Larry - Island Real Estate Blog

December 22, 2009December 5, 2020

Beach House Restaurant – Outdoor Dining and Great Florida Seafood

The Beach House restaurant is located in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island just past the street light after the Cortez Bridge heading south.

Experience great waterfront dining on the Gulf of Mexico with breathtaking views and fresh Florida seafood. It is the perfect place for family dining with plenty of room for all the kids to play on the beach while you sip on a tropical drink and enjoy great food while listening to live entertainment by local artists. You can choose, if you like, to have your meal inside the dining room or on the waterfront deck. There is even a covered Gulf front area, which makes it perfect rain or shine.

Beside the regular lunch and dinner menus, Beach House offers a happy hour menu at the bar including delicious libations and small plates. In addition to fresh local seafood you can find farm fresh produce on the menu. The Grouper sandwich is a popular menu item, but be sure to check out any seasonal offerings like the stuffed squash blossoms from Gamble creek farms.

The Beach House is a wonderful spot to enjoy a gulf sunset after a long day at the beach. If you like to take a look at some spectacular sunset pictures visit our Anna Maria Island blog and get in the mood for a nice dinner at The Beach House.

It is also a great place to have a wedding. The Beach House is an award-winning location for beach weddings, receptions or any special event. Maybe if you are in luck you’ll witness one of the happy couples exchange their vows.

You can even do a little shopping in their gift and souvenir shop located at the entrance area of the restaurant.

The Beach House Restaurant
200 Gulf Dr
Bradenton Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941) 779-2222

Larry

Meet Larry Chatt. Larry is the Broker/Owner of Island Real Estate – and has owned Anna Maria Island investment property while residing in New England, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa and across Europe. He and his family have been on the island for decades and Larry has served his community in various roles with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

December 22, 2009December 5, 2020

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus Offers German Authentic Cuisine

The Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus is a German family restaurant located in the Holmes Beach Shopping Plaza on East Bay Dr.

The Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus serve their traditional German entrees with all fresh ingredients. Everything is homemade. You can enjoy the finest Wiener Schnitzel and Beef Goulash in town or taste German delicacies like Hühnerleber (chicken liver in a cream sauce with sauerkraut and potatoes) and Rahmschnitzel (veal in a cognac cream sauce). Friday’s special is usually Haxen with Knoedel (pork knuckle „Bavarian style“, oven fresh with bread dumplings and sauerkraut).
Try a piece of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake) or Tiroler Apfelstrudel (Tyrolean apple strudel) for dessert.
If you like a change from the Florida seafood give the Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus on Anna Maria Island a try.

Imported beer, wine and coffee available. Dinner hours only. Reservations recommended.

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus
3246 E Bay Dr
Holmes Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941) 778 – 1320

Larry

September 22, 2009April 22, 2024

Robinson Preserve Information

Bradenton – If your family is looking for something adventurous and would enjoy a bike-ride on newly-paved trails, a walk along the nature paths, kayaking through the paddle trails, a climb up an Observation Tower or would just prefer to enjoy the wildlife, then Robinson Preserve is the perfect way to entertain the whole family!

The Robinson Preserve is located in Northwest Bradenton, about a 10-15 min drive off Anna Maria Island. Open year-round, Hours: Sunrise to Sunset. Free Admission and parking. Tours only by request and usually last about 2 hours. Make an appointment by calling ahead of time.

Bring your bathing suit if you would like to go for a swim. The Preserve also has plenty of picnic tables across from the Visitor Center to have a meal or a little snack. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen as it can be very hot, especially during summer!!

Are you bringing your dog on vacation? Bring them to Robinson Preserve! Just make sure that you bring a leash and plenty of water!

There are several companies offering services to rent kayaks at Robinson’s preserve. They will deliver the rental kayaks at predetermined times so you can enjoy a kayak around the preserve. Great fun!

1690 99th St NW
Bradenton,FL 34209
(941)748-4501
Manatee County Robinson Preserve website

Larry

September 19, 2009December 5, 2020

Bridge Tender Inn Restaurant in Bradenton Beach

Bradenton Beach – The Bridge Tender Inn is a fabulous restaurant and full service bar situated directly on the intercoastal side of Anna Maria Island on Beautiful Sarasota Bay. Located on Historic Bridge Street just south of the sight of the first bridge that connected the Island to the mainland, the Bridge Tender Inn has an old Florida small town casual feel.

The Bridge Tender Inn offers more formal indoor seating and an open air seating area nestled into Mangroves just across the street at the base of the Bradenton Beach pier. A locals favorite, Bridge Tender Inn serves fresh seafood including tuna, shrimp, grouper and scallops to name a few. If you have already had your fill of seafood on your Anna Maria Island vacation don’t worry. The Bridge Tender restaurant has duck, pasta, steak, ribs, a vegetarian dish and much more.

For a more relaxed atmosphere visit the bar style dining area. The bar area often has live music, and is a fun place to dine with entertainment and endless Bradenton Beach character. The restaurant bar offers a limited menu which serves a lighter fare than the formal restaurant menu. The bar area outdoor seating has the island’s most beautiful views the intercoastal has to offer.

