FLORIDA CHARM

Anna Maria Oyster Bar

John and Amanda Horne opened their first oyster bar in 1995. It became one of Bradenton’s most beloved seafood restaurants, Anna Maria Oyster Bar. They have four sites now. This one on Anna Maria Island’s Historic Bridge Street Pier has outside seating with a view of Tampa Bay. Boaters can dock here.

As the name indicates, oysters are the specialty. There are other yummy choices, however. I enjoyed the coconut shrimp with a sweet and spicy apricot horseradish sauce.

Floriday’s Woodfire Grill and Bar

A real Key West feel overlooking Anna Maria Sound. Live music Friday and Saturday nights. My favorite is the seafood boil with shrimp, clams, sausage, mussels, potatoes and corn on the cob. It’s cooked in an herbed beer broth that added even more flavor. Desserts are a hard choice between key lime pie and the P-nut butter chocolate bar. You taste the tartness of fresh key limes (your mouth should be watering).

Lodging

I stayed at and can recommend Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound just across from Floriday’s. It’s a boutique Margaritaville hotel. Free parking and free breakfast plus snacks. And a free bookshelf. A bonus here is Artemis, the friendly pooch greeter. One of the desk clerks told me, “I have seen guests come in all keyed up and tense from driving … and when they pet Artemis, you see them become more relaxed.” FCM

Roundup

Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum Complex, amihs.org, 941-778-0492

Florida’s Maritime Museum, floridamaritimemuseum.org, 941-708-6120

Shogun Farms, shogunfarms.com

Paradise Boat Tour, seedolphins.com, 941-465-8624

Ginny and Jane E’s’ Café, ginnysandjanees.com, 941-778-3170

Anna Maria Island Beach Café, amibeachcafe.com, 941-778-0784

Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar, swordfishgrillcortez.com, 941-798-2035

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, marvistadining.com, 941-383-2391

Anna Maria Oyster Bar, oysterbar.net, (Bradenton Beach/Bridge Street Pier) 941-778-2662

Floriday’s Woodfire Grill and Bar, floridays-annamaria.com, 941-741-8700

Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound, compasshotel.com, 941-741-9700