Places to eat

We chose not to go on the wagon ride at Robinson Preserve as planned.  Today was one of those rare days when rain fell, and the Mango Salsa Grouper that Lonna ate last night at the Sandbar didn't sit well, so she chose to "set" it elsewhere about noon.

Columbia Restaurant

But here are some great places to eat on or near Anna Maria Island -

• The Sandbar, in spite of Lonna's experience.  Michael Connelly references it often in his books.  It is located on the gulf shore towards the north end of the island where it provides a nice view of the sunset.  When we ate there a wedding was taking place on the beach.
• Fire & Stone Pizza - on Cortez Road.  All day buffet for little or nothing.  Like many places, they accept checks, and their only bounced checks are local.
• Beach House - very nice, like the Sandbar is on the beach also, owned by the same fellow, who also owns MerVista on Longboat Key.
• Oma's Pizza on Gulf Road was very good.
• Columbia Restaurant on St Armand's Circle, Longboat Key, is outstanding.  Founded by Cubans in 1905, we emailed for reservations and continue to get their email propaganda regularly.  I enjoyed the Roast Pork "A La Cubana" and Lonna had the Original 1905 Salad.
• The Mexicali Restaurant had very good fish tacos.
• Rotten Ralph's on the end of the dock had a great breakfast.
• Star Fish Seafood Market - on the beach south of Cortez Road.  Fresh fish, down home fixin'.  You order and pay at the bar, leave your name, and a server brings out a dozen or so at a time, yelling the name of the owners.  Good soup, sandwiches OK, ambiance very local.  Penguins swoop back and forth.

One place we found to be far less than suitable was the Rib House bearing the name of LeeRoy Selmon, a retired linebacker with the Bucs.  We discovered why it wasn't very busy, although the fried green tomatoes were good.  Selmon had been a positive role model and community philanthropist after his retirement, and unfortunately died not long before we were there.