The name Bridge Tender Inn is of important significance. Anna Maria Island’s first bridge to the island with motor vehicles is the current sight of Bradenton Beach pier. The men who operated the bridge were called Bridge Tenders.

For great food with an amazing view head over to the Bridge Tender Inn and enjoy a slice of old Florida charm.

Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar
155 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-4849

Larry

September 17, 2009December 5, 2020

Sweet Berries Frozen Custard and Eatery

Sweet Berries is known for the best homemade frozen custard in the area. Sweet Berries has been voted “best in the area” every year since it has been opened! Sweet Berries boasts a family-friendly, small town atmosphere which is a very inviting and a pleasant experience. Their food menu consists of Soups, Salads and Sandwiches which are all made daily. Prices range from $6-$10.

If you are in the mood for ice cream and have tried a few shops on Anna Maria Island then make the 10 minute ride down Manatee Avenue, State Route 64. You won’t be sorry. Sweet Berries Ice Cream is fantastic and worth the ride from Anna Maria. Their specialty is a “Concretes”. Concretes are hard-packed frozen custard and absolutely delicious. They are very similar to a blizzard and Sweet Berries claim to fame is they will hold your Concrete upside down as they hand it to you to show it is packed nice and tight. Don’t worry, if you are looking for a simple, creamy delicious, ice cream cone Sweet Berries will fill the need. If you are looking for a great family environment, fresh menu or/and great ice cream then SweetBerries is for you! They do have an outdoor seating area as well as an outdoor ice cream order center. Sweet Berries is open until 10PM and some nights until 11 PM.

Please go to the Sweet Berries website to find out more information and take a look at the menu.

Sweet Berries Frozen Custard and Eatery
4500 Manatee Ave West
Bradenton,FL 34209
(941)750-6771

If you are looking for more ice cream choices on Anna Maria Island be sure to visit our top 5 ice cream places on Anna Maria Island..

Larry

September 5, 2009December 5, 2020

Minnie’s Breakfast and Lunch Restaurant in Holmes Beach

Minnie’s is a great breakfast and lunch restaurant. The diner like restaurant plays oldies music that the waitresses sometimes sing to. It is seat yourself so if you see a table free sit-on-down. There is a very large table close to the cashier which is used mostly for single diners. Minnie’s is very local as you often see lots of folks stopping and catching up with each other.

Saturday’s and Sunday’s they serve breakfast all day, and normal days up until noon. They have some great lunch and breakfast specials. Be sure to bring your CASH as they do not accept credit cards. I have had lunch and breakfast there several times and Minnie’s of Holmes Beach has always satisfied my hunger and the prices are very reasonable. For breakfast they have Pancakes, eggs, breakfast sandwiches, as well as a few breakfast specials.

For lunch they have sandwiches as well as bigger meals with soup or salad. The atmosphere is fun and in a central location in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. Stop in and tell them Island Real Estate sent ya!

Sorry no outside seating except for a few seats for a quick smoke. As mentioned cash only so keep your credit cards at home. Breakfast and lunch only.

Minnie’s restaurant
5360 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, Anna Maria Island
34217
(941) 778-4140

Need a few more choices for breakfast on Anna Maria Island? We provide a great list of potential perfect fits for breakfast on Anna Maria Island.

Larry

September 2, 2009December 5, 2020

Anna Maria City Trash Guidelines

Anna Maria City has always had code regarding the time and placement of trash cans at an owners curb. Anna Maria City is beginning to see trash cans sitting out at the curb for days. The city has focused on short term rentals as well as absentee property owners that come out to Anna Maria Island and leave their cans out for the week.

The city of Anna Maria says no more. The Islander newspaper reported on this topic in August and quoted code enforcement officer Gerry Rathvon, “These containers sit there for days. They often get blown over by storms, and I go out and pick up the trash.” It’s an ugly situation, trash cans sitting out everywhere for days.

The city on Anna Maria Island is compiling a list of repeat offenders. Code allows fines of up to $250 per day. There is an easy solution, Waste Management offers a back door pickup service for $3 per month. Waste Management employees will retrieve your trash at the back door on the assigned trash days. Seems like a no-brainer. One fine could be $250, that is 80 months of back door pick ups to pay for one fine. Wow, what a pay back.

From the Islander, “City code states: Residential containers and garden trash shall be placed out for collection no earlier than 5 PM of the day prior to the scheduled collection and shall be removed from curbside not later than 9 PM of the day of collection.” All residential containers, garden trash and recycle containers must be on the owners property.

Currently for 2009 the Anna Maria City the trash pick up days are

Monday – Trash/Garbage and recyclables
Wednesday – yard waste
Thursday – Trash/Garbage

Not sure why everyone does not sign up for back door service with Waste Management? One thing is for sure, if an Anna Maria Island property owner is renting their home out seasonally with or without property management the back door service is a no-brainer.

Larry

July 18, 2009December 5, 2020

Sea World Is a Great Orlando Day Trip From Anna Maria Island

SeaWorld is the perfect Anna Maria Orlando day trip for visitors. In addition, United Kingdom visitors typically hit Orlando for about 3-5 days then come to Anna Maria Island for a week long REAL vacation.

Sea World is just a short drive from Anna Maria Island making it a great Orlando day trip destination. If you can get the family up and ready to leave by 8:00 AM you should reach Sea World

by 9:30 AM and walking through the front gates of Sea World, Orlando by 10 AM. We like to leave a little earlier and stop at the Denny’s just across the street from Sea World for a strong breakfast to start our day. It starts us off on the right foot after the quick 1.5-hour ride to Orlando and seems to help the kids calm down since they can see the entryway to Sea World just across the street. Most parking in Orlando is NOT free and Sea World charges to park.

Sea World has a ton of stuff to do for all ages. They have an amusement park outfitted with a roller coaster that any adult would love. Tea Cups for those of you that have strong stomachs, swing rides, twirling rides, you name it. Of course, Sea World is not as large as a stand-alone amusement park but it has plenty to get you past your roller coaster “fix.” Sea World also has the classic water log ride and you can see a portion of the ride in the video shown below.

SeaWorld also has a large play area for children. Huge climbing nets will keep your children playing for hours and nearby is a water play area if they get bored of nets or other play areas.

Of course, we cannot forget the shows. The biggest show of all, “Shamu” will not disappoint. Plenty of jumps, dives, and splashes. Another great show is a dolphin show where more than 5 dolphins jump in unison all throughout the water. A high diving show lets your children watch as parrots buzz by just over your heads as well divers dressed in costumes dive into the water from about 30-40 feet above. One last show which is great for kids. The Sea Otter show is filled with blunders, clean jokes, and a few animals that perform tricks that even the toughest critic will be impressed with.

There are lots of sea life to view at Sea World. There is a great penguin exhibit where you see a great variety of penguins. There is sea life tunnel where sharks and other sea life swim throughout the tunnel overhead. The tunnel provides plenty of Oohs and aahs. After one of the shows, there is a neat spot where the floor below is made of glass and right above is a glass ceiling both outfitted with plenty of sea life. Children love to run around and chase the fish in the floor.

Be sure to bring your sunscreen, some cash, and a little patience and Sea World will offer a lifetime of family memories. For more great theme park info, be sure to visit our theme park/water park page!

SeaWorld Orlando
7007 SeaWorld Drive,
Orlando, FL, 32821
888 800-5447

Larry

July 17, 2009December 5, 2020

Starfish Company Restaurant, Great Outdoor Dining

The Starfish Company is a fabulous restaurant just a short 5 minute drive from Anna Maria Island. It is just off Cortez road just past the drawbridge heading East of Anna Maria Island. The Anna Maria Restaurant officially resides in Cortez village and becomes the hub during the Cortez fishing festival.

Most will probably arrive by car however if boating is your passion then boat right on over to Starfish. Go East along the shoreline south of the Cortez Bridge. Pass the U.S. Coast Guard Station and A.P. Bell Fish Company before coming to Star’s back dock. Tie up wherever you can and the boat parking is free! By the way, just about every map I have viewed, Yahoo, MSN, Google messes up the location of Starfish Company restaurant. Trust us, heading East from Anna Maria Island just past the drawbridge take a right on 123 rd Street WEST go two blocks and you run right into Starfish Company.

The Starfish Company restaurant has outdoor seating right at the docks. There are fantastic views from the dining area of the Starfish Restaurant and includes mangrove islands, Jewfish Key, Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach. You can sit out on the dock under the sun or under the shade the restaurant provides. The restaurant is more of a take out dining style and they specialize in simple presentation and great seafood. Free automobile parking is in the front by the entrance for the fresh fish market and in the rear of the restaurant by the water is the bar and dining area. Walk back behind the building on the right side. In the video below you can see the dining areas as well as where you order your food. Don’t go right to your seat and sit down and expect a waitress to take your order. It doesn’t work that way at Starfish Company restaurant. Walk up to the right side of the bar and order your food through the window. When the food is ready they will call your name or number.

Starfish Company restaurant has fantastic fish, clam strips, scallops, shrimp, and just about anything you would look forward to eating in a fishing village. My favorite are the hush puppies. Yes, that is right they server hush puppies as a side dish as well as chowder. The restaurant has domestic and imported beers as well as wines. For children they do have hamburgers, hot dogs and yes, french fries.

Starfish Company is a great very casual Anna Maria Island restaurant and although it is not officially on Anna Maria Island it is so close it might as well be! Be sure to check their schedule. They normally are closed for dinner on Sunday and Monday’s and serve a great lunch 7 days per week.

If you are looking for fresh fish their seafood market is a great choice for fresh Florida local seafood. For more information visit the Starfish Company restaurant and Seafood market website.

Starfish Company
12306 46th Avenue West
Cortez, Fl, 34215
(941) 794-1243

For another great seafood alternative try the Cortez Kitchen. It is just a short 5 minute drive from Anna Maria Island and just down the street from the Starfish Company restaurant.

Larry