toilet/shower block, however, nowhere to purchase food or drink.
The gap between Lido and Siesta Keys is one of the few places lining the bay and the gulf. As a result, as the tide changes, huge amounts of water have to go through the small "pass" making it resemble a rapidly flowing river. This is the best beach to find live shells (its ok to look at them, but illegal to take them home!)
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South Lido Key Beach Park on the Gulf
Benjamin Franklin DrivePerhaps my favourite beach in the area. The park is situated on the southern tip of Lido Key. A walk from the bay to the ocean provides wonderful views of the city, Siesta Key and the beautiful gulf. There is ample free parking, picnic/grilling facilities and a toilet/shower block, however, nowhere to purchase food or drink.
The gap between Lido and Siesta Keys is one of the few places lining the bay and the gulf. As a result, as the tide changes, huge amounts of water have to go through the small "pass" making it resemble a rapidly flowing river. This is the best beach to find live shells (its ok to look at them, but illegal to take them home!)
The place where the visitors to Lido and Longboat Keys go to shop and eat!
Particularly nice in the evening...walk the circle, browse the numerous shops and galleries. Take in the café culture and perhaps have something to eat or drink in any of the eateries.
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Saint Armands Key
The place where the visitors to Lido and Longboat Keys go to shop and eat!
Particularly nice in the evening...walk the circle, browse the numerous shops and galleries. Take in the café culture and perhaps have something to eat or drink in any of the eateries.
A new community near to University Town Centre which holds a free evening concert on the first Friday of each month. Lots of stalls, places to eat and a great atmosphere. Due to the popularity of this event, the car park often gets full. Park across the road on the hospital grounds.
for a list of who will be playing, go to
lakewoodranch.com .
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Lakewood Ranch
A new community near to University Town Centre which holds a free evening concert on the first Friday of each month. Lots of stalls, places to eat and a great atmosphere. Due to the popularity of this event, the car park often gets full. Park across the road on the hospital grounds.
for a list of who will be playing, go to
lakewoodranch.com .
Keep an eye out for concerts and productions from touring Broadway companies. Book in advance, these tickets sell fast!
FridayFest on the Bay is a free concert series held on the third Friday of the month during the summer. Take along a lounger or blanket, sit on the lawn and listen to great live music as the sun goes down over the bay. Coolers aren't allowed as they want you to buy from the food and beverage vendors on site.
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Sala delle arti dello spettacolo Van Wezel
777 N Tamiami TrailKeep an eye out for concerts and productions from touring Broadway companies. Book in advance, these tickets sell fast!
FridayFest on the Bay is a free concert series held on the third Friday of the month during the summer. Take along a lounger or blanket, sit on the lawn and listen to great live music as the sun goes down over the bay. Coolers aren't allowed as they want you to buy from the food and beverage vendors on site.
Consigli per viaggiatori
Muoversi in zona
Siesta Breeze Trolley
This fantastic free service runs the length of Siesta Key and is an ideal way of visiting the other beaches and the village. It runs every 20 minutes during the season, and every half hour at other times. South of Stickney Point Bridge, it stops on request. Just go to the end of Vista Hermosa and hold out your hand when you see it coming. North of the bridge, it stops at regular SCAT stops. Don’t try to tip, drivers are not allowed to take it...a cheery “hello” and “thank you” suffices